Abstract: A recording data string is composed of a plurality of synchronous frames each of which has synchronous data and coding data. Data items in the coding data contributed to creation of the same column of the error correction code are arranged at regular intervals of E in the recording data string. A data segment length L is obtained by adding an additional synchronous frame to the recording data string. Wherein, a physical segment length A satisfies the equation L=mA, m is a natural number. And A is set indivisible by E.

Abstract: This invention relates to a focus control apparatus having a controller which generates a control signal and performs focus operation when the peak timing of a focus sum signal based on reflected light and the zero-crossing timing of a focus error signal are detected to substantially coincide with each other in supplying a control signal to a lens actuator driver for supplying a driving signal to a lens actuator for driving a lens. The invention also relates to an optical disk apparatus using the focus control apparatus. By detecting coincidence of the two timings, two reflected waves are discriminated, and stable focus operation is achieved.

Abstract: An information recording medium according to an embodiment of this invention has a plurality of disk-like information recording layers, which are adhered to each other within an allowable decentering error range, and an embossed lead-in area assured on each information recording layer has first guard tracks which are formed within the range of the first radial distance from the radial position of the innermost periphery of the embossed lead-in area toward the outer periphery side, and second guard tracks which are formed within the range of the second radial distance from the radial position of the outermost periphery of the embossed lead-in area toward the inner periphery side.

Abstract: An information recording medium according to an embodiment of this invention has a plurality of disk-like information recording layers, which are adhered to each other within an allowable decentering error range, and a data area assured on each information recording layer, and has guard tracks within the range of a predetermined radial distance from the radial position of the innermost periphery of the data area toward the outer periphery.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus has a first optical system having an objective lens with a first NA, a second optical system having an objective lens with a second NA lower than the first NA, addition means for adding focus error signals detected by the first and second optical systems, and alignment means for aligning the objective lens in accordance with the addition result of the addition means.