Abstract: A method for adjusting recording power of an optical disk apparatus having an output circuit that outputs recording light onto a test writing area of an optical disk, and a control circuit that adjusts the recording power of the recording light outputted from the output circuit, the method including the steps of causing the control circuit to erase a recording mark recorded onto the test writing area, to record a recording mark onto the test writing area in constant recording power lower than threshold power for starting a recording operation, and to record a recording mark onto the test writing area while changing the recording power.

Abstract: In an optical disc apparatus, whether an unrecorded recording layer without information recorded thereon is included in the multiple recording layers of the optical disc mounted inside the apparatus is judged. then when the unrecorded recording layer is judged to be present, a signal for focus offset adjustment is recorded in a non-user data recording area of the unrecorded recording layer, and reproduction of the recorded focus offset adjusting signal is followed by its quality evaluation, which is further followed by calculation and setup of an appropriate focus offset value based on evaluation results.

Abstract: In an optical disc apparatus, whether an unrecorded recording layer without information recorded thereon is included in the multiple recording layers of the optical disc mounted inside the apparatus is judged. then when the unrecorded recording layer is judged to be present, a signal for focus offset adjustment is recorded in a non-user data recording area of the unrecorded recording layer, and reproduction of the recorded focus offset adjusting signal is followed by its quality evaluation, which is further followed by calculation and setup of an appropriate focus offset value based on evaluation results.

Abstract: In an optical disc apparatus, whether an unrecorded recording layer without information recorded thereon is included in the multiple recording layers of the optical disc mounted inside the apparatus is judged. then when the unrecorded recording layer is judged to be present, a signal for focus offset adjustment is recorded in a non-user data recording area of the unrecorded recording layer, and reproduction of the recorded focus offset adjusting signal is followed by its quality evaluation, which is further followed by calculation and setup of an appropriate focus offset value based on evaluation results.

Abstract: A method for adjusting recording power of an optical disk apparatus having an output circuit that outputs recording light onto a test writing area of an optical disk, and a control circuit that adjusts the recording power of the recording light outputted from the output circuit, the method including the steps of causing the control circuit to erase a recording mark recorded onto the test writing area, to record a recording mark onto the test writing area in constant recording power lower than threshold power for starting a recording operation, and to record a recording mark onto the test writing area while changing the recording power.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical disc apparatus constructed to discriminate a disc ID of an optical disc on which information is to be recorded, then derive, from a strategy pre-registered in the optical disc apparatus, test-recording repetition count information that matches the discriminated disc ID, and after using the derived test-recording repetition count information to assign the number of test-recordings to be conducted upon one specific address within a test-recording area of the optical disc, implement the assigned number of test-recordings and calculate an optimum recording power level for information recording, based upon a read signal generated after the final test-recording. The above construction improves recording power accuracy of information recording on rewritable optical discs.

Abstract: An optical disk device capable of conducting high-precision record control in response to minute defects on an optical disk, and a method for controlling the optical disk device are provided. Recording power for recording data on an optical disk is modified according to the amount a laser beam focus is offset relative to a recording surface of the optical disk, the amount being obtainable based on a focus error signal. Also, the recording power is modified according to the amount an objective lens is displaced from its reference position in a radial direction of the optical disk as detected by a sensor.

Abstract: To provide a technology for improving the recording quality through edge correction of recording pulse in an optical disc apparatus. An optimum recording power of recording pulse is obtained through OPC processing according to a recording strategy with a first pulse timing; recording is performed by use of recording pulse with the optimum recording power; a first edge-shift amount of recording mark is measured from a reproduction signal to perform edge correction of recording pulse to form a second pulse timing of a recording strategy. Subsequently, recording is performed with pulse width variations of recording pulse to measure a second edge-shift amount of recording mark from a reproduction signal; and optimum edge positions of recording pulse are calculated based on the first edge-shift amount and the second edge-shift amount.

Abstract: In an optical disc apparatus, whether an unrecorded recording layer without information recorded thereon is included in the multiple recording layers of the optical disc mounted inside the apparatus is judged. then when the unrecorded recording layer is judged to be present, a signal for focus offset adjustment is recorded in a non-user data recording area of the unrecorded recording layer, and reproduction of the recorded focus offset adjusting signal is followed by its quality evaluation, which is further followed by calculation and setup of an appropriate focus offset value based on evaluation results.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording medium including a disk-like substrate, a plurality of tracks extending in a circumferential direction on the substrate and associated with a plurality of grooves, with a plurality of zones provided on the disk-like substrate and extending between a first position and a second position in a radial direction of the substrate. Each zone includes at least two tracks with each track being divided into a plurality of recording units of circular arc shape extending in the circumferential direction. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, an optical detector for detecting a reflected light from the medium, and a reproducer for reproducing information by using a signal from the detector.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording medium including a disk-like substrate, a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along a track formed on the substrate, and the groove structure being wobbled in a radial direction of the medium. The track is divided into a plurality of recording units in the track direction by at least one radial boundary line formed by a dropout portion, wherein identification information is disposed in the track at a head of each recording unit at the dropout portion. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, an optical detector for detecting a reflected light from the medium, and a reproducer for reproducing information by using a signal from the detector.

Abstract: An optical recording method for an optical medium including a disk-like substrate, a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along a track formed on the disk-like substrate, the groove structure being wobbled in a radial direction of the optical medium, the track being divided into a plurality of units in the track direction by at least one radial boundary line, at least two adjacent units in the radical direction of the medium comprise one zone, the optical medium including a plurality of zones, and the groove structure included in the adjacent units within at least one zone having substantially a same number of wobbling. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical medium including a disk-like substrate, a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along tracks formed on the substrate, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of units, each of the units including a dropout portion of the groove structure which is a non-groove portion along the track in a circumferential direction of the track, the groove structure being wobbled in a fixed cycle in a radial direction which continues in the circumferential direction along the track. When the wobble is formed in the circumferential direction of the track, the dropout portion is formed so that a phase of the wobble is continued with a phase of the wobble of the groove structure within another unit adjacent to the dropout portion. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information by irradiating an optical spot on the medium.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical medium having a disk-like substrate with a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along a track formed on the substrate. The groove structure is wobbled in a radial direction of the medium and the track is divided into a plurality of units in the track direction by at least one radial boundary line formed by a dropout portion. Identification information is disposed in the track at a head of each recording unit at the dropout portion and the medium is divided into a plurality of zones in a radial direction with a length of a circular arc being substantially the same between the zones in a circumferential direction. At least two adjacent units in the radial direction of the medium comprise one zone. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording medium having a disk-like substrate, a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along tracks formed on the substrate, and each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of recording units. Each of the recording units includes a dropout portion of the groove structure which is a non-groove portion along the track in a circumferential direction of the track, and the groove structure is wobbled in a fixed cycle in a radial direction, which continues in the circumferential direction along the track. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, an optical detector for detecting a reflected light from the medium, and a reproducer for reproducing information by using a signal from the detector.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording medium including a disk-like substrate, a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along a track formed on the substrate, wherein the groove structure is wobbled in a radial direction of the medium. The wobbled groove structure is utilized for recording of recording data, and the track is divided into a plurality of recording units in the track direction by at least one radial boundary line. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, an optical detector for detecting a reflected light from the medium, and a reproducer for reproducing information by using a signal from the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording medium, including a disk-like substrate, a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along tracks formed on the substrate, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of recording units. Each of the recording units includes a dropout portion in a circumferential direction of the groove structure with the dropout portion being a non-groove portion. The groove structure is formed with a wobble in a fixed cycle in a radial direction which continues in the circumferential direction along the track. Each length of the recording units is an integer multiple of the cycle of the wobble. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the medium, an optical detector for detecting a reflected light from the medium, and a reproducer for reproducing information by using a signal from the optical detector.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording medium including a disk-like substrate, a plurality of tracks extending in a circumferential direction on the disk-like substrate and associated with a plurality of grooves wobbled in a radial direction, and a plurality of zones provided on the disk-like substrate and extending between a first position and a second position in a radial direction of the disk-like substrate. The information reproducing apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, an optical detector for detecting a reflected light from the medium, and a reproducer for reproducing information by using a signal from the optical detector.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical medium having a disk-like substrate, a plurality of tracks extending in a circumferential direction on the substrate and associated with a plurality of grooves, and a plurality of zones being provided on the disk-like substrate and extending between a first position and a second position in a radial direction of the substrate. Each zone including at least two tracks, and each track being divided into a plurality of units of circular arc shape extending in the circumferential direction with radially adjacent units of a respective zone being delimited by a pair of radial lines joined to form a central angle at an apex proximate to a center of the substrate. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: An information recording method for a recording medium including a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along tracks formed on a disk-like substrate, wherein each of the tracks is divided into a plurality of recording units. Each of the recording units includes a blank portion in a circumferential direction of the groove structure, the blank portion being a non-groove portion, the groove structure being formed with a wobble in a fixed cycle in a radial direction, the fixed cycle of the wobble continuing in the circumferential direction along the track, and each length of the recording units is an integer multiple of the cycle of the wobble. The method includes irradiating a light beam to the recording medium, and recording information to the recording medium.