U.S. patent application number 12/101414 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-21 for optical information recording medium, optical information recording method, and optical information recording apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kenji NARUMI, Kenichi Nishiuchi.
Application Number | 20080198712 12/101414 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18763041 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080198712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NARUMI; Kenji ; et
al. |
August 21, 2008 |
OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM, OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING
METHOD, AND OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING APPARATUS
Abstract
An information recording medium according to the present
invention includes a plurality of recording layers, and a test area
for determining a recording power of a laser light for each of the
plurality of recording layers, in which a first test area of a
first layer and a second test area of a second layer adjacent to
the first layer are provided at different radial positions.
Inventors: |
NARUMI; Kenji; (Osaka,
JP) ; Nishiuchi; Kenichi; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK D. SARALINO (MEI);RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE, 19TH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Assignee: |
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
18763041 |
Appl. No.: |
12/101414 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10296662 |
Mar 31, 2003 |
7376058 |
|
|
PCT/JP01/07927 |
Sep 12, 2001 |
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12101414 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
369/47.53 ;
G9B/7.029 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 2007/0013 20130101;
G11B 7/00736 20130101; G11B 7/1267 20130101; G11B 7/0953
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/47.53 |
International
Class: |
G11B 27/22 20060101
G11B027/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2000 |
JP |
2000-277775 |
Claims
1. An optical information recording medium, comprising: a first
information recording layer on which information is to be recorded
by laser light; and a second information recording layer on which
information is to be recorded by the laser light which has passed
through the first information recording layer, wherein: the first
information recording layer includes a first test-recording area
for performing a test recording operation on the first layer, and
at least one of a reproduction-only area and a recording and
reproduction area, the second information recording layer includes
a second test recording area for performing a test recording on the
second layer, wherein a start location of the first test recording
area is radially offset from a start location of the second test
recording area, and at least one of the reproduction-only area and
the recording and reproduction area, and the second test recording
area is located such that, for all test recording performed on the
second information recording layer, only one of the
reproduction-only area and the recording and reproduction area
includes an area of the first information recording layer through
which the laser light for recording information in the second test
recording area passes; and further comprising a separation layer
for separating the first information recording layer and the second
information recording layer from each other, wherein: the area of
the first information recording layer, through which the laser
light for recording information in the test recording area passes,
extends outward from an outer end of an area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the test recording
area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)), where d is a distance in a
thickness direction between the first information recording layer
and the second information recording layer; n is a refractive index
of the separation layer; and NA is a numerical aperture of an
objective lens for focusing the laser light to the test recording
area.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/296,662 filed on Mar. 31, 2003, which is a
.sctn.371 of International Application No. PCT/JP01/07927 filed
Sep. 12, 2001, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference, and is related to co-pending sibling U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/857,785 filed Sep. 19, 2007, Attorney
Docket No. YAMAP0856USC (U.S. application Ser. No. ______),
YAMAP00856USD (U.S. application Ser. No. ______), YAMAP0856USE
(U.S. application Ser. No. ______), YAMAP0856USF (U.S. application
Ser. No. ______), YAMAP0856USG (U.S. application Ser. No. ______)
and YAMAP856USH (U.S. application Ser. No. ______) all filed on
Apr. 11, 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an optical information
recording medium, an optical information recording method and an
optical information recording apparatus, for optically recording
information. In more detail, the present invention relates to an
optical information recording medium including a first information
recording layer on which information is to be recorded by laser
light and a second information recording layer on which information
is to be recorded by the laser light which has passed through the
first information recording layer; and a method and an apparatus
for the optical information recording medium.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Recently, optical discs, optical cards, optical tapes and
the like have been developed as optical information recording media
for allowing information to be optically recorded. Among these,
optical discs have attracted attention as optical information
recording media for allowing a large capacity of information to be
recorded at high density.
[0004] One type of rewritable discs are phase-change optical discs.
A recording layer used for a phase-change optical disc is
reversibly changed to either an amorphous state or a crystalline
state, depending on the conditions of heating by laser light and
the cooling conditions. The recording layer has different optical
constants when in an amorphous state from when in a crystalline
state. Therefore, in the case of a phase-change disc, one of the
two states is selectively formed in the recording layer in
accordance with information to be recorded, and the resultant
optical change (i.e., a change in transmittance or reflectance) is
utilized. Thus, information recording and/or reproduction can be
performed. In order to obtain the two states, information is
recorded as follows.
[0005] A recording layer of an optical disc is irradiated with
pulse-type laser light (referred to as a "recording pulse") at a
power for raising the temperature of the recording layer to equal
to or higher than the melting point. As the laser light passes, the
melted portion of the recording layer is rapidly cooled into a
recording mark in an amorphous state. Alternatively, the recording
layer is irradiated with focused laser light at a power for raising
the temperature of the recording layer to a point equal to or
higher than the crystallization point but equal to or lower than
the melting point. Then, the portion of the recording layer
irradiated with the laser light is placed into a crystalline
state.
[0006] An optical disc is a recording medium which is exchangeably
mounted with other optical discs on an optical disc recording and
reproduction apparatus. Therefore, the optical disc recording and
reproduction apparatus needs to stably perform recording on or
reproduction from a plurality of optical discs. Even optical discs
produced under the same conditions may have different recording
mark states or may be differently influenced by thermal
interference between recording marks, due to different thermal
characteristics thereof which are caused by dispersions at the time
of production and/or time-wise changes. This may result in
different recording conditions including the recording power for
the optical disc and the optimum edge position of the recording
pulse.
[0007] In order to stably record information without being
influenced by changes in such recording conditions, an optical disc
recording and reproduction apparatus obtains recording conditions
before recording information on an optical disc. Specifically,
before recording information on an optical disc, an optical
recording and reproduction apparatus performs test recording using
a specific data pattern (referred to as "test information"),
reproduces the test information, and measures the reproduced signal
so as to obtain the recording condition. This process is referred
to as "test recording". Optical discs have an area used by the test
recording, which is referred to as an "test recording area".
[0008] A rewritable disc has a reproduction-only area pre-formed in
a specific portion. The reproduction-only area includes convex and
concave phase pits. In the reproduction-only area, information
which does not need to be rewritten, for example, information on
the optical disc itself or address information, is recorded. This
area is also referred to as an "emboss area".
[0009] An area in which information is recorded by forming a
recording mark is referred to as a "recording and reproduction
area". In the recording and reproduction area, information which
has a possibility of being rewritten is recorded.
[0010] A general rewritable optical disc has a data area in a
central portion in a radial direction thereof, and has a lead-in
area in a portion internal with respect to the data area, and a
lead-out area in a portion external with respect to the data area.
In general, an area for recording management information of the
optical disc and/or a test recording area is provided in the
lead-in area and the lead-out area.
[0011] Recently, there has been strong demand for the optical discs
with a higher recording density. In response to this demand, a
multi-layer recording medium having two or more information
recording layers in a thickness direction of the disc is proposed.
Information can be recorded on each of the information recording
layers.
[0012] In such a multi-layer recording medium, each of the
information recording layers often have different recording
characteristics. This requires test recording to be performed for
each information recording layer. One exemplary method of such test
recording is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Publication No.
11-3550.
[0013] However, conventional methods do not consider the following
phenomenon. When test recording is performed on an information
recording layer of a multi-layer recording medium which is far from
the laser incidence surface (the information recording layer far
from the laser incidence surface will be referred to as a "second
information recording layer"), the second information recording
layer is influenced by the state of an information recording layer
which is closer to the laser incidence surface (the information
recording layer closer to the laser incidence surface will be
referred to as a "first information recording layer").
[0014] Laser light used for recording information on the second
information recording layer may become non-uniform when the laser
light has passed through a certain area of the first information
recording layer. In this case, test recording would not provide
accurate recording conditions.
[0015] The light transmittance of an information recording layer
varies depending on whether information is recorded or not in the
recording and reproduction area of the information recording layer.
Therefore, the amount of laser light reaching the second
information recording layer varies in accordance with the ratio of
an unrecorded area and a recorded area in a light spot of the laser
light on the first information recording layer, the light spot
being formed before the laser light is used for test recording on
the second information recording layer. As a result, accurate
recording conditions are not obtained.
[0016] The light transmittance of an unrecorded area in the
recording and reproduction area can be considered to be equal to
the light transmittance of the reproduction-only area. However, the
light transmittance of a recorded area in the recording and
reproduction area is different from the light transmittance of the
reproduction-only area. Accordingly, when test recording is
performed on the second information recording layer, the amount of
laser light reaching the second information recording layer varies
also in accordance with the ratio of the reproduction-only area and
the recording and reproduction area in a light spot on the first
information recording layer (and the ratio of the recorded area and
the unrecorded area in the recording and reproduction area).
[0017] The second information recording layer is influenced by the
state of the first information recording layer when information
(for example, user data information) is recorded in a recording and
reproduction area of the second information recording layer, as
well as at the time of test recording. In this case also,
information cannot be accurately recorded, which reduces the signal
quality used for reproducing the recorded information.
[0018] The present invention, to solve these problems of the prior
art, has an objective of accurately obtaining optimum recording
conditions for an optical information recording medium having two
or more information recording layers, and another objective of
accurately recording information on each of two or more information
recording layers of an optical information recording medium.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0019] An optical information recording medium according to the
present invention includes a first information recording layer on
which information is to be recorded by laser light; and a second
information recording layer on which information is to be recorded
by the laser light which has passed through the first information
recording layer. The first information recording layer includes at
least one of a reproduction-only area and a recording and
reproduction area. The second information recording layer includes
a test recording area. At least one of the reproduction-only area
and the recording and reproduction area, and the test recording
area is located such that one of the reproduction-only area and the
recording and reproduction area includes an area of the first
information recording layer through which the laser light for
recording information in the test recording area passes.
[0020] The optical information recording medium may further include
a separation layer for separating the first information recording
layer and the second information recording layer from each other.
The area of the first information recording layer, through which
the laser light for recording information in the test recording
area passes, may extend outward from an outer end of an area of the
first information recording layer corresponding to the test
recording area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being
represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0021] The second information recording layer may have a data
recording area which extends from an end of the test recording area
by at least the length .delta..
[0022] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area passes, may extend outward from the outer end of the
area of the first information recording layer corresponding to the
test recording area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being
represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0023] The second information recording layer may include a data
recording area which extends from the end of the test recording
area by at least the length .delta.'.
[0024] An optical information recording medium according to the
present invention includes a first information recording layer on
which information is to be recorded by laser light; and a second
information recording layer on which information is to be recorded
by the laser light which has passed through the first information
recording layer. The first information recording layer includes a
prescribed area. The second information recording layer includes a
test recording area. The prescribed area and the test recording
area are located such that the prescribed area includes an area of
the first information recording layer through which the laser light
for recording information in the test recording area passes. The
prescribed area is entirely in a recorded state or entirely in an
unrecorded state.
[0025] The prescribed area, when being in an unrecorded state, may
be a recording prohibited area.
[0026] The prescribed area, when being in an unrecorded state, may
be a mirror area.
[0027] The prescribed area, when being in an unrecorded state, may
be a lead-in area.
[0028] The optical information recording medium may further include
a separation layer for separating the first information recording
layer and the second information recording layer from each other.
The area of the first information recording layer, through which
the laser light for recording information in the test recording
area passes, may extend outward from an outer end of an area of the
first information recording layer corresponding to the test
recording area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being
represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0029] The second information recording layer may have a data
recording area which extends from an end of the test recording area
by at least the length .delta..
[0030] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area passes, may extend outward from the outer end of the
area of the first information recording layer corresponding to the
test recording area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being
represented by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0031] The second information recording layer may include a data
recording area which extends from the end of the test recording
area by at least the length .delta.'.
[0032] An optical information recording medium according to the
present invention includes a first information recording layer on
which information is to be recorded by laser light; and a second
information recording layer on which information is to be recorded
by the laser light which has passed through the first information
recording layer. The first information recording layer includes a
test recording area and a recording and reproduction area. A light
transmittance of an area of the first information recording layer,
through which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area passes, is different from a light transmittance of
an area of the first information recording layer, through which the
laser light for recording information in the recording and
reproduction area passes. Information for calculating an optimum
recording condition of at least one of the test recording area and
the recording and reproduction area is recorded in a specific area
of either the first information recording layer or the second
information recording layer.
[0033] An optical information recording medium according to the
present invention includes a first information recording layer on
which information is to be recorded by laser light; and a second
information recording layer on which information is to be recorded
by the laser light which has passed through the first information
recording layer. The first information recording layer includes at
least one of a reproduction-only area and a first recording and
reproduction area. The second information recording layer includes
a second recording and reproduction area. At least one of the
reproduction-only area and the first recording and reproduction
area, and the second recording and reproduction area are located
such that one of the reproduction-only area and the first recording
and reproduction area includes an area of the first information
recording layer through which the laser light for recording
information in the second recording and reproduction area
passes.
[0034] The optical information recording medium may further include
a separation layer for separating the first information recording
layer and the second information recording layer from each other.
The area of the first information recording layer, through which
the laser light for recording information in the second recording
and reproduction area passes, may extend outward from an outer end
of an area of the first information recording layer corresponding
to the second recording and reproduction area by a length .delta.,
the length .delta.' being represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer: n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the second recording and reproduction area.
[0035] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the second
recording and reproduction area passes, may extend outward from the
outer end of the area of the first information recording layer
corresponding to the second recording and reproduction area by a
length .delta.', the length .delta.' being represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0036] A size of the reproduction-only area of the first
information recording layer may be zero.
[0037] An optical information recording medium according to the
present invention includes a first information recording layer on
which information is to be recorded by laser light; a second
information recording layer on which information is to be recorded
by the laser light which has passed through the first information
recording layer; and a separation layer for separating the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer from each other. The first information recording layer
includes at a first test recording area and a non-uniform light
prevention area. The second information recording layer includes a
second test recording area. The non-uniform light prevention area,
the first test recording area and the second test recording area
are located, such that a distance between the first test recording
area and the second test recording area is greater than a length
.delta., and such that the non-uniform light prevention area
includes an area of the first information recording layer through
which the laser light for recording information in the second test
recording area passes, the length .delta. being represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the second test recording area.
[0038] The first information recording layer may include at least
one of a first lead-in area and a first lead-out area. The second
information recording layer may include at least one of a second
lead-in area and a second lead-out area. The first lead-in area and
the second lead-in area respectively may include the first test
recording area and the second test recording area, or the first
lead-out area and the second lead-out area respectively include the
first test recording area and the second test recording area.
[0039] The non-uniform light prevention area of the first
information recording layer may be a reproduction-only area.
[0040] The non-uniform light prevention area may be an area formed
of at least one of the group consisting of a reproduction-only
area, a recording prohibited area, and a mirror area.
[0041] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the second test
recording area passes, may extend outward from an outer end of an
area of the first information recording layer corresponding to the
second test recording area by a length .delta.', the length
.delta.' being represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0042] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the second test
recording area passes, may extend outward from an outer end of an
area of the first information recording layer corresponding to the
second test recording area by a length .delta.', the length
.delta.' being represented by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0043] An optical information recording method according to the
present invention is for an optical information recording medium
including a first information recording layer on which information
is to be recorded by laser light; and a second information
recording layer on which information is to be recorded by the laser
light which has passed through the first information recording
layer. The first information recording layer includes at least one
of a reproduction-only area and a recording and reproduction area.
The second information recording layer includes a test recording
area. The optical information recording method includes the steps
of recording information, in advance, in an area of the first
information recording layer, through which the laser light for
recording information in the test recording area is to pass; and
recording the information in the test recording area after the step
of recording the information in advance.
[0044] The optical information recording method may further include
a separation layer for separating the first information recording
layer and the second information recording layer from each other.
The area of the first information recording layer, through which
the laser light for recording information in the test recording
area passes, may extend outward from an outer end of an area of the
first information recording layer corresponding to the test
recording area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being
represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0045] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area passes, may extend outward from the outer end of the
area of the first information recording layer corresponding to the
test recording area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being
represented by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0046] The information which is recorded in advance may be
information obtained by modulating dummy information.
[0047] The step of recording the information in advance may include
the step of recording using a certification step.
[0048] An optical information recording method according to the
present invention is for an optical information recording medium
including a first information recording layer on which information
is to be recorded by laser light; and a second information
recording layer on which information is to be recorded by the laser
light which has passed through the first information recording
layer. The first information recording layer includes at least one
of a reproduction-only area and a recording and reproduction area.
The second information recording layer includes a test recording
area. The optical information recording method includes the steps
of determining whether an area of the first information recording
layer, through which the laser light for recording information in
the test recording area passes, is an area of one of the
reproduction-only area and the recording and reproduction area
which is an unrecorded state or an area of the recording and
reproduction area which is in a recorded state; executing test
recording in the test recording area so as to obtain a recording
condition; and calculating an optimum recording condition for the
second information recording layer based on the result of the
determination and the obtained recording condition.
[0049] The optical information recording medium may further include
a separation layer for separating the first information recording
layer and the second information recording layer from each other.
The area of the first information recording layer, through which
the laser light for recording information in the test recording
area passes, may extend outward from an outer end of an area of the
first information recording layer corresponding to the test
recording area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being
represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the second recording and reproduction area.
[0050] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area passes, may extend outward from the outer end of the
area of the first information recording layer corresponding to the
test recording area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being
represented by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0051] The information for calculating the optimum recording
condition may be recorded in a specific area of the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer.
[0052] An optical information recording apparatus according to the
present invention is for an optical information recording medium
including a first information recording layer on which information
is to be recorded by laser light; and a second information
recording layer on which information is to be recorded by the laser
light which has passed through the first information recording
layer. The second information recording layer includes a test
recording area. The optical information recording apparatus
includes an interference area determination section for determining
an area of the first information recording layer through which the
laser light for recording information in the test recording area
passes; a recorded/unrecorded state determination section for
determining whether the area of the first information recording
layer, through which the laser light for recording information in
the test recording area passes, is in a recorded state or in an
unrecorded state; and a recording section for recording a signal in
the area of the first information recording layer, through which
the laser light for recording information in the test recording
area passes, based on the results of the determination of the
interference area determination section and the recorded/unrecorded
state determination section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] FIG. 1 shows an external view of an optical information
recording medium according to the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical information
recording medium according to the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 3 shows a format of a first information recording layer
and a second information recording layer according to Example 1 of
the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 4 shows a format of a first information recording layer
and a second information recording layer of a comparative
example.
[0057] FIG. 5 shows the length of a light spot of the first
information recording layer (i.e., an area of the first information
recording layer, through which laser light passes) according to the
present invention.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows a format of a first information recording layer
and a second information recording layer according to a modified
example of Example 1.
[0059] FIG. 7 shows a format of a first information recording layer
and a second information recording layer according to Example 2 of
the present invention.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a format of a first information recording layer
and a second information recording layer according to Example 3 of
the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an optical information
recording apparatus for creating an optical information recording
medium according to Example 3 of the present invention.
[0062] FIG. 10 shows a format of a first information recording
layer and a second information recording layer according to Example
4 of the present invention.
[0063] FIG. 11 shows a format of a first information recording
layer and a second information recording layer according to Example
5 of the present invention.
[0064] FIG. 12 shows a format of a first information recording
layer and a second information recording layer according to Example
6 of the present invention.
[0065] FIG. 13 shows a format of a plurality of information
recording layers according to Example 7 of the present
invention.
[0066] FIG. 14 shows a format of a first information recording
layer and a second information recording layer according to Example
8 of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0067] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way
of illustrative examples with reference to attached drawings.
Example 1
[0068] This example relates to an optical information recording
medium with which accurate recording conditions can be obtained by
the test recording.
[0069] FIG. 1 is an external view of an optical information
recording medium 100 according to the present invention.
Hereinafter, the optical disc 100 will be used as a specific
example of the optical information recording medium 100.
[0070] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of
the optical information recording medium or the optical disc 100.
The optical disc 100 has a multi-layer structure. As shown in FIG.
2, the optical disc 100 includes an incidence surface 110, a first
information recording layer 120, a second information recording
layer 130, and a separation layer 150 for separating the first
information recording layer 120 and the second information
recording layer 130 from each other.
[0071] The first information recording layer 120 and the second
information recording layer 130 are formed by pre-forming a groove
or a phase pit in a first substrate 140 and a second substrate 145
respectively, and then forming a protective layer, a recording
layer, a reflective layer and the like thereon. The resultant first
substrate 140 and the resultant second substrate 145 are bonded
together with an ultraviolet-curable resin or the like, so as to
form the separation layer 150. The separation layer 150 separates
the first information recording layer 120 and the second
information recording layer 130 from each other.
[0072] Laser light 170 is focused by an objective lens 160 and then
is incident on the incidence surface 110. The laser light 170
records information on the information recording layers. FIG. 2
shows a state where information is recorded on the second
information recording layer 130 by the laser light 170 which has
passed through the first information recording layer 120.
[0073] Next, a format of the optical disc 100 used in this example
will be described.
[0074] FIG. 3 shows a format of the first information recording
layer 120 and the second information recording layer 130. FIG. 3
shows the format in a radial direction of the disc from the center
of the optical disc 100. The center of the optical disc 100 is
represented by "0" in the radial direction. The distance along the
arrow labeled as "radial direction" indicates distance from the
center of the optical disc 100. The left side of the figure
represents the inner side of the optical disc 100, and the right
side of the figure represents the outer side of the optical disc
100. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that laser light is directed toward
the optical disc 100 from the bottom portion of the figure.
[0075] The first information recording layer 120 includes a first
reproduction-only area (ROM) 122 and a first recording and
reproduction area (RAM) 124. The first recording and reproduction
area 124 includes a first test recording area (TEST) 126 and a
first data recording area (DATA) 128. In FIG. 3, the first
information recording layer 120 includes the first
reproduction-only area 122, the first test recording area 126, and
the first data recording area 128 in that order from the inner
portion thereof.
[0076] The second information recording layer 130 includes a second
reproduction-only area (ROM) 132 and a second recording and
reproduction area (RAM) 134. The second recording and reproduction
area 134 includes a second test recording area (TEST) 136 and a
second data recording area (DATA) 138. An area 133 between the
second reproduction-only area 132 and the second test recording
area 136 is, for example, an unused area which has not been used.
In FIG. 3, the second information recording layer 130 includes the
second reproduction-only area 132, the unused area 133, the second
test recording area 136, and the second data recording area 138 in
that order from the inner portion thereof.
[0077] In the first reproduction-only area 122 and the second
reproduction-only area 132, a phase pit array representing
information is formed. In the first recording and reproduction area
124 and the second recording and reproduction area 134, grooves
representing information are formed.
[0078] In this specification, it is assumed that in a
reproduction-only area, information which does not need to be
rewritten, for example, information of the optical disc itself or
address information, is recorded. By contrast, it is also assumed
that in a recording and reproduction area, information which has a
high possibility of being rewritten is recorded. Since different
types of information are recorded in the reproduction-only area and
in the recording and reproduction area, the information is recorded
in different forms in the reproduction-only area and in the
recording and reproduction area as described above. In the
reproduction-only area, information which does not need to be
rewritten is recorded. Therefore, such information is recorded with
a phase pit array, simultaneously with the formation of the
substrate. In the recording and reproduction area, information
which has a high possibility of being rewritten is recorded.
Therefore, information is recorded in the form of a recording mark
on the recording layer which is formed on the grooves.
[0079] In this specification, a test recording area is used for
performing test recording on the information recording layer
including the test recording area. A data recording area is used
for recording user data information.
[0080] In this example, the first information recording layer 120
and the second information recording layer 130 are provided from
the center of the disc substantially parallel to each other and
have substantially the same length as each other.
[0081] Throughout this specification, for easier understanding of
the invention, when the optical information recording medium
includes two information recording layers, the information
recording layer which is closer to the incidence side of the
optical information recording medium is referred to as the "first
information recording layer", and the information recording layer
which is farther from the incidence side of the optical information
recording medium is referred to as the "second information
recording layer". As described in detail below, the number of the
information recording layers of the optical information recording
medium is not limited to two. The present invention is applicable
to an optical information recording medium having a plurality of
information recording layers.
[0082] Returning to FIG. 3, the format of the optical disc 100 will
be described.
[0083] The first recording and reproduction area 124 of the first
information recording layer 120 extends from position r1 to an
outer periphery of the optical disc 100.
[0084] The second test recording area 136 of the second information
recording layer 130 extends from position r2 by distance a.
[0085] The start point of the first recording and reproduction area
124 is closer to the center of the disc by length .delta. than the
start point of the second test recording area 136. In this
specification, a "start point" of an area refers to the point in an
area having the shortest distance from the center of the disc, and
a "termination point" of an area refers to the point in an area
having the longest distance from the center of the disc.
[0086] Here, it is assumed that information is recorded in the
second test recording area 136 in order to perform test recording
of the second information recording layer 130.
[0087] The laser light 170 for recording information in the second
test recording area 136 passes through the first information
recording layer 120. Since the laser light 170 is focused after
being incident, an area (light spot) 175 of the first information
recording layer, through which the laser light 170 passes, is
larger than the second test recording area 136. In this example,
the optical disc 100 is structured such that the first recording
and reproduction area 124 includes the area 175 of the first
information recording layer 120 through which the laser light 170
passes for recording information in the second test recording area
136. For this reason, the start point of the first recording and
reproduction layer 124 is closer to the center of the disc by
length .delta. than the start point of the second test recording
area 136. In FIG. 3, only the laser light 170 incident in a portion
internal to the second test recording area 136 is considered. The
reason is that, since in this structure, the first recording and
reproduction area 124 extends from the start point of the first
test recording area 126 to the outer periphery of the disc, it is
not necessary to consider the laser light 170 incident in a portion
external to the second test recording area 136.
[0088] The length of the area 175 of the first information
recording layer 120, through which the laser light 170 which is to
be focused in the second test recording area 136 passes, equals
.delta.+a+.delta.. Namely, the area 175 includes an area
corresponding to the second test recording area 136 having the
length a and two areas respectively extending from an inner end and
an outer end of the above-mentioned area toward the center of the
disc and the outer periphery of the disc, each extending area
having length .delta.. As described above, such a size of the area
175 results from the fact that the diameter of the spot of the
laser light 170 at the first information recording layer 120 is
greater than that at the second information recording layer 130. In
the case where the first recording and reproduction area 124 and
the second test recording area 136 are located such that the first
recording and reproduction area 124 includes at least the area 175,
the laser light 170 passes through only the first recording and
reproduction area 124 when passing through the first information
recording layer 120 in the test recording performed using the
second test recording area 136.
[0089] As described above, the first recording and reproduction
area 124 and the second test recording area 136 are located such
that the laser light 170 passes through only the first recording
and reproduction area 124 when passing through the first
information recording layer 120 in the test recording performed on
the second test recording area 136. The reasons are as follows.
[0090] A recording and reproduction area and a reproduction-only
area are formed in different forms. Therefore, the light
transmittance of the recording and reproduction area may sometimes
be different from the light transmittance of the reproduction-only
area. When laser light passes through both the reproduction-only
area and the recording and reproduction area in this case, a
component of light passing through the reproduction-only area and
reaching the second information recording layer and a component of
light passing through the recording and reproduction area and
reaching the second information recording layer will have different
amounts.
[0091] The light transmittance of an unrecorded area in the
recording and reproduction area can be considered to be equal to
the light transmittance of the reproduction-only area. However,
when the recording and reproduction area has information recorded
therein, the light transmittance of a recorded area in the
recording and reproduction area is different from the light
transmittance of the reproduction-only area. Accordingly, when
information is recorded in the recording and reproduction area of
the first information recording layer, the light transmittance is
different between the reproduction-only area 122 and the recording
and reproduction area 124 of the first information recording layer
120.
[0092] In a recording and reproduction area, a recording mark (in
an amorphous state) is formed. When the recording mark is formed,
the light transmittance of the recording and reproduction area is
raised in some cases and is reduced in other cases. Hereinafter,
the case where the light transmittance is raised will be described.
In this case, the amount of light transmitted through the recording
and reproduction area is larger than amount of light transmitted
through the reproduction-only area.
[0093] For comparison, FIG. 4 shows a format of an optical disc 400
in which a first information recording layer and a second
information recording layer have the same format.
[0094] The optical disc 400 includes a first information recording
layer 420, a second information recording layer 430, and a
separation layer 450 for separating the first information recording
layer 420 and the second information recording layer 430 from each
other.
[0095] The first information recording layer 420 includes a first
reproduction-only area (ROM) 422 and a first recording and
reproduction area (RAM) 424. The first recording and reproduction
area 424 includes a first test recording area (TEST) 426 and a
first data recording area (DATA) 428.
[0096] The second information recording layer 430 includes a second
reproduction-only area (ROM) 432 and a second recording and
reproduction area (RAM) 434. The second recording and reproduction
area 434 includes a second test recording area (TEST) 436 and a
second data recording area (DATA) 438.
[0097] In this comparative example, the format of the first
information recording layer 420 is the same as that of the second
information recording layer 430. Therefore, the start point r1' of
the first recording and reproduction area 424 is the same as the
start point r2' of the second test recording area 436.
[0098] In this case, when laser light 470 is incident on the
innermost portion of the second test recording area 436 (i.e., the
left end of the second test recording area 436 as shown in FIG. 4)
for test recording of the second information recording layer 430,
half of the laser light 470 incident on the first information
recording layer 420 is transmitted through the first
reproduction-only area 422.
[0099] As a result, the amount of laser light 470 passing through
the first reproduction-only area 422 and reaching the second
information recording layer 430 is different from the amount of
laser light 470 passing through the first recording and
reproduction area 424 and reaching the second information recording
layer 430. Therefore, accurate test recording cannot be performed.
For example, when the light transmittance of the recording and
reproduction area is higher than the light transmittance of the
reproduction-only area, recording power which is greater than the
recording power of the laser light passing through the
reproduction-only area is determined to be the desired recording
power.
[0100] Accordingly, when test recording is performed using the
innermost portion of the second test recording area 436 (i.e., the
left end of the second test recording area 436 in FIG. 4) in order
to obtain the desired recording power, recording power which is
greater than the appropriate recording power is provided as the
result of the test recording result. Therefore, actual data is
recorded at excessively high recording power.
[0101] Moreover, the amount of the laser light 470 reaching the
second information recording layer 430 varies in accordance with
the ratio of the laser light 470 transmitted through the first
reproduction-only area 422 with respect to the entire laser light
470 used for recording information in the second test recording
area 436. As a result, the test recording result varies in
accordance with the position of the second test recording area 436
in which information is recorded.
[0102] By contrast, with the format according to this example shown
in FIG. 3, the laser light 170 is not influenced by the first
reproduction-only area 122 regardless of the position in the second
test recording area 136 at which test recording is performed.
Accordingly, accurate recording conditions are obtained by the test
recording.
[0103] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, expansion of the
light spot 175 on the first information recording layer 120 will be
described in detail. FIG. 5 shows the length of the light spot 175
on the first information recording laser 120 when the laser light
170 is focused on the second information recording layer 130. Here,
for simpler explanation, the laser light 170 is focused onto a
focal point 172 on the second information recording layer 130. In
this state, the angle .theta. at which the laser light 170 is
focused onto the focal point 172 is:
.theta.=sin.sup.-1(NA/n).
[0104] Where the distance in the thickness direction of the disc
between the first information recording layer 120 and the second
information recording layer 130 is d, the numerical aperture of the
objective lens 160 is NA, and the refractive index of the
separation layer 150 is n, the radius .delta. of the light spot 175
on the first information recording layer 120 is represented by:
.delta.=dtan .theta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)).
[0105] From this, as long as the start point of the first test
recording area 126 in FIG. 3 is away from the start point of the
second test recording area 136 by at least length .delta.
represented by the above expression, the first recording and
reproduction area 124 includes the light spot 175 of the laser
light 170 on the first information recording layer 120. In this
case, accurate recording conditions can be obtained by the test
recording.
[0106] As described above, the optical information recording medium
100 according to this example is structured such that the first
recording and reproduction area 124 includes the area 175 of the
first information recording layer 120 of the laser light 170 for
recording information in the second test recording area 136 passes.
Therefore, accurate recording conditions can be obtained by the
test recording.
[0107] In FIG. 3, the area between the second reproduction-only
area 132 and the second test recording area 136 is the unused area
133. The present invention is not limited to this.
[0108] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the unused area 133 may be
replaced with a third data recording area 137. In this case, the
length of the data recording area 137 is at least equal to length
.delta.. An optical disc 600 shown in FIG. 6 has the same format as
that of the optical disc 100 shown in FIG. 3 except that the unused
area 133 is replaced with the third data recording area 137. Such a
format can expand the data recording area compared to that of the
disc 100 shown in FIG. 3.
Example 2
[0109] In this example, a case where the center of the two
information recording layers are offset with respect to each other
will be described.
[0110] In actual production of a multi-layer recording medium, a
plurality of information recording layers may be sometimes
positionally offset with respect to each other when the information
recording layers are bonded together. When the start points of the
test recording areas are offset with respect to each other due to
the positional offset between the information recording layers, the
length .delta. considered in Example 1 is not sufficient. In this
example, the effect of the present invention is provided even when
the distances of the two information recording layers from the
center of the disc are different from each other.
[0111] FIG. 7 shows a format of an optical disc 700 in which a
first information recording layer 720 and a second information
recording layer 730 are offset with respect to each other by
.delta.m.
[0112] The optical disc 700 includes the first information
recording layer 720, the second information recording layer 730,
and a separation layer 750 for separating the first information
recording layer 720 and the second information recording layer 730
from each other.
[0113] The first information recording layer 720 includes a first
reproduction-only area (ROM) 722 and a first recording and
reproduction area (RAM) 724. The first recording and reproduction
area 724 includes a first test recording area (TEST) 726 and a
first data recording area (DATA) 728. In FIG. 7, the first
information recording layer 720 includes the first
reproduction-only area 722, the first test recording area 726, and
the first data recording area 728 in that order from the inner
portion thereof.
[0114] The second information recording layer 730 includes a second
reproduction-only area (ROM) 732 and a second recording and
reproduction area (RAM) 734. The second information recording layer
730 may include an unused area 733. The second recording and
reproduction area 734 includes a second test recording area (TEST)
736 and a second data recording area (DATA) 738. In FIG. 7, the
second information recording layer 730 includes the second
reproduction-only area 732, the unused area 733, the second test
recording area 736, and the second data recording area 738 in that
order from the inner portion thereof.
[0115] In this figure, the offset .delta.' between the start points
of the first recording and reproduction area 724 and the second
test recording area 736, the offset .delta.' being defined from the
center of the disc, is represented by:
.delta.'=r2-r1=.delta.+.delta.m=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m.
[0116] This represents a value obtained by adding the length
.delta. of the light spot 725 on the first information recording
layer 720 described in Example 1 with the length .delta.m of the
positional offset between the first information recording layer 720
and the second information recording layer 730.
[0117] Accordingly, as long as the start of the first recording and
reproduction area 724 is away from the start of the second test
recording area 736 by at least the length .delta.' represented by
the above expression, the first recording and reproduction area 724
includes a light spot 775 on the first information recording layer
720, through which laser light 770 passes, even when the first
information recording layer 720 and the second information
recording layer 730 are positionally offset with respect to each
other by the length .delta.m.
[0118] Considering the difference in the distances of the first
information recording layer 720 and the second information
recording layer 730 from the center of the disc, it is necessary
that the first recording and reproduction area 724 includes the
area 775. Here, the area 775 is an area of the first information
recording layer 720 through which the laser light 770 used for
recording information on the second test recording area 736 passes.
The length of the area 775 needs to be at least
.delta.'+a+.delta.'. Namely, the area 775 includes an area
corresponding to the second test recording area 736 having the
length a and two areas respectively extending from an inner end and
an outer end of the above-mentioned area toward the center of the
disc and the outer periphery of the disc, each extending area
having length .delta.'. In the case where the first recording and
reproduction area 724 and the second test recording area 736 are
located such that the first recording and reproduction area 724
includes the area 775, accurate recording conditions can be
obtained by the test recording.
Example 3
[0119] In this example, a case where the area of the first
information recording layer, through which laser light used for
recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer passes, is a recorded state area will
be described.
[0120] FIG. 8 shows a format of an optical disc 800 according to
this example.
[0121] The optical disc 800 includes a first information recording
layer 820, a second information recording layer 830, and a
separation layer 850 for separating the first information recording
layer 820 and the second information recording layer 830 from each
other.
[0122] The first information recording layer 820 includes a first
reproduction-only area 822 and a first recording and reproduction
area 824. The first recording and reproduction area 824 includes a
first test recording area 826 and a first data recording area 828.
In FIG. 8, the first information recording layer 820 includes the
first reproduction-only area 822, the first test recording area
826, and the first data recording area 828 in that order from the
inner portion thereof.
[0123] The second information recording layer 830 includes a second
reproduction-only area 832 and a second recording and reproduction
area 834. The second recording and reproduction area 834 includes a
second test recording area 836 and a second data recording area
838. An area 833 between the second reproduction-only area 832 and
the second test recording area 836 is, for example, an unused area
which has not been used. In FIG. 8, the second information
recording layer 830 includes the second reproduction-only area 832,
an unused area 833, the second test recording area 836, and the
second data recording area 838 in that order from the inner portion
thereof.
[0124] In the optical disc 800, the first recording and
reproduction area 824 includes a recorded state area 875 of the
first information recording layer 820. Laser light 870, used for
recording information in the second test recording area 836, passes
through the recorded state area 875. The recorded state area 875 is
entirely in a recorded state. The length of the recorded state area
875 is .delta.+a+.delta.. Namely, the recorded state area 875
includes an area corresponding to the second test recording area
836 having the length a and two areas respectively extending from
an inner end and an outer end of the above-mentioned area toward
the center of the disc and the outer periphery of the disc, each
extending area having length .delta..
[0125] The recorded state area 875 is formed by recording
information in the entirety of the recorded state area 875 of the
first recording and reproduction area 824, for example, before the
second test recording area 836 is used.
[0126] Owing to such a structure, onto whichever position of the
second test recording area 836 the laser light 870 may be focused,
the light transmittance of the area of the first recording and
reproduction area 824, through which the laser light 870 passes
(i.e., area 875), can be uniform. The light transmittance varies
depending on whether information is recorded or not in the
recording and reproduction area 824. Since the area 875 is entirely
in a recorded state, the light transmittance is uniform.
Accordingly, as long as information is recorded in the recorded
state area 875 shown in FIG. 8, the amount of the laser light 870
reaching the second test recording area 836 is uniform when test
recording is performed on the second test recording area 836. As a
result, accurate recording conditions can be obtained.
[0127] In this example, when the first information recording layer
820 and the second information recording layer 830 are positionally
offset with respect to each other, the length of the recorded state
area 875 may have the length .delta.'+a+.delta.' as described in
Example 2.
[0128] The information to be recorded in the recorded state area
875 may be information obtained by modulating data information or
information obtained by modulating dummy information.
[0129] It is preferable to record information in the recorded state
area 875 at the time of certification after the optical disc is
produced. Since the recording apparatus does not need to perform
this step, the start time when a new optical disc is mounted on the
recording apparatus can be shortened.
[0130] Next, an optical recording apparatus for recording
information on the optical information recording medium according
to this example will be described.
[0131] FIG. 9 shows an optical information recording apparatus 900
for creating the optical information recording medium according to
this example. Hereinafter, an operation of the optical information
recording apparatus 900 will be described with reference to FIG.
9.
[0132] The optical information recording apparatus 900 includes a
spindle motor 907 for rotating the optical disc 800 and an optical
head 903 including a laser source (not shown) and focusing laser
light to a desired position of an information recording layer of
the optical disc 800. The entire operation of the optical
information recording apparatus 900 is controlled by a system
control section 901. It is not intended that the recorded state
area 875 of the optical disc 800 is in a completely recorded state
at this point.
[0133] The optical information recording apparatus 900 further
includes a recording section 902 for modulating the light intensity
of the laser source in the optical head 903 based on information
obtained by modulating data information, and a reproduction section
904 for performing waveform processing of a reproduction signal
based on the light reflected by the optical disc 800 so as to
demodulate reproduction information. The optical information
recording apparatus 900 also includes an interference area
determination section 905 for determining whether or not a given
area of the first information recording layer 820 is an area which
can be an optical path of the laser light 870 for recording
information in the second test recording area 836 (i.e., whether or
not the given area is the area 875 through which the laser light
passes for recording information in the second test recording area
836), and a recorded/unrecorded state determination section 906 for
reproducing the information in the area 875 through which the laser
light passes for recording information in the second test recording
area 836 and then determining whether the area 875 is in a recorded
state or an unrecorded state based on the reproduction result.
[0134] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, operation of
the optical information recording apparatus 900 according to this
example will be described. First, the system control circuit 901
rotates the spindle motor 907, and the optical head 903 focuses the
laser light 870 onto the first information recording layer 820 on
the optical disc 800 so as to reproduce information on the first
information recording layer 820. Based on address reproduction
information from the reproduction section 904, the interference
area determination section 905 determines whether the area, in
which information is being reproduced, is the area 875 or not.
Based on the determination result, the system control section 901
seeks for the optical head 903 up to a certain area in the area 875
and reproduces information in the certain area of the area 875.
[0135] Based on the reproduction information from the reproduction
section 904, the recorded/unrecorded state determination section
906 determines whether the track in the certain area in the area
875, in which information is being reproduced, is in a recorded
state or an unrecorded state. When the recorded/unrecorded state
determination section 906 determines that the track is in an
unrecorded state, some information is recorded in the track in the
certain area in the area 875 so as to place the certain area in the
area 875 into a recorded state. When the recorded/unrecorded state
determination section 906 determines that the track is in a
recorded state, it is confirmed that the certain area in the area
875, in which information is being reproduced, is already in a
recorded state. This operation is performed for the entirety of the
area 875.
[0136] In this manner, the area 875 is entirely placed into a
recorded state, and thus acts as a recorded state area. Onto
whichever position of the second test recording area 836 the laser
light 870 may be focused, the light transmittance of the area 875
of the first information recording layer 820, through which the
laser light for recording information in the second test recording
area 836 passes, can be uniform. Accordingly, whichever portion of
the second test recording area 836 of the second information
recording layer may be used for test recording, the amount of the
laser light reaching the second test recording area 836 is the
same. Thus, accurate recording conditions can be obtained.
Example 4
[0137] In Example 3, an operation for placing the area 875, of the
first information recording layer, through which the laser light
for recording information in the second test recording area 836
passes, into a recorded state area was described. In this example,
a specific example of an operation for placing the entirety of the
area of the first information recording layer, through which the
laser light for recording information in the second test recording
area passes, into an unrecorded state will be described.
[0138] FIG. 10 shows a format of an optical disc 1000 according to
Example 4.
[0139] The optical disc 1000 includes a first information recording
layer 1020, a second information recording layer 1030, and a
separation layer 1050 for separating the first information
recording layer 1020 and the second information recording layer
1030 from each other.
[0140] The first information recording layer 1020 includes a first
reproduction-only area 1022 and a first recording and reproduction
area 1024. The first recording and reproduction area 1024 includes
a first test recording area 1026 and a first data recording area
1028. In FIG. 10, the first information recording layer 1020
includes the first reproduction-only area 1022, the first test
recording area 1026, and the first data recording area 1028 in that
order from the inner portion thereof.
[0141] The second information recording layer 1030 includes a
second reproduction-only area 1032 and a second recording and
reproduction area 1034. The second recording and reproduction area
1034 includes a second test recording area 1036 and a second data
recording area 1038. An area 1033 between the second
reproduction-only area 1032 and the second test recording area 1036
is, for example, an unused area which has not been used. In FIG.
10, the second information recording layer 1030 includes the second
reproduction-only area 1032, the unused area 1033, the second test
recording area 1036, and the second data recording area 1038 in
that order from the inner portion thereof.
[0142] In the optical disc 1000, the first recording and
reproduction area 1024 includes a unrecorded state area 1075 of the
first information recording layer 1020. Laser light 1070, used for
recording information in the second test recording area 1036,
passes through the unrecorded state area 1075. The unrecorded state
area 1075 is entirely in an unrecorded state. The length of the
unrecorded state area 1075 is .delta.+a+.delta.. Namely, the
recorded state area 1075 includes an area corresponding to the
second test recording area 1036 having the length a and two areas
respectively extending from an inner end and an outer end of the
above-mentioned area toward the center of the disc and the outer
periphery of the disc, each extending area having length
.delta..
[0143] As shown in FIG. 10, the area, of the first recording and
reproduction area 1024 including the area corresponding to the
second test recording area 1036 having the length a and two areas
respectively extending from an inner end and an outer end of the
above-mentioned area toward the center of the disc and the outer
periphery of the disc, each extending area having length .delta.
(i.e., the area of the first information recording layer 1020
having the length of .delta.+a+.delta.) is in an unrecorded state
at the time of test recording.
[0144] The information for calculating optimum recording conditions
based on the result of the test recording may be recorded in an
arbitrary area of the first information recording layer 1020 and
the second information recording layer 1030. In this case, the
information for calculating the optimum recording conditions are,
for example, information for multiplying the recording conditions
in an unrecorded state by a certain coefficient based on, for
example, the difference in the amount of transmitted light between
the unrecorded state and the recorded state. In this example, the
entirety of the area of the first information recording layer 1020,
through which the laser light for recording information in the
second test recording area 1036 passes, is in an unrecorded state.
Accordingly, the recording conditions obtained in such a
circumstance have a possibility of not being optimum for recording
information in the second test recording area 1038 using the laser
light which has passed through the first recording information
recording layer 1020 having information recorded thereon.
[0145] Hereinafter, a specific example of an operation for
multiplying the recording conditions in an unrecorded state by a
certain coefficient based on the difference in the amount of
transmitted light between the unrecorded state and the recorded
state will be described.
[0146] In the case of an optical disc in which the amount of
transmitted light in a recorded state is s times the amount of
transmitted light in an unrecorded state, where the optimum
recording power obtained by performing test recording in an
unrecorded state is Pm, the optimum recording power Pk in a
recorded state can be calculated as follows.
Pk=Pm/s
[0147] Here, "s" is defined as the transmittance correction
coefficient. By such a calculation, even when information is not
recorded in a specific area of the first information recording
layer 1020 in advance, the optimum recording power in the case
where the area of the first information recording layer 1020,
through which the laser light passes, is in a recorded state can be
estimated. In the case where it is time-consuming to form the
recorded state area 875 in the first information recording layer
1020 as in Example 3, the optimum recording conditions can be
calculated as in this example, instead of directly obtaining the
optimum recording conditions as in Example 3.
[0148] In the case where there is a possibility that the first
information recording layer 1020 and the second information
recording layer 1030 in this example are positionally offset with
respect to each other, it is preferable to keep the unrecorded
state area 1075 having the length .delta.'+a+.delta.' unrecorded at
the time of test recording as described in Example 2.
[0149] In this example, it is more preferable to record the
transmittance correction coefficient s for determining the optimum
recording power in a specific area in the optical disc 1000 (for
example, the first reproduction-only area 1022 or the second
reproduction-only area 1032). In this case, even when the
transmittance correction coefficient s is different among different
optical discs, the optical disc recording apparatus can immediately
learn the coefficient when an optical disc is mounted on the
optical disc recording apparatus. Therefore, the time required to
start actually recording information can be shortened.
[0150] In this example, the unrecorded state area at the time of
test recording may be a recording prohibited area where information
is never recorded. Alternatively, the unrecorded state area may be
a mirror area which does not have any guide grooves for tracking
servo control.
Example 5
[0151] In Examples 1 through 4, the recording and reproduction area
of the first information recording layer includes a light spot of
the laser light. The present invention is not limited to such a
format. In this example, a format where the reproduction-only area
of the first information recording layer includes a light spot of
the laser light will be described.
[0152] FIG. 11 shows a format of an optical disc 1100 according to
Example 5.
[0153] The optical disc 1100 includes a first information recording
layer 1120, a second information recording layer 1130, and a
separation layer 1150 for separating the first information
recording layer 1120 and the second information recording layer
1130 from each other.
[0154] The first information recording layer 1120 includes a first
reproduction-only area 1122 and a first recording and reproduction
area 1124. The first recording and reproduction area 1124 includes
a first test recording area 1126 and a first data recording area
1128. In FIG. 11, the first information recording layer 1120
includes the first reproduction-only area 1122, the first test
recording area 1126, and the first data recording area 1128 in that
order from the inner portion thereof.
[0155] The second information recording layer 1130 includes a
second reproduction-only area 1132, a third reproduction-only area
1133, and a second recording and reproduction area 1134. The second
recording and reproduction area 1134 includes a second test
recording area 1136 and a second data recording area 1138. In FIG.
11, the second information recording layer 1130 includes the second
reproduction-only area 1132, the second test recording area 1136,
the third reproduction-only area 1133, and the second data
recording area 1138 in that order from the inner portion
thereof.
[0156] As shown in FIG. 11, the first reproduction-only area 1122
of the first information recording layer 1120 is structured so as
to include an area (light spot) 1175 through which laser light 1170
for recording information in the second test recording area 1136
passes. The length of the area 1175 is .delta.+a+.delta.. Namely,
the area 1175 includes an area corresponding to the second test
recording area 1136 having the length a and two areas respectively
extending from an inner end and an outer end of the above-mentioned
area toward the center of the disc and the outer periphery of the
disc, each extending area having length .delta.. Thus, at whichever
position of the second test recording area 1136 test recording may
be performed, the laser light for recording information in the
second test recording area 1136 is the laser light which has passed
through the first reproduction-only area 1122. As a result, the
recording conditions are prevented from being dispersed depending
on the position at which the test recording is performed.
[0157] In this example, as described in Example 4, it is more
preferable to calculate the optimum recording conditions based on
the result of the test recording. Thus, the optimum recording
conditions for the case where the laser light passes through the
first recording and reproduction area 1124, which is in a recorded
state with a recording mark array being formed, can be
estimated.
[0158] In the case where there is a possibility that the first
information recording layer 1120 and the second information
recording layer 1130 are positionally offset with respect to each
other, the first reproduction-only area 1122 is located so as to
have the length .delta.'+a+.delta.', which is the length of the
area 1175 of the first information recording layer 1120, as
described in Example 2.
Example 6
[0159] In Examples 1 through 5, information is recorded in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer in order
to perform test recording of the second information recording
layer. When data is recorded in the recording and reproduction area
of the second information recording layer, as well as at the time
of test recording described in Examples 1 through 5, there is a
possibility of the signal quality for reproducing the recorded
signal being lowered. The reason is that when the laser light used
for recording passes through both the reproduction-only area and
the recording and reproduction area, the amount of laser light
reaching the recording and reproduction area of the second
information recording layer is different depending on which one of
the above two areas the laser light has passed through. As a
result, accurate recording cannot be performed.
[0160] In this example, a specific example of recording information
in the recording and reproduction area of the second information
recording layer will be described.
[0161] FIG. 12 shows a format of an optical disc 1200 according to
Example 6.
[0162] The optical disc 1200 includes a first information recording
layer 1220, a second information recording layer 1230, and a
separation layer 1250 for separating the first information
recording layer 1220 and the second information recording layer
1230 from each other.
[0163] The first information recording layer 1220 includes a first
reproduction-only area 1222 and a first recording and reproduction
area 1224. In FIG. 12, the first information recording layer 1220
includes the first reproduction-only area 1222 and the first
recording and reproduction area 1224 in that order from the inner
portion thereof.
[0164] The second information recording layer 1230 includes a
second reproduction-only area 1232 and a second recording and
reproduction area 1234. In FIG. 12, the second information
recording layer 1230 includes the second reproduction-only area
1232 and the second recording and reproduction area 1234 in that
order from the inner portion thereof.
[0165] As shown in FIG. 12, the first reproduction-only area 1222
is preferably smaller than the second reproduction-only area 1232
of the second information recording layer 1230.
[0166] In FIG. 12, the start point of the first recording and
reproduction area 1224 is located closer to the center of the disc
than the start point of the second recording and reproduction area
1234 by length .delta.. Owing to such a structure, in whichever
portion of the second recording and reproduction area 1234
information may be recorded, the first recording and reproduction
area 1224 includes an area 1275 of the first information recording
layer 1220 through which the laser light for recording information
in the second recording and reproduction area 1234 passes.
Therefore, the second recording and reproduction area 1234 is only
influenced by the first recording and reproduction area 1224 and is
not influenced by the first reproduction-only area 1222. Thus,
information can be accurately recorded in the second recording and
reproduction area 1234.
[0167] In the case where there is a possibility that the first
information recording layer 1220 and the second information
recording layer 1230 are positionally offset with respect to each
other, the start point of the first recording and reproduction area
1224 and the start point of the second recording and reproduction
area 1234 are preferably offset with respect to each other by
.delta.' as described in Example 2.
[0168] In FIG. 12, the size of the first reproduction-only area
1222 may be zero. In this case, it is not necessary to form a phase
pit for the first reproduction-only area 1222 at the time of
production of the first information recording layer 1200. Thus, the
production process of the disc can be simplified.
Example 7
[0169] In Examples 1 through 6, there are two information recording
layers. The present invention is not limited to this. According to
the present invention, the number of information recording layers
may be three or more.
[0170] FIG. 13 shows a format of an optical disc 1300 according to
Example 7 of the present invention.
[0171] The optical disc 1300 is obtained by expanding the optical
disc in Example 1, and has a different format from that of the
optical disc in Example 1. The optical disc 1300 includes N number
of information recording layers. In FIG. 13, among the N number of
information recording layers, three information recording layers i,
j and k each have a reproduction area in order to obtain accurate
recording conditions by the test recording.
[0172] In this example, a first information recording layer 1310 is
the i'th layer, a second information recording layer 1320 is the
j'th layer, a third information recording layer 1330 is the k'th
layer, from the laser incidence side of the disc. The distance
between the first information recording layer 1310 and the second
information recording layer 1320 is dij, the distance between the
second information recording layer 1320 and the third information
recording layer 1330 is djk, and distance between the first
information recording layer 1310 and the third information
recording layer 1330 is dik.
[0173] The first information recording layer 1310 includes a first
reproduction-only area 1312 and a first recording and reproduction
area 1314. The first recording and reproduction area 1314 includes
a first test recording area 1316 and a first data recording area
1318.
[0174] The second information recording layer 1320 includes a
second reproduction-only area 1322 and a second recording and
reproduction area 1324. The second recording and reproduction area
1324 includes a second test recording area 1326 and a second data
recording area 1328.
[0175] The third information recording layer 1330 includes a third
reproduction-only area 1332 and a third recording and reproduction
area 1334. The third recording and reproduction area 1334 includes
a third test recording area 1336 and a third data recording area
1338.
[0176] In this case, the start point of the first recording and
reproduction area 1312 is at least .delta.ij away from the start
point of the second test recording area 1326, and is at least
.delta.ik away from the start point of the third test recording
area 1336. The start point of the second recording and reproduction
area 1324 is at least .delta.jk away from the start point of the
third test recording area 1336. Here,
.delta.ij=dijtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
.delta.ik=diktan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)), and
.delta.jk=djktan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
[0177] where NA is the numerical aperture of an objective lens for
focusing laser light 1370, and n is the refractive index of the
separation layer between the first information recording layer 1310
and the second information recording layer 1320 and of the
separation layer between the second information recording layer
1320 and the third information recording layer 1330.
[0178] Owing to such a structure, the laser light 1370 for
recording information in the second test recording area 1326 passes
through only the first recording and reproduction area 1314 when
passing through the first information recording layer 1310. The
laser light 1370 for recording information in the third test
recording area 1336 passes through only the first recording and
reproduction area 1314 when passing through the first information
recording layer 1310 and only the second recording and reproduction
area 1324 when passing through the second information recording
layer 1320.
[0179] Even when the information recording layer as a target is,
for example, between the first information recording layer 1310 and
the second information recording layer 1320 as in this example or
at an arbitrary position, substantially the same effect as that in
Example 1 is provided, as long as the second information recording
layer 1320 is farther from the incidence surface than the first
information recording layer 1310, and an area of the first
information recording layer 1310, through which the laser light
1370 for recording information in the second test recording area
1326 passes, is entirely a recording and reproduction area.
Example 8
[0180] FIG. 14 shows a format of an optical disc 1400 according to
Example 8 of the present invention.
[0181] The optical disc 1400 includes a first information recording
layer 1420, a second information recording layer 1430, and a
separation layer 1450 for separating the first information
recording layer 1420 and the second information recording layer
1430 from each other.
[0182] The first information recording layer 1420 includes a first
reproduction-only area 1422, a first recording and reproduction
area 1424 and a second reproduction-only area 1429. The first
recording and reproduction area 1424 includes a first test
recording area 1426 and a first data recording area 1428. In FIG.
14, the first information recording layer 1420 includes the first
test recording area 1426, the first reproduction-only area 1422,
the first data recording area 1428, and the second
reproduction-only area 1429 in that order from the inner portion
thereof. The first information recording layer 1420 includes a
first lead-in area 1425 and a first lead-out area 1427. The first
lead-in area 1425 includes the first test recording area 1426 and
the first reproduction-only area 1422. The first lead-out area 1427
includes the second reproduction-only area 1429.
[0183] The second information recording layer 1430 includes a third
reproduction-only area 1432, a second recording and reproduction
area 1434, a fourth reproduction-only area 1433, and a fifth
reproduction-only area 1439. The second recording and reproduction
area 1434 includes a second test recording area 1436 and a second
data recording area 1438. In FIG. 14, the second information
recording layer 1430 includes the third reproduction-only area
1432, the second test recording area 1436, the fourth
reproduction-only area 1433, the second data recording area 1438,
and the fifth reproduction-only area 1439 in that order from the
inner portion thereof. The second information recording layer 1430
includes a second lead-in area 1435 and a second lead-out area
1437. The second lead-in area 1435 includes the third
reproduction-only area 1432, the second test recording area 1436,
and the fourth reproduction-only area 1433. The second lead-out
area 1437 includes the fifth reproduction-only area 1439.
[0184] In this example, when priority is put on easy management of
the optical disc 1400, it is preferable to have the format shown in
FIG. 14 in which the first data recording area 1428 and the second
data recording area 1438 have an equal size. The optical disc 1400
includes the first lead-in area 1425 and the second lead-in area
1435 internally to the first data recording area 1428 and the
second data recording area 1438, respectively. The optical disc
1400 also includes the first lead-out area 1427 and the second
lead-out area 1439 externally to the first data recording area 1428
and the second data recording area 1438, respectively. The first
test recording area 1426 is located internally to the first lead-in
area 1425, and the second test recording area 1436 is located
internally to the second lead-in area 1435.
[0185] The first test recording area 1426 and the second test
recording area 1436 are positionally offset with respect to each
other by length .delta. or more. The first reproduction-only area
1422 includes a non-uniform light prevention area 1475 of the first
information recording layer 1410 through which laser light 1470 for
recording information in the second test recording area 1436
passes. The length of the area 1475 is represented by
.delta.+a+.delta.. The non-uniform light prevention area 1475
prevents the laser light 1470 incident thereon from transmitting
therethrough in a non-uniform shape.
[0186] The non-uniform light prevention area 1475 is, for example,
a reproduction-only area.
[0187] Alternatively, the non-uniform light prevention area 1475
may be a recording prohibited area or a mirror area. Owing to such
a structure, at whichever position of the second test recording
area 1436 test recording may be performed, the obtained recording
conditions are not dispersed. Moreover, owing to such a structure,
the first lead-in area 1425 of the first information recording
layer 1420 and the second lead-in area 1435 of the second
information recording layer 1430 can have identical start points,
termination points and capacities. The first data recording area
1428 of the first information recording layer 1420 and the second
data recording area 1438 of the second information recording layer
1430 can have identical start points, termination points and
capacities. The first lead-out area 1427 of the first information
recording layer 1420 and the second lead-out area 1437 of the
second information recording layer 1430 can have identical start
points, termination points and capacities. Therefore, defect
management and recording information management of the optical disc
1400 are advantageously easy. Substantially the same effect is
provided when the first test recording area 1426 is located in the
first lead-out area 1427 and the second test recording area 1436 is
located in the second lead-out area 1437.
[0188] The positions of the areas and the shape of the disc used in
the above examples are not limited to those described above, and
may be of any appropriate form in accordance with the medium itself
or the recording and reproduction apparatus.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0189] As described above, according to an optical information
recording medium of the present invention, an area of the first
information recording layer, through which laser light passes, is
entirely placed into a recorded state or an unrecorded state at the
time of test recording of the second information recording layer.
Therefore, accurate recording conditions can be obtained by the
test recording.
[0190] According to an optical information recording medium of the
present invention, an area of the first information recording
layer, through which laser light passes, is entirely placed into a
reproduction-only area or a recording and reproduction area at the
time of test recording of the second information recording layer.
Therefore, accurate recording conditions can be obtained by the
test recording.
[0191] According to an optical information recording medium of the
present invention, the reproduction-only area of the first
information recording layer is made smaller than the
reproduction-only area of the second information recording layer.
Therefore, information can be accurately recorded anywhere in the
recording and reproduction area of the second information recording
layer.
[0192] According to an optical information recording medium of the
present invention, when recording information in the recording and
reproduction area of the second information recording layer, an
area of the first information recording layer, through which laser
light passes, is entirely placed into a reproduction-only area or a
recording and reproduction area. Therefore, information can be
accurately recorded in the recording and reproduction area.
[0193] According to an optical information recording method of the
present invention, information is recorded in an area of the
recording and reproduction area of the first information recording
layer through which laser light passes before test recording of the
second information recording layer. Therefore, accurate recording
conditions can be obtained by the test recording.
[0194] According to a recording and reproduction method of the
present invention, in the case where an area of the recording and
reproduction area of the first information recording layer through
which laser light passes is in an unrecorded state at the time of
test recording of the second information recording layer, optimum
recording conditions are calculated based on the test recording
result. Therefore, accurate recording conditions can be
obtained.
[0195] In a medium according to the present invention, one of the
reproduction-only area and the recording and reproduction area of
the first information recording layer includes an area through
which laser light for recording information in the test recording
area of the second information recording layer passes. The laser
light for recording information in the test recording area of the
second information recording layer has passed through the
reproduction-only area or the recording and reproduction area.
Accordingly, the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer is not
influenced by the difference between the amount of light passing
through the reproduction-only area of the first information
recording layer and the amount of light passing through the
recording and reproduction area of the first information recording
layer. As a result, accurate recording conditions can be obtained
using the test recording area of the second information recording
layer.
[0196] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area passes, extends outward from an outer end of an area
of the first information recording layer corresponding to the test
recording area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being
represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0197] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area passes, extends outward from the outer end of the
area of the first information recording layer corresponding to the
test recording area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being
represented by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0198] Accordingly, even when there is a non-negligible offset or
eccentricity in the relative positions of the information recording
layers, accurate recording conditions for the second information
recording layer can be obtained at the time of test recording of
the second information recording layer, with no influence of the
difference in the amount of light passing through the first
information recording layer.
[0199] It is preferable to form an area of the second information
recording laser, extending from the end of at least the test
recording area by .delta. (in the case where there is a
non-negligible offset or eccentricity in the relative positions of
the information recording layers, by .delta.') into a data
recording area. This is preferable in order to expand the data
recording area.
[0200] According to the medium of the present invention, a
prescribed area of the first information recording layer, which is
entirely in a recorded state or an unrecorded state, includes an
area through which the laser light for recording information in the
test recording area of the second information recording layer
passes. The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer passes, is
entirely either in a recorded state or in an unrecorded state.
Accordingly, the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer is not
influenced by the difference in the amount of light caused by the
existence of both a recorded state area and an unrecorded state
area. As a result, accurate recording conditions can be obtained
using the test recording area of the second information recording
layer.
[0201] The prescribed area which is entirely in an unrecorded area
is, for example, a recording prohibited area, a mirror area, or a
lead-in area.
[0202] Regarding a second optical information recording medium
according to the present invention, the area of the first
information recording layer, through which the laser light for
recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer passes, extends outward from an outer
end of an area of the first information recording layer
corresponding to the test recording area by a length .delta., the
length .delta. being represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0203] Regarding the second optical information recording medium
according to the present invention, the area of the first
information recording layer, through which the laser light for
recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer passes, extends outward from the outer
end of the area of the first information recording layer
corresponding to the test recording area by a length .delta.', the
length .delta.' being represented by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0204] Owing to such a medium, even when there is a non-negligible
offset or eccentricity in the relative positions of the information
recording layers, accurate recording conditions for the second
information recording layer can be obtained at the time of test
recording of the second information recording layer, with no
influence of the difference in the amount of light passing through
the first information recording layer.
[0205] Regarding the second optical information recording medium
according to the present invention, it is preferable to form an
area of the second information recording laser, extending from the
end of at least the test recording area by .delta. (in the case
where there is a non-negligible offset or eccentricity in the
relative positions of the information recording layers, by
.delta.') into a data recording area. This is preferable in order
to expand the data recording area.
[0206] The information for calculating the optimum recording
conditions in the test recording area are recorded in a specific
area of one of a plurality of recording information layers.
Accordingly, even when the transmittance of the area of the first
information recording layer, through which the laser light for
recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer passes, is different from the
transmittance of the area of the first recording information layer,
through which the laser light for recording information in the
recording and reproduction area of the second information recording
layer passes, accurate recording conditions can be calculated for
one of the layers as long as the recording conditions of the other
layer can be obtained. As a result, a recording and reproduction
apparatus for starting the optical information recording medium can
immediately learn a method of calculation which is determined from
the difference between the amount of light transmitted through an
unrecorded state area and the amount of light transmitted through a
recorded state area. Accordingly, accurate recording conditions can
be obtained immediately after the optical information recording
medium is mounted on the recording and reproduction apparatus.
[0207] According to this medium, one of the reproduction-only area
and the recording and reproduction area of the first information
recording layer includes an area through which laser light for
recording information in the recording and reproduction area of the
second information recording layer passes. The laser light for
recording information in the recording and reproduction area of the
second information recording layer has passed through the
reproduction-only area or the recording and reproduction area.
Accordingly, the laser light for recording information in the
recording and reproduction area of the second information recording
layer is not influenced by the difference between the amount of
light passing through the reproduction-only area of the first
information recording layer and the amount of light passing through
the recording and reproduction area of the first information
recording layer. As a result, accurate recording conditions can be
obtained using the recording and reproduction area of the second
information recording layer.
[0208] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the recording
and reproduction area of the second information recording layer
passes, extends outward from an outer end of an area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the recording and
reproduction area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being
represented by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0209] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the recording
and reproduction area of the second information recording layer
passes, extends outward from the outer end of the area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the recording and
reproduction area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being
represented by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0210] In an optical information recording and reproduction medium
according to the present invention, the size of the
reproduction-only area of the first information recording layer can
be zero, such that an area influenced by the reproduction-only area
of the first information recording layer is minimized at the time
of recording in the recording and reproduction area of the second
information recording layer. Thus, information can be recorded
accurately on the second information recording layer.
[0211] Owing to this medium, the necessity of forming a phase pit
in the reproduction-only area at the time of production of the
first information recording layer is eliminated. Thus, the
production process of the disc substrate can be simplified.
[0212] The lead-in areas or the lead-out areas of corresponding
information recording layers include a first test recording area, a
recording and reproduction area, and a second test recording area.
Therefore, recording conditions of different information recording
layers can be obtained with only the lead-in areas or the lead-out
areas. In this case, the non-uniform light prevention area of the
first information recording layer includes an area of the first
information recording layer through which laser light for recording
information in the test recording area of the second information
recording layer passes.
[0213] The non-uniform light prevention area is, for example, a
reproduction-only area.
[0214] The non-uniform light prevention area is, for example, an
area formed of at least one of the group consisting of a
reproduction-only area, a recording prohibited area, and a mirror
area.
[0215] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer passes,
extends outward from an outer end of an area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the test recording
area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being represented
by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer: n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the Laser
light to the test recording area.
[0216] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer passes,
extends outward from the outer end of the area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the test recording
area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being represented
by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0217] Accordingly, even when there is a non-negligible offset or
eccentricity in the relative positions of the information recording
layers, accurate recording conditions for the second information
recording layer can be obtained at the time of test recording of
the second information recording layer, with no influence of the
difference in the amount of light passing through the first
information recording layer.
[0218] According to the method of the present invention, before
information is recorded in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer, information is stored in an area of
the first information recording layer through which laser light for
recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer passes. Accordingly, the laser light
for recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer is not influenced by the difference in
the amount of light which is caused by the first information
recording layer having both a recorded state area and an unrecorded
state area. As a result, accurate recording conditions can be
obtained by test recording of the second information recording
layer.
[0219] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer passes,
extends outward from an outer end of an area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the test recording
area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being represented
by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0220] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer passes,
extends outward from the outer end of the area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the test recording
area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being represented
by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0221] Owing to such a method, even when there is a non-negligible
offset or eccentricity in the relative positions of the information
recording layers, accurate recording conditions can be obtained at
the time of test recording of the second information recording
layer, with no influence of the difference in the amount of light
caused by the first information recording layer having both a
recorded state area and an unrecorded state area.
[0222] The information which is recorded in advance may be, for
example, information obtained by modulating dummy information.
[0223] The information may be recorded in advance by a
certification step.
[0224] According to the method of the present invention, optimum
recording conditions for the second information recording layer can
be calculated based on the function and/or the state of the area of
the first information recording layer through which the laser light
for recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer passes.
[0225] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer passes,
extends outward from an outer end of an area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the test recording
area by a length .delta., the length .delta. being represented
by:
.delta.=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n)),
where d is a distance in a thickness direction between the first
information recording layer and the second information recording
layer; n is a refractive index of the separation layer; and NA is a
numerical aperture of an objective lens for focusing the laser
light to the test recording area.
[0226] The area of the first information recording layer, through
which the laser light for recording information in the test
recording area of the second information recording layer passes,
extends outward from the outer end of the area of the first
information recording layer corresponding to the test recording
area by a length .delta.', the length .delta.' being represented
by:
.delta.'=dtan(sin.sup.-1(NA/n))+.delta.m
where .delta.m is a maximum positional offset distance between the
first information recording layer and the second information
recording layer.
[0227] Owing to this method, even when there is a non-negligible
offset or eccentricity in the relative positions of the information
recording layers, accurate recording conditions can be obtained at
the time of test recording of the second information recording
layer, based on the difference between the amount of light
transmitted through an unrecorded state area of the first
information recording layer and the amount of light transmitted
through a recorded state area of the first information recording
layer.
[0228] It is preferable to record information for calculating the
optimum recording conditions in a specific area of the optical
information recording medium.
[0229] Thus, even when the method of calculation is different
medium by medium, the recording and reproduction apparatus can
immediately learn the method of calculation. Therefore, the time
required for actually recording information after the medium is
mounted on the apparatus can be shortened.
[0230] According to the optical information recording apparatus of
the present invention, even when an area of the first information
recording layer, through which laser light for recording
information in the test recording area of the second information
recording layer passes, includes an unrecorded state area, the
laser light for recording information in the test recording area of
the second information recording layer records the information in
the area of the first information recording layer, before recording
the information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer. Therefore, there is no influence of
the difference in the amount of light, caused by the laser light
for recording information in the test recording area of the second
information recording layer passing through an area including both
a recorded state area and an unrecorded state area. As a result,
accurate recording conditions for the second information recording
layer can be obtained.
* * * * *