JP2002342926A - Optical recording medium, optical recording and reproducing device and optical recording and reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make realizable good recording and reproducing characteristics in a constitution in which the recording and reproducing of a plurality information recording layers are performed by incident light from one surface side using a centralized address system and the transmittance of the light is changed by recording with the incident light. SOLUTION: On an optical disk 1, the plurality of information recording layers are laminated, and the optical disk can record and reproduce information independently for the respective information recording layers and has address regions 4 where address bits 52 are concentratedly formed, in the respective information recording layers. The recording and reproducing of the second information recording layer are performed in this optical disk 1 by the light transmitted through the first information recording layer. The address region 4 of the first information recording layer has a continuous recording region 54 where the transmittance changes and the unrecorded region where the transmittance does not change. As a result, the transmitted light quantity of the address region 4 is approximated to the transmitted light quantity of the non-address region 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers capable of reproducing or recording / reproducing, an optical recording / reproducing apparatus using the same, and an optical recording / reproducing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an optical recording / reproducing apparatus which records a large amount of information such as a digital moving image and enables random access has been developed. In addition, increasing the density of an optical disk used as a recording medium of such an optical recording / reproducing apparatus has been studied from various angles.

In an optical recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, studies are being made to increase the numerical aperture of an objective lens and shorten the wavelength of a light source, thereby reducing the diameter of a light beam spot and increasing the recording density. I have. As a result, the recording capacity of optical disks is increasing year by year. In addition, DVD-ROM (Digital VersatileDisable)
c for Read Only Memory), a technology has been established to substantially double the disk capacity by a two-layer technology.

[0004] Further, with respect to an increase in the density of an optical disc having two recordable and reproducible information recording layers, see Joint Inte- grate.
rnational Symposium on Optical Memory and Optical
Article name "DataStorage 1999"
A 16.8GB Double-Decker Phase Change Disc ”is also being considered.

[0005] In the optical disc described in the above document, the two information recording layers are each made of a phase change material.
Such optical discs include a low-to-high medium in which the recording mark portion has a higher reflectance than the space between the recording mark portions, and a high-to-low medium in which the space portion has a higher reflectance than the recording mark portion. In any of these media, reproduction is performed utilizing the fact that the amount of reflected light and the amount of transmitted light change depending on whether the phase change material is in a polycrystalline state or an amorphous state.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-52342 describes a configuration in which address information is formed in a meandering groove in order to realize stable recording and reproduction in an optical disc having a two-layer information recording layer as described above. Have been.

As shown in FIG. 15, a conventional optical disc 101 having a two-layer information recording layer has a center hole 1 at the center.
In the recordable area 103 having a guide groove for recording and reproduction in a spiral shape, information is recorded and reproduced.

The optical disc 101 has an address area 104 in a part of a predetermined angle range, and address information is radially formed in the address area 104 as an array of address pits. Hereinafter, in the present application, as described above, a part of the area of the optical disc 101 is referred to as the address area 10.
4, and a form in which the address information is formed in a concentrated manner in the address area 104 is referred to as a centralized address method.

As shown in FIG. 16 which is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical disk 101, a guide groove forming layer 107 having a spiral guide groove formed of a concavo-convex pattern on the surface thereof is formed on an optical disk substrate 106. 2 recording layer 108,
The configuration is such that a guide groove forming intermediate layer 109, a first recording layer 110, and a surface coat layer 111 are sequentially laminated. For recording / reproducing on the first recording layer 110 and the second recording layer 108 of the optical disc 101, the light beam 112 is transmitted from the same side, that is, the first and second recording layers 110 from the surface coat layer 111 side.
This is performed by condensing and irradiating each of the light beams 108.

FIG. 17 shows an enlarged state of the guide groove 113 and a part of the address pit row 115 in the address area 104. As shown in FIG.
01, the recording mark 114 is recorded along the guide groove 113 formed in a spiral shape, and the address area 1 is recorded.
04, the address pit row 11 continues to the guide groove 113.
5 are formed.

In the optical disc 101 as described above,
As shown in FIG. 18, the recording / reproducing on the first recording layer 110 is performed while focusing and irradiating the light beam 112 on the first recording layer 110 and performing tracking along the guide groove 113 of the first recording layer 110. , By controlling the light beam intensity. For recording and reproduction on the second recording layer 108, the light beam 112 is condensed on the second recording layer 108 and irradiated, and while tracking along the guide groove 113 of the second recording layer 108, the light beam intensity is reduced. This is done by controlling.

Here, the optical disc 101 has, for example, a height-to-row phase change recording in which the space portion has a higher reflectance than the recording mark 114 portion, that is, a lower transmittance, in the first recording layer 110 and the second recording layer 108. It is assumed to be a medium.

In this case, at the time of recording / reproducing on the second recording layer 108, the light beam 112a transmitted through the area of the first recording layer 110 where the guide groove 113 is formed and condensed on the second recording layer 108 Is transmitted through an area including the recording mark 114 having a relatively high transmittance, and
Is collected. On the other hand, the light beam 112a transmitted through the address area 104 of the first recording layer 110 and condensed on the second recording layer 108 is an area that does not include the recording mark 114 having a high transmittance, that is, relatively. The light passes through a region having a low transmittance and is collected on the second recording layer 108. Therefore, the intensity of the light beam 112b transmitted through the area of the first recording layer 110 where the guide groove 113 is formed is equal to the intensity of the light beam 112a transmitted through the address area of the first recording layer 110.
Relatively stronger than the strength of

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, in the optical disk 101 having the address area where the address pit row 115 is concentrated, the intensity of the light beam focused on the second recording layer 108 is lower than that of the address area 104. It changes between the area other than the address area 104 and the area where the guide groove 113 is formed, so that stable recording and reproduction cannot be performed.

In order to solve such a problem, in the technique described in the above-mentioned conventional publication, the address area 104 having the address pit row 115 as shown in FIG. 17 is eliminated. That is, it is proposed that the guide groove be meandered and that the meandering state include address information, thereby suppressing a change in the intensity of the light beam focused on the second recording layer 108. Hereinafter, in the present application, a form in which address information is formed in a distributed manner without being concentrated in a part as described above is referred to as a distributed address system.

[0016]

However, in the configuration described in the above-mentioned conventional publication, since the guide groove includes the address information in the meandering state, the guide is performed for a relatively long time to obtain one address information. It is necessary to scan the groove.

That is, the address pit row 1 shown in FIG.
The diameter of one address pit at 15 is
The width is about 13 and usually about 0.3 μm to 0.5 μm. Therefore, the length in the direction of the guide groove 113 in the address area 104 where one piece of address information is recorded is 1
mm or less.

On the other hand, in the case of the meandering guide groove, it is necessary to meander so that the reflected light amount does not change when tracking is performed, and one meandering is about several tens of μm. That is, in the meandering guide groove, the length of the address area where one piece of address information is recorded is about 100 mm.

Therefore, in the centralized address system using the address pit row 115, the reproduction of the address information is completed at the time when the data passes through the address area of about 1 mm or less. On the other hand, in the distributed address system using the meandering guide groove, the reproduction of the address information is completed after reproducing a relatively long distance of about 100 mm along the guide groove. That is, in optical recording and reproduction using an optical disc,
In order to realize high-speed random access, the distributed address method is inappropriate, and it is necessary to use a centralized address method and to reproduce address information instantaneously.

Therefore, the present invention provides an optical recording medium which can realize good recording / reproducing characteristics in a configuration having a plurality of information recording layers using a centralized address system.
An optical recording / reproducing apparatus and an optical recording / reproducing method are provided.

[0021]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical recording medium according to the present invention has a plurality of information recording layers laminated, and each of the information recording layers is independently formed by incident light from one side. Recording / reproduction of information is possible, and at least one address area in which an address information section indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner is provided in each information recording layer;
In an optical recording medium in which light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers is a first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is When the second information recording layer is adjacent to the side opposite to the light incident side, the address area in the first information recording layer is different from the recorded area where the transmittance has changed and the transmittance has changed. It is characterized by having an unrecorded area that has not been recorded.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. The layer is provided with at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner, and an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light is used for the optical recording medium. In an optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which light for recording / reproduction is incident from one side from an irradiation unit, a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers is defined as a first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is provided. When the second information recording layer is adjacent to the side opposite to the light incident side, the address area in the first information recording layer has a recorded area having a changed transmittance and a transmittance. Unrecorded areas that have not changed So formed, it is characterized in that it comprises a control means for controlling the light irradiation unit.

In the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. The layer is provided with at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner, and the recording is performed on an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light. In an optical recording / reproducing method in which light for reproduction is incident from one side, a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers is defined as a first information recording layer, and light is applied to the first information recording layer. When the one adjacent to the side opposite to the incident side is the second information recording layer, the address area in the first information recording layer has the same transmittance as the recorded area where the transmittance has changed and the transmittance has not changed. Forming an unrecorded area It is characterized.

According to the above arrangement, in recording / reproducing on / from the second information recording layer of the optical recording medium, the first / near side of the light incident side is used.
The intensity of light radiated to the second information recording layer after passing through the address area of the information recording layer of the second information recording layer is transmitted through the non-address area of the recordable area of the first information recording layer. Can be approximated to the intensity of the light applied to the light. As a result, recording / reproducing with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed stably and favorably.

That is, the non-address area in the recordable area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium has a recorded area, for example, a recording mark is formed, so that the light transmittance in that part is reduced. Is changing. In such a state, when the address area does not have a recorded area with a changed transmittance, in recording / reproducing to / from the second information recording layer, the non-address area is transmitted to the second information recording layer. The intensity of the irradiated light and the intensity of the light transmitted through the address area and irradiated to the second information recording layer are:
Would be very different.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the present invention, the address area in the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium has a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and an unrecorded area where the transmittance has not changed. Will be. Therefore, also in the address area, the light transmittance changes depending on the recorded area as in the non-address area. As a result, as described above, in the recording / reproducing of the second information recording layer, the intensity of the light that passes through the address area of the first information recording layer and irradiates the second information recording layer is reduced to the first level. The intensity of light that passes through the non-address area in the recordable area of the information recording layer and irradiates the second information recording layer can be approximated.
As a result, recording / reproducing with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed stably and favorably.

In the case where the above-mentioned recorded area is formed in the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium by the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method, the manufacturing process of the optical recording medium is reduced. Thus, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are laminated, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side. An optical recording device having a plurality of address tracks and at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner, wherein light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light; In the medium, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer. When the information recording layer is used, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer is such that adjacent ones are in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light and the other is unrecorded. State It is characterized in that there.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. The layer has a plurality of address tracks,
And at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner.
In an optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which light for recording / reproducing is incident from one side from a light irradiating unit to an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, a plurality of the information recording layers When the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer, Control means for controlling the light irradiating means so that one of adjacent ones of each address track of the address area in the information recording layer is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light and the other is in an unrecorded state. It is characterized by having.

In the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. The layer has a plurality of address tracks,
And at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner.
In an optical recording / reproducing method in which light for recording / reproduction is made incident from one side to an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, the light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers Is the first information recording layer, and the second information recording layer is the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side. One of adjacent address tracks in the address area in the first information recording layer is set to a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is set to an unrecorded state.

According to the above configuration, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer on the light incident side of the optical recording medium is such that one of adjacent ones is in a continuous recording state by recording with incident light. And the other is in an unrecorded state. Therefore, when recording / reproducing on the second information recording layer, the first information recording layer is formed when a condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer occurs on the first information recording layer. A recorded area, for example, the sum of the areas of the recording marks included in the condensed spot of the non-address area in the recordable area of the layer, and a continuous recording state included in the condensed spot of the address area of the first information recording layer. And the sum of the areas of the divided regions becomes substantially equal.

Thus, the intensity of the light that passes through the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium and irradiates the second information recording layer is reduced by the intensity of the light in the recordable area of the first information recording layer. The intensity can be made substantially equal to the intensity of the light transmitted through the address area and applied to the second information recording layer. As a result, recording / reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed more stably and favorably.

In the case where the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium is set to the continuous recording state as described above by the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, By reducing the number of manufacturing steps, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced.

In the above optical recording / reproducing apparatus, the control means reproduces the address information and sets the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state for the adjacent address tracks based on the obtained address information. May be configured to control the light irradiating means so that the light irradiation is performed.

In the above-mentioned optical recording / reproducing method, the processing for setting the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state for the adjacent address tracks may be performed based on the obtained address information after reproducing the address information. Good.

According to the above arrangement, the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state for the adjacent address tracks can be performed based on the address information of the address area. No special configuration is required to determine whether to be in the continuous recording state or the unrecorded state.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side. A plurality of address tracks, and at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner, wherein light transmittance is changed by recording with the incident light. In the recording medium, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer. When each of the address tracks in the address area in the first information recording layer is determined to be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state, a determination is made. For mer It is characterized by There are formed.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which light for recording / reproduction is incident on the optical recording medium from one side by a light irradiating means. Based on the information, it is determined whether each address track in the address area should be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state, and according to the determination result, each address track is in one of a continuous recording state and an unrecorded state. It is characterized in that a control means for controlling the light irradiation means is provided so as to be one of them.

In the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, in the optical recording / reproducing method in which light for recording / reproduction is made incident on the optical recording medium from one side, based on reproduction information from the determination mark, It is determined whether each address track in the address area should be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state. According to the determination result, each address track is recorded in the continuous recording state or unrecorded state by recording with the incident light. And one of the states.

According to the above arrangement, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer on the light incident side of the optical recording medium is set to any of a continuous recording state and an unrecorded state. Since the determination mark indicating whether the optical recording medium should be used is formed, the optical recording / reproducing apparatus loaded with the optical recording medium uses the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium based on the determination mark. An area in a continuous recording state can be easily formed with respect to the address area.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the address track is in the continuous recording state based on the determination mark. Can be performed quickly.

The above-mentioned determination mark is set so as to be in the next state when a continuous recording state area is formed in the non-address area based on the instruction of the determination mark. That is, when recording / reproducing with respect to the second information recording layer, when the condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer occurs on the first information recording layer, the first
Of the recorded area, for example, the total area of the recording marks in the non-address area in the recordable area of the information recording layer, and the continuous recording included in the condensed spot of the address area of the first information recording layer. The state is set so that the sum of the areas of the regions in the state is substantially equal. In order to do so, for example, each of the address marks in the address area in the first information recording layer is set so that one of adjacent ones is in a continuous recording state and the other is in an unrecorded state. It is shown that it is.
As a result, in the optical recording medium of the present invention, recording and reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed stably and favorably.

Further, in the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, the processing for setting the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium to the continuous recording state as described above is performed.
Since it can be performed after shipping the optical recording medium, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced by reducing the number of manufacturing steps of the optical recording medium.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are laminated, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. This is performed on both lands and grooves formed on the recording layer, and at least one of the information recording layers has a plurality of address tracks and an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. Address areas are provided, and in an optical recording medium in which light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, of the plurality of information recording layers, a light incident side is a first information recording layer, When the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is a second information recording layer, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer is To Either the address track continuous with the groove connection address tracks and has become a continuous recording state by the recording in said incident light, and the other is characterized in that it is a non-recorded state.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are laminated, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. Is performed on both lands and grooves formed on each information recording layer, and each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks, and an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. Optical recording medium in which at least one address area is provided, and light for recording and reproduction is incident from one side by a light irradiating means on an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light. In the reproducing apparatus, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is defined as a first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a second information recording layer. Information recording layer and One of the address tracks continuous to the lands and the address tracks continuous to the grooves in the address area in the first information recording layer is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is A control means for controlling the light irradiating means so as to be in an unrecorded state is provided.

Further, according to the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are laminated, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. Is performed on both lands and grooves formed on each information recording layer, and each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks, and an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording / reproducing method in which at least one address area is provided, and light for recording / reproducing is incident from one side to an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, Of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer. And when One of an address track continuous to the land and an address track continuous to the groove in the address area in the information recording layer is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state. It is characterized by.

According to the above configuration, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer on the light incident side is such that one of the address track continuous to the land and the address track continuous to the groove is incident light. And the other is in an unrecorded state. Therefore, when recording / reproducing on the second information recording layer, the first information recording layer is formed when a condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer occurs on the first information recording layer. A recorded area, for example, the sum of the areas of the recording marks included in the condensed spot of the non-address area in the recordable area of the layer, and a continuous recording state included in the condensed spot of the address area of the first information recording layer. And the sum of the areas of the divided regions becomes substantially equal.

As a result, the intensity of light transmitted through the address area of the first information recording layer and irradiated on the second information recording layer is transmitted through the non-address area in the recordable area of the first information recording layer. Thus, the intensity of the light applied to the second information recording layer can be made substantially equal. As a result, recording / reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed more stably and favorably.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are laminated, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. This is performed on both lands and grooves formed on the recording layer, and at least one of the information recording layers has a plurality of address tracks and an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. Address areas are provided, and in an optical recording medium in which light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, of the plurality of information recording layers, a light incident side is a first information recording layer, When the second information recording layer is the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side, the first information recording layer in the first information recording layer is such that the address area is located in the track direction. Address of Consists of a region and a second address area, in the first address area and a second address area,
The address information section is formed on different address tracks of the address track continuous with the land and the address track continuous with the groove, and the area where the address information section is formed and the address information section are not formed. One of the areas is in a continuous recording state.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. Is performed on both lands and grooves formed in each information recording layer, and each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks, and an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. Optical recording / reproducing wherein light for recording / reproducing is incident from one side by a light irradiating means on an optical recording medium which has at least one address area and whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light. In the device, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is defined as a first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a second information recording layer. As an information recording layer The address area in the first information recording layer is composed of a first address area and a second address area which are adjacent to each other in the track direction, and the first address area and the second address area are continuous with the land. When the address information section is formed on different address tracks between the address track and the address track continuous with the groove, the address information section is formed by a first address area and a second address area. Control means for controlling the light irradiating means so that either one of the area where the address information portion is not formed and the area where the address information section is not formed is in a continuous recording state.

In the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, a plurality of information recording layers are laminated, and information can be recorded / reproduced independently for each information recording layer by incident light from one side. Is performed on both lands and grooves formed in each information recording layer, and each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks, and an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. In an optical recording / reproducing method in which at least one address area is provided and light for recording / reproducing is incident on one side from an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, Of the above information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is defined as a first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a second information recording layer. , 1st information The address area in the layer is composed of a first address area and a second address area which are arranged in the track direction, and the first address area and the second address area are connected to the address track and the groove which are continuous with the land. When the address information section is formed on an address track different from the address track that is consecutive to the first address area, the area where the address information section is formed and the address are formed in the first address area and the second address area. One of the areas where the information section is not formed is set to a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light.

According to the above configuration, the address area in the first information recording layer on the light incident side of the optical recording medium is composed of the first address area and the second address area which are arranged in the track direction. In the first address area and the second address area, the address information section is formed on different address tracks of the address track continuous with the land and the address track continuous with the groove, and the address information section is formed. Either the recorded area or the area where the address information section is not formed is in the continuous recording state. Therefore, when recording / reproducing on the second information recording layer, the first information recording layer is formed when a condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer occurs on the first information recording layer. A recorded area, for example, the sum of the areas of the recording marks included in the condensed spot of the non-address area in the recordable area of the layer, and a continuous recording state included in the condensed spot of the address area of the first information recording layer. And the sum of the areas of the divided regions becomes substantially equal.

Thus, the intensity of the light passing through the address area of the first information recording layer and irradiating the second information recording layer is transmitted through the non-address area in the recordable area of the first information recording layer. Thus, the intensity of the light applied to the second information recording layer can be made substantially equal. As a result, recording / reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed more stably and favorably.

In the case where the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium is set to the continuous recording state as described above by the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, By reducing the number of manufacturing steps, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced.

[0055]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical disc (optical recording medium) 1 of the present embodiment has a center hole 2 at the center and a recordable area 3 on the radially outer side of the center hole 2. ing. Note that the innermost and outermost ends of the recordable area 3 are indicated by broken lines. The optical disc 1 employs a centralized addressing method, and has an address area 4 in a part of a recordable area 3 within a predetermined angle range, in which address information is radially formed as an address pit string. ing. In the non-address area 5 which is an area other than the address area 4 in the recordable area 3, a guide groove for recording and reproduction is formed in a spiral shape, and information can be recorded and reproduced along the guide groove. .

The optical disc 1 has a guide groove forming layer 7, a second recording layer (second information recording layer) 8, and a guide groove on a disc substrate 6, as shown in FIG. The intermediate layer 9, the first recording layer (first information recording layer) 10, and the surface coat layer 11 are sequentially laminated.
The first recording layer 10 and the second recording layer 8 of the optical disc 1
The recording and reproduction with respect to are performed by condensing and irradiating the first and second recording layers 10 and 8 with the light beam 12 from the same side, that is, the surface coat layer 11 side.

The structure of the optical disk 1 is shown in more detail in FIG. In the figure, a disk substrate 6 is made of, for example, a transparent polycarbonate substrate having a thickness of 1.2 mm. The guide groove forming layer 7 is formed of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin layer having a layer thickness of 20 μm, and has a spiral guide groove 13 formed of a concavo-convex pattern on the surface on the second recording layer 8 side. The guide groove forming layer 7 is formed using, for example, a pattern transfer technique called a 2P method.

The second recording layer 8 includes, for example, an AlTi alloy reflective film 14, a ZnS-SiO ₂ interference film 15, a SiN protective film 16, a GeSbTe phase change recording film 17, and a SiN protective film 1.
8 and a ZnS—SiO ₂ interference film 19, which are formed by sequentially laminating these films on the guide groove forming layer 7 by sputtering.

The guide groove forming intermediate layer 9 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin layer having a thickness of 20 μm, for example, similarly to the guide groove forming layer 7, and the guide groove 13 is formed on the surface on the first recording layer 10 side. The guide groove forming layer 9 is similarly formed by using a pattern transfer technique called, for example, a 2P method.

The first recording layer 10 is similar to the second recording layer 8,
For example, the ZnS-SiO ₂ interference film 20, the SiN protective film 2
1. GeSbTe phase change recording film 22, SiN protective film 23
And has a ZnS-SiO ₂ interference film 24, is formed by each of these films are laminated on sequentially guide groove formed intermediate layer 9 by sputtering.

The surface coat layer 11 has a thickness of, for example, 80 μm.
The first resin layer is formed by applying a fat ultraviolet curable resin onto the first recording layer 10 by spin coating, and then curing the resin by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

As the optical disk substrate 6, a transparent polycarbonate substrate as described above is used. However, in the case of a configuration in which the light beam 12 is incident from the surface coat layer 11 side as in the optical disk 1 of the present embodiment, the disk substrate 6 does not need to be transparent and is an opaque metal substrate. Is also good.

In the optical disc 1 according to the present embodiment,
A guide groove forming layer 7 having a guide groove 13 is provided, and the guide groove forming layer 7 is formed by a 2P method. However, the disk substrate 6 may be formed by, for example, an injection molding method, and the guide groove 13 may be formed directly on the surface of the optical disk substrate 6. In this case, the guide groove forming layer 7
Becomes unnecessary.

Although the surface coat layer 11 is formed on the first recording layer 10 by a spin coating method, a transparent sheet as the surface coat layer 11 having a uniform thickness is formed on the first recording layer 10.
It may be attached on the recording layer 10.

The optical disk 1 is an optical disk substrate 6
The guide groove forming layer 7, the second recording layer 8, the guide groove forming intermediate layer 9, the first recording layer 10, and the surface coating layer 11 are sequentially laminated on the optical disc substrate 6. Forming layer 7, first recording layer 10, guide groove forming intermediate layer 9,
The second recording layer 8 and the surface coat layer 11 are sequentially laminated,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the light beam 12 is irradiated from the optical disk substrate 6 side. However, in this case, it is necessary to reverse the order of forming the films constituting the first recording layer 10 and the second recording layer 8 from the case shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a state where the address area 4 and a part of the non-address area 5 on both sides of the address area 4 on the optical disc 1 are enlarged. In the non-address area 5, a recording mark 51 is recorded by irradiating the light beam 12 along the guide groove 13 formed in a spiral shape. The light transmittance of the recording mark 51 changes.

An address track 53 comprising address pits 52 is formed in the address area 4 so as to be continuous with the guide groove 13 of the non-address area 5. The address area 4 has a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and an unrecorded area where the transmittance has not changed. In particular,
Every other address track 53 in the radial direction of the optical disc 1 is continuously recorded by the continuous irradiation of the light beam 12, and forms a continuous recording area 54 in which the transmittance is changed. That is, each address track 53 of the address area 4
In the optical disk 1, one of radially adjacent optical disks 1 is in a continuous recording state, and the other is in an unrecorded state.

An optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus (optical recording / reproducing apparatus) for recording / reproducing on / from the optical disk 1 is shown in FIG.
The configuration is as shown in FIG. In the optical disk recording / reproducing device 31, the optical disk 1 is fixed to a spindle 33 of a motor by a center hub 32 and is driven to rotate.

The optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 includes an optical system section (light irradiation means) 34 and a signal processing / control section (control means) 35. The optical system section 34 includes a light source 41 such as a semiconductor laser, a collimator lens 42, a beam splitter 43, an objective lens 44, and a two-axis actuator 4.
5, a condenser lens 46 and a light receiving element 47 are provided.
The objective lens 44 is supported by a biaxial actuator 45 and is driven in a focusing direction and a tracking direction. The light receiving element 47 is a reproduction signal detecting element,
It has a focus error signal detection element and a track error signal detection element, and the output of each of these detection elements is input to the signal processing / control section 35.

The optical system section 34 is driven by a slide drive section (light irradiation means) (not shown) to reciprocate in the radial direction of the optical disc 1.

The signal processing / control section 35 performs various signal processing and various controls. For example, in order to perform power control of the light source 41 at the time of recording and reproduction, and to perform focusing and tracking of the objective lens 44, the drive of the biaxial actuator 45 is performed in accordance with the outputs from the focus error signal detection element and the track error signal detection element. Control. Further, the movement of the optical system section 34 in the radial direction of the optical disc 1 by the slide drive section is controlled, and the optical system section 3 is controlled.
4, that is, the objective lens 44 is moved to a position where a predetermined track can be recorded and reproduced. In addition, each control described later is performed.

In the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31, the light beam 12 is condensed on either the first recording layer 10 or the second recording layer 8 as described above, and the first recording layer 10 or the Recording and reproduction of the second recording layer 8 are performed.

The recording / reproducing operation of the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 with respect to the optical disk 1 in the above configuration will be described below.

In the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31, the light beam 12 emitted from the light source 41 is collimated by the collimator lens 42, passes through the beam splitter 43, and enters the objective lens 44. Then, the light beam 1
2 is condensed on the first recording layer 10 or the second recording layer 8 of the optical disc 1 by the objective lens 44. The reflected light from the optical disk 1 passes through the objective lens 44, is reflected by the beam splitter 43, and is condensed on the light receiving element 47 by the condenser lens 46.

After that, based on the output from the light receiving element 47, the signal processing / control unit 35
5 to control focusing and tracking of the objective lens 44. In the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31, the light beam 12 is thus converted to the first recording layer 1
No. 0 or the second recording layer 8 is condensed to guide grooves 13
The recording / reproducing of the first recording layer 10 or the second recording layer 8 is performed along the line.

In the recording / reproducing operation on the optical disk 1 by the optical disk recording / reproducing device 31, the first recording layer 1
Recording / reproduction with respect to the light beam 1 is performed as shown in FIG.
2 is condensed and irradiated on the first recording layer 10,
This is performed by controlling the light beam intensity while performing tracking along the guide groove 13. For recording and reproduction on the second recording layer 8, the light beam 12 is condensed on the second recording layer 8 and irradiated, and the tracking is performed along the guide groove 13 of the second recording layer 8 while the light beam intensity is reduced. This is done by controlling.

Here, the optical disc 1 is, for example, a high-to-low type in which the space between the recording marks 51 in the first recording layer 10 and the second recording layer 8 has a higher reflectance than the recording marks 51, that is, a lower transmittance. It is assumed that this is a phase change recording medium.

In this case, in the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10, the transmittance of each recording mark 51 is high. Therefore, the light beam 12b that is transmitted through the area having the recording mark 51 of the first recording layer 10 and irradiates the second recording layer 8 shown in FIG. The intensity is higher than the light beam applied to the second recording layer 8. Similarly, since the address area 4 of the first recording layer 10 has the continuous recording area 54,
The light beam 12c passing through the address area 4 and irradiating the second recording layer 8 irradiates the second recording layer 8 through the address area when the continuous recording area 54 is not provided. The strength becomes stronger than that. Therefore, in the optical disc 1, the intensity of the light beam 12c passing through the address area 4 of the first recording layer 10 and irradiating the second recording layer 8 is increased by the intensity of the light beam 12c passing through the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10. 2
The intensity of the light beam 12b applied to the recording layer 8 can be approximated.

As a result, in the optical disc 1 employing the centralized addressing method, the light beam 12b transmitted through the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10 and the light beam 12c transmitted through the address area 4 of the first recording layer 10 are converted. Regardless, the second
An almost constant light beam intensity can be maintained for the recording layer 8, and recording and reproduction on the second recording layer 8 can be performed stably and favorably.

Further, in the optical disc 1 of the present embodiment, every other address track 53 in the radial direction of the optical disc 1 is a continuous recording area 54. Therefore, when the light beam 12 is focused on the second recording layer 8 as shown in FIG. 2, the light beam 12 is condensed as shown in FIG.
Is generated in the first recording layer 10, the sum of the areas of the recording marks 51 included in the area of the beam spot 55 in the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10 and the beam spot in the address area 4 The total sum of the areas of the continuous recording area 54 included in the area 55 becomes substantially equal. Thereby, the address area 4 of the first recording layer 10
The intensity of the light beam 12c transmitted through the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10 and irradiating the second recording layer 8 is substantially equal to the intensity of the light beam 12b transmitted through the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10. Can be equal. As a result, it is possible to further enhance the function of stably and favorably performing the recording and reproduction on the second recording layer 8 described above.

In FIG. 1, ten address pits 52 are shown as the address pits 52 constituting the address track 53. However, FIG.
Is a schematic diagram showing a simplified configuration. In practice, an address track 53 is composed of 1000 or more address pits 52 of various lengths.

The formation of the continuous recording area 54 on the optical disk 1 may be performed before the optical disk 1 is shipped. Alternatively, when the optical disc 1 is loaded into the optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus 31, the recording may be performed by the optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus 31 based on the reproduced address information. In such a configuration, a special configuration for determining whether or not the address track 53 is to be the continuous recording area 54 on the optical disc 1 side is unnecessary.

In order to perform the above operation, the signal processing / control section 35 of the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 includes a recording / non-recording switching circuit 61 and a light irradiation section control circuit 62 as shown in FIG. The light irradiating section controlled by the light irradiating section control circuit 62 includes the optical system section 34, the slide drive section, and the like.

In the above configuration, the signal processing / control unit 3
In 5, a rotation synchronization signal formed in synchronization with the rotation of the optical disk 1 is input to the recording / non-recording switching circuit 61. The recording / non-recording switching circuit 61 determines whether or not the address track 53 is set to the continuous recording area 54 for each rotation of the optical disk 1 based on the rotation synchronization signal, that is, whether or not the address track 53 is set to the continuous recording state. Is determined. Here, as described above, every other address track 5
The above determination is made so that 3 becomes the continuous recording area 54.

The address track 53 is connected to the continuous recording area 54
In this case, the recording / unrecording switching circuit 61 outputs an address track continuous recording instruction signal to the light irradiation unit control circuit 62. In the light irradiation unit control circuit 62 receiving this signal,
The light irradiating section is controlled so that the address track 53 is continuously recorded.

On the other hand, when the address track is in the unrecorded state, the recording / non-recording switching circuit 61 outputs an address track normal reproduction instruction signal to the light irradiation section control circuit 62. Upon receiving this signal, the light irradiation unit control circuit 62 controls the light irradiation unit to reproduce the address track 53 at a laser intensity at which recording is not performed. In this case, the address information is reproduced.

Further, in order to perform the above operation, the signal processing / control unit 35 of the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 may have a configuration shown in FIG. 8 different from the configuration shown in FIG. In this configuration, the signal processing / control unit 35 includes the next address track recording / non-recording determination circuit 63 and the light irradiation unit control circuit 6.
2 is provided.

In this configuration, the next address track recording / non-recording determination circuit 63 determines whether or not the address track 53 is to be the continuous recording area 54 based on the address information obtained from the address area 4. That is, as described above, in the case where every other address track 53 is set to be the continuous recording area 54, the currently scanned address track 53 is set to the continuous recording area 54.
Regardless of whether or not the address track 53 is read, first, the address track 53 is reproduced, and it is determined whether or not the next address track 53 is to be a continuous recording area 54 based on the obtained address information.

In the above configuration, the signal processing / control unit 3
5, first, the address track 53 on the start end side of the process
The light irradiating unit control circuit 62 controls the light irradiating unit so that is reproduced, and an address information reproduction signal of the address track 53 is obtained. This address information reproduction signal is input to the next address track recording / non-recording determination circuit 63.

When an address information reproduction signal is input, the next address track recording / non-recording determination circuit 63 sets the next address track in the continuous recording area 54 based on the signal.
Is determined.

When it is determined that the next address track 53 is to be in the continuous recording state, the next address track recording non-recording determination circuit 63 transmits a next address track continuous recording instruction signal to the light irradiation section control circuit 62. Upon receiving this signal, the light irradiation unit control circuit 62 controls the light irradiation unit to make the next address track 53 a continuous recording area 54.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the next address track 53 is in the unrecorded state, the next address track recording / non-recording determination circuit 63 outputs a next address track normal reproduction instruction signal to the light irradiation section control circuit 62. Upon receiving this signal, the light irradiation unit control circuit 62 controls the light irradiation unit and reproduces the address track 53 with a laser intensity at which recording is not performed.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, when the processing for forming the continuous recording area 54 in the address area 4 is temporarily terminated in the middle, and then the processing is restarted, the last address track 53 in the previous processing is returned. Is unknown in the continuous recording area 54. For this reason, there is a possibility that both adjacent address tracks 53 become continuous recording areas 54. On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG.
Since the address information is always determined to determine whether the next address track 53 is to be in the continuous recording state or the unrecorded state, the above-described situation can be avoided.

[Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG. 9, which is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the head of the address area 4, the optical disk 71 of the present embodiment
Between the determination mark area 7 and the head of the address area 4
Two.

In the judgment mark area 72, judgment pits (judgment marks) 7 for judging whether or not the address track 53 of the address area 4 is to be the continuous recording area 54 are determined.
3, 74 are formed. Each judgment pit 73, 74
Are arranged between the guide groove 13 of the non-address area 5 and the address track 53 of the address area 4 following the guide groove 13.

The determination pit 73 is located in the address track 53
Is not set as the continuous recording area 54, and is provided at a position on the non-address area 5 side in the determination mark area 72. On the other hand, the determination pit 74 is for indicating that the address track 53 is the continuous recording area 54, and in the determination mark area 72, it is shifted from the determination pit 73 on the address area 4 side in the track direction. It is arranged at a position on the address area 4 side.
In the present embodiment, as described above, since every other address track 53 is a continuous recording area 54,
The judgment pits 73 and 74 are alternately arranged in the radial direction of the optical disc 71.

The signal processing / control unit 35 of the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 shown in FIG. 10 uses the above-mentioned determination pits 73 and 74 to appropriately make the address track 53 of the address area 4 a continuous recording area 54. As described above, the recording / non-recording determination circuit 64 and the light irradiation unit control circuit 62 are provided.

In the above configuration, the signal processing / control unit 3
In 5, when a judgment mark reproduction signal, which is a reproduction signal from the judgment pits 73 and 74, is detected, this signal is input to a recording / non-recording judgment circuit 64. The recording / unrecording determination circuit 64 determines each determination pit 7 based on the determination mark reproduction signal.
It is determined whether or not the address tracks 53 corresponding to Nos. 3 and 74 are set as the continuous recording area 54.

The address track 53 is connected to the continuous recording area 54
In this case, the recording / non-recording determination circuit 64 outputs an address track continuous recording instruction signal to the light irradiation unit control circuit 62. When the above signal is input, the light irradiation unit control circuit 62
The light irradiation unit is controlled to make the address track 53 a continuous recording area 54.

On the other hand, when the address track 53 is not used as the continuous recording area 54 (when the address track 53 is not recorded), the recording / non-recording determination circuit 64 outputs an address track normal reproduction instruction signal to the light irradiation section control circuit 62. When the above signal is input, the light irradiating section control circuit 62 controls the light irradiating section and reproduces the address track 53 with a laser intensity at which recording is not performed.

As described above, in the optical disc 71 of the present embodiment, the determination pits 73 and 74 in the determination mark area 72 are determined.
Thus, whether or not the address track 53 of the address area 4 is to be the continuous recording area 54 can be immediately determined. Therefore, the processing speed of the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 can be increased without reproducing the address track 53 of the address area 4, that is, the address information.

[Embodiment 3] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disk 81 according to the present embodiment can record and reproduce information on both the grooves 82 and the lands 83 formed alternately in the radial direction of the optical disk 81 in the non-address area 5. . Groove 82
The land 83 is formed in a spiral shape, and the recording mark 51 is formed on the groove 82 and the land 83 by irradiation of the light beam 12.

The address area 4 includes a first address area 84 and a second address area 8 formed before and after in the track direction.
5 A first address area 84 which is a front part of the address area 4 has a groove 82 corresponding to the groove 82.
A first address pit 86 is formed on the line of the land 83, and a second address pit 87 is formed on the line of the land 83 in the second address area 85, which is the rear part of the address area 4, corresponding to the land 83. . In this manner, the first and second address pits 86 are formed by shifting the first address area 84 and the second address area 85 forward and backward in the track direction so as not to overlap in the direction perpendicular to the track direction. , 87 can be reproduced without crosstalk. The formation positions of the first address area 84 and the second address area 85 may be reversed.

The address tracks 53 in the address area 4 are formed so as to be continuous with the groove 82 and to be continuous with the land 83. In the present embodiment, the address track 53 that is continuous with the groove 82 is formed. A continuous recording area 54 is provided. Each address track 53 includes a first address area 84 and a second address area 8.
5, the address track 53 continuing to the groove 82 has a first address pit 86 in the first address area 84, and the address track 53 continuing to the land 83 is located in the second address area 85. It has a second address pit 87.

As described above, in the optical disk 81 of the present embodiment, the address track 5 continuous with the groove 82
3, that is, in the first address area 84 and the second address area 85 of the address track 53, the continuous recording area 54
Are formed. Therefore, the aforementioned optical disc 1,
Similarly to the case 71, when recording / reproducing of the second recording layer 8 is performed, the total area of the recording marks 51 included in the area of the beam spot 55 formed in the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10 and the address area 4, the total area of the continuous recording areas 54 included in the area of the beam spot 55 formed is substantially equal.

Thus, the light beam 12 transmitted through the address area 4 of the first recording layer 10 and applied to the second recording layer 8
The intensity of c can be made substantially equal to the intensity of the light beam 12b that passes through the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10 and irradiates the second recording layer 8. As a result, in the optical disk 81 employing the centralized address method, the first recording layer 1
0 light beam 12b transmitted through the non-address area 5 and light beam 12b transmitted through the address area 4 of the first recording layer 10.
Irrespective of c, it is possible to maintain a substantially constant light beam intensity with respect to the second recording layer 8, and it is possible to perform stable and favorable recording and reproduction with respect to the second recording layer 8.

In the present embodiment, the continuous recording area 54 has the address track 5 continuous with the groove 82.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed on the address track 53 continuous with the land 83.

Further, the continuous recording area 54 may be formed in the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 before or after shipping the optical disk 81, as in the case described above.
The continuous recording area 54 is
Is formed, all the methods described above can be applied.

Further, in order to form the continuous recording area 54, the signal processing / control section 35 may be provided with a land / groove determination circuit 65 and the light irradiation section control circuit 62 as shown in FIG. Good. In this configuration, for example, it is determined whether the track being scanned is the groove 82 or the land 83, and the address track 53 continuous to the groove 82 or the land 83 in the address area 4 is continuously recorded according to the determination result. The region 54 is set.

In the above configuration, the land / groove determination circuit 65 determines whether the track currently being scanned is the groove 82 or the land 83 from the tracking servo signal or the address information reproduction signal. If the result of this determination is that the groove is a groove 82, the land groove determination circuit 65 sets the address track 53 to the continuous recording area 54.
In this case, an address track continuous recording instruction signal is output to the light irradiation unit control circuit 62. The light irradiating unit control circuit 62 which has received this signal controls the light irradiating unit to make the address track 53 continuous with the groove 82 a continuous recording area 54.

On the other hand, if the result of the above determination is that the land is a land 83, the recording / non-recording determination circuit 64 outputs an address track normal reproduction instruction signal to the light irradiation section control circuit 62. In response to this, the light irradiation unit control circuit 62 controls the light irradiation unit and reproduces the address track 53 with laser intensity at which recording is not performed.

In the optical disk 81 described above,
As shown in FIG. 13, the continuous recording area 54 is
The second address track 53 may be formed in the second address area 85, the second address track 53 may be formed in the first address area 84 and the address track 53 may be formed in each address track 53. The formation positions of the first address area 84 and the second address area 85 may be reversed. Further, the continuous recording area 54 is
Contrary to the formation position of the third address pit 86, the first address pit 86 and the second address pit 87 may be formed only.

In such a configuration, as in the case described above, the second recording layer passes through the address area 4 of the first recording layer 10 and the second
The intensity of the light beam 12c applied to the recording layer 8 can be made substantially equal to the intensity of the light beam 12b transmitted through the non-address area 5 of the first recording layer 10 and applied to the second recording layer 8. As a result, in the configuration employing the centralized address method, it is possible to maintain a substantially constant light beam intensity with respect to the second recording layer 8, and to perform recording and reproduction with respect to the second recording layer 8 stably and favorably. it can.

Similarly, the formation of the continuous recording area 54 may be performed before the optical disk 81 is shipped. Alternatively, when the optical disk 81 is loaded into the optical disk recording / reproducing device 31, the optical disk recording / reproducing device 31
May be performed. Also in this case, all the above-mentioned methods can be applied. For example, it can be performed based on the reproduced address information and whether the track being scanned is the groove 82 or the land 83.

In order to perform the above operation, the signal processing / control section 35 of the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31 includes, for example, an address information presence / absence determination circuit 66 and the light irradiation section control circuit 62 as shown in FIG. ing.

In the above configuration, the signal processing / control section 3
At 5, the address information reproduction signal from the address area 4 is input to the address information presence / absence determination circuit 66. The address information presence / absence determination circuit 66 determines the presence / absence of address information for the input signal.

If the result of this determination is that there is no address information, the address information presence / absence determining circuit 66 determines whether the address track 53 has no address information, ie, the first address area 84 or the second address area 85. In order to make the continuous recording area 54, an address track continuous recording instruction signal is output to the light irradiation section control circuit 62.
The light irradiation unit control circuit 62 that has received the signal controls the light irradiation unit to form a continuous recording area 54 in an area of the address track 53 where no address information exists.

On the other hand, when the address information is present, the address information presence / absence determining circuit 66 controls the light irradiation section so that the continuous recording area 54 is not formed in the area of the address track 53 where the address information exists. The address track 53 is reproduced with a laser intensity at which recording is not performed.

In the above embodiment, when the continuous recording area 54 is formed on the optical disk by the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 31, the cost of the optical disk can be reduced by reducing the manufacturing process of the optical disk. it can.

In the above embodiment, each optical disk has a higher reflectance, that is, a lower transmittance, in the space between the recording marks 51 in the first recording layer 10 and the second recording layer 8 than in the recording marks 51. Although the description has been given of the case of a high-to-low phase change recording medium having a high reflectivity, the optical disk is a low-to-high type phase change recording medium having a space portion whose reflectance is lower than that of the recording mark 51, that is, a high transmittance. Also, each configuration described above can be applied.

[0121]

As described above, the optical recording medium of the present invention
Of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer. Then, the address area in the first information recording layer has a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and an unrecorded area where the transmittance has not changed.

Further, in the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers of the optical recording medium, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is When the one adjacent to the side opposite to the light incident side is a second information recording layer, the address area in the first information recording layer has a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and a transmittance that has changed. A control means for controlling the light irradiating means is provided so that an unrecorded area is formed.

Further, according to the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers of the optical recording medium, the one on the light incident side is used as the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is When the one adjacent to the side opposite to the light incident side is a second information recording layer, the address area in the first information recording layer has a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and a transmittance that has changed. This is a configuration in which no unrecorded area is formed.

According to the above configuration, the address area in the first information recording layer on the light incident side of the optical recording medium is divided into a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and an unrecorded area where the transmittance has not changed. Therefore, in the address area, as in the non-address area,
The light transmittance changes. Thus, in recording / reproducing on / from the second information recording layer, the intensity of the light which passes through the address area of the first information recording layer and is applied to the second information recording layer is adjusted by the recording / reproduction of the first information recording layer. It is possible to make the intensity close to the intensity of the light that passes through the non-address area in the possible area and irradiates the second information recording layer. As a result, recording / reproducing with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed stably and favorably.

Further, when the above-mentioned recorded area is formed in the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium by the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention,
By reducing the number of manufacturing steps of the optical recording medium, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer,
When one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a second information recording layer, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer is adjacent to the first information recording layer. One of them is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state.

Further, the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is such that, of the plurality of information recording layers of the optical recording medium, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is When one adjacent to the side opposite to the light incident side is a second information recording layer, one of adjacent ones of the address tracks in the address area in the first information recording layer is one of the incident light. A control means for controlling the light irradiating means is provided so as to be in a continuous recording state by recording and the other is in an unrecorded state.

Further, in the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers of the optical recording medium, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is When an adjacent one on the side opposite to the light incident side is a second information recording layer, adjacent ones of each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer are recorded by the incident light. One is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state.

According to the above configuration, at the time of recording / reproducing on the second information recording layer of the optical recording medium, the condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer is shifted to the first information recording layer. In the case where the information is generated in a layer, a recorded area included in a condensed spot of a non-address area in a recordable area of the first information recording layer, for example, a sum of areas of recording marks and an address area of the first information recording layer Are substantially equal to the sum of the areas of the regions in the continuous recording state included in the condensed spot.

As a result, the intensity of the light that passes through the address area of the first information recording layer and irradiates the second information recording layer is transmitted through the non-address area in the recordable area of the first information recording layer. Thus, the intensity of the light applied to the second information recording layer can be made substantially equal. As a result, recording / reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed more stably and favorably.

When the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium is set to the continuous recording state as described above by the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, By reducing the number of manufacturing steps, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced.

In the above optical recording / reproducing apparatus, the control means reproduces the address information and sets the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state for the adjacent address tracks based on the obtained address information. May be configured to control the light irradiating means so that the light irradiation is performed.

The above-mentioned optical recording / reproducing method may be configured so that the process of setting the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state of the adjacent address tracks is performed based on the obtained address information after reproducing the address information. Good.

According to the above arrangement, the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state for adjacent address tracks can be performed based on the address information of the address area. No special configuration is required to determine whether to be in the continuous recording state or the unrecorded state.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer,
When the second information recording layer is adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side, the address track of each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer is provided. This is a configuration in which a determination mark indicating whether the track is to be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state is formed.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which light for recording / reproduction is incident on the optical recording medium from one side by a light irradiating means may be used. Based on the information, it is determined whether each address track in the address area should be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state, and according to the determination result, each address track is in one of a continuous recording state and an unrecorded state. A configuration is provided with a control unit for controlling the light irradiation unit so as to be one side.

Further, according to the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, in the optical recording / reproducing method in which light for recording / reproduction is made incident on the optical recording medium from one side, based on reproduction information from the determination mark, It is determined whether each address track in the address area should be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state. According to the determination result, each address track is recorded in the continuous recording state or unrecorded state by recording with the incident light. This is a configuration in which one of the states is set.

According to the above configuration, in the optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which the optical recording medium is loaded,
A continuously recorded area can be easily formed with respect to the address area in the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the address track is to be in the continuous recording state based on the determination mark. Can be performed quickly.

Further, the above-mentioned determination mark is set so as to be in the next state when a continuous recording area is formed in the non-address area based on the instruction of the determination mark. That is, when recording / reproducing with respect to the second information recording layer, when the condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer occurs on the first information recording layer, the first
Of the recorded area, for example, the total area of the recording marks in the non-address area in the recordable area of the information recording layer, and the continuous recording included in the condensed spot of the address area of the first information recording layer. The state is set so that the sum of the areas of the regions in the state is substantially equal. As a result, in the optical recording medium of the present invention, recording and reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed stably and favorably.

Further, in the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, the processing for setting the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium to the continuous recording state as described above is performed.
Since it can be performed after shipping the optical recording medium, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced by reducing the number of manufacturing steps of the optical recording medium.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer,
When the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is a second information recording layer, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer is One of the address tracks that are continuous with the groove and the address tracks that are continuous with the groove are in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state.

Further, in the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is used as the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is connected to the light incident side. Is one of an address track continuous to the land and an address track continuous to the groove in the address area in the first information recording layer, when an adjacent one on the opposite side is a second information recording layer. Is a configuration provided with control means for controlling the light irradiation means so that a continuous recording state is achieved by recording with the incident light and the other is in an unrecorded state.

Further, in the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is used as the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is connected to the light incident side. Is one of an address track continuous to the land and an address track continuous to the groove in the address area in the first information recording layer, when the one adjacent to the opposite side is the second information recording layer. In a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other in an unrecorded state.

According to the above configuration, during recording / reproducing on the second information recording layer, a condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer is generated on the first information recording layer. In the case, the total of the recorded areas included in the non-addressed light spots in the non-address area in the recordable area of the first information recording layer, for example, the light spot of the address area of the first information recording layer Are substantially equal to the total area of the areas in the continuous recording state included in the data.

As a result, the intensity of light transmitted through the address area of the first information recording layer and irradiated on the second information recording layer is transmitted through the non-address area of the recordable area of the first information recording layer. Thus, the intensity of the light applied to the second information recording layer can be made substantially equal. As a result, recording / reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed more stably and favorably.

In the optical recording medium of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer,
When the second information recording layer is the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side, the first information recording layer in the first information recording layer is such that the address area is located in the track direction. Address areas and a second address area, and the first address area and the second address area have different address tracks of an address track continuous to the land and an address track continuous to the groove. An address information section is formed, and one of an area where the address information section is formed and an area where the address information section is not formed is in a continuous recording state.

In the optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is used as the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is connected to the light incident side. Is a second information recording layer that is adjacent to the opposite side, and the first information recording layer has a first address area and a second address area in which the address area is arranged in the track direction. In the address area and the second address area, when the address information section is formed on different address tracks of the address track continuous with the land and the address track continuous with the groove,
In the first address area and the second address area, the light is so recorded that one of the area where the address information section is formed and the area where the address information section is not formed is in a continuous recording state. This is a configuration including control means for controlling the irradiation means.

Further, in the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is used as the first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is connected to the light incident side. Is a second information recording layer that is adjacent to the opposite side, and the first information recording layer has a first address area and a second address area in which the address area is arranged in the track direction. In the address area and the second address area, when the address information section is formed on different address tracks of the address track continuous with the land and the address track continuous with the groove,
In a first address area and a second address area, one of an area where the address information section is formed and an area where the address information section is not formed is continuously recorded by recording with the incident light. The configuration is as follows.

According to the above configuration, during recording / reproducing on the second information recording layer, a condensed spot of the irradiation light condensed on the second information recording layer is generated on the first information recording layer. In the case, the total of the recorded areas included in the non-addressed light spots in the non-address area in the recordable area of the first information recording layer, for example, the light spot of the address area of the first information recording layer Are substantially equal to the total area of the areas in the continuous recording state included in the data.

As a result, the intensity of light transmitted through the address area of the first information recording layer and irradiated on the second information recording layer is transmitted through the non-address area in the recordable area of the first information recording layer. Thus, the intensity of the light applied to the second information recording layer can be made substantially equal. As a result, recording / reproduction with respect to the second information recording layer can be performed more stably and favorably.

When the address area of the first information recording layer of the optical recording medium is set to the continuous recording state as described above by the optical recording / reproducing apparatus or the optical recording / reproducing method of the present invention, By reducing the number of manufacturing steps, the cost of the optical recording medium can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view showing a part of a recordable area and an address area of an optical disc as an optical recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording / reproducing state of a second recording layer in a recordable area and an address area shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the optical disc shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the optical disc shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the optical disc shown in FIG. 4 in more detail.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the signal processing / control unit shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration for forming a continuous recording area based on a rotation synchronization signal in an address area of the optical disc shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the signal processing / control unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration for forming a continuous recording area in an address area of the optical disc shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a part of a recordable area, an address area, and a determination mark area in an optical disc as an optical recording medium according to another embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a signal processing / control unit illustrated in FIG. 6 for forming a continuous recording area based on a reproduction signal from a determination mark area on the optical disc illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing a part of a recordable area and an address area of an optical disc as an optical recording medium according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the signal processing / control unit illustrated in FIG. 6 for forming a continuous recording area based on a tracking servo signal on the optical disc illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing a part of a recordable area and an address area of an optical disc as an optical recording medium according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration provided in the signal processing / control unit shown in FIG. 6 for forming a continuous recording area based on an address information reproduction signal on the optical disc shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a conventional optical disc.

16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of the optical disc shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view showing a part of a recordable area and an address area in the optical disc shown in FIG.

18 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording / reproducing state of a second recording layer in a recordable area and an address area shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical disk (optical recording medium) 3 Recordable area 4 Address area 5 Non-address area 8 2nd recording layer (2nd information recording layer) 10 1st recording layer (1st information recording layer) 12,12b, 12c Light Beam 13 Guide groove 31 Optical disk recording / reproducing device (optical recording / reproducing device) 34 Optical system section (light irradiation means) 35 Signal processing / control section (control means) 51 Recording mark 52 Address pit 53 Address track 54 Continuous recording area 55 Beam spot Reference Signs List 71 optical disk (optical recording medium) 72 determination mark area 73, 74 determination pit (determination mark) 81 optical disk (optical recording medium) 82 groove 83 land 84 first address area 85 second address area 86 first address pit 87 second Address pit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5D029 JB13 PA04 5D090 AA01 BB12 CC12 CC14 DD03 FF21

Claims (17)

[Claims] A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and each information recording layer has an address indicating address information. An optical recording medium provided with at least one address area in which an information portion is formed in a concentrated manner, wherein light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light; The first information recording layer is defined as a first information recording layer, and a second information recording layer adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a first information recording layer. The optical recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the address area has a recorded area in which transmittance has changed and an unrecorded area in which transmittance has not changed. 2. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side. Each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks. An optical recording medium having at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner, wherein a light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light; Of the information recording layers, the one on the light incident side was the first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side was the second information recording layer. Sometimes, each of the address tracks of the address area in the first information recording layer is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state. Characterized by Optical recording medium. 3. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks. An optical recording medium having at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner is provided, and wherein a light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light. Of the information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is defined as a first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a second information recording layer. Sometimes, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer includes:
An optical recording medium, characterized in that a determination mark indicating whether the address track is to be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state is formed. 4. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and this recording and reproduction is formed on each information recording layer. Each information recording layer has at least one address area having a plurality of address tracks and in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording medium provided with a light transmissivity that changes according to recording with the incident light; a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers being a first information recording layer; When a layer adjacent to the layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is a second information recording layer, each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer is an address track continuous to the land. An optical recording medium, wherein one of a track and an address track continuous with the groove is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state. 5. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and this recording and reproduction is formed on each information recording layer. Each information recording layer has at least one address area having a plurality of address tracks and in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording medium provided with a light transmissivity that changes according to recording with the incident light; a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers being a first information recording layer; When the layer adjacent to the layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a second information recording layer, the address area in the first information recording layer is the same as the first address area in the track direction. Address of 2 The first address area and the second address area, the address information section is formed on different address tracks of the address track continuous with the land and the address track continuous with the groove, An optical recording medium characterized in that one of an area where the address information section is formed and an area where the address information section is not formed is in a continuous recording state. 6. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and each information recording layer has an address indicating address information. At least one address area in which an information portion is formed in a concentrated manner is provided, and a light irradiating unit uses a light irradiating unit to record and reproduce light on an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which light is incident on one side of the optical recording and reproducing apparatus, wherein, of the plurality of information recording layers, the one on the light incident side is a first information recording layer, and the first information recording layer is opposite to the light incident side. When the one adjacent to the side is the second information recording layer, the address area in the first information recording layer includes a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and an unrecorded area where the transmittance has not changed. The light irradiation hand as formed An optical recording / reproducing apparatus comprising control means for controlling a step. 7. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks. And at least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which light for recording / reproduction is incident from one side from an irradiating means, wherein a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers is a first information recording layer; When the second information recording layer is adjacent to the side opposite to the light incident side with respect to the light incident side, one of the adjacent ones of the address tracks in the address area in the first information recording layer is one of the input information tracks. Recording with light An optical recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the light irradiating means so that the light irradiating means is in a continuous recording state and the other is in an unrecorded state. 8. The control means, after reproducing the address information, performs a process of setting the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state with respect to the adjacent address tracks based on the obtained address information. The optical recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light irradiation unit is controlled. 9. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus in which light for recording / reproduction is incident on the optical recording medium according to claim 3 from one side by a light irradiating means, based on reproduction information from the determination mark. A determination is made as to whether each address track in the address area should be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state, and based on the determination result, each address track is in one of a continuous recording state and an unrecorded state. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus, further comprising control means for controlling the light irradiation means. 10. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and this recording and reproduction is formed on each information recording layer. Each information recording layer has at least one address area having a plurality of address tracks and in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus provided, wherein light for recording / reproducing is incident from one side from a light irradiating means on an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, When the layer on the light incident side among the layers is the first information recording layer, and the layer adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer, For the first information recording layer In the address area, one of an address track continuous with the land and an address track continuous with the groove is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling an irradiation unit. 11. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and this recording and reproduction is formed on each information recording layer. Each information recording layer has at least one address area having a plurality of address tracks and in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus provided, wherein light for recording / reproducing is incident from one side from a light irradiating means on an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light, Of the layers, the layer on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the layer adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer.
The first address area and the second address area in which the address area in the information recording layer of the information recording layer is located in front and rear in the track direction, and the first address area and the second address area have an address track continuous with the land. When the address information section is formed on address tracks different from each other and an address track continuous with the groove, the address information section is formed in a first address area and a second address area. An optical recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling the light irradiating means such that one of an area and an area where an address information section is not formed is in a continuous recording state. 12. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and each information recording layer has an address indicating address information. At least one address area in which an information portion is formed in a concentrated manner is provided, and light for recording and reproduction is applied from one side to an optical recording medium in which the transmittance of light changes due to recording with the incident light. In the optical recording / reproducing method in which light is incident, a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers is a first information recording layer, and is adjacent to the first information recording layer on a side opposite to the light incident side. In the case where the second information recording layer is used as a second information recording layer, a recorded area where the transmittance has changed and an unrecorded area where the transmittance has not changed are formed in the address area of the first information recording layer. Characteristic optical recording / reproducing method. 13. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and each information recording layer has a plurality of address tracks. At least one address area in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner is provided, and recording is performed on an optical recording medium whose light transmittance changes by recording with the incident light. In an optical recording / reproducing method in which light for reproduction is incident from one side, a light incident side of the plurality of information recording layers is defined as a first information recording layer, and light is applied to the first information recording layer. When the one adjacent to the side opposite to the incident side is the second information recording layer, the recording with the incident light causes the adjacent information tracks of each address track of the address area in the first information recording layer to be adjacent to each other. One of the above An optical recording / reproducing method comprising: setting a continuous recording state by recording with incident light; and setting the other to an unrecorded state. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the process of setting the continuous recording state and the unrecorded state of the adjacent address tracks is performed based on the obtained address information after reproducing the address information. The optical recording / reproducing method according to the above. 15. An optical recording / reproducing method in which light for recording / reproducing is made incident on one side of an optical recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the address area is recorded on the basis of reproduction information from the determination mark. It is determined whether each address track should be in a continuous recording state or an unrecorded state, and according to the result of the determination, each address track can be switched between a continuous recording state and an unrecorded state by recording with the incident light. An optical recording / reproducing method characterized in that: 16. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and this recording and reproduction is formed on each information recording layer. Each information recording layer has at least one address area having a plurality of address tracks and in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording / reproducing method is provided, wherein an optical recording medium whose light transmittance is changed by recording with the incident light, in which light for recording / reproduction is incident from one side, wherein, among the plurality of information recording layers, When the one on the light incident side is the first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is the second information recording layer, The ad in the recording layer Optical recording, wherein one of an address track continuous to the land and an address track continuous to the groove in the contact area is in a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light, and the other is in an unrecorded state. Playback method. 17. A plurality of information recording layers are stacked, and information can be recorded and reproduced independently of each information recording layer by incident light from one side, and this recording and reproduction is formed on each information recording layer. Each information recording layer has at least one address area having a plurality of address tracks and in which an address information portion indicating address information is formed in a concentrated manner. An optical recording / reproducing method is provided, wherein an optical recording medium whose light transmittance is changed by recording with the incident light, in which light for recording / reproduction is incident from one side, wherein, among the plurality of information recording layers, The one on the light incident side is defined as a first information recording layer, and the one adjacent to the first information recording layer on the side opposite to the light incident side is defined as a second information recording layer.
The first address area and the second address area in which the address area in the information recording layer of the information recording layer is located in front and rear in the track direction, and the first address area and the second address area have an address track continuous with the land. When the address information section is formed on address tracks different from each other and an address track continuous with the groove, the address information section is formed in a first address area and a second address area. An optical recording / reproducing method, wherein one of an area and an area where an address information section is not formed is set to a continuous recording state by recording with the incident light.