Patent ID: 8149669
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. An optical disk reproducing apparatus for enabling reproduction from a multi-layered write once optical disk of recordable format in which the optical disk has plural numbers of recording layers and in which data is recorded sequentially on the optical disk so as to be continuous over an entire continuous recorded data region of a user data region which includes multiple recording layers of the optical disk, comprising: a spindle motor for rotationally driving the optical disk; an optical pickup, being provided movable to the optical disk, for reading out signals from the optical disk; a controller device which controls the optical pickup to move in a radial direction of the optical disk, and controls the optical pickup so that a light-beam irradiated therefrom is focused upon one of the plural numbers of recording layers of the optical disk; wherein the controller device controls the optical pickup so as to enable reproduction of an end address number indicating a final recording position of the entire continuous recorded data region of the user data region which includes multiple recording layers of the multi-layered write once optical disk of recordable format in which data is recorded sequentially and continuously on the optical disk, the end address number being recorded in a particular area on the optical disk, and to enable retrieval of information indicating which area of the optical disk is a first area with which the optical disk reproducing apparatus retrieves an address, and which area of the optical disk is a second area with which the optical disk reproducing apparatus cannot retrieve an address, in accordance with the reproduced end address number so that the end address number represents a boundary between recorded and non-recorded data of the user data region which includes multiple recording layers; wherein the controller device determines, in accordance with the reproduced end address number, whether a target layer to be accessed lies on a present layer upon which the optical pickup focuses a light-beam therefrom or a different layer, and whether a present radial position of the optical pickup is included in the second area of the target layer; wherein when the target layer is on the different layer and the present radial position of the optical pickup is included in the second area of the target layer, the controller device determines a shifting distance in the radial direction based on the end address number and controls the optical pickup to move in the radial direction based on the shifting distance to a radial position which is included in the first area of the target layer; and wherein the controller device controls the optical pickup to shift the light-beam to the target layer.