Patent ID: 8599669

Claim:
A reproduced signal quality judging method, performed by a reproducing device that reproduces signals from an information recording medium, said method comprising: (i) reproducing signals from recording marks previously recorded on an information recording medium by performing the steps of: generating laser pulse sequences in accordance with recording information; classifying recording parameters for top sections of a first predetermined recording mark length through a maximum recording mark length into same groups in accordance with at least recording mark lengths out of the recording information; classifying cooling start positions for cooling periods of a second predetermined recording mark length through the maximum recording mark length into a same group in accordance with at least recording mark lengths out of the recording information; controlling heat of front edges of the recording marks by using said classified recording parameters for top sections of the pulse sequences; controlling heat of rear edges of the recording marks by using said classified cooling start positions for cooling periods of the pulse sequences; and forming the recording marks of the first predetermined recording mark length through the maximum recording mark length based on the controlling steps; wherein the pulse sequences each include a top section including a top pulse; a last section including a cooling period; and an intermediate section including an intermediate period provided between the top section and the last section, wherein the second predetermined recording mark length is longer than the first predetermined recording mark length; and (ii) judging whether or not a reproduced signal obtained in step (i) has a reproduced signal quality that is capable of being compensated by an error modification function.