Patent ID: 7053919

Claim:
A method of recording data on an optical disk by irradiating a laser beam to form pits while optimally controlling a power of the laser beam based on a value obtained by operation of an Optimum Power Control, the method comprising: reading disk identification information prerecorded on the optical disk for selecting a constant which relates to the disk identification information; performing a test writing operation for the Optimum Power Control at a predetermined linear velocity prior to data recording so as to obtain a test value; formulating an equation expressing a target value as a function of a recording linear velocity based on the constant relating to the disk identification information, the predetermined linear velocity and the test value obtained by the test writing operation; performing a running operation of the Optimum Power Control by monitoring an actual value while irradiating the laser beam for the recording of data at the recording linear velocity; and controlling the power of the laser beam such that the monitored actual value coincides with the target value which is determined by the equation with respect to the recording linear velocity, wherein performing the test writing operation obtains the test value represented by a ratio of a flat level and a peak level of the power both being measured during the test writing operation for the Optimum Power Control, and performing the running operation obtains the actual value represented by a ratio of a flat level and a peak level of the power both being measured during the running operation of the Optimum Power Control, the peak level representing a maximum power of the laser beam reflected back from the optical disk and observed at the beginning of irradiation for forming the pit, and the flat level representing a stable power of the laser beam reflected back from the optical disk and observed after the start of forming the pit.