In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

The present invention is for more optimally performing recording and reproduction of stereoscopic video. In the present invention, parallax information is utilized to store, in a recording medium, stereoscopic video including left-eye images and right-eye images. Particularly, for video content that contains stereoscopic images, information is obtained regarding the amount of variation in parallactic angle having a given or larger value, a variation time that the variation in parallactic angle takes, and the number of times that the variation in parallactic angle occurs. An evaluation value is calculated that corresponds to the degree of eye fatigue on the basis of the amount of variation, the variation time, and the number of times of the variation. According to the present invention, the video content is encoded in such a manner that the evaluation value is within a given range, and then recorded in the recording medium.

In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

An information recording medium (10) including a first region (11) in which medium identification information has been recorded, a data region (13), and a second region (12) which is positioned between the first region (11) and the data region (13) and in which control information has been recorded, in which an area of the first region (11) is greater than an area of the second region (12) in size.

An optical information storage medium includes a substrate and a multilayer polymeric film. The multilayer polymeric film has a first surface and an opposite second surface that extend the length of the multilayer polymeric film. The second surface is adhered to a surface of the substrate. The multilayer polymeric film includes a plurality of coextruded alternating polymeric active data storage layers and polymeric buffer layers.

An information recording medium (10) including a first region (11) in which medium identification information has been recorded, a data region (13), and a second region (12) which is positioned between the first region (11) and the data region (13) and in which control information has been recorded, in which an area of the first region (11) is greater than an area of the second region (12) in size.

An information recording medium (10) including a first region (11) in which medium identification information has been recorded, a data region (13), and a second region (12) which is positioned between the first region (11) and the data region (13) and in which control information has been recorded, in which an area of the first region (11) is greater than an area of the second region (12) in size.

A reading method for reading contents information with a laser from an optical disc including a plurality of recording layers includes positioning a focus position of the laser at a first recording layer and reading a first part of the contents information recorded in the first recording layer. If a first link information recorded in the first recording layer is detected, judging whether a first condition is fulfilled or not. If the first condition is fulfilled, positioning the focus position of the laser at a second recording layer and reading a first link destination information recorded in the second recording layer. If the first condition is not fulfilled, reading a second part of the contents information recorded in the first recording layer.

An optical information storage medium includes a multilayer film that includes a plurality of extruded alternating active data storage layers and buffer layers, which separate the active data storage layers. The active data storage layers and buffer layers have thicknesses that allow the active data storage layers to be writable by non-linear or threshold writing processes to define data voxels within the active data storage layers that are readable by an optical reading device.

Provided is a technique that reduces the possibility that data will not be recorded due to a shortage of test areas. A test area, in which test writing for laser power control is performed, is set in each recording layer of an optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers, and information indicating a position of the set test area is recorded on the optical recording medium. Furthermore, recorded information of an optical recording medium is reproduced, the optical recording medium including a plurality of recording layers and in which a test area, in which test writing for laser power control is performed, is set in each of the recording layers and information indicating a position of the set test area is recorded; and the information indicating the position of the test area is acquired.