1. A recordable optical disk as a plural- layer disk comprising: at least three recording layers configured to be provided over a disk substrate; and an optically- transparent layer configured to be formed on a laser-incident surface side, wherein a test area for laser power control is provided in an inner circumference side area closer to an inner circumference than a data zone in which user data is recorded in each of the recording layers, and the test areas in the recording layers are so disposed as to be prevented from overlapping v^dth each other in a layer direction by way of gaps (G1/G2), wherein the gaps (G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222 jxm or more, a management information recording/reproduction area for recording and reproduction of management information is provided in the irmer circumference side area in each of the recording layers, and the management information recording/reproduction areas are so disposed that, for each of the test areas in the recording layers, one or less management information recording/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a position closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area. •j i

2. The recordable optical disk according to claim 1, wherein 135 • the management information recording/reproduction areas are each so disposed as to be prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording layers in the layer direction on a disk substrate side of the test areas.

3. A reproduction device for a recordable optical disk as a plural-layer disk that includes at least three recording layers provided over a disk substrate and an optically-transparent layer formed on a laser-incident surface side, a test area for laser power control being provided in an inner circumference side area closer to an inner circumference than a data zone in which user data is recorded in each of the recording layers, the test areas in the recording layers being so disposed as to be prevented from overlappmg with each other in a layer direction by way of gaps (G1/G2), wherein the gaps (G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222 ^m or more, the reproduction device comprising a controller configured to recognize a management information recording/reproduction area that is so disposed in the inner circumference side area in each of the recording layers, that for each of the test areas in the recording layers, one or less management information recording/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a position closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area, and the management information recording/reproduction area is prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording layers in the layer direction on a disk substrate side of the test areas, the controller reproducing management information from the management information recording/reproduction area and controlling reproduction of user data based on management information.

4. A recording device for a recordable optical disk as a plural- layer disk that mcludes at least three recording layers provided over a disk substrate, a management information recording/reproduction area in the inner circimiference side area in each of the recording layers, and an optically-transparent layer formed on a laser-incident surface side, 136 the recording device comprising: a controller configured to dispose a test area for laser power control being provided in an inner circumference side area closer to an iimer circumference than a data zone in which user data is recorded in each of the recording layers, the test areas in the recording layers being so disposed as to be prevented from overlapping with each other in a layer direction by way of gaps (G1/G2), wherein the gaps (G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222nm or more, wherein, for each of the test areas in the recording layers, one or less management information recording/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a position closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area, and the management information recording/reproduction area is prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording layers in the layer direction on a disk substrate side of the test areas.

5. A recording method for a recordable optical disk as a plural-layer disk that includes at least three recording layers provided over a disk substrate, a management information recordmg/reproduction area in the inner circimiference side area in each of the recording layers, and an optically- transparent layer formed on a laser- incident surface side, the method comprising: disposing a test area for laser power control being provided in an irmer circumference side area closer to an iimer circumference than a data zone in which user data is recorded in each . of the recording layers, the test areas in the recording layers being so disposed as to be prevented from overlapping with each other in a layer direction by way of gaps (G1/G2), wherein the gaps (G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222|im or more, wherein, for each of the test areas in the recordmg layers, one or less management information recordmg/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a position closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area, and the management information 137 I recording/reproduction area is prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording layers in the layer direction on a disk substrate side of the test areas.

6. The recordable disk according to claim 1, wherein the management information recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV).

7. The reproduction device according to claim 6, wherein the management information recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV).

8. The recording device according to claim 7, wherein the management information recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV).

9. The recording method according to claim 8, wherein the management information recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV). Dated this 15"* April of 2011 I [ffAYANTAPAL] (DFRI'MFRY&SAGAR 7 138

ORIGINAL
We Claim: '
1. A recordable optical disk as a plural- layer disk
comprising:
at least three recording layers configured to be provided over a disk substrate; and an
optically- transparent layer configured to be formed on a laser-incident surface side,
wherein
a test area for laser power control is provided in an inner circumference side area closer
to an inner circumference than a data zone in which user data is recorded in each of the recording
layers, and
the test areas in the recording layers are so disposed as to be prevented from overlapping
v^dth each other in a layer direction by way of gaps (G1/G2), wherein
the gaps (G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222 jxm or more,
a management information recording/reproduction area for recording and
reproduction of management information is provided in the irmer circumference side area in
each of the recording layers, and
the management information recording/reproduction areas are so disposed that, for
each of the test areas in the recording layers, one or less management information
recording/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a position
closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area.
•j
i
2. The recordable optical disk according to claim 1, wherein
135
•
the management information recording/reproduction areas are each so disposed as to be
prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording layers in the layer direction on a
disk substrate side of the test areas.
3. A reproduction device for a recordable optical disk as a plural-layer disk that includes at
least three recording layers provided over a disk substrate and an optically-transparent layer
formed on a laser-incident surface side,
a test area for laser power control being provided in an inner circumference side area
closer to an inner circumference than a data zone in which user data is recorded in each of the
recording layers, the test areas in the recording layers being so disposed as to be prevented from
overlappmg with each other in a layer direction by way of gaps (G1/G2), wherein the
gaps (G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222 ^m or more,
the reproduction device comprising
a controller configured to recognize a management information
recording/reproduction area that is so disposed in the inner circumference side area in each of the
recording layers, that for each of the test areas in the recording layers, one or less management
information recording/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a
position closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area, and the management information
recording/reproduction area is prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording
layers in the layer direction on a disk substrate side of the test areas, the controller reproducing
management information from the management information recording/reproduction area and
controlling reproduction of user data based on management information.
4. A recording device for a recordable optical disk as a plural- layer disk that mcludes at
least three recording layers provided over a disk substrate, a management information
recording/reproduction area in the inner circimiference side area in each of the recording layers,
and an optically-transparent layer formed on a laser-incident surface side,
136
the recording device comprising:
a controller configured to dispose a test area for laser power control being provided in an
inner circumference side area closer to an iimer circumference than a data zone in which user
data is recorded in each of the recording layers, the test areas in the recording layers being so
disposed as to be prevented from overlapping with each other in a layer direction by way of gaps
(G1/G2), wherein the gaps (G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222nm or more,
wherein, for each of the test areas in the recording layers, one or less management
information recording/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a
position closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area, and the management information
recording/reproduction area is prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording
layers in the layer direction on a disk substrate side of the test areas.
5. A recording method for a recordable optical disk as a plural-layer disk that includes at
least three recording layers provided over a disk substrate, a management information
recordmg/reproduction area in the inner circimiference side area in each of the recording layers,
and an optically- transparent layer formed on a laser- incident surface side,
the method comprising:
disposing a test area for laser power control being provided in an irmer circumference
side area closer to an iimer circumference than a data zone in which user data is recorded in each
. of the recording layers, the test areas in the recording layers being so disposed as to be prevented
from overlapping with each other in a layer direction by way of gaps (G1/G2), wherein the gaps
(G1/G2) between the test areas are each 222|im or more,
wherein, for each of the test areas in the recordmg layers, one or less management
information recordmg/reproduction areas overlap with the test area in the layer direction at a
position closer to a laser-incident surface than the test area, and the management information
137
I
recording/reproduction area is prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the recording
layers in the layer direction on a disk substrate side of the test areas.
6. The recordable disk according to claim 1, wherein the management information
recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary
management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV).
7. The reproduction device according to claim 6, wherein the management information
recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary
management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV).
8. The recording device according to claim 7, wherein the management information
recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary
management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV).
9. The recording method according to claim 8, wherein the management information
recording/reproduction area includes definitive management information (INFO), temporary
management information (TDMA), or reserve area (RSV).
Dated this 15"* April of 2011
I [ffAYANTAPAL]
(DFRI'MFRY&SAGAR
7
138