method and an apparatus for recording information, and an information recording medium

Abstract

In a method for recording information on an information recording medium having a data recording area for storing user data and a test area used for test recording by a recording apparatus, it is detected whether the test area is unusable when executing the test recording. The test recording is executed in the test area when the test area is detected not to be unusable, or executed in the data recording area when detected to be unusable. Management information relating to the test recording executed in the data recording area is recorded in a predetermined area. Hence, it is possible to eliminate a limit of number of times of test recording which depends on the size of the test recording area.

1 . A method for recording information to an information recording medium, wherein
 the information recording medium includes a plurality of recording layers,   each recording layer includes a data recording area and an inner area located inner than the data recording area,   the data recording area includes a user data area for storing user data and a spare area for storing alternatively user data,   the inner area includes a control information recording area for storing control information,   the recording method comprises recording the control information in an area in the spare area included in the recording layer farthest from a light source when the control information recording area included in the recording layer closest to the light source is unusable.   
     
     
         2 . The recording method according to  claim 1 , wherein the case that the control information recording area is unusable is a case the insufficient space is left in the control information recording area. 
     
     
         3 . An information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, wherein
 each recording layer includes a data recording area and an inner area located inner than the data recording area,   the data recording area includes a user data area for storing user data and a spare area for storing alternatively user data,   the inner area includes a control information recording area for storing control information,   the spare area included in the recording layer farthest from a light source includes an area in which the control information is recorded when the control information recording area included in the recording layer closest to the light source is unusable.   
     
     
         4 . The information recording medium according to  claim 3 , wherein the case that the control information recording area is unusable is a case the insufficient space is left in the control information recording area. 
     
     
         5 . A method for reproducing information from the information recording medium according to  claim 3 , comprising: at least one of
 reproducing control information from the control information recording area included in the recording layer closest to the light source; and   reproducing control information from an area in the spare area included in the recording layer farthest from the light source.   
     
     
         6 . The reproducing method according to  claim 5 , wherein the case that the control information recording area is unusable is a case the insufficient space is left in the control information recording area.