Patent attributes
A data read/write device writes to or reads from an optical disc medium having thereon a plurality of areas in which management information is redundantly stored. Conditions for setting a read/write operation are indicated in third management information stored in the inner circumferential area. The pickup of the device performs the steps of: reading a first management information group from the inner circumferential area; retrieving a piece of third management information based on the corresponding valid address included in the first management information group; moving to the outer circumferential area and reading a second management information group; and if the update count of the second management information group is higher than that of the first management information group, retrieving a piece of third management information based on the corresponding valid address included in the second management information group.
