Writing device, record carrier and method of writing information blocks, and reading device for reading information blocks

A writable record carrier having a track pattern for writing information blocks, and a track structure that indicates the position of the track pattern, wherein the record carrier is provided with status information which indicates the fact that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising initial-area information which indicates an uninterrupted written initial area.

A method of writing information blocks in a track pattern on a record carrier of a writable type, in which method marks representing the information blocks are written in areas of the record carrier via a write unit and a beam of electromagnetic radiation, the write unit being positioned on the basis of a track structure which indicates the position of the track pattern, wherein status information is generated which indicates the fact that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising initial-area information which indicates the position of an uninterrupted written initial area.

A reading device comprising:

• read means for reading information blocks represented by optically readable marks in a track pattern on a record carrier, a read unit for reading the marks via a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and positioning means for positioning the read unit on the basis of the marks, wherein the positioning means are adapted to position depending on status information which indicates that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising initial-area information which indicates the position of an uninterrupted written initial area.

A writable record carrier having track pattern for writing information blocks, and a track structure which indicates the track pattern, said record carrier comprising:

• status information which indicates that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising initial-area information which indicates an uninterrupted written initial area which extends from the start of a track pattern area for writing information blocks,
• the status information comprising interval information indicating the position of the start and the end of uninterrupted written areas of the track pattern.

A method of writing information blocks in a track pattern on a record carrier of a writable type, in which method marks representing the information blocks are written in areas of the record carrier via a write unit and a beam of electromagnetic radiation, the write unit being positioned on the basis of a track structure which indicates the track pattern, said method comprising the acts of:

• generating status information which indicates that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising initial-area information which indicates an uninterrupted written initial area which extends from the start of a track pattern area intended for writing information blocks;
• determining the status information in a work area contiguous to the initial area;
• writing the unwritten parts of the work area with dummy information.

A reading device provided with read means for reading information blocks represented by optically readable marks in a track pattern on a record carrier, said reading device comprising:

• a read unit for reading the marks via a beam of electromagnetic radiation,
• positioning means for positioning the read unit on the basis of the marks depending upon status information which indicates that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising initial-area information which indicates an uninterrupted written initial area which extends from the start of a track pattern area for writing information blocks wherein the positioning means are for rejecting instructions for positioning outside the initial area.

A device for writing information blocks in a track pattern on a record carrier of a writable type, which device is provided with a write unit for writing ares of the record carrier via a beam of electromagnetic radiation with marks representing the information blocks, and positioning means for positioning the write unit on the record carrier on the basis of a track structure which indicates the track pattern, wherein the device is provided with status means for generating status information which indicates that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising initial-area information which indicates an uninterrupted written initial area, wherein the status means are adapted to determine the status information in a work area contiguous to the initial area and to write the unwritten parts of the work area with dummy information.

A device for writing information blocks in a track pattern on a record carrier of a writable type, which device is provided with a write unit for writing areas of the record carrier via a beam of electromagnetic radiation with marks representing the information blocks, and positioning means for positioning the write unit on the record carrier on the basis of a track structure which indicates the track pattern, wherein the device is provided with status means for generating status information which indicates that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, the status information comprising intial-area information which indicated an uninterrupted written initial area, wherein the sequence in which the device writes information blocks on the record carrier may be freely chosen.