OPTICAL RECORDING METHOD FOR DATA CARDS

摘要

A method of recording data on a card (11) in which track indicia (40) are laser recorded by a user on at least one end of a card (11) prerecorded with tracks (17) only. Track indicia (40, 41 and 42) include start and stop marks (19 and 21) defining usable recordable areas (23), synchronization marks (31), error codes (35, 37, 45 and 47) and track numbers (33 and 43) and track termination codes. Start and stop marks (19 and 21) may be a series of lines recorded in a pattern across the tracks (17) and in addition to demarcating usable recordable areas (23) of the card (11) may indicate the location of track numbers (33 and 43) and data areas as well as the particular encoding scheme used on the card. Data blocks may be written on entire tracks (17) or in sectors. When recording errors are detected, the data block is rewritten in a new sector or on another track (17) using the same track number.