Information recording medium with track group indicators

Claim 2

An information recording medium comprising: a plurality of bands arranged in a first direction, each of said bands being constituted by a plurality of information tracks arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and separated into a plurality of track groups in each of said bands, said plurality of bands being respectively separated along the first direction; and an identification field in said bands, said identification field being arranged between said plurality of track groups in such a manner that said plurality of track groups are separated in said second direction.

Claim 3

An information recording medium comprising: a plurality of bands arranged in a first direction, each of said bands being constituted by a plurality of information tracks having at least a track number field and a data information field, said information tracks being arranged in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and separated into a plurality of track groups in each of said bands, said plurality of bands being respectively separated along the first direction; and an identification field in said bands, said identification field being arranged in such a manner that said plural track groups are separated in said second direction, wherein said track groups are constituted by tracks numbering no more than 2 n , where n is the number of bits of each of said track number fields.

Claim 4

An information recording medium comprising: a plurality of bands arranged in a first direction, each of said bands being constituted by a plurality of information tracks having at least a track number field and a data information field, said information tracks being arranged in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and separated into a plurality of track groups in each of said bands, said plurality of bands being respectively separated along the first direction; and an identification field in said bands, said identification field being arranged in such a manner that said plural track groups are separated in said second direction, wherein said track groups are constituted by tracks numbering no more than 2 n , where n is the number of bits of each of said track number fields.

Claim 5

An information recording medium comprising: a plurality of bands arranged in a first direction, each of said bands being constituted by plural information track groups arranged in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction in said bands, said plurality of bands being respectively separated along the first direction; and an identification field for identifying said track groups from those adjacent to said track groups in said bands, wherein said track groups are constituted by information tracks numbering no more than 2 n and each of said information tracks has a track number field constituted by n bits, n being a positive integer.

Claim 6

An information recording medium comprising: a plurality of bands arranged in a first direction, each of said bands being constituted by plural information track groups arranged in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction in said bands, said plurality of bands being respectively separated along the first direction; and an identification field for identifying said track groups from those adjacent to said track groups in said bands, wherein said track groups are constituted by information tracks numbering no more than 2 n and each of said information tracks has a track number field constituted by n bits, n being a positive integer.

Claim 7

An information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein information is recorded in said information tracks by use of a predetermined modulation process, and wherein said identification field includes a pattern other than that which is generated by said predetermined modulation process, said pattern being information for indicating said identification field.