Abstract: A record carrier having at least two information volumes recorded thereon. The first volume includes control information for use in searching for information included in that volume. In one embodiment, the first volume further includes a reference to the control information included therein in a predetermined address range, and the second volume includes substitute control information for use in searching for information in the first and second volumes and a reference to the substitute control information. The reference to the substitute control information is accommodated in a recoverable substitute address range. A reading apparatus for such a record carrier transforms a request for access to sectors in the predetermined address range of the first volume into a request for access to sectors in the substitute address range of the second volume. A method and apparatus for recording information on such a record carrier is also disclosed.

Abstract: A record carrier on which a first information volume and an additional information volume are recorded. The first information volume includes audio information, preferably recorded in accordance with the Compact Disc Digital Audio standard. The additional volume includes additional non-audio information related to the audio information recorded in the first information volume. The additional volume also includes control information for searching for information in both the first and the second information volumes. A dedicated data reading apparatus for such a record carrier firstly accesses the additional information volume. On the basis of the control information, the dedicate data reading apparatus can also access the audio information in the first information volume. An audio reading apparatus which can not handle the additional non-audio information automatically accesses the first information volume.

Abstract: A method and device for recording successive volumes of information in successive sections of a track of a record carrier of an inscribable type. At the end of each information volume a lead-out signal is recorded. The lead-out signals include control information for controlling reading of the recorded information. When the record carrier is to be read out, the lead-out signal of the last recorded information volume is first searched for and the control information therein is used for controlling reading of the information in all of the recorded information volumes.

Abstract: An optical recording element comprising a transparent supporting plate, a dye-containing recording layer and a first reflective layer which is applied to a recording layer. The element has a ROM (read only memory) region containing information which can be read optically and a RC (recording) region in which information can be recorded and read optically, the recording layer extending over the ROM and RC regions and a second reflective layer being present in the ROM region between the recording layer and the substrate.