JPH10255335A - Optical card and optical card reader-writer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical card and an optical card reader-writer capable of recording and reproducing data while properly dealing with plural kinds of optical card. SOLUTION: In this optical card 101 for recording and reproducing data by laser beam irradiation from an optical head, in the area other than the recording area 102 of the optical card, an optical card identification area 106 is provided in which recorded is the identification information of the optical card 101 readable by the laser beam from the optical head, with the data recording and reproduction controlled for the recording area 102 by the optical head based on the identification information read out from the optical card identification area 106.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical card and an optical card reader / writer, and more particularly, to an optical card and an optical card reader / writer capable of recording and reproducing optical cards of various specifications.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an optical card is composed of a plastic card of a predetermined size, and is configured to record and reproduce various data by scanning a recording area of the plastic card with a laser beam.

Incidentally, there are a plurality of types of optical cards having different numbers of tracks in the optical card. Conventionally, in order to enable recording and reproduction of the plurality of types of optical cards, all predetermined types of optical cards are used. The number of tracks of each optical card is recorded by a specific recording method on a specific track common to the types of optical cards, and when this optical card is inserted into the optical card reader / writer, first, It is configured to read the number of tracks recorded on the track and to perform appropriate card access corresponding to each optical card based on the read number of tracks.

[0004]

However, in recent years, specifications required for optical cards have diversified, and the position of the recording area,
The sizes and recording methods have become diverse. for that reason,
When providing a new type of optical card, it is necessary to provide a dedicated optical card reader / writer corresponding to the type of the optical card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical card and an optical card reader / writer capable of recording and reproducing data appropriately in correspondence with a plurality of types of optical cards.

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical card for recording and reproducing data in a predetermined recording area by irradiating the recording area with a laser beam. An identification information recording area for recording identification information of the optical card readable by the laser beam is provided in an area different from the data recording area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the identification information recording area records type information indicating a type of the optical card.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the identification information recording area records access information indicating a method of accessing the recording area of the optical card.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical card reader / writer for irradiating a predetermined recording area of an optical card with a laser beam to record and reproduce data in the recording area. An optical head for recording / reproducing data to / from the recording area by irradiating the area with laser light; and identification information for reading identification information provided by the optical head in an area different from the data recording area of the optical card. A reading unit; and a control unit that controls recording and reproduction of data in the recording area by the optical head based on the identification information read by the identification information reading unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the identification information is type information indicating a type of the optical card.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the identification information is access information indicating a method of accessing the recording area of the optical card.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an optical card reader / writer according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an optical card reader / writer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an optical card reader / writer used in the optical card reader / writer shown in FIG. An example is shown.

First, the configuration of an optical card used in the optical card reader / writer of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, an optical card 101 used in the optical card reader / writer according to the present embodiment has a large number of, for example, about 2500 data recording tracks 103 formed in the recording area 102 in the X direction. The data storage tracks 103 and the guide tracks 104 required for tracking control for stabilizing the irradiation position of the recording / reproducing laser beam are alternately arranged.

By the way, the data recording track 103 and the guide track 104 have different reflectivities. Comparing the two reflectivities, the data record track 103 has a high reflectivity and the guide track 104 has a low reflectivity. .

The recording pit 105 is a low-reflectance portion formed in the data recording track 103 by a laser beam at the time of recording information. The presence or absence of the recording pit 105 corresponds to digital codes 0 and 1, respectively.

In the optical card 101, a recording track for recording and reproducing data is selected by moving the optical head 10 in the Y direction by the Y direction driving motor 13 of the optical card reader / writer 100 shown in FIG. Data is recorded and reproduced on a desired recording track by reciprocating the optical card 101 in the X direction by the direction drive motor 12.

FIG. 3 shows a logical data configuration of the storage area 102 shown in FIG. 2. In the storage area 102, in addition to the data storage area 110 which is a part for recording information,
At the time of recording / reproduction, a lead-in 111 for the optical card reader / writer 100 to obtain bit synchronization, a SYNC mark 112 for obtaining frame synchronization, and the like are recorded.

Here, the optical card reader / writer 100 shown in FIG. 1 operates at a scanning speed such that the synchronization signal for recording / reproducing and the signal rising every bit detected by scanning the lead-in 111 coincide with each other. 101 is scanned, and bit synchronization is acquired by maintaining the scanning speed.

The SYNC mark 112 is formed by arranging the recording pits 105 in a pattern that does not occur due to modulation, and is used by the optical card reader / writer 100 to obtain frame synchronization.

Here, a frame is a bit segment when a signal is processed by the optical card reader / writer 100. The optical card reader / writer 100 counts the synchronization signal and counts up to the number of bits constituting one frame. Then, a frame synchronization signal is output, and this is repeated.

Here, since the SYNC mark 112 is recorded at the start end (or end) of the frame, the optical card reader / writer 100 scans the optical card 101, and
Detecting the NC mark 112 ensures acquisition of frame synchronization.

The data recording area 110 includes the sector 11
3 are arranged n times, and the bit number of the sector 113 is configured by the user selecting the bit number most convenient for the application. The sector 113 is a unit that allows the user to access the optical card when recording and reproducing data.

By the way, the optical card 10 of this embodiment
1 is provided with an optical card identification area 106 in another area different from the recording area 102.
4, a track number 115 indicating the number of tracks in the storage area 102, a sector type 116 indicating the type of a sector which is a unit accessible to the optical card, and the data recorded on the optical card as shown in FIG. Modulation method 117
Etc. are recorded.

The optical card identification area 106 may employ any recording method as long as it can be read in common by using the optical head 10 of the optical card reader / writer 100 shown in FIG. For example, the information may be recorded at a crossroads using a well-known barcode or the like.

Next, a schematic configuration of an optical card reader / writer 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This optical card reader / writer 100 uses an optical head 10 to record and reproduce data on an optical card 101 inserted from the X direction in FIG. A card loading / unloading motor 11 for loading and unloading to and from the writer 100; an X-direction drive motor 1 for reciprocating the optical card 101 in the X-direction for recording and reproducing data on and from the optical card 101
2. A Y-direction drive motor 13 for moving the optical head 10 in the Y direction for selecting a storage track of the optical card 101 to be described later, a card loading / discharging drive circuit 16 for driving and controlling the card loading / discharging motor 11, and an X direction. An X-direction drive circuit 15 for controlling the drive of the drive motor 12, a Y-direction drive circuit 14 for controlling the drive of the Y-direction drive motor, and a laser drive control circuit 17 for controlling a laser output according to each operation mode at the time of recording and reproducing data. A modulation circuit 18 for converting data to be recorded on the optical card 101 into the presence or absence of recording pits, an A / D converter 19 for converting reflected light of recording pits read from the optical head 10 into digital signals, and an A / D converter 19 A demodulation circuit 20 for converting a signal corresponding to the presence or absence of a recording pit, which has been digitized, into data recorded on the optical card 101; CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 for controlling the circuit; ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 storing a control program for causing CPU 21 to function; Buffer RAM (Random Access Memory) storing write data and read data for optical card 101 )
23, an interleave circuit 24 for specifying an address of the buffer RAM 23, and an I / O controller 25 for controlling communication between the optical card reader / writer 100 and an external device.

The operation when the optical card 101 is inserted into the optical card reader / writer 100 configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, first, when the optical card 101 is inserted into the optical card reader / writer 100 shown in FIG. 1 (step 200), the CPU 21 controls the card loading / unloading drive circuit 16 to load the card. The ejection motor 11 is rotated forward to take in the inserted optical card 101 (step 201).

Next, the CPU 21 operates the Y-direction drive circuit 14.
The optical head 10 is moved in the Y direction by the drive control of the Y-direction drive motor 13 via (step 202), and the optical card identification area 106 is selected (step 203).

This selection is made when the position of the optical card identification area 106 on the optical card 101 is predetermined.
This is performed by moving the optical head 10 to its predetermined position. Further, a specific code can be provided in the optical card identification area 106, and by detecting this, the optical card identification area 106 can be selected.

Next, the optical card 101 is reciprocated in the X direction by the drive control of the X direction drive motor 12 via the X direction drive circuit 15 to perform laser scanning, thereby being selected by the drive control of the Y direction drive motor 13. The data is reproduced from the optical card identification area 106 (step 20).
4).

The data from the optical card identification area 106 read in step 204 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 19 (step 205).

The optical card type data read from the optical card identification area 106 is stored in the buffer RAM 23 at an address provided in advance for storing the optical card type determination data (step 206).

Next, the system waits for a command from an external device (step 207). When the command is input, it is determined whether the input command is a reproduction command (step 208).

If the command is a reproduction command, the type data of the optical card is stored in the buffer RAM 23.
(Step 209), for example, if the type data of this optical card is "0000", the type data "0"
000 "(step 2).
11).

If the type data of the optical card is not "0000" in step 210, it is determined whether or not the type data of the optical card is "1111" (step 212). The data is "1111"
If so, the reproducing operation 2 corresponding to the type data corresponding to "1111" is executed (step 213).

If the type data of the optical card is not "1111" in step 212, the card is ejected from the optical card reader / writer 100 as an unidentifiable card.

An optical card whose type data is "0000" is, for example, an optical card having 1,000 tracks, a sector type of 272 × 2 bits, and a modulation method of NRZ-RZ. Type data is "111"
The 1 "card is an optical card having 2,000 tracks, a sector type of 272 × 4 bits, and a modulation method of MFM-RZ.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the types of the identifiable optical card are two of “0000” and “1111”.
However, a number of determination steps similar to steps 210 and 212 are provided, and the optical card identification area 106
By increasing the number of bits of the type data of the optical card to be recorded in the optical card, it is possible to identify various types of optical cards.

Here, the NRZI-RZ modulation method and the MFM-RZ modulation method will be described with reference to FIG.

The NRZI-RZ modulation method uses the NRZI (N
on Return to Zero change
on 1) A modulation method in which a pulse is generated at the polarity inversion position of the modulation method.

When the data shown in FIG. 7A is modulated, N
In the RZI modulation method, as shown in FIG. 7B, the polarity of a signal is inverted at a bit middle point of data “1”. Therefore, in the NRZI-RZ modulation method, a pulse is generated at the polarity inversion position in FIG. 7B as shown in FIG. 7C.

The data modulated by the NRZI-RZ modulation method forms recording pits in the recording section of the optical card so as to correspond to the pulse positions shown in FIG. 7C as shown in FIG. 7D. It is recorded by doing.

Further, in the NRZI-RZ modulation system, FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 7A and FIG. 7D, no recording pit is formed in a portion where data "0" continues.

Next, the MFM-RZ (Modified
Frequency Modulation-Retu
(rn to Zero) modulation scheme will be described.

The MFM-RZ modulation method is based on the MFM (Mod
ifed FrequencyModulatio
n) A modulation method in which a pulse is generated at the polarity inversion position of the modulation method.

When the data shown in FIG. 7A is modulated, M
In the FM modulation method, as shown in FIG. 7E, the polarity is inverted at the bit intermediate point of the data “1” and at the pit separation position when the data “0” continues.

Therefore, according to the MFM-RZ modulation method, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7F, a pulse is generated at the polarity inversion position in FIG.

The data modulated by the MFM-RZ modulation method forms recording pits in the recording portion of the optical card so as to correspond to the pulse positions shown in FIG. 7 (f) as shown in FIG. 7 (g). It is recorded by doing.

Next, the execution procedure of the reproduction operation 1 and the reproduction operation 2 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a common processing procedure of the reproducing operation 1 and the reproducing operation 2 stored in the ROM 22 as a control program of the CPU 21. The reproduction operation 1 and the reproduction operation 2 are separate control programs, and which control program is executed is determined depending on the type of the optical card.

When reproducing data from the optical card 101, first, a track address at which data to be reproduced is recorded is specified. This designation is performed by, when recording data on the optical card 101, writing in advance in which area of the optical card 101 the data is to be recorded as a track address in a specific area, and reading the data during reproduction. This track address is called a designated track address.

The reproducing operation is performed in step 2 shown in FIG.
02, the optical head 10 is moved to the storage area 102 of the optical card 101 (step 300).
The track address 114 of the data storage track 103 where the spot is located is read (step 301).

Then, the track address 114 is compared with the designated track address (step 302). If they are the same, the process proceeds to step 303. If they are different, the process returns to step 300 and the light is emitted so that the spot comes to the designated track address. The head 10 is moved.

In step 303, laser scanning is performed in the same manner as in step 204 shown in FIG. 5, and the reflected light of the obtained recording pit is A / D converted (step 304).

Next, the digital data obtained by the A / D conversion is sent to the demodulation circuit 20. Here, the reproduction operation 1 performs reproduction on the optical card recorded by the NRZI-RZ modulation method. Therefore, the CPU 21 operates the gate (not shown) provided in the demodulation circuit 20 to pass through the demodulation circuit 20. .

On the other hand, since the reproduction operation 2 is recorded by the MFM-RZ modulation method, the CPU 21
By operating a gate (not shown) provided at 0, reproduced data is input to the demodulation circuit 20.

Here, demodulation of data recorded by the MFM-RZ modulation method will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 (f) is a data obtained by modulating the data shown in FIG. 7 (a) by the MFM-RZ modulation method. When the data is "0", it rises at the data bit separation position, A pulse that falls at the middle point is generated, and when the data is “1”, a pulse that rises at the middle point of the data bit and falls at the data bit separation position is generated. The position where this pulse is generated corresponds to the position of the recording pit 105 formed on the optical card 101. FIG. 7B shows a positional relationship between data pulses modulated by the MFM-RZ modulation method and recording pits.

Here, the optical card reader / writer has a synchronizing signal generator (not shown), and uses the synchronizing signal shown in FIG. 7 (h) output from the synchronizing signal generator to perform the MFM-RZ modulation. The modulated pulse is synchronized to obtain a demodulated pulse shown in FIG.

The data demodulated as described above is stored in the buffer R in steps 306 and 307.
Stored in AM23. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a memory space on the buffer RAM 23. The memory space has 272 bits in the X direction and n bits in the Y direction. Here, n bits in the Y direction are values determined by the sector type of data recorded on the optical card 101.

Therefore, the type data of the optical card is “000”.
If “0”, n = 2, and if the type data of the optical card is “1111”, n = 4.

The demodulated data is stored in the buffer RAM 23 by the interleave circuit 24.
3 by generating a memory address where data should be stored.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of the interleave circuit 24. The interleave circuit 24 includes an address decoder X50 for setting an address in the X direction, an address decoder Y51 for setting an address in the Y direction, an address comparator X52 and an address comparator Y53 for outputting when the X address and the Y address respectively reach the set values. Be composed.

First, the address output from the interleave circuit 24 is (0, 0), that is, both the values of the address decoder X50 and the address decoder Y51 start from 0,
The first bit is stored at address (0,0). The interleave circuit 24 increments the address decoder Y51 and sequentially stores data (0, 1), (0, 2),... In the memory space of the buffer RAM 23.

In the reproducing operation 1, the address comparator Y
Since the value of 53 is 2, the address comparator Y53
Resets the address decoder Y51 to zero when the address decoder Y51 reaches 2,
+1 is added to 50. The address comparator X52 stores 272, which is the number of bits in the X direction in the memory space. When the address decoder X50 reaches 272, that is, when data is stored at the address (271, n-1), a buffer is stored. The storage of the RAM 23 is completed.

In the reproducing operation 2, the address comparator Y
The value of 53 is set to 4, and data is stored in the buffer RAM 23 in the same manner as in the reproduction operation 1.

The reproduction data of the optical card 101 stored in the buffer RAM 23 as described above
At 08, it is output to an external device via the I / O controller 25. When the reproduced data is output, the interleave circuit 24 sequentially stores the buffer RAM 23 starting at the address (0,0).
Is incremented, and the reproduction data is transferred to an external device via the I / O controller 25 bit by bit.

When the above-mentioned reproduction operation 1 or reproduction operation 2 is completed, the optical card reader / writer 100 waits again for a command from an external device in step 207.

Next, the operation when the command from the external device is a recording command in step 208 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

If the instruction command is a recording command, the process proceeds from step 208 to step 214, where the type data of the optical card is read from the buffer RAM (at step 215), and the type data of the optical card is "0".
If it is "000", the recording operation 1 (step 218) is executed, and if the type data of the optical card is "1111", the recording operation 2 (step 219) is executed. If none of 1111 "is satisfied, the optical card is ejected as unrecognizable (step 221).

Hereinafter, the execution procedure of the recording operation 1 and the recording operation 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a common processing procedure of the recording operation 1 and the recording operation 2 stored in the ROM 22 as a control program of the CPU 21. The recording operation 1 and the recording operation 2 are different control programs, and which control program is executed is determined depending on the type of the optical card.

Recording of data on the optical card 101 is performed by writing data to a designated track address. When data is already recorded on the optical card 101, the designated track address is the address of the next track after the track on which the data is recorded, or the address of the first track on a new card on which no data is recorded. Becomes

In the recording operation, first, a track address is specified (step 400), and step 20 shown in FIG.
The optical head 10 is moved to the storage area 102 of the optical card 101 by the same method as in Step 2 (Step 401), and the track address 114 of the data storage track 103 where the spot of the optical head 10 is located is read (Step 402). And
The track address 114 is compared with the designated track address (step 403).
04, if different, return to step 401, so that the optical head 1
Move 0.

Next, steps 404 to 406
Then, the recording data input from the external device is stored in the buffer RAM 23 via the I / O controller 25.

The recording data input from the external device is stored in a transfer RAM (not shown) of the external device, and when step 404 is executed, the I / O controller 25
Are input to the buffer RAM 23 one bit at a time. At this time, the CPU 21 sets the interleave circuit in step 405. The interleave circuit 24 performs the same address control as in the reproducing operation, and stores the recording data in the buffer RAM 23. That is, since the sector type used when recording data on the optical card 101 differs between the recording operation 1 and the recording operation 2, the address comparator Y5
3 is different, and in the recording operation 1, n = 2, and in the recording operation 2, n = 4.

A value corresponding to the specified sector type is stored in the address comparator, and controls the operation of the interleave circuit 24.

The recording data stored in the buffer RAM 23 as described above is stored in the modulation circuit 18 in step 407.
Accordingly, in the recording operation 1, the signal is modulated by the NRZI-RZ modulation method, and in the recording operation 2, the signal is modulated by the MFM-RZ modulation method.

In the NRZI-RZ modulation method, a recording pit is formed at a bit intermediate point when data is "1", and no recording pit is formed when data is "0". Therefore, the modulation in step 407 is not performed. Then, a pulse is generated only when the data is “1”, and this pulse is output to the laser drive control circuit 17. This pulse can be generated by providing a D / A converter (not shown).

When the recording operation 1 is performed, the CPU 21 operates a gate (not shown) provided in the modulation circuit 18 to pass the modulation circuit 18 through.

On the other hand, in the recording operation 2, since recording is performed by the MFM-RZ modulation method, the CPU 21 inputs recording data to the modulation circuit 18 by operating a gate (not shown) provided in the modulation circuit 18. The modulation circuit 18 modulates the recording data according to the MFM-RZ modulation method, as shown in FIG.
Is converted to the pulse shown in

Next, in step 408, the modulated recording data is input to the laser drive control circuit 17. The laser drive control circuit 17 outputs a predetermined laser beam in response to the generation of the pulse to form a recording pit.

When the above-described recording operation 1 or recording operation 2 is completed, the optical card reader / writer 100 waits again for a command from an external device in step 207.

Next, the operation in step 208 shown in FIG. 5 when the command from the external device is a card ejection command will be described.

If the command from the external device is a card ejection command, the command is confirmed in step 220, and the optical card 101 is ejected in step 221. The ejection of the optical card 101 is performed by the CPU 21 rotating the card loading / unloading motor via the card loading / unloading drive circuit 16 in reverse.

If it is determined in step 220 that the command from the external device is not the card ejection command, it is determined that an unclear command has been input, and the process again waits for a command from the external device in step 207.

In the above embodiment, the number of tracks,
Although the description has focused on how to access optical cards having different sector types and modulation methods, other types of optical cards include those having different recording area locations and sizes, and optical stripes having magnetic stripes. The present invention can be applied to a device provided with an IC, an IC card, a reproduction only, a recording only, an ID card, and the like.

In the present invention, the type of the optical card recorded in the optical card identification area is read by the optical card reader / writer, and the processing corresponding to the type of the optical card is executed. These processes may be stored in advance in a ROM provided in an optical card reader / writer as shown in the present embodiment, or may be stored in a readable and writable recording device such as a hard disk, and Thus, the content of the processing may be easily added or deleted.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, the identification information of an optical card which can be read by a laser beam for recording and reproducing data in the data recording area in an area different from the data recording area of the optical card. Is provided so as to control the recording and reproduction of data in the data recording area based on the identification information read from the identification information recording area. It is possible to provide an optical card and an optical card reader / writer capable of recording and reproducing data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an optical card reader / writer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of an optical card showing an example of an optical card used in the optical card reader / writer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a logical data configuration of a recording area of the optical card shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an optical card identification area of the optical card shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the optical card reader / writer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the execution procedure of the reproduction operation 1 and the reproduction operation 2 shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data modulation by the NRZI-RZ modulation method and data modulation and demodulation by the MFM-RZ modulation method.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing a memory space on a buffer RAM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the interleave circuit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the execution procedure of recording operation 1 and recording operation 2 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical head 11 Card loading / discharging motor 12 X direction driving motor 13 Y direction driving motor 14 Y direction driving circuit 15 X direction driving circuit 16 Card loading / discharging driving circuit 17 Laser driving control circuit 18 Modulation circuit 19 A / D converter Reference Signs List 20 demodulation circuit 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 buffer RAM 24 interleave circuit 25 I / O controller 50 address decoder X 51 address decoder Y 52 address comparator X 53 address comparator Y 100 optical card reader / writer 101 optical card 102 storage area 103 data storage track 104 Guide track 105 Recording pit 106 Optical card identification area

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical card for recording / reproducing data to / from a predetermined recording area by irradiating a predetermined recording area with laser light, wherein the light readable by the laser light in an area different from the data recording area. An optical card having an identification information recording area for recording card identification information. 2. The optical card according to claim 1, wherein the identification information recording area records type information indicating a type of the optical card. 3. The identification information recording area records access information indicating a method of accessing the recording area of the optical card.
Optical card as described. 4. An optical card reader / writer for irradiating a predetermined recording area of an optical card with a laser beam to record and reproduce data in the recording area, wherein the predetermined recording area of the optical card is irradiated with the laser beam. An optical head for recording and reproducing data to and from the recording area, identification information reading means for reading identification information provided by the optical head in an area different from the data recording area of the optical card, and the identification information An optical card reader / writer comprising: control means for controlling recording and reproduction of data in the recording area by the optical head based on the identification information read by the reading means. 5. The optical card reader / writer according to claim 4, wherein the identification information is type information indicating a type of the optical card. 6. The optical card reader / writer according to claim 4, wherein the identification information is access information indicating a method of accessing the recording area of the optical card.