CD playing apparatus

Claim 1

A playing apparatus for a compact disc which has a lead-in area wherein a plurality of sets of same TOC information have repetitively been recorded and wherein at least first point data indicative of a track number which has been first recorded in a program area, second point data indicative of the number of a track which was last-recorded in said program area, and third point data indicative of a start time of a lead-out area have sequentially been recorded as said TOC information every said set from a disc inner rim side, said first, second, and third point data being recorded on said disc such that said first, second, and third point data are not recorded within one track on said disc, and wherein said playing apparatus comprises: pickup position control means for moving a reading point in said lead-in area from a disc outer rim side of said lead-in area in accordance with a command to read said TOC information; first detecting means for detecting that said reading point was located to a recording track of said third point data by said pickup position control means; means for allowing said reading point to be jumped to a disc inner rim side of said lead-in area by at least two tracks when said first detecting means detects that said reading point was located to the recording track of said third point data, wherein said reading point does not move in a direction toward said disc outer rim side during said at least two track jump; and processing means for moving said reading point toward the disc outer rim side along the tracks after said reading point was jumped by at least two tracks and for reading and processing said TOC information including-said first, second, and third point data.