Data transfer apparatus for use with a flexible magnetic disk or the like

Claim 2

A data transfer apparatus for use with a disklike record medium such as a flexible magnetic disk, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first motor for imparting rotation to the record medium; (b) a first drive circuit for controllably driving the first motor; (c) a transducer arranged for data transfer with the record medium; (d) a second motor for moving the transducer radially of the record medium; (e) a second drive circuit for controllably driving the second motor; (f) a read/write circuit connected to the transducer for processing data transferred between the transducer and the recored medium; (g) means for supplying a "motor on" signal for the on/off control of the first motor via the first drive circuit, the "motor on" signal having a first prescribed state for holding the first motor in rotation and a second prescribed state for holding the first motor out of rotation; (h) power supply means; and (i) power control switch means connected between the power supply means and the first drive circuit, at least either of the second drive circuit and the read/write circuit being further connected to the power supply means via the power control switch means, the power control switch means being adapted to be closed when the "motor on" signal is in the first prescribed state and to be opened when the "motor on" signal is in the second prescribed state; (j) whereby said either of the second drive circuit and the read/write circuit are supplied with electric power from the power supply means via the power control switch means only when the first drive motor is in rotation.

Claim 3

The data transfer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second drive circuit and the read/write circuit are both connected to the power supply means via the power control switch means.

Claim 4

The data transfer apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transducer position control circuit, including a counter for storing information indicative of the position of the transducer in a radial direction of the record medium, for controlling the second motor via the second drive circuit, the counter being connected directly to the power supply means, so that the counter can constantly hold in storage the desired information regardless of whether the data select gate of the read/write circuit is conditioned to pass or block the data.

Claim 5

The data transfer apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: (a) a sensor control circuit for sensing the angular position of the record medium, the sensor circuit being connected directly to the power supply means; and (b) a "ready" circuit responsive to an output from the sensor control circuit for sensing the fact that the record medium is ready for data transfer, the "ready" circuit being connected to the power supply means via the power control switch means.

Claim 6

The data tranfer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the power supply means comprises: (a) first power supply means for applying a first supply voltage to the first and second drive circuits; and (b) second power supply means for applying a second supply voltage, different from the first supply voltage, to the read/write circuit; and wherein the power control switch means comprises: (a) a first power control switch connected between the first power supply means and the first and second drive circuits; and (b) a second power control switch connected between the second power supply means and the read/write circuit.

Claim 7

The data transfer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for supplying the "motor on" signal is further connected directly to the first drive circuit for the direct application of the "motor on" signal thereto.

Claim 8

The data transfer apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: (a) a "power on" sensor circuit connected to the power supply means for producing an output when the apparatus is electrically turned on; and (b) a timer responsive to the output from the "power on" sensor circuit for holding the power control switch means closed for a prescribed length of time after the apparatus is electrically turned on.

Claim 9

A data transer system having a plurality of disk drives daisy chained to host equipment to be controlled thereby, the host equipment producing control signals including a common "motor on" signal for application to the disk drives, each disk drive comprising: (a) power supply means; (b) an interface for providing interaction between the host equipment and the disk drive, the interface receiving the control signals from the host equipment and being connected directly to the power supply means to be powered thereby; (c) a replaceable disklike record medium; (d) a transducer arranged for data transfer with the record medium; (e) a first motor for imparting rotation to the record medium; (f) a first drive circuit for controllably driving the first motor as dictated by the "motor on" signal, the "motor on" signal having a first prescribed state for causing the first drive circuit to set the first motor into rotation and a second prescribed state for causing the first drive circuit to set the first motor out of rotation; (g) a second motor for moving the transducer radially of the record medium; (h) a second drive circuit for controllably driving the second motor; (i) a read/write circuit connected to the transducer for processing data transferred between the transducer and the record medium; and (j) power control switch means connected between the power supply means and the first drive circuit, at least either of the second drive circuit and the read/write circuit being further connected to the power supply means via the power control switch means, the power control switch means being adapted to be closed when the "motor on" signal is in the first prescribed state and to be opened when the "motor on" signal is in the second prescribed state; (j) whereby said either of the second drive circuit and the read/write circuit is supplied with electric power from the power supply means via the power control switch means only when the first drive motor is in rotation.

Claim 10

A data transer system having a plurality of disk drives daisy chained to host equipment to be controlled thereby, the host equipment producing control signals including a common "motor on" signal for application to the disk drives, each disk drive comprising: (a) power supply means; (b) an interface for providing interaction between the host equipment and the disk drive, the interface receiving the control signals from the host equipment and being connected directly to the power supply means to be powered thereby; (c) a replaceable disklike record medium; (d) a transducer arranged for data transfer with the record medium; (e) a first motor for imparting rotation to the record medium; (f) a first drive circuit for controllably driving the first motor as dictated by the "motor on" signal, the "motor on" signal having a first prescribed state for causing the first drive circuit to set the first motor into rotation and a second prescribed state for causing the first drive circuit to set the first motor out of rotation; (g) a second motor for moving the transducer radially of the record medium; (h) a second drive circuit for controllably driving the second motor; (i) a read/write circuit connected to the transducer for processing data transferred between the transducer and the record medium; and (j) power control switch means connected between the power supply means and the first drive circuit, at least either of the second drive circuit and the read/write circuit being further connected to the power supply means via the power control switch means, the power control switch means being adapted to be closed when the "motor on" signal is in the first prescribed state and to be opened when the "motor on" signal is in the second prescribed state; (j) whereby said either of the second drive circuit and the read/write circuit is supplied with electric power from the power supply means via the power control switch means only when the first drive motor is in rotation.

Claim 11

The data transfer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the record medium is a flexible magnetic disk having a relatively rigid hub attached centrally thereto.