Circuit arrangement and method for saving power in magnetic disk apparatus without head displacement

Claim 3

A method of operation for the data transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second supply voltage is zero.

Claim 4

A method of operation for the data transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the prescribed period of time (t26-t28) during which the first supply voltage is impressed to the head transport motor is spaced from the moment (t24) the record medium is loaded into the data transfer apparatus.

Claim 7

A data transfer apparatus for use with a replaceable disklike record medium such as a flexible magnetic disk having data storage tracks thereon, the record medium being loaded into the apparatus for data transfer and being unloaded therefrom upon completion of data transfer, the apparatus comprising: (a) a disk drive motor for imparting rotation to the record medium loaded in the data transfer apparatus; (b) a transducer head for data transfer with the record medium while the latter is in rotation; (c) means for supplying a stepping signal; (d) a head transport motor for transporting the transducer head radially of the record medium in response to the stepping signal so as to enable the transducer head to access the individual data storage tracks on the record medium; (e) a disk detector for sensing the loading and unloading of the record medium in and from the apparatus; (f) disk drive motor control means connected between the disk detector and the disk drive motor for setting the disk drive motor into rotation upon loading of the record medium in the apparatus; (g) a "preready" sensor circuit for determining a "preready" moment (t26) intermediate a moment (t24) when the disk drive motor is set into rotation by the disk drive motor control means and a moment (t27) the record medium subsequently becomes ready for data transfer; (h) a source of a first supply voltage sufficiently high for the head transport motor to transport the transducer head and to correct its track position on the record medium; (i) a source of a second supply voltage lower than the first supply voltage; and (j) a control and drive circuit for selectively energizing the head transport motor with the first and second supply voltages, the control and drive circuit comprising a pulse geneator responsive to the output from the "preready" sensor circuit for generating a pulse of a predetermined duration (t26-t28) following the "preready" moment (t26), the pulse generator being further responsive to the stepping signal for generating a pulse at least during a period (t11-t12 and t21-t22) when the stepping signal dictates movement of the tranducer head from track to track on the record medium, the control and drive circuit further comprising means for impressing the first supply voltage to the head transport motor during the durations (t26-t28, t11-t12 and t21-t22) of the output pulses of the pulse generator and for impressing the second supply voltage to the head transport motor at least during a period (t23-t24) when, with the data transfer apparatus held powered on, the record medium is absent from the transfer apparatus.

Claim 8

A data transfer apparatus for use with a replaceable disklike record medium such as a flexible magnetic disk having data storage tracks thereon, the record medium being loaded into the apparatus for data transfer and being unloaded therefrom upon completion of data transfer, the apparatus comprising: (a) a disk drive motor for imparting rotation to the record medium loaded in the data transfer apparatus; (b) a transducer head for data transfer with the record medium while the latter is in rotation; (c) means for supplying a stepping signal; (d) a head transport motor for transporting the transducer head radially of the record medium in response to the stepping signal so as to enable the transducer head to access the individual data storage tracks on the record medium; (e) a disk detector for sensing the loading and unloading of the record medium in and from the apparatus; (f) disk drive motor control means connected between the disk detector and the disk drive motor for setting the disk drive motor into rotation upon loading of the record medium in the apparatus; (g) a "preready" sensor circuit for determining a "preready" moment (t26) intermediate a moment (t24) when the disk drive motor is set into rotation by the disk drive motor control means and a moment (t27) the record medium subsequently becomes ready for data transfer; (h) a source of a first supply voltage sufficiently high for the head transport motor to transport the transducer head and to correct its track position on the record medium; (i) a source of a second supply voltage lower than the first supply voltage; and (j) a control and drive circuit for selectively energizing the head transport motor with the first and second supply voltages, the control and drive circuit comprising a pulse geneator responsive to the output from the "preready" sensor circuit for generating a pulse of a predetermined duration (t26-t28) following the "preready" moment (t26), the pulse generator being further responsive to the stepping signal for generating a pulse at least during a period (t11-t12 and t21-t22) when the stepping signal dictates movement of the tranducer head from track to track on the record medium, the control and drive circuit further comprising means for impressing the first supply voltage to the head transport motor during the durations (t26-t28, t11-t12 and t21-t22) of the output pulses of the pulse generator and for impressing the second supply voltage to the head transport motor at least during a period (t23-t24) when, with the data transfer apparatus held powered on, the record medium is absent from the transfer apparatus.