US5488274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for controlling activation of disk drive motors
Assignee: Toshiba Storage Device Corp
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Filing: 1993-07-28
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Granted: 1996-01-30
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Expires: 2013-07-28
Abstract
Abstract In a method of controlling activation of a motor, based on a device number (unit address) set value A d which is determined exclusively for a disk device and a motor activation start time delay T d which is designated by a host control device, a motor activation start time T s which corresponds to the physical device number is calculated in the disk device. The motor activation start time delay T d is set as a command in an interface between the disk device and the host control device. The method also requires that a nonvolatile memory is disposed in the disk device. The motor activation start time delay T d is stored in the nonvolatile memory when designated. In controlling activation of the motor later, the motor activation start time T s is calculated from the information which is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Masafumi Satoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:33
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B19/00; G11B19/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for controlling the activation of a plurality of disk devices, wherein each disk device has a motor, the method comprising the steps of: determining a device number set value (A d ) determined exclusively for the disk device; determining a motor activation start time delay (T d ) which is designated by a host control device; determining a motor activation start time (T s ) which corresponds to the device number set value (A d ) to thereby control activation of the motor, wherein the motor activation start time delay (T d ) is set in the form of a command in an interface between the disk device and the host control device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for controlling the activation of a plurality of disk devices, wherein each disk device has a motor, the method comprising the steps of: determining a device number set value (A d ) determined exclusively for the disk device; determining a motor activation start time delay (T d ) which is designated by a host control device; determining a motor activation start time (T s ) which corresponds to the device number set value (A d ) to thereby control activation of the motor, wherein the motor activation start time delay (T d ) is set in the form of a command in an interface between the disk device and the host control device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A method for controlling activation of a plurality of motors of disk devices in accordance with claim 1, wherein a nonvolatile memory is disposed in the disk device, and further comprising the steps of: storing the motor activation start time delay (T d ) in the non-volatile memory when the motor activation start time delay (T d ) is designated as a command from the host control device; and later controlling activation of the motor based on the motor activation start time (T s ) which is calculated from the information which is stored in the nonvolatile memory, to thereby control activation of the motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a microprocessor calculates the product of the device number set value A d and the motor activation start time delay T d to find the expression of the motor activation start time T s such that: T.sub.s =A.sub.d ×T.sub.d
Claim 5
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for controlling the activation of disk drive motors in a disk device system having a power source, comprising the steps of: detecting a supply of electric power from the power source to the motors; detecting whether or not initialization has been completed; reading, using a MPU, a device number set value set by a switch; reading a motor activation start time delay stored in a memory; calculating a predetermined expression in the MPU to find the motor activation start time; monitoring the motor activation time to supply a motor control unit with an instruction to drive the motor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for controlling the activation of disk drive motors in a disk device system having a power source, comprising the steps of: detecting a supply of electric power from the power source to the motors; detecting whether or not initialization has been completed; reading, using a MPU, a device number set value set by a switch; reading a motor activation start time delay stored in a memory; calculating a predetermined expression in the MPU to find the motor activation start time; monitoring the motor activation time to supply a motor control unit with an instruction to drive the motor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for controlling the activation of disk drive motors, comprising the steps of: receiving a motor activation command from a host control device; interrupting the operation of the MPU by an interface control unit to inform the MPU of the reception of said motor activation command; reading a device number set value based on a switch; reading a motor activation start time delay stored in a memory; performing a multiplication of the device number set value and the motor activation start time delay to calculate a motor activation start time; and monitoring the motor activation time to provide the motor control unit with an instruction to drive the motor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for controlling the activation of disk drive motors, comprising the steps of: receiving a motor activation command from a host control device; interrupting the operation of the MPU by an interface control unit to inform the MPU of the reception of said motor activation command; reading a device number set value based on a switch; reading a motor activation start time delay stored in a memory; performing a multiplication of the device number set value and the motor activation start time delay to calculate a motor activation start time; and monitoring the motor activation time to provide the motor control unit with an instruction to drive the motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
A disk array system constituted by a plurality of disk array devices including motors comprising: a host control device for defining a motor activation start time delay T d as a bus bit; one of said plurality of disk array devices being connected to said host control device via an interface cable, each of said disk array devices including: a switch for setting a device number set value; a memory for storing the motor activation start time delay; an interface control unit for effecting various kinds of interface control; and an MPU for reading a program stored in said memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
A disk array system constituted by a plurality of disk array devices including motors comprising: a host control device for defining a motor activation start time delay T d as a bus bit; one of said plurality of disk array devices being connected to said host control device via an interface cable, each of said disk array devices including: a switch for setting a device number set value; a memory for storing the motor activation start time delay; an interface control unit for effecting various kinds of interface control; and an MPU for reading a program stored in said memory.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-29 | 1999-07-31 | 2000-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | 2004-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-29 | 2007-07-31 | 2008-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |