US5935261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting handling damage in a disk drive
Assignee: HGST Netherlands BV
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Filing: 1997-06-05
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Granted: 1999-08-10
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Expires: 2017-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD). The DASD has at least one disk mounted for rotation and a transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the at least one disk. Each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors. A handling damage analysis test is performed within a predetermined damage zone on the at least one disk. Test results from the handling damage analysis test are compared with at least one threshold value. An error code is outputted responsive to compared test results being greater than the at least one threshold value. A microcode routine is stored in a random access memory (RAM) in the DASD. The microcode routine is performed for detecting handling damage in the direct access storage device (DASD) upon installation. An error code is outputted to a host interface responsive to compared test results greater than a threshold value.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael David Blachek
- 👤 Michael Allan Neumann
- 👤 Gordon James Smith
- 👤 Peter James Wachowiak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:20
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/18; G11B20/1816
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD), the DASD having at least one disk mounted for rotation and a transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the at least one disk, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors, said method comprising the steps of: performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on the at least one disk; including the steps of: performing a seek to a first track within said predetermined damage zone; testing for predetermined error types; and adding detected errors to an error log; performing a seek to a next track within said predetermined damage zone; testing for said predetermined error types; and adding detected errors to said error log; selecting a next transducer and performing a handling damage analysis test within said predetermined damage zone on a next disk; comparing test results with at least one threshold value; and checking for adjacency of said detected errors added to said error log for each disk; outputting an error code responsive to compared test results greater than said at least one threshold value; and outputting said error code responsive to identifying adjacent detected errors added to said error log for multiple disks, wherein said adjacent detected errors includes said detected errors within a predetermined number of sectors from each other on multiple disks.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD), the DASD having at least one disk mounted for rotation and a transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the at least one disk, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors, said method comprising the steps of: performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on the at least one disk; including the steps of: performing a seek to a first track within said predetermined damage zone; testing for predetermined error types; and adding detected errors to an error log; performing a seek to a next track within said predetermined damage zone; testing for said predetermined error types; and adding detected errors to said error log; selecting a next transducer and performing a handling damage analysis test within said predetermined damage zone on a next disk; comparing test results with at least one threshold value; and checking for adjacency of said detected errors added to said error log for each disk; outputting an error code responsive to compared test results greater than said at least one threshold value; and outputting said error code responsive to identifying adjacent detected errors added to said error log for multiple disks, wherein said adjacent detected errors includes said detected errors within a predetermined number of sectors from each other on multiple disks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD) as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on the at least one disk includes the steps of testing for write errors; and adding detected write error to an error log.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD) as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on the at least one disk includes the steps of testing for read errors; and adding detected read error to an error log.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD) as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on the at least one disk includes the steps of testing for thermal asperity errors; and adding detected thermal asperity error to an error log.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A method for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD) as recited in claim 1 wherein the direct access storage device (DASD) includes at least one controller, a random access memory (RAM) coupled to said at least one controller and a host interface, said method includes the step of storing a microcode routine in the random access memory (RAM) for detecting handling damage in the direct access storage device (DASD) and wherein the step of outputting an error code responsive to compared test results greater than said at least one threshold value includes the step of outputting said error code to the host interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD) as recited in claim 5 includes the steps of setting a test bit upon completion of manufacture of the direct access storage device (DASD); and checking said test bit and when set on, performing said stored microcode routine for detecting handling damage in the direct access storage device (DASD).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD), the DASD having multiple disks mounted for rotation and a transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the at least one disk, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors, said apparatus comprising: means for performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on multiple disks; means for comparing test results with at least one threshold value including means for identifying adjacent detected errors added to an error log for said multiple disks, wherein said adjacent detected errors includes said detected errors within a predetermined number of sectors from each other on multiple disks; and means for outputting an error code responsive to compared test results greater than said at least one threshold value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD), the DASD having multiple disks mounted for rotation and a transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the at least one disk, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors, said apparatus comprising: means for performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on multiple disks; means for comparing test results with at least one threshold value including means for identifying adjacent detected errors added to an error log for said multiple disks, wherein said adjacent detected errors includes said detected errors within a predetermined number of sectors from each other on multiple disks; and means for outputting an error code responsive to compared test results greater than said at least one threshold value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
A direct access storage device (DASD) comprising: multiple disks mounted for rotation; a respective transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the multiple disks, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors, means for performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on the multiple disks; means for comparing test results with at least one threshold value; and means for outputting an error code responsive to compared test results greater than said at least one threshold value; and means for outputting said error code responsive to identifying adjacent detected errors within a predetermined number of sectors from each other on multiple disks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
A direct access storage device (DASD) comprising: multiple disks mounted for rotation; a respective transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the multiple disks, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors, means for performing a handling damage analysis test within a predetermined damage zone on the multiple disks; means for comparing test results with at least one threshold value; and means for outputting an error code responsive to compared test results greater than said at least one threshold value; and means for outputting said error code responsive to identifying adjacent detected errors within a predetermined number of sectors from each other on multiple disks.
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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) | 2002-08-09 | 2003-02-08 | 2003-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-09 | 2007-02-08 | 2007-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-09 | 2011-02-08 | 2011-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |