US5951687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage disc with self diagnostics and configuration
Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
•
Filing: 1997-05-30
•
Granted: 1999-09-14
•
Expires: 2017-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A storage device for use with a computer is provided, the device includes self diagnostics and configuration. The device is adapted to recognize when the host computer system requests an operating system from the device, and instead of providing the operating system, provides its own diagnostic and configuration software. When the software executes on the computer, the software causes a user interface to be generated, which provides various configuration and diagnostic options to a user. Upon termination of the self diagnostic and configuration software, the device provides the operating system to the computer such that the start up sequence is resumed.
Inventors
- 👤 Wing Hung Chan
- 👤 Yong Peng Chng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/2284; G06F11/2289
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A storage device for use with a computer having a user interface, the storage device comprising: a storage disc having a disc surface; a spindle motor coupled to the disc for causing rotation of the disc; a transducing head for reading information from the surface of the disc; an actuator coupled to the transducer head responsively positioning the transducer head over the surface of the disc; a disc controller comprising: control circuitry coupled to the spindle motor and the actuator and controlling operation of the disc in response to configuration information; read circuitry coupled to the transducer head receiving information from the transducer head; a configuration memory containing configuration information for use by the control circuitry; an I/O port coupled to the control circuitry, and adapted to be coupled to the computer whereby information is transferred between the control circuitry and the computer, to thereby provide boot management software to the computer, wherein the boot management software comprises: program instructions for execution by the computer, the instructions relating to diagnostics and configuration of the storage device through the user interface and wherein the computer provides the configuration information to the control circuitry through the I/O port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A storage device for use with a computer having a user interface, the storage device comprising: a storage disc having a disc surface; a spindle motor coupled to the disc for causing rotation of the disc; a transducing head for reading information from the surface of the disc; an actuator coupled to the transducer head responsively positioning the transducer head over the surface of the disc; a disc controller comprising: control circuitry coupled to the spindle motor and the actuator and controlling operation of the disc in response to configuration information; read circuitry coupled to the transducer head receiving information from the transducer head; a configuration memory containing configuration information for use by the control circuitry; an I/O port coupled to the control circuitry, and adapted to be coupled to the computer whereby information is transferred between the control circuitry and the computer, to thereby provide boot management software to the computer, wherein the boot management software comprises: program instructions for execution by the computer, the instructions relating to diagnostics and configuration of the storage device through the user interface and wherein the computer provides the configuration information to the control circuitry through the I/O port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the boot management software is stored in the configuration memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the boot management software is stored on the disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the programming instructions instruct the computer to diagnose communication between the device and the computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the program instructions further comprise user interface instructions causing the computer to display a device configuration parameter through a user interface and to provide a user input to the disc controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the configuration parameter is one of a read parameter, a write parameter, an interface parameter and a reset behavior parameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the read parameter is one of read cache enablement and read segment size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the write parameter is one of write cache enablement and write segment size.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the programming instructions instruct the computer to diagnose a plurality of hardware components comprising the storage device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the program instructions include: operating system data corresponding to a plurality of operating systems stored on the storage device and executable on the computer; user interface instructions for execution on the computer, the user interface instructions causing the computer to display the operating system data and to provide a user-selected input corresponding to one of the plurality of operating systems to the disc controller; and wherein the disc controller provides an operating system, based on the user-selected input, to the computer for execution upon termination of the boot management software.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a boot management enabling jumper for enabling transfer of the boot management software to the computer when the jumper is in a first condition, and disabling transfer of the boot management software to the computer when the jumper is in a second condition.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of configuring a storage device in a computer comprising the steps of: receiving, in the storage device, a request from the computer for the storage device to provide an operating system to the computer; responding to the request of the computer by providing a boot management system instead of the requested operating system; executing the boot management system on the computer; creating a user interface on the computer which displays configuration information and allows modification thereto; and upon termination of the boot management system, the storage device storing configuration changes and providing the operating system to the computer such that the operating system is executed on the computer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of configuring a storage device in a computer comprising the steps of: receiving, in the storage device, a request from the computer for the storage device to provide an operating system to the computer; responding to the request of the computer by providing a boot management system instead of the requested operating system; executing the boot management system on the computer; creating a user interface on the computer which displays configuration information and allows modification thereto; and upon termination of the boot management system, the storage device storing configuration changes and providing the operating system to the computer such that the operating system is executed on the computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the user interface provides user access to basic configuration information, but restricts access to technical configuration information unless a proper password is received.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the basic configuration information includes read and write cache enablement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the basic configuration information further includes sizes of read and write caches.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of diagnosing a storage device in a computer comprising the steps of: receiving, in the storage device, a request from the computer for the storage device to provide an operating system to the computer; responding to the request of the computer by providing a boot management system instead of the requested operating system; executing the boot management system on the computer; creating a user interface on the computer which selectively provides device diagnostics; and upon termination of the boot management system, the storage device providing the operating system to the computer such that the operating system executes on the computer.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of diagnosing a storage device in a computer comprising the steps of: receiving, in the storage device, a request from the computer for the storage device to provide an operating system to the computer; responding to the request of the computer by providing a boot management system instead of the requested operating system; executing the boot management system on the computer; creating a user interface on the computer which selectively provides device diagnostics; and upon termination of the boot management system, the storage device providing the operating system to the computer such that the operating system executes on the computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-13 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-13 | 2011-03-15 | 2011-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |