Patent US6239931B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6239931B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for reassigning data sector by detecting soft defect
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1998-07-27
•
Granted: 2001-05-29
•
Expires: 2018-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A data sector reassigning technique in a hard disk drive detects of a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability. An error rate is calculated during a data read, and a soft defect is detected by varying the error correction capability according to the calculated error rate. A read error of the detected soft defect is recovered by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level if the read error is not recovered, and a spare sector is reassigned to substitute for a corresponding sector.
Inventors
- 👤 Ji-Hwan Chung
- 👤 Yong-Soo Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:39
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/18; G11B20/1883; G11B27/00; G11B27/36; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect during reading data in a hard disk drive, said method comprising the steps of: (1) during reading data of a target sector, performing an error recovery routine when an error is generated in an initial error correction capability; (2) determining whether an error is recovered after performing said error recovery routine; (3) repeating the error recovery step, while varying the initial error correction capability (ECC), if the error is not recovered; and if the error is recovered in an ECC not having a maximum, increasing an error rate; and if the error is recorded in a maximum ECC, reassigning the data sector to a preliminary sector to increase an error rate; (4) decreasing the error rate if the error is not generated during reading data of a target sector; and (5) setting an error correction capability based on an error rate calculated by increasing and decreasing the error rate and reading data of a next target sector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect during reading data in a hard disk drive, said method comprising the steps of: (1) during reading data of a target sector, performing an error recovery routine when an error is generated in an initial error correction capability; (2) determining whether an error is recovered after performing said error recovery routine; (3) repeating the error recovery step, while varying the initial error correction capability (ECC), if the error is not recovered; and if the error is recovered in an ECC not having a maximum, increasing an error rate; and if the error is recorded in a maximum ECC, reassigning the data sector to a preliminary sector to increase an error rate; (4) decreasing the error rate if the error is not generated during reading data of a target sector; and (5) setting an error correction capability based on an error rate calculated by increasing and decreasing the error rate and reading data of a next target sector.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim l, the error correction capability being decreased if the calculated error rate is lower than a reference level, and increased if the calculated error rate is higher than the reference level.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the error correction capability (ECC) to a reference level; (b) reading a target sector; (c) determining whether an error has been generated; (d) performing an error recovery routine if the error is generated; (e) decreasing the error rate if the error is not generated; (f) determining whether the error is recovered after performing the error recovery routine; (g) increasing an error rate if the error is recovered; (h) changing the error correction capability to a maximum error correction capability having maximum level if the error is not recovered; (i) performing an error recovery routine by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level; (j) determining whether the error is recovered after performing the error recovery routine by maximum error correction capability; (k) if the error is recovered, reassigning data of a target sector to a preliminary sector to proceed to step (e); (l) changing the error correction capability in accordance with the error rate determined by steps (e) and (i); and (m) if he error correction capability is set in step (l), moving to a next target sector and jumping to step (b).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the error correction capability (ECC) to a reference level; (b) reading a target sector; (c) determining whether an error has been generated; (d) performing an error recovery routine if the error is generated; (e) decreasing the error rate if the error is not generated; (f) determining whether the error is recovered after performing the error recovery routine; (g) increasing an error rate if the error is recovered; (h) changing the error correction capability to a maximum error correction capability having maximum level if the error is not recovered; (i) performing an error recovery routine by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level; (j) determining whether the error is recovered after performing the error recovery routine by maximum error correction capability; (k) if the error is recovered, reassigning data of a target sector to a preliminary sector to proceed to step (e); (l) changing the error correction capability in accordance with the error rate determined by steps (e) and (i); and (m) if he error correction capability is set in step (l), moving to a next target sector and jumping to step (b).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, comprising: a calculating means for calculating an error rate during a data read; a detecting means for detecting a soft defect, while varying the error correction capability according to the calculated error rate; a recovery means for recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level if the read error is not recovered and for increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered; and a reassigning means for reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, comprising: a calculating means for calculating an error rate during a data read; a detecting means for detecting a soft defect, while varying the error correction capability according to the calculated error rate; a recovery means for recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level if the read error is not recovered and for increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered; and a reassigning means for reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , the detecting means and the recovery means decreasing the error correction capability if the calculated error rate is lower than a reference level, and increasing the error correction capability if the calculated error rate is higher than the reference level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a means for increasing the error rate after detection that a read error is recovered.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors, a susceptibility to soft defects, and a correction means for correcting errors, the improvement comprising said correction means comprising; a first means for calculating an error rate during a data read; a second means for detecting a soft defect, while varying the error correction capability according to the calculated error rate; a third means for recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to maximum level if the read error is not recovered; a fourth means for reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector upon recovering in accordance with the error correction capability; and a fifth means for increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered or a spare sector has been reassigned.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors, a susceptibility to soft defects, and a correction means for correcting errors, the improvement comprising said correction means comprising; a first means for calculating an error rate during a data read; a second means for detecting a soft defect, while varying the error correction capability according to the calculated error rate; a third means for recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to maximum level if the read error is not recovered; a fourth means for reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector upon recovering in accordance with the error correction capability; and a fifth means for increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered or a spare sector has been reassigned.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
281 words
In a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors, a susceptibility to soft defects, and a correction means for correcting errors, the improvement comprising said correction means comprising; a first means for setting the error correction capability to a reference level; a second means for reading a target sector; a third means for determining whether an error has been generated and if so jumping forward to the fourth means and if not jumping forward to the fifth mean; a fourth means for performing an error recovery routine and jumping to the eighth means; a fifth means for decreasing the error rate and jumping to the sixth means; a sixth means for changing the error correction capability according to the error rate and jump to the seventh means; a seventh means for moving to the next target sector and jumping back to the second means; a eighth means for determining if the error has been recovered and if so jumping to the ninth means and if not jumping to the tenth means; a ninth means for increasing the error rate and jumping to the sixth means; a tenth means for changing the error correction capability to a maximum level and jumping to the eleventh means; a eleventh means for performing error recovery routine and jumping to the twelfth means; a twelfth means for determining if the error has been recovered and if not jumping to the thirteenth means and if so jumping to the fourth means; a thirteenth means for notifying a user that an error has occurred; and a fourteenth means for reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector and jumping back to the ninth means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
281 words
In a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors, a susceptibility to soft defects, and a correction means for correcting errors, the improvement comprising said correction means comprising; a first means for setting the error correction capability to a reference level; a second means for reading a target sector; a third means for determining whether an error has been generated and if so jumping forward to the fourth means and if not jumping forward to the fifth mean; a fourth means for performing an error recovery routine and jumping to the eighth means; a fifth means for decreasing the error rate and jumping to the sixth means; a sixth means for changing the error correction capability according to the error rate and jump to the seventh means; a seventh means for moving to the next target sector and jumping back to the second means; a eighth means for determining if the error has been recovered and if so jumping to the ninth means and if not jumping to the tenth means; a ninth means for increasing the error rate and jumping to the sixth means; a tenth means for changing the error correction capability to a maximum level and jumping to the eleventh means; a eleventh means for performing error recovery routine and jumping to the twelfth means; a twelfth means for determining if the error has been recovered and if not jumping to the thirteenth means and if so jumping to the fourth means; a thirteenth means for notifying a user that an error has occurred; and a fourteenth means for reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector and jumping back to the ninth means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a method for correcting errors in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors, a susceptibility to soft defects, and a means for correcting errors, said method including steps for detecting a soft error and for reassigning a data sector responding to said detection, the improvement comprising a step for increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered or a spare sector has been reassigned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a method for correcting errors in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors, a susceptibility to soft defects, and a means for correcting errors, said method including steps for detecting a soft error and for reassigning a data sector responding to said detection, the improvement comprising a step for increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered or a spare sector has been reassigned.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, said method comprising the steps of: calculating an error rate during a data read; detecting a soft defect, while varying the error correction capability according to the calculated error rate; recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level if the read error is not recovered; and then reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector; and increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered or a spare sector has been reassigned.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, said method comprising the steps of: calculating an error rate during a data read; detecting a soft defect, while varying the error correction capability according to the calculated error rate; recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level if the read error is not recovered; and then reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector; and increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered or a spare sector has been reassigned.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 , the error correction capability being decreased if the calculated error rate is lower than a reference level, and increased if the calculated error rate is higher than the reference level.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, comprising the steps of; (a) setting the error correction capability to a reference level; (b) reading a target sector; (c) determining whether an error has been generated and if so jumping forward to step (d) and if not jumping forward to step (e); (d) performing an error recovery routine and jumping to step (h); (e) decreasing the error rate and jumping to step (f); (f) changing the error correction capability according to the error rate and jump to step (g); (g) moving to the next target sector and jumping back to step (b); (h) determining if the error has been recovered and if so jumping to step (i) and if not jumping to step (j); (i) increasing the error rate and jumping to step (f); (j) changing the error correction capability to a maximum level and jumping to step (k); (k) performing error recovery routine and jumping to step (l); (l) determining if the error has been recovered and if not jumping to step (m) and if so jumping to step (n); (m) notifying a user that an error has occurred; and (n) reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector and jumping back to step (i).
Claim 20
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of reassigning a data sector by detecting a soft defect in a hard disk drive having a plurality of data sectors and an error correction capability, comprising the steps of; (a) setting the error correction capability to a reference level; (b) reading a target sector; (c) determining whether an error has been generated and if so jumping forward to step (d) and if not jumping forward to step (e); (d) performing an error recovery routine and jumping to step (h); (e) decreasing the error rate and jumping to step (f); (f) changing the error correction capability according to the error rate and jump to step (g); (g) moving to the next target sector and jumping back to step (b); (h) determining if the error has been recovered and if so jumping to step (i) and if not jumping to step (j); (i) increasing the error rate and jumping to step (f); (j) changing the error correction capability to a maximum level and jumping to step (k); (k) performing error recovery routine and jumping to step (l); (l) determining if the error has been recovered and if not jumping to step (m) and if so jumping to step (n); (m) notifying a user that an error has occurred; and (n) reassigning a spare sector to substitute for a corresponding sector and jumping back to step (i).
Claim 21
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for reassigning a data sector, comprising; a memory storing an operational control program; and a controller implementing read operations in accordance with said operational control program, by reading data from a target sector of a hard disk within a hard disk drive having and error correction capability and comprised of a plurality of data sectors, while said error correction capability is set at a reference level, by establishing an error rate while reading said data, by detecting a soft defect while varying the error correction capability in accordance with said error rate established, by recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level if the read error is not recovered and by increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered, and by reassigning a space sector to substitute for a corresponding sector.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for reassigning a data sector, comprising; a memory storing an operational control program; and a controller implementing read operations in accordance with said operational control program, by reading data from a target sector of a hard disk within a hard disk drive having and error correction capability and comprised of a plurality of data sectors, while said error correction capability is set at a reference level, by establishing an error rate while reading said data, by detecting a soft defect while varying the error correction capability in accordance with said error rate established, by recovering a read error of the detected soft defect by setting the error correction capability to a maximum level if the read error is not recovered and by increasing the error rate if the read error is recovered, and by reassigning a space sector to substitute for a corresponding sector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , further comprised of said controller decreasing the error correction capability if the calculated error rate is lower than a reference level, and increasing the error correction capability if the calculated error rate is higher than the reference level.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising said controller increasing the error rate after detection that a read error is recovered.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5237553A
Cited
US5150050A
Cited
US5216655A
Cited
US5610776A
Cited
US5774285A
Cited
US5954837A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |