Abstract: A heater for changing a projection distance protrusion value by thermal expansion accompanying electric-power-distributed heating is provided in a head having at least a reading element. At desired correction timing, a changed distance detection unit measures a clearance changed distance in a state in which the head is positioned to a track on the recording medium while increasing the amount of electric power distributed to the heater. A contact determination unit determines that the head is brought into contact with the recording medium when a derivative value of the clearance changed distance is below a predetermined threshold value. A measurement output unit outputs the clearance changed distance detected by the changed distance detection unit at the time of contact determination of the contact determination unit as a measurement result of the clearance between the reading element and the recording medium.

Abstract: A seek-information storing unit stores seek information including a correlation between a seek distance indicating a shift distance from a current track to a target track where a target frame for a data input/out is located and a seek time indicating a shifting time that takes for a head to shift from the current track to the target track, based on an actual measurement. A head-shift control unit controls a shift of the head based on an estimated time obtained by adding a rotational delay time that takes until the target frame arrives at the head position after the head arrives at the target track to the seek time acquired from the seek information.

Abstract: A heater for changing a projection distance protrusion value by thermal expansion accompanying electric-power-distributed heating is embedded in a head having a reading element and a recording element. A clearance control information measurement unit measures and saves, at desired correction timing, clearance control information including a clearance required for controlling the clearance between the reading element and the recording medium, heater projection sensitivity protrusion sensitivity, projection distance protrusion value transition time, recording current projection distance protrusion value, and a temperature correction coefficient. The clearance control unit varies the electric power distributed to the heater and changes the projection distance protrusion value of the head, thereby controlling the clearance to a target clearance upon reproduction and recording.

Abstract: A heater for changing a projection distance protrusion value by thermal expansion accompanying electric-power-distributed heating is provided in a head having at least a reading element. At desired correction timing, a changed distance detection unit measures a clearance changed distance in a state in which the head is positioned to a track on the recording medium while increasing the amount of electric power distributed to the heater. A contact determination unit determines that the head is brought into contact with the recording medium when a derivative value of the clearance changed distance is below a predetermined threshold value. A measurement output unit outputs the clearance changed distance detected by the changed distance detection unit at the time of contact determination of the contact determination unit as a measurement result of the clearance between the reading element and the recording medium.

Abstract: A heater for changing a projection distance protrusion value by thermal expansion accompanying electric-power-distributed heating is embedded in a head having a reading element and a recording element. A clearance control information measurement unit measures and saves, at desired correction timing, clearance control information including a clearance required for controlling the clearance between the reading element and the recording medium, heater projection sensitivity protrusion sensitivity, projection distance protrusion value transition time, recording current projection distance protrusion value, and a temperature correction coefficient. The clearance control unit varies the electric power distributed to the heater and changes the projection distance protrusion value of the head, thereby controlling the clearance to a target clearance upon reproduction and recording.

Abstract: A storage device, which comprises a storage media, a spindle motor which spins the storage media, a head unit which records and reads the data to the storage media, an actuator which carries out the positioning operation to the head unit on the storage media, a loading and unloading system which controls the actuator and carries out the unload operation that withdraws the head unit from the storage media and the loading operation that shifts the head unit onto the storage media, and a measurement means which measures the unloading energy required for the unload operation.

Abstract: A seek-information storing unit stores seek information including a correlation between a seek distance indicating a shift distance from a current track to a target track where a target frame for a data input/out is located and a seek time indicating a shifting time that takes for a head to shift from the current track to the target track, based on an actual measurement. A head-shift control unit controls a shift of the head based on an estimated time obtained by adding a rotational delay time that takes until the target frame arrives at the head position after the head arrives at the target track to the seek time acquired from the seek information.

Abstract: A storage device, which comprises a storage media, a spindle motor which spins the storage media, a head unit which records and reads the data to the storage media, an actuator which carries out the positioning operation to the head unit on the storage media, a loading and unloading system which controls the actuator and carries out the unload operation that withdraws the head unit from the storage media and the loading operation that shifts the head unit onto the storage media, and a measurement means which measures the unloading energy required for the unload operation.