Abstract: Bulk data transfers by directly accessing a persistent and secured area on the data storage device, e.g., a disk drive having a magnetic storage medium, without relying on the system operating system to execute its read/write operations. For a disk drive, the Protected Area Run Time Interface Extension (PARTIES) technology is applied to create and organize a secured sub-area within a secured storage area. The secured sub-area is a data buffer to and from which large data file transfers can be made with data authenticity and confidentiality. Since this new secured sub-area is not organized and protected by the operating system, it is inherently protected from attack by viruses or Trojan horse software whose effectiveness depends on their ability to maliciously direct the operating system. In addition, the read/write operations bypass command payload limits while reducing data and command validation costs.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a controller to read data from and write data to a first storage medium. The controller is adapted to monitor logical block addresses (LBAs) of each read operation from the first storage medium and to selectively store files associated with the monitored LBAs that are less than a predetermined length at a second storage medium to enhance performance of applications associated with the LBAs.

Abstract: A messaging system and method are associated with a first device. The messaging system includes a plurality of credentials and a plurality of authorities. Each authority associates at least one of a plurality of protocol operations with at least one of the plurality of credentials. The messaging system is adapted to receive an initiating message from a second device, which identifies at least one of the authorities, and responsively implements a security protocol for further messages between the first and second devices in accordance with the identified authority.

Abstract: A method to map defects is provided. A select data track of a storage medium is scanned for a defect. At least one data wedge affected by the defect on the select data track is identified. Each data wedge includes available area for writing user data defined between two servo wedges that include position information. The at least one affected data wedge is identified as unusuable.

Abstract: A memory card comprising a first modular component that comprises a first host interface and a first host interface module and a device interface module configured to operate a device interface that is coupled to a storage device. The first host interface module is configured to call a function in the device interface module. The first modular component is replaceable with a second modular component that comprises a second host interface and a second host interface module, and the second host interface module is configured to call the function in the device interface module.

Abstract: A disc-drive system and method for generating logical zones that each have an approximate number of spare sectors, and that are used to translate logical block addresses. A disc drive includes a disc-drive housing and a disc assembly mounted to rotate within the housing. A transducer is positionable to transduce data to and from first, second and third zones. An address translator translates a logical block address to a position address. A controller is operable to control positioning of the transducer based on the position address, wherein a first predetermined number of spare sectors are allocated to the first zone, and a second predetermined number of spare sectors are allocated to the second zone and third zone combined. Some embodiments further include a logical zone table, wherein each logical zone includes one or more zones based on a number of defects found in each zone, in order that each logical zone includes a similar number of defects.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, systems and methods are provided through which the capacity of a defect buffer in a microcontroller of a mass storage device is determined without regard for the quantity of defects on a recording medium. The capacity of the defect buffer is determined in varying examples, based on the amount of available buffer space and/or the application of the storage device. In one embodiment, the capacity of the defect buffer is less than the quantity of defects on the recording medium, wherein entries in a defect table on the recording medium are swapped in and out of the defect buffer as needed, such as using a most-recently-used scheme. In another embodiment of the present invention, systems and methods are provided through which the defect table is partitioned into a plurality of segments that are physically distributed throughout the recording medium.

Abstract: An enhanced interleave type error correction method is provided in which decoding of an enhanced interleave block is done. Subsequently the decoding may be done by decoding the estimated codewords multiple times using a single error correction code. In addition, a decoder and a digital communication system for implementing the enhanced interleave type error correction method are provided.

Abstract: A disc drive has transducers supported by an actuator to fly proximate data tracks on surfaces of rotating information storage discs. Each of the discs is partitioned into concentric regions. A control system arranges the deposition of data in write operations to the tracks on the disc surfaces, as data is written to the discs, such that the data is sequentially organized both on the tracks and within each of the regions. The control system writes data from a track adjacent a first region boundary in a first direction to a second region boundary until all tracks in a region are full. The control system executes a head switch between adjacent surfaces of the discs. The write sequence is repeated in each adjacent region until all regions are full. The resulting trapezoidal serpentine pattern of actuator movement and head switches is repeated until all of the write operations are complete.

Abstract: A device for detecting an actuator assembly parking error when a disc drive is powered on includes a magnetic latch attached to the actuator assembly and a latch pin assembly electrically connected to a base plate in the disc drive, where the latch pin assembly is positioned to contact the magnetic latch only when the actuator's read/write head is positioned over a parking zone on the disc. A detection module is electrically connected to the magnetic latch and thus is able to detect whether or not the magnetic latch is contacting the latch pin assembly when the disc drive is powered on. A method for detecting an actuator assembly parking error includes powering on the disc drive, determining whether the magnetic latch has electrical contact with the latch pin assembly, and reporting a parking error if the magnetic latch does not have electrical contact with the latch pin assembly.

Abstract: A method of determining run-out in a disc drive involving steps of performing a direct current erase, selecting a reference track, writing a sinusoidal signal into a first track at a first offset from the reference track, sensing a read signal along the reference track, and analyzing the read signal to extract run-out information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided through which a time domain equalized signal-to-noise-ratio (ESNR) of an electronic device is determined by executing ESNR determining firmware in the electronic device. The ESNR is used to perform rejection/acceptance testing of the electronic device during manufacturing of the device, and/or to perform read channel tuning and optimization. In one embodiment, determination of the ESNR includes both phase level retry and global level retry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produce a read signal using a read head. A variable gain value is set that is used by a variable gain amplifier to amplify the read signal. The variable gain value is used to determine whether the head is functioning properly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring a back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage of a disc drive voice coil motor (VCM) is provided in which a temperature of the VCM is obtained. The BEMF voltage of the VCM is computed as a function of the temperature of the VCM.

Abstract: A method and device for mapping an inherently defective sectors or newly-identified defective sectors in a disc drive to a good sector in the disc drive in such a way that data fragmentation is minimized and that speed efficiency in accessing the data stored in the disc drive is improved due to minimized seek time and latency delays. In a disc drive data storage area of sectors, user spare sectors are located not at the end of a track, a cylinder, or a segment but at the end of the data storage area. Any defective user data sector is slipped to the next closest good sector over the full volume of the data storage area. That is, the data that would have been stored in the defective sector is pushed down to the next good sector, as each of the subsequent sectors are slipped sequentially to the next good sector in the full volume of the data storage area. A user sector slip list is generated to access the full volume slipped data storage area.

Abstract: A method of categorizing magnitudes of thermal asperities in a read-back signal of a data storage system includes receiving the read-back signal from a location containing a thermal asperity. A peak magnitude signal is generated from the read-back signal. A threshold signal is generated using a variable threshold generator. The peak magnitude signal is compared to the threshold signal and a magnitude of the thermal asperity is categorized as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: A regulator provides a load voltage. The regulator includes a power driver having a feedback input and a power driver voltage. The regulator includes a comparator having a comparator output related to a combination of the load voltage and a power driver current. The regulator includes a pulse generator controlled by the comparator output and having output pulses with fixed pulse widths. The regulator includes a time limit circuit controlled by the output pulses. The time limit circuit provides the output pulses to the feedback input subject to a time limit between the output pulses.

Abstract: A method of tuning a bias parameter for a magnetoresistive head in a data storage system includes the step of identifying, from multiple possible bias parameter values, a smallest bias parameter value for the magnetoresistive head which both maintains a bit error rate above a predetermined threshold bit error rate, and which satisfies a second criteria. The method then includes the step of setting an operational bias parameter value for the magnetoresistive head to the identified smallest bias parameter value. Also disclosed are data storage systems, or controllers which are connectable to or included with data storage systems, configured to implement the methods.

Abstract: A reader-to-writer offset for a head positioned over a track on a disc in a disc drive having a plurality of tracks is generated by using two iterations. A first iteration is used to determine a fine-tuning range that is used for a second iteration. The first iteration uses coarse steps of the reader across the track pitch to roughly determine OTC boundaries (which are used as the fine-tuning range). The fine-tuning range is determined by locating the point before the first valid reading (e.g., a VGA reading or BER reading with a rate that is less than the BER threshold) and by locating the point after the last valid reading. The second iteration uses fine steps of the reader across the track pitch to determine the actual OTC boundaries. The OTC boundaries are the first valid reading and the last valid reading that are made using the fine steps.

Abstract: A channel adjustment control adjusts a channel to reduce bit error rate in a disc drive. Variable gain register settings are read and compared to filter characteristics to provide an operational boost register setting for an adjustable gain amplifier in the channel. An operational pole register setting is provided based on the operational boost register setting and known parameters of the adjustable low pass filter. Low and high frequency data patterns are applied while the channel adjustment control reads the variable gain register settings.