Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to reducing variation in a distribution of transducer fly heights by selectively applying first and second fly height adjustment values to a plurality of transducers, the second fly height adjustment value being a multiple of the first fly height adjustment value.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a rotatable member is mounted to a spindle hub so that initial servo data previously provided to the rotatable member are eccentrically offset with respect to a rotational center of the spindle hub. Compensation vales are determined to characterize said offset, after which final servo data are provided to the rotatable member in relation to the initial servo data and the determined compensation values. The final servo data are nominally concentric with the rotational center of the spindle hub.

Abstract: A disk drive measures the radial misposition of tracks and repositions the tracks at regularly spaced intervals. Written in runout (WRO) in servo bursts is determined to calculate track spacing and squeeze among adjacent tracks. Tracks with improper spacing are repositioned by adding a squeeze correction term to the servo wedges. Thereafter, when the disk drive operates to store data, the servo bursts are used to calculate a position error signal (PES), and the squeeze correction term is combined with the PES to position the head at a proper track radius.

Abstract: Performing embedded runout correction for a track on a rotational data storage disk includes measuring written-in runout for the track, selecting a number of revolutions in response to the measured written-in runout of the track, calculating embedded correction values for the track for the selected number of revolutions of the rotational data storage disk, and storing the embedded correction values.

Abstract: Dynamically detecting off-track errors in a disk drive by adjusting transducer head position control parameters in response to shock events. In an embodiment, shock events with large magnitude trigger a severe shock timer which lengthens the write fault before write operations resume. In another embodiment, a lower shock threshold is used following an initial shock event. In yet another embodiment, a lower shock threshold is used if an accumulated average position error of the transducer head is large.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for performing a self-servo write operation in a disk drive. In one embodiment, the disk drive includes a disk surface having a read head and a write head associated therewith. Spiral servo information is written onto the disk surface using a servo track writer. The read head reads the spiral servo information and is used to position the write head, which writes a small band of final servo information onto the disk surface. The small band of final servo information may be embedded servo information. Importantly, the small band of final servo information is not written using the servo track writer. The write head is also used to write self-servo write instructions into the small band of final servo information. Subsequently, the self-servo write instructions are read and a self-servo write operation is performed using the spiral servo information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring a bi-state head when self-servowriting a disk drive. In one embodiment, an integration window is opened about an expected time that a read head will read spiral servo information. An integration value associated with the integration window is determined. Next, a determination is made as to whether the integration value is less than a predetermined low amplitude limit. If it is, a comparison is made between a location of a maximum sync frame of a read signal envelope in the integration window and the center of the integration window. The read head is identified as a bi-state head if the location of the maximum sync frame is greater than a predetermined off-center limit relative to the location of the center of the integration window.

Abstract: A method of determining side track erasure in a disk drive having a disk and a transducer. A target track and one or more side tracks proximate to the target track on the disk are selected, and recording parameters for recording signals on the target track and each side track with the transducer are selected. Thereafter, signals are recorded on each side track and then signals are recorded on the target track multiple times. A reduction in the integrity of the recorded signals on each side track due to recording signals on the target track multiple times is detected, and the detected reduction in the integrity of the recorded signals on each side track represents the amount of the erasure of the recorded signals on the side track. Recording parameters are changed based on the signal integrity reduction to minimize side track erasure.

Abstract: A method for determining embedded runout correction (ERC) values using iteration and variable gain in a disk drive. A disk has a track written thereon, an ERC value is determined for a servo sector on the track using variable gain, and the variable gain decreases based on the number of revolutions of the disk.

Abstract: A disk drive detects head touchdown based on a magnitude of a position error signal at a discrete frequency. The discrete frequency is one-half the disk rotation frequency or an integral multiple of the disk rotation frequency. The head is heated by turning on a heater at the discrete frequency, thereby injecting bias into a servo system that increases the PES magnitude. In addition, the servo system has a first transfer function for tracking the head during read and write operations and a second transfer function for tracking the head during head touchdown detection. The second transfer function has smaller vibration rejection than the first transfer function so that the disk drive is less sensitive to vibration during read and write operations than during head touchdown detection.

Abstract: Dynamically detecting off-track errors in a disk drive by adjusting transducer head position control parameters in response to shock events. In an embodiment, shock events with large magnitude trigger a severe shock timer which lengthens the write fault before write operations resume. In another embodiment, a lower shock threshold is used following an initial shock event. In yet another embodiment, a lower shock threshold is used if an accumulated average position error of the transducer head is large.

Abstract: Track pitch for writing tracks on a disk is determined based on an available stroke across the disk. The available stroke is identified by searching across the disk for where information can be written and read. The track pitch is determined for writing tracks on the disk based on the available stroke across the disk. Tracks are written on the disk based on the determined track pitch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining embedded runout correction values when self-servo writing or partial self-servo writing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a disk surface, which has servo information written thereon, is provided. The servo information is grouped into 1x servo sectors and 2x servo sectors, and the 1x servo sectors and the 2x servo sectors form a plurality of tracks. A read head servos on the 1x servo sectors associated with a track. Both position error signals due to repeatable runout for the 1x servo sectors and information related to position error signals due to repeatable runout for the 2x servo sectors are determined, while servoing on the 1x servo sectors. Embedded runout correction values for the 1x servo sectors and the 2x servo sectors are calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for non-linearities due to pivot bearing friction when determining embedded runout correction values during partial self-servo write of a disk drive is disclosed. In one embodiment, the disk drive includes a disk surface having a track written thereon and the track has some written-in runout. The written-in runout that is associated with high-frequencies is determined using a first technique. The written-in runout for the track that is associated with low frequencies is determined using a second technique. Results from the two techniques are combined in order to determine embedded runout correction values for the track when partial self-servo writing, in order to reduce error propagation when writing additional tracks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for partial self-servo writing a disk surface in a disk drive using servo wedge propagation is provided. In one embodiment, servo information is written by a servo track writer near an outer diameter of the disk surface. The servo information is grouped into a 1× set of servo information and a 2× set of servo information. The disk drive's read head is used to read the 1× set of servo information in order to position the disk drive's write head to write servo information which is radially-aligned with the 2× set of servo information. Then, the disk drive's read head is used to read the 2× set of servo information in order to position the disk drive's write head to write servo information which is radially-aligned with the 1× set of servo information. The process is repeated on a track-by-track basis until servo information is written from the outer diameter of the disk surface to the inner diameter of the disk surface, as if it was entirely written by a servo track writer.

Abstract: A smart earphone device for use with a host device includes an earphone and a detection element. The earphone is capable of converting sound signals provided by the host device into audible sound. The detection element provides detection output from which it can be determined whether or not the earphone is in a listening position. The detection output can be used to cause the host device to control or perform an operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying adaptive non-linear repeatable runout compensation in a disk drive is provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a disk surface having a track written thereon, wherein the track includes repeatable runout. A non-linear converge gain is applied to compensate for the repeatable runout. In one embodiment, the converge gain is based upon an amplitude of a position error signal associated with the repeatable runout at a frequency of rotation of the disk surface (or multiple thereof).

Abstract: A PTP test subsystem of a magnetic disk drive identifies an undesired pole tip protrusion (PTP) condition, and takes steps to prevent problems associated with PTP. A PTP stressing mechanism stresses the disk drive during a PTP test mode to induce a PTP condition. A disk contact detection circuit detects when a head of the disk drive contacts the disk. A PTP write current determining circuit is also provided which comprises a write current level detector to ascertain a write current level at which the disk contact detection circuit detects when the head of the disk drive contacts the disk while the disk drive is stressed during the PTP test mode.

Abstract: A disk drive having a control system which adjusts seek velocity profiles is disclosed. The seek velocity profile is adjusted based on the direction of the seek and the location of the target track. If the seek is away from the ramp, the seek velocity profile is not adjusted. If the seek is toward the ramp, the control system determines the location of the target track. If the target track is within a predefined distance of the ramp, and the transducer velocity exceeds a predetermined velocity, the seek velocity profile is adjusted to limit the deceleration current. The adjustment may be a preset factor, or may be a variable factor depending upon the distance from the target track to the ramp.

Abstract: A disk drive measures the radial misposition of tracks and repositions the tracks at regularly spaced intervals. Written in runout (WRO) in servo bursts is determined to calculate track spacing and squeeze among adjacent tracks. Tracks with improper spacing are repositioned by adding a squeeze correction term to the servo wedges. Thereafter, when the disk drive operates to store data, the servo bursts are used to calculate a position error signal (PES), and the squeeze correction term is combined with the PES to position the head at a proper track radius.