Abstract: A multiple frequency zoned disk storage device in which data is read from and/or written to the disk at two or more discrete disk velocities is disclosed. The disk storage device includes a low power mode where information is read/written from/to the disk while the disk velocity is reduced to conserve power. The allocation track locations into zones on the drive reduces the number of zone bit frequencies the storage device must handle.

Abstract: A system and method for editing program material provide viewers with real-time editing control. Digital program material are divided into relatively short segments and each of these segments are rated to indicate a level of potentially objectionable material contained therein. Each segment is tagged to indicate this rating. Prior to viewing the program material, or during playback of the program material, the viewer determines the rating level at which he or she wishes to view the program material. This rating level is entered into the playback system. Upon playback, the system examines the tag of each segment to determine whether that segment should be played. If a segment is tagged to indicate a rating with a higher level than that requested by the viewer, the tag is edited and not displayed. Thus, the program material is edited in real time as it is displayed to the viewer.

Abstract: A novel disk clamp apparatus to securely mount one or more data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor using a minimal amount of clamping force and surface area of the data storage disks is disclosed. A plurality of engagement protrusions disposed on the mating surface of the disk clamp preferably penetrate the mating surface of the data storage disk. Corresponding engagement recesses on the mating surface of the data storage disk are formed from penetration of the engagement protrusions or, alternatively, are pre-formed on the mating surface of the data storage disk. The engagement protrusions may alternatively be disposed on the data storage disk mating surface, while the corresponding engagement recesses are disposed on the clamp mating surface. In another embodiment, interfacial particles are disposed between the mating surfaces of the disk clamp and the data storage disk which penetrate the respective mating surfaces when pressed together.

Abstract: A disk storage device in which two or more discrete disk velocities are used is disclosed. The disk velocity is selected using operating environmental conditions. Various types of sensors may be used to detect the environmental conditions or the environmental conditions may be input by a user. The allocation of track locations on a disk into zones reduces the number of zone bit frequencies the storage device must handle when multiple frequency zones are used in connection with the various spindle speeds.

Abstract: A multimedia direct access storage device and a method for transferring source program signals representative of a compressed digital multimedia program to and from the direct access storage device are disclosed. A multimedia program is transmitted from a multimedia server as a custom ordered series of discrete program segments and received by the multimedia direct access storage device, which buffers the compressed program segments for subsequent presentation on a local display monitor. The multimedia direct access storage device is preferably incorporated as a component of a local set-top control system for buffering a predetermined number of compressed program segments received from the multimedia server, some of which may be non-sequentially ordered and others of which may be sequentially ordered. A novel formatting methodology provides for the sequential presentation of the program segments asynchronously distributed on one or more data storage disks disposed in the direct access storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading an information signal from a magnetic storage medium using a magnetoresistive (MR) element, modifying the signal such that a thermal component of the signal representing a thermal response of the MR element is degraded, and altering the modified signal to produce a restored thermal signal substantially representative of the thermal component of the signal read from the storage medium. The information signal induced in the MR element is communicated from the MR element to an arm electronics (AE) module having a highpass filtering behavior. The AE module passes content of the information signal other than the thermal component content, thereby degrading the thermal component of the information signal. An inverse filter, implemented using an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter, receives the highpass filtered signal from the AE module and produces a restored thermal signal substantially representative of the thermal component of the information signal.

Abstract: A memory device using at least one disk is disclosed the memory device uses a banded disk. The disk is optimally banded for use in a multiple frequency zoned disk storage device. The allocation of track locations into zones on the disk reduces the number of zone bit frequencies the storage device must handle when the disk is rotated at more than one discrete disk velocity.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for positioning a magnetoresistive (MR) head relative to a storage medium in a storage device. The storage medium is mounted in the storage device to allow relative movement between the MR head and the storage medium. The storage medium includes servo information provided to induce a thermal response in the MR head. A controller controls the relative movement between the MR head and the storage medium using the thermal response induced in the MR head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effectuating local reception and processing of source program signals representative of a compressed digital multimedia program received from a remote multimedia server are disclosed. The multimedia server transmits a selected multimedia program as a custom ordered series of discrete program segments to a local set-top control system, which buffers and decompresses the compressed program segments for presentation on a local display monitor. A local set-top control system preferably includes a direct access storage device adapted to buffer a predetermined number of compressed program segments received from a multimedia server, some of which may be non-sequentially ordered and others of which may be sequentially ordered. A novel formatting methodology provides for the sequential presentation of the program segments asynchronously distributed on one or more data storage disks disposed in the direct access storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effectuating transmission, reception, and processing of source program signals representative of a multimedia program between a remote multimedia server and a plurality of local set-top control systems are disclosed. The multimedia server processes stored digitally compressed multimedia programs preferably by parsing a selected multimedia program into a customized series of discrete program segments, and transmitting the compressed program segments to a local set-top control system, which buffers and decompresses the compressed program segments for presentation on a local display monitor. A local set-top control system preferably includes a direct access storage device adapted to buffer a predetermined number of compressed program segments received from a multimedia server, some of which may be non-sequentially ordered and others of which may be sequentially ordered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effectuating the reception and local storage of source information signals representative of a media program transmitted from a source information network preferably over a cable television channel on a pay-per-view basis is disclosed. A local intelligent set-top control unit communicates with a remote information network and a local storage device to coordinate the transmission of customer ordered media programs from the information network for storage on the local storage device. The local storage device is preferably a standard video cassette recorder (VCR) providing full VCR control functionality when presenting a stored media program on a television. A digital or optical data storage disk drive system may alternatively be employed to store source information signals downloaded from the remote information network.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems that accompany the use of ramps to load and unload transducer carrying sliders in rigid magnetic disk data storage devices. The tracks in the region where the slider loads and unloads are read and the errors recorded following each slider loading operation. One technique is to track the error increase and identify imminent device failure when the rate of error increase during a given number of the most recent slider load cycles exceeds a threshold value. In another mode, a dedicated sequence of tracks is recorded at an increased linear density to assure that read errors occur to enable a more effective comparative evaluation. This makes possible a two stage evaluation, a first threshold number of errors indicative of degrading performance which initiates lower actuator velocity to inhibit further degradation and a second threshold error quantity that indicates imminent catastrophic failure and triggers a warning to the system user.

Abstract: A disk drive stores multimedia data in long spiral data tracks. The tracks on opposite surfaces of the disk spiral in opposite directions, so that a track on one surface can be read as the actuator sweeps in, and a track on the opposite surface can be read as the actuator sweeps out. Because the actuator only follows spiral tracks without performing long seek operations, the actuator motor can be reduced in size and stresses on actuator bearings and other parts are reduced. Additionally, due to reduced disturbances associated with seeks, it is possible to follow tracks more closely and therefore reduce the width of individual tracks. Further cost reductions are accomplished by spinning the disks at a slower speed and reducing the size of the spin motor accordingly. Finally, data density can be increased simply because multimedia data does not require the same low error rate as conventional data. Preferably, a group of disk drives optimized for multimedia data is used to form a video-on-demand system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining file readback performance compensating for readback errors caused by head/disk interaction used with a data detection channel in a direct access storage device. A readback signal is sensed from at least one disk surface and a data channel error rate is detected responsive to the readback signal. The detected data channel error rate is compared with a first predetermined threshold value and a gain of a phase lock loop (PLL) in the peak data detection channel is optimized responsive to an identified data channel error rate with a first predetermined threshold value. The PLL gain is adjusted until a lowest error rate is detected. A failure warning for the direct access storage device is provided to a user when the detected PLL gain is greater than a predefined loop gain value.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for a data storage system including a novel deflection apparatus disposed on the air bearing surface, and a method of fabricating same are disclosed. The air bearing surface of the slider preferably includes a transducer element mounting location biased toward a trailing edge of the slider, and a deflection apparatus disposed proximate the transducer element mounting location and biased toward a leading edge of the slider. Contact between the deflection apparatus and an asperity or disk obstruction prevents damage to a transducer element mounted at the transducer element mounting location. In one embodiment, the deflection protrusion is preferably configured to include a sloping leading edge or, alternatively, comprises a plurality of deflection ridges that generally define a sloping leading edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for servo demodulation in a direct access storage device. A readback signal is sensed from at least one disk surface and locations of positive and negative peaks in the sensed readback signal are detected for providing a detected peak signal. A square wave signal having a period variable with distance between detected locations of positive and negative peaks is generated using the detected peak signal and applied to a servo demodulator in the direct access storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting degradation in data storage system spindle motor performance is disclosed. A duration of time required for the spindle motor to transition between an initial velocity and a test velocity is determined at or near the time of data storage system manufacture and periodically during the service life of the spindle motor. Deviations between the manufacturing and in-service time durations are computed and, depending on the magnitude of the deviation, invoke particular data storage system responses. The in-service time duration procedure is preferably performed when spindle motor power is removed, typically during a power-down or power-saving sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting degradation in data storage system spindle motor performance is disclosed. A read/write transducer is oriented over a centerline location of a test track on the data storage disk. A data pattern is read from the test track centerline location and the amplitude of the on-track readback signal is determined. The transducer is oriented over a test track location off-set from the centerline location, and the data pattern is read. The amplitude of the off-track readback signal is determined. A deviation of a predetermined magnitude between the on-track and off-track readback signal amplitudes preferably results in the production of a warn signal indicative of degraded spindle motor performance. The off-track readback signal amplitude may alternatively be compared to a predetermined on-track readback signal amplitude stored in the data storage system.

Abstract: A novel disk clamp apparatus to securely mount one or more data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor using a minimal amount of clamping force and surface area of the data storage disks is disclosed. A plurality of engagement protrusions disposed on the mating surface of the disk clamp preferably penetrate the mating surface of the data storage disk. Corresponding engagement recesses on the mating surface of the data storage disk are formed from penetration of the engagement protrusions or, alternatively, are preformed on the mating surface of the data storage disk. The engagement protrusions may alternatively be disposed on the data storage disk mating surface, while the corresponding engagement recesses are disposed on the clamp mating surface. In another embodiment, interfacial particles are disposed between the mating surfaces of the disk clamp and the data storage disk which penetrate the respective mating surfaces when pressed together.

Abstract: A disk drive stores multimedia data in long spiral data tracks. The tracks on opposite surfaces of the disk spiral in opposite directions, so that a track on one surface can be read as the actuator sweeps in, and a track on the opposite surface can be read as the actuator sweeps out. Because the actuator only follows spiral tracks without performing long seek operations, the actuator motor can be reduced in size and stresses on actuator bearings and other parts are reduced. Additionally, due to reduced disturbances associated with seeks, it is possible to follow tracks more closely and therefore reduce the width of individual tracks. Further cost reductions are accomplished by spinning the disks at a slower speed and reducing the size of the spin motor accordingly. Finally, data density can be increased simply because multimedia data does not require the same low error rate as conventional data. Preferably, a group of disk drives optimized for multimedia data is used to form a video-on-demand system.