Patents by Inventor Richard M. Ehrlich

Richard M. Ehrlich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7006312
    Abstract: Methods are provided for improving servo-demodulation robustness. A SAM pattern is searched for in a servo wedge. If the SAM pattern is detected in the first servo wedge, a determination is made whether to characterize the detection of the SAM pattern as either a good SAM detection or a bad SAM detection. If the detection of the SAM pattern is characterized as a good SAM detection, at least one channel control value (e.g., servo AGC and/or PLL values) associated with the first servo wedge is used as a starting channel control value (or to predict a starting channel control value) when beginning to read a next servo wedge. However, if the SAM pattern is not detected, or a SAM detection is characterized as bad, at least one previously stored channel control value is used as a starting channel control value (or to predict a starting channel control value) when beginning to read the next servo wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 7006315
    Abstract: Systems are provided for improving servo-demodulation robustness. SAM pattern detections are characterized as either good SAM detections or bad SAM detections. Further servo functions are then based on whether the detection of the SAM pattern in a servo wedge was characterized as a good SAM detection or characterized as a bad SAM detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6999264
    Abstract: The amount of position error written into a servo burst pattern can be reduced by using additional media revolutions to write the pattern. Where the edges of two servo bursts are used to define a position on the media, trimming the first burst and writing the second burst on separate revolutions will result in a different amount of position error being written into each burst. The end result will be a reduction in the overall error in position information. In order to further reduce the position error given by a burst pair, each burst also can be trimmed and/or written in multiple passes. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6995937
    Abstract: The amount of position error written into a servo burst pattern can be reduced by using additional media revolutions to write the pattern. Where the edges of two servo bursts are used to define a position on the media, trimming the first burst and writing the second burst on separate revolutions will result in a different amount of position error being written into each burst. The end result will be a reduction in the overall error in position information. In order to further reduce the position error given by a burst pair, each burst also can be trimmed and/or written in multiple passes. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6995935
    Abstract: Methods are provided for improving servo-demodulation robustness. Multiple occurrences of a SAM pattern are searched for in a single servo wedge. Each detection of the SAM pattern in the servo wedge is charactered as a good SAM detection or a bad SAM detection. If more than one detection of the SAM pattern in the servo wedge are characterized as good SAM detections, one of the detections is selected as the best good SAM detection. Further servo functions can then be performed based on the best good SAM detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6995940
    Abstract: To account for head misplacement while servowriting, conditional writing and/or trimming of servo information can be used. Conditional servowriting allows servowriting to be disabled when it is determined that servo information will not be written and/or trimmed at a desired location or within a threshold distance of a desired location. For example, if a distance between a write element or a predicted location of servo information and a desired location of the servo information or write element exceeds a threshold, writing and/or trimming can be inhibited. Servowriting can be resumed when it is determined that servo information will be written or trimmed at a desired location or within a threshold distance of a desired location. A servowriting step or pass is not re-started when the threshold is exceeded and those wedges for which servo information was not written and/or trimmed can be attempted during subsequent revolutions of the rotatable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6992855
    Abstract: Methods are provided for limiting channel control values, such as servo automatic gain control (AGC) values and/or servo phase lock loop (PLL) values, within respective desired ranges. Keeping such values within desired ranges improves servo demodulation robustness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6992856
    Abstract: Systems are provided for limiting channel control values, such as servo automatic gain control (AGC) values and/or servo phase lock loop (PLL) values, within respective desired ranges. Keeping such values within desired ranges improves servo demodulation robustness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6987632
    Abstract: To account for head misplacement while servowriting, conditional writing and/or trimming of servo information can be used. Conditional servowriting allows servowriting to be disabled when it is determined that servo information will not be written and/or trimmed at a desired location or within a threshold distance of a desired location. For example, if a distance between a write element or a predicted location of servo information and a desired location of the servo information or write element exceeds a threshold, writing and/or trimming can be inhibited. Servowriting can be resumed when it is determined that servo information will be written or trimmed at a desired location or within a threshold distance of a desired location. A servowriting step or pass is not re-started when the threshold is exceeded and those wedges for which servo information was not writtten and/or trimmed can be attempted during subsequent revolutions of the rotatable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industral Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6946854
    Abstract: Ramp arrangements and methods in accordance with the present invention can provide the position or velocity of an actuator assembly in a rotating media data storage device while loading or unloading a head connected with the actuator assembly from a disk. One such arrangement comprises a conductive ramp electrically coupled to a conductive suspension lift tab such that a closed circuit is formed when the head is unloaded from the disk. As the suspension lift tab slides along the ramp, the resistance of the circuit changes. By measuring multiple positions at multiple times, a head velocity can be determined. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fernando A. Zayas, Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6943981
    Abstract: Methods are provided for improving servo-demodulation robustness. SAM pattern detections are characterized as either good SAM detections or bad SAM detections. Further servo functions are then based on whether the detection of the SAM pattern in a servo wedge was characterized as a good SAM detection or characterized as a bad SAM detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 6933735
    Abstract: Ramp arrangements and methods in accordance with the present invention can provide the position or velocity of an actuator assembly in a rotating media data storage device while loading or unloading a head connected with the actuator assembly from a disk. One such arrangement includes a conductive ramp electrically coupled to a conductive suspension lift tab such that a closed circuit is formed when the head is unloaded from the disk. As the suspension lift tab slides along the ramp, the resistance of the circuit changes. By measuring multiple positions at multiple times, a head velocity can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fernando A. Zayas, Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040257693
    Abstract: Track mis-registration (TMR) correction is conditionally made in a hard disk drive using servo data in a closed loop servo control scheme, along with one or more alternative sensing schemes when an external shock or vibration occurs. The alternative sensing schemes include measurement of spindle motor speed using a frequency of servo markers read from a rotating disk, voice control motor (VCM) back emf, spindle motor speed back emf, and accelerometer readings. The predicted TMR resulting from the signal generated by the alternative sensing scheme(s) is simulated based upon a model of the disk drive system, and corrections are applied only if the expected TMR due to the disturbances is large enough that application of the corrections using the alternative sensing scheme would be likely to reduce the overall TMR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040257692
    Abstract: Track mis-registration (TMR) correction is conditionally made in a hard disk drive using servo data in a closed loop servo control scheme, along with one or more alternative sensing schemes when an external shock or vibration occurs. The alternative sensing schemes include measurement of spindle motor speed using a frequency of servo markers read from a rotating disk, voice control motor (VCM) back emf, spindle motor speed back emf, and accelerometer readings. The predicted TMR resulting from the signal generated by the alternative sensing scheme(s) is simulated based upon a model of the disk drive system, and corrections are applied only if the expected TMR due to the disturbances is large enough that application of the corrections using the alternative sensing scheme would be likely to reduce the overall TMR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040246617
    Abstract: Track mis-registration (TMR) correction is conditionally made in a hard disk drive using servo data in a closed loop servo control scheme, along with one or more alternative sensing schemes when an external shock or vibration occurs. The alternative sensing schemes include measurement of spindle motor speed using a frequency of servo markers read from a rotating disk, voice control motor (VCM) back emf, spindle motor speed back emf, and accelerometer readings. The predicted TMR resulting from the signal generated by the alternative sensing scheme(s) is simulated based upon a model of the disk drive system, and corrections are applied only if the expected TMR due to the disturbances is large enough that application of the corrections using the alternative sensing scheme would be likely to reduce the overall TMR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040246833
    Abstract: Track mis-registration (TMR) correction is conditionally made in a hard disk drive using servo data in a closed loop servo control scheme, along with one or more alternative sensing schemes when an external shock or vibration occurs. The alternative sensing schemes include measurement of spindle motor speed using a frequency of servo markers read from a rotating disk, voice control motor (VCM) back emf, spindle motor speed back emf, and accelerometer readings. The predicted TMR resulting from the signal generated by the alternative sensing scheme(s) is simulated based upon a model of the disk drive system, and corrections are applied only if the expected TMR due to the disturbances is large enough that application of the corrections using the alternative sensing scheme would be likely to reduce the overall TMR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040246618
    Abstract: Track mis-registration (TMR) correction is conditionally made in a hard disk drive using servo data in a closed loop servo control scheme, along with one or more alternative sensing schemes when an external shock or vibration occurs. The alternative sensing schemes include measurement of spindle motor speed using a frequency of servo markers read from a rotating disk, voice control motor (VCM) back emf, spindle motor speed back emf, and accelerometer readings. The predicted TMR resulting from the signal generated by the alternative sensing scheme(s) is simulated based upon a model of the disk drive system, and corrections are applied only if the expected TMR due to the disturbances is large enough that application of the corrections using the alternative sensing scheme would be likely to reduce the overall TMR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040140816
    Abstract: Ramp arrangements and methods in accordance with the present invention can provide the position or velocity of an actuator assembly in a rotating media data storage device while loading or unloading a head connected with the actuator assembly from a disk. One such arrangement comprises a conductive ramp electrically coupled to a conductive suspension lift tab such that a closed circuit is formed when the head is unloaded from the disk. As the suspension lift tab slides along the ramp, the resistance of the circuit changes. By measuring multiple positions at multiple times, a head velocity can be determined. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Fernando A. Zayas, Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040140795
    Abstract: Ramp arrangements and methods in accordance with the present invention can provide the position or velocity of an actuator assembly in a rotating media data storage device while loading or unloading a head connected with the actuator assembly from a disk. One such arrangement comprises a conductive ramp electrically coupled to a conductive suspension lift tab such that a closed circuit is formed when the head is unloaded from the disk. As the suspension lift tab slides along the ramp, the resistance of the circuit changes. By measuring multiple positions at multiple times, a head velocity can be determined. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Fernando A. Zayas, Richard M. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20040125481
    Abstract: Systems are provided for improving servo-demodulation robustness. Multiple occurrences of a SAM pattern are searched for in a single servo wedge. Each detection of the SAM pattern in the servo wedge is charactered as a good SAM detection or a bad SAM detection. If more than one detection of the SAM pattern in the servo wedge are characterized as good SAM detections, one of the detections is selected as the best good SAM detection. Further servo functions can then be performed based on the best good SAM detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Ehrlich