Storage device for reliably maintaining data in a reproducible state for a long period of time

An apparatus comprising:

• a recording medium;
• a read/write head for reading/writing information from/to the recording medium;
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head;
• and
• a copy control circuit connected to the read/write control section,
• wherein the copy control circuit periodically instructs the read/write control section to cause the read/write head to read information from the recording medium and then write the information to the recording medium.

A storage device for reliably updating data stored on a recording medium comprising:

• a read/write head;
• and
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head, the read/write control section controlling the reading/writing of data from the recording medium by the read/write head;
• wherein the read/write control section is operated to periodically cause the read/write head to read data from the recording medium and write the data back to the recording medium.

A storage device for reliably updating data stored on a recording medium comprising:

• a temperature measuring device contained within the recording medium;
• a read/write head;
• and
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head, the read/write control section controlling the reading/writing of data from the recording medium by the read/write head;
• wherein the read/write control section is operated to periodically cause the read/write head to read data from the recording medium and write the data back to the recording medium when a temperature measured by the temperature measuring device is higher than a reference value.

A storage device for updating information stored on a storage medium comprising:

• a read/write head;
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head, the read/write control section controlling the reading/writing of data from the recording medium by the read/write head;
• and
• a reproduced output detection circuit connected to the read/write control section, the reproduced output detection circuit periodically measuring specific information previously recorded on the storage medium,
• and wherein if the specific information has a strength below a predetermined threshold level, the read/write control section is operated to cause the read/write head to read data from the recording medium and write the data back to the recording medium.

A storage device for ensuring reliable storage of information contained in a storage medium comprising:

• read/write means for reading/writing data from/to the storage medium;
• and
• disk drive control means for controlling the read/write means,
• wherein the disk drive control means include means for periodically reproducing and measuring the strength of a prerecorded signal from the storage medium and instructing the read/write means to copy identical information onto the storage medium when the strength of the prerecorded signal is below a predetermined threshold.

An apparatus comprising:

• a recording medium;
• a read/write head for reading/writing information from/to the recording medium;
• a head carriage for moving the read/write head;
• a spindle motor for driving the recording medium;
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head;
• a head position control section connected to the head carriage;
• a spindle motor control section connected to the spindle motor;
• and
• a copy control circuit connected to the read/write control section, the head position control section and the spindle motor control section,
• wherein the copy control circuit, at a certain point in time, instructs the spindle motor control section to cause the spindle motor to drive the recording medium, instructs the head position control section to cause the head carriage to move the read/write head, and instructs the read/write control section to cause the read/write head to read information from the recording medium and then write the information to the recording medium.

An apparatus comprising:

• a recording medium;
• a read/write head for reading/writing information from/to the recording medium;
• a head carriage for moving the read/write head;
• a spindle motor for driving the recording medium;
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head;
• a head position control section connected to the head carriage;
• a spindle motor control section connected to the spindle motor;
• and
• a copy control circuit connected to the read/write control section, the head position control section and the spindle motor control section,
• wherein the copy control circuit periodically instructs the spindle motor control section to cause the spindle motor to drive the recording medium, instructs the head position control section to cause the head carriage to move the read/write head, and instructs the read/write control section to cause the read/write head to read information from the recording medium and then write the information to the recording medium.

A storage device for reliably updating data stored on a recording medium comprising:

• a read/write head;
• a head carriage connected to the read/write head;
• a spindle motor for driving the recording medium;
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head, the read/write control section controlling the reading/writing of data from the recording medium by the read/write head;
• a head position control section connected to the head carriage, the head position control section controlling movement of the head carriage so as to move the read/write head;
• and
• a spindle motor control section connected to the spindle motor, the spindle motor control section controlling the spindle motor so as to drive the recording medium;
• wherein the read/write control section is operated to periodically cause the read/write head to read data from the recording medium and write the data back to the recording medium.

A storage device for reliably updating data stored on a recording medium comprising:

• a temperature measuring device contained within the recording medium;
• a read/write head;
• a head carriage for moving the read/write head;
• a spindle motor for driving the recording medium;
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head, the read/write control section controlling the reading/writing of data from the recording medium by the read/write head;
• a head position control section connected to the head carriage and causing movement of the read/write head;
• and
• a spindle motor control section connected to the spindle motor and causing the spindle motor to drive the recording medium;
• wherein the read/write control section is operated to periodically cause the read/write head to read data from the recording medium and write the data back to the recording medium when a temperature measured by the temperature measuring device is higher than a reference value.

A storage device for updating information stored on a storage medium comprising:

• a read/write head;
• a head carriage for moving the read/write head;
• a spindle motor for driving the recording medium;
• a read/write control section connected to the read/write head, the read/write control section controlling the reading/writing of data from the recording medium by the read/write head;
• a head position control section connected to the head carriage and causing movement of the read/write head;
• and
• a spindle motor control section connected to the spindle motor and causing the spindle motor to drive the recording medium;
• a reproduced output detection circuit connected to the read/write control section, the head position control section and the spindle motor control section, the reproduced output detection circuit periodically measuring specific information previously recorded on the storage medium,
• and wherein if the specific information has a strength below a predetermined threshold level, the read/write control section is operated to cause the read/write head to read data from the recording medium and write the data back to the recording medium.

A storage device for ensuring reliable storage of information contained in a storage medium comprising:

• read/write means for reading/writing data from/to the storage medium;
• head carriage means for moving the read/write means;
• spindle motor means for driving the storage medium;
• and
• disk drive control means for controlling the read/write means, the head carriage means and the spindle motor means,
• wherein the disk drive control means include means for periodically reproducing and measuring the strength of a prerecorded signal from the storage medium and instructing the read/write means to copy identical information onto the storage medium when the strength of the prerecorded signal is below a predetermined threshold.