Load/unload system and method for maximizing disk writeable area
AssigneeHitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
InventorsKarl Flechsig, Donald Gillis, Shozo Saegusa, Reinhard Wolter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for loading a head onto a specified load zone of a disk includes reading positional index information for determining a position of a pre-specified load zone of a disk. When to load a head is determined based on the positional index information so that the head will load onto the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees. The head is loaded from a ramp onto the load zone at the proper time.
Claims32
A method for loading a head onto a specified load zone of a disk, comprising.
- reading positional index information for determining a position of a load zone of a disk;
- determining when to load a head based on the positional index information so that the head will load onto the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees;
- and
- loading the head onto the load zone
- wherein the positional index information is read at least in part by at least one of an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor.
A method for loading a head onto a specified load zone of a disk, comprising:
- reading positional index information for determining a position of a load zone of a disk;
- determining when to load a head based on the positional index information so that the head will load onto the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees;
- and
- loading the head from a ramp onto the load zones,
- wherein the load zone is created by:
- writing a load index burst as a head is loaded from a ramp onto a disk for creating a load zone marker on the disk, the load zone marker indicating a position of a load zone of the disk;
- reading positional index information and the load zone marker for determining a position of the load zone on the disk;
- and
- storing the position of the load zone, wherein the head is loaded on the load zone during subsequent load operations.
A method for creating a load zone on a disk, comprising:
- writing a load index burst as a head is loaded from a ramp onto a disk for creating a load zone marker on the disk, the load zone marker indicating a position of a load zone of the disk;
- reading positional index information and the load zone marker for determining a position of the load zone on the disk;
- and
- storing the position of the load zone, wherein the head is loaded on the load zone during subsequent load operations.
A magnetic storage system, comprising:
- a magnetic disk having a load zone and data written co-circumferentially with the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees;
- at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic disk, the head being loaded on the load zone;
- a slider for supporting the head;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head,
- wherein the load zone is positioned primarily on a down slope of the magnetic disk.
A magnetic storage system comprising:
- a magnetic disk having a load zone and data written co-circumferentially with the load zones the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees;
- at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic disk, the head being loaded on the load zone:
- a slider for supporting the head;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head,
- wherein the load zone is created by:
- writing a load index burst as a head is loaded from a ramp onto a disk for creating a load zone marker on the disk, the load zone marker indicating a position of a load zone of the disk;
- reading positional index information and the load zone marker for determining a position of the load zone on the disk;
- and
- storing the circumferential position of the load zone, wherein the head is loaded on the load zone during subsequent load operations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.