US 5,548,571 A · Method and apparatus for identifying data storage disks

Abstract

A protective frame for a data storage disk (e.g., an optical, magneto-optical or magnetic disk) is provided with manufacturer and user information for controlling the operation of a disk drive. The manufacturer information is generally non-alterable by the disk user and may, for example, identify the orientation of the disk in the frame (e.g., side "A" is facing upwards) and the disk's storage capacity (e.g., the recordable number of megabytes or gigabytes). The user information, on the other hand, is alterable by the user and may, for example, indicate the "writeability" of a particular side of the disk, i.e., whether or not such side is write-protected. According to a preferred embodiment, the manufacturer and user information are collectively defined by a predetermined pattern of holes formed in the disk frame. The hole pattern is aligned with a path taken by the frame (and its associated disk) in entering the disk drive housing for utilization. Preferably, this hole pattern is scanned as the disk frame enters the disk drive, and the information it represents is acted upon even before the disk is positioned for rotation. Preferably, the disk drive includes a drive mechanism for engaging and advancing a disk frame into the disk drive at a predetermined speed. A light source located at a fixed location along the path of the disk frame operates to scan illuminate the hole pattern as the frame enters the disk drive, and a photodetector senses the hole pattern as the frame advances past the light source. A suitably programmed microcontroller responds to the photodetector output to cause the disk drive to operate in accordance with the manufacturer and user information represented by the hole pattern in the frame.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for identifying certain properties of a data storage disk supported in a protective housing by detecting (a) disk-manufacturer information and (b) disk-user information disposed on said housing, said method comprising the steps of:

(i) arranging said disk-manufacturing and disk-user information along a predetermined path on said protective housing, wherein said disk-manufacturing information comprises a plurality of hole patterns and said disk-user information comprises a plurality of hole patterns, wherein each of said plurality of hole patterns comprising said disk-manufacturing information and said disk-user information includes a plurality of hole position that define a binary code corresponding to a decimal digit ranging from at least zero to seven;
(ii) providing information-reading means adapted to read said disk-manufacturer and disk-user information;
(iii) reading said disk-manufacture, and disk-user information by producing relative movement between said reading means and said protective housing in a direction parallel to said path.

In a data disk drive adapted to read and write data on either of two opposing surfaces of a data disk, said data disk being releasably supported by a frame having disk-manufacturer information thereon representing at least the orientation of a disk in said frame and disk-user information representing at least the writeability of such disk, said disk drive comprising a housing having an aperture therein for receiving a frame and a supported disk, and apparatus for reading said disk-manufacturer information and said disk-user information and for causing said disk drive to operate in accordance with the information read, said apparatus comprising:

drive means located proximate said aperture for engaging and advancing a frame and a supported disk into said housing along a predetermined path;
and
information sensing means located proximate said aperture and adjacent said path for sensing said disk-manufacturer information and said disk-user information as said frame advances along said path;
wherein said disk-manufacturer information comprises a plurality of hole patterns and said disk-user information comprises a plurality of hole patterns formed at predetermined spaced locations in said frame along a line that parallels said path, wherein each of said plurality of hole patterns comprising said disk-manufacturing information and said disk-user information includes a plurality of hole positions that define a binary code corresponding to a decimal digit ranging from at least zero to seven;
and
wherein said sensing means includes a light source and light detector for respectively illuminating said frame means at a fixed location along said line and for detecting source light either transmitted or reflected by said frame.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for identifying data storage disks

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for identifying data storage disks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17