Disk drive using offset data sectors
AssigneeMaxtor Corporation
InventorDon Brunnett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disk drive stores data within a single track of a data storage disk at two different lateral positions with respect to the track centerline. The radial distance between the two lateral positions is preferably equal to the lateral offset between the read and write elements of a corresponding dual element transducer for the particular track. In a preferred approach, some of the data sectors within selected tracks are designated to be offset sectors. Data is written to these sectors at the offset position rather than the standard write position for the disk drive. Data can then be moved within a single track of the disk drive without having to perform a microjog operation by reading from a data sector in the standard location and then writing to an offset sector location.
Claims24
A disk drive comprising:
- a data storage disk having a plurality of substantially concentric tracks for use in storing user data, said plurality of substantially concentric tracks including a first track having a first track centerline, said first track having a first portion and a second portion;
- a transducer for use in writing user data to said data storage disk;
- an actuator assembly coupled to said transducer for use in positioning said transducer relative to said data storage disk, said actuator assembly including an actuator arm and a motor unit;
- and
- a controller for controlling the writing of user data to said data storage disk using said transducer and said actuator assembly, said controller writing user data to said first portion of said first track at a first nominal offset distance from said first track centerline and said controller writing user data to said second portion of said first track at a second nominal offset distance from said first track centerline, wherein said second nominal offset distance is different from said first nominal offset distance.
A disk drive comprising:
- a data storage disk having a plurality of substantially concentric tracks for use in storing digital data, each of said plurality of substantially concentric tracks being divided into a plurality of individual data sectors, said plurality of substantially concentric tracks including a first track having a first track centerline;
- a transducer for use in writing user data to said data storage disk;
- an actuator assembly coupled to said transducer for use in positioning said transducer relative to said data storage disk, said actuator assembly including an actuator arm and a motor unit;
- and
- a controller for controlling the writing of digital data to said data storage disk using said transducer and said actuator assembly, said controller being configured to write user data to a first set of data sectors within said first track at a first lateral position with respect to said first track centerline and said controller being configured to write user data to a second set of data sectors within said first track at a second lateral position with respect to said first track centerline, wherein said second lateral position is different from said first lateral position.
A method for use in storing user data to a data storage disk within a disk drive, said data storage disk having a plurality of data storage tracks for use is storing user data, said plurality of data storage tracks including a first track having a first track centerline, said first track being divided into at least a first and second portion, said method comprising the steps of:
- writing first data to said first portion of said first track, said first data being written to said first portion a first nominal offset distance from the first track centerline;
- and
- writing second data to said second portion of said first track, said second data being written to said second portion a second nominal offset distance from said first track centerline, wherein said second nominal offset distance is different from said first nominal offset distance.
A method for use in storing digital data within a disk drive, comprising the steps of:
- moving a transducer from a present location above a data storage disk to a target track of the data storage disk, said transducer including both a read element and a write element, said read element and said write element being laterally offset from one another with respect to said target track by a first lateral offset distance;
- reading first user data from said target track using said read element of said transducer while said read element is maintained at a first nominal position with respect to the centerline of said target track;
- and
- writing said first user data to said target track, after said reading step, using said write element of said transducer while said read element is maintained at said first nominal position with respect to the centerline of said target track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.