Hard disk drive with external sensor interface, system for use thereof and method

A device comprising:

• a storage medium configured to store data;
• a motor supporting said storage medium for controlled movement thereof;
• a head arrangement configured for movement to selectively access the storage medium in a data access mode and for movement to a non-data access position;
• a first dedicated input that is dedicated for receiving a first sensor related input signal;
• and
• a processing arrangement programmed to (i) execute said data access mode by cooperatively controlling said motor and said head arrangement, (ii) monitor said first sensor related input signal for occurrence of a predetermined value of a first minimum time duration, and (iii) responsive to detection of said predetermined value, at least move the head arrangement to said non-data access position, said processing arrangement being further configured for maintaining said head arrangement in the non-data access position so long as the first sensor related input signal remains at the predetermined value, subsequent to initially moving the head arrangement to the non-data access position;
• wherein said sensor related input signal is produced by a sensor that is located in a host device in electrical communication with said input, and wherein said processing arrangement is further configured for monitoring said sensor related input signal in a way which identifies an at least potential failure of said sensor.

A device for operation in an environment that may subject the device to a given mechanical shock, said device comprising:

• a storage medium configured to store data;
• a motor supporting said storage medium for controlled rotation thereof;
• a head arrangement configured for movement to access the storage medium in a data access mode and for movement to a non-data access position as part of a protected mode such that the device is not susceptible to said given mechanical shock in the protected mode and is susceptible to the given mechanical shock in the data access mode;
• a dedicated input that is dedicated for receiving a sensor related input signal;
• and
• a processor for (i) executing said data access mode, by cooperatively controlling said motor and said head arrangement, (ii) monitoring the sensor related input signal for a predetermined characteristic thereof, and (iii) responsive to detection of said predetermined characteristic of the sensor related input signal, causing the device to enter said protected mode at least by moving said head arrangement to the non-data access position until said predetermined characteristic of the sensor is no longer detected for at least a first minimum period;
• wherein the first minimum period is greater than 100 milliseconds and less than 2500 milliseconds.

A method for producing a device for operation in an environment that may subject the device to a given mechanical shock, said method comprising:

• providing a storage medium configured to store data;
• supporting the storage medium using a motor for controlled rotation thereof;
• providing a head arrangement for movement to access the storage medium in a data access mode and for movement to a non-data access position as part of a protected mode such that the device is not susceptible to said given mechanical shock in the protected mode and is susceptible to the given mechanical shock in the data access mode;
• configuring a dedicated input for receiving a sensor related input signal;
• and
• using a processor for (i) executing said data access mode, by cooperatively controlling said spindle motor and said head arrangement, (ii) monitoring the sensor related input signal for predetermined characteristic thereof, (iii) responsive to detection of said predetermined characteristic of the sensor related input signal for a first minimum time duration, causing the device to enter said protected mode at least by moving said head arrangement to the non-data access position and (iv) responsive to failure to detect said predetermined characteristic of the sensor related input signal for a second minimum time duration following detection of said predetermined characteristic of the sensor related input signal for the first minimum time duration, causing the device to leave said protected mode at least by moving said head arrangement out of the non-data access position;
• wherein the second minimum time duration is greater than 100 milliseconds and less than 2500 milliseconds.

A system, comprising:

• a device including:
• a storage medium configured to store data;
• a motor supporting said storage medium for controlled rotation thereof;
• a head arrangement configured for movement to selectively access the storage medium in a data access mode and for movement to a non-data access position;
• and
• a sensor interface dedicated for receiving a plurality of sensor signals;
• a sensor array forming part of said system, but not part of the device, including at least two sensors for providing said sensor signals to the sensor interface;
• and
• means for executing said data access mode by cooperatively controlling said spindle motor and said head arrangement, and for monitoring said sensor signals for detection of a signal value that is indicative of a potentially adverse operational environment for said device and, responsive to detection of said signal value, for at least moving the head arrangement to a non-data access position, said means cooperating with said sensor array and sensor interface to monitor for a signal value that is indicative of a quiescent mechanical shock environment after an initial impact to the device;
• wherein the means is configured to further perform the following processes if there is no signal value that is indicative of a potentially adverse operational environment for said device:
• compare a first measured parameter to a threshold for the first measured parameter and entering a protection sequence if the threshold for the first measured parameter is less than the measured parameter;
• and
• compare a second measured parameter to a threshold for the second measured parameter if the threshold for the first measured parameter exceeds the first measured parameter and entering a protection sequence if the second measured parameter exceeds the threshold for the second measured parameter.

An electonic device comprising:

• a first housing portion;
• a second housing protion pivotally coupled to the first housing protionsuch that the first and second housing portions are operable by a user i a way which produces a mechanical shock;
• a hard drive mounted within one of the first and second housing portions, the hard drive comprising at least one disk and a read/write head having an operating position and a protected position, the read/write head being parked in the protected position and the hard drive being sensitive to the mechanical shock in the operating position and les sensitive to the mechanical shock in the protected position;
• a switch mounted to the first housing portion that actuates in response to movement of a first housing portion relative to a second housing portion from an open position toward a closed position;
• and
• a processor mounted within one of the first and second housing portions and coupled to the switch and hard drive, the procesor programmed to detect actuation of the switch and , thereafter, instruct the hard drive to enter the protected position from said operating position as anticipatory to the mechanical shock, the switch being positioned such that actuation of the switch is anticipatory of potential impacts occurring between first and second housing portions.

An electronic device comprising:

• a first means for housing;
• a second means for housing pivotally coupled to the first housing portion such that the first and second means for housing are operable by a user in a way which produces a mechanical shock;
• a storage device mounted within one of the first and second means for housing, the hard drive comprising at least one storage medium and a read/write head having an operating position and a protected position, the read/write head being in a non-data access position in the protected position and the hard drive being sensitive to the mechanical shock in the operating position and less sensitive to the mechanical shock in the protected position;
• a means for sensing movement of the second housing means relative to the first housing means from an open position toward a closed position;
• and
• a means for detecting actuation of the means for sensing and, thereafter, instructing the hard drive to enter the protected position from said operating position as anticipatory to the mechanical shock, the means for sensing being positioned such that actuation of the means for sensing is anticipatory of potential impacts occurring between first and second means for housing.