Controlling Operation of a Memory Device

• US 20080043361A1
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Leinonen, Marko, Hannula, Teemu
• Granted Patent: US 7,995,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/69
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/041 Detection or prevention of read or write errors
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/40 Protective measures on heads, e.g. against excessive temperature G11B5/31 takes precedence; protection against wear G11B5/255 ; protective structure of the head: see under structures, e.g. G11B5/3106

Abstract

A method provides controlling operation of a memory device. The method includes receiving activity information relating to at least one electromagnetic field external to the memory device. The method further includes controlling storing data to and reading from the memory device based on the activity information. A memory device and a communication device are configured to execute the method.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of a memory device, the method comprising:

receiving activity information relating to at least one electromagnetic field external to the memory device; and

controlling storing data to and reading data from the memory device based on the activity information.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of controlling comprises controlling reading/writing head positioning of at least one of a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device, and a magneto-optical memory device.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of controlling comprises controlling reading/writing head positioning of at least one of a hard disk, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a minidisk, a subscriber identity module and a multimedia memory card.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the activity information comprises receiving information on transmission or reception of radio frequency signals.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the information on transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals from and/or to transmission and receiving means of a communication device and the step of controlling comprises controlling reading/writing head positioning of a memory device provided in the communication device.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the step of receiving the information on transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals comprises receiving information on whether the transmission or reception is underway, on transmission/reception power level, timing and/or frequency.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of controlling comprises stopping the storing to and/or the reading from the memory device when the activity information indicates that at least one external electromagnetic field is active or above a predetermined power level.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising storing data temporarily in electrical memory means and transferring the data in the memory device when the activity information indicates that no external electromagnetic field is active or external electromagnetic fields are below a predetermined power level.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of controlling comprises creating a compensation for the external electromagnetic field.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the step of creating the compensation comprises creating the compensation by means of a counter force applied to reading/writing head positioning control.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the step of receiving the activity information comprises obtaining the activity information from a look-up table and the step of creating the compensation comprises creating the counter force by means of the look-up table.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the step of creating the compensation comprises creating the compensation by changing control values of a reading/writing head positioning system.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of receiving the activity information comprises obtaining the activity information from a look-up table and the step of creating the compensation comprises changing the control values by means of the look-up table.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of controlling comprises driving a reading/writing head of the memory device to a predetermined position when the activity information indicates that at least one external electromagnetic field is active or above a predetermined power level.

15. A computer program comprising program code means for performing any of the steps according to claim 1 when the program is run on a computing means.

16. A memory device configured to operate in a communication device relating to an electromagnetic field external to the memory device, wherein storing data to and reading data from the memory device is controlled based on activity information relating to the external electromagnetic field.

17. A memory device according to claim 16, comprising a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device or a magneto-optical memory device.

18. A memory device according to claim 17, comprising a hard disk, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a minidisk, a subscriber identity module or a multimedia memory card.

19. A memory device according to claim 16, the external electromagnetic field being created by transmission and/or reception means of the communication device, capable of transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals.

20. A memory device according to claim 16, the external electromagnetic field being created by cellular activity.

21. A memory device according to claim 20, the cellular activity comprising activity of a mobile communication system.

22. A memory device according to claim 16, the external electromagnetic field being created by non-cellular activity.

23. A memory device according to claim 22, the non-cellular activity comprising activity of a Bluetooth system, a wireless local area network or a global positioning system.

24. A memory device according to claim 16, configured to stop the storing to and/or the reading from the memory device when the activity information indicates that at least one external electromagnetic field is active or above a predetermined power level.

25. A memory device according to claim 16, configured to allow a counter force to be created to reading/writing head control or to allow altering control values of reading/writing head positioning system to compensate the external electromagnetic field.

26. A memory device according to claim 16, configured to drive a reading/writing head of the memory device to a predetermined position when the activity information indicates that at least one external electromagnetic field is active or above a predetermined power level.

27. A communication device comprising a memory device according to claim 16.

28. A communication device comprising a memory device, the communication device relating to an electromagnetic field external to the memory device, storing data to and reading data from the memory device configured to be controlled based on activity information relating to the external electromagnetic field.

29. A communication device according to claim 28, wherein the memory device is a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device or a magneto-optical memory device.

30. A communication device according to claim 29, wherein the memory device is a hard disk, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a minidisk, a subscriber identity module or a multimedia memory card.

31. A communication device according to claim 28, wherein the activity information comprises information on transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals.

32. A communication device according to claim 31, wherein the information on transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals comprises information on whether the transmission or reception is underway, on transmission/reception power level, timing and/or frequency.

33. A communication device according to claim 28, wherein the memory device is configured to stop storing data to and reading data from the memory device when the activity information indicates that at least one external electromagnetic field is active or above a predetermined power level.

34. A communication device according to claim 33, further comprising electrical memory means for storing data temporarily, and to transfer the data into the memory device when the activity information indicates that no external electromagnetic field is active or external electromagnetic fields are below a predetermined power level.

35. A communication device according to claim 28, further comprising means for creating a counter force to reading/writing head control or means for altering control values of reading/writing head positioning system to compensate the external electromagnetic field.

36. A communication device according to claim 35, wherein the means for creating a counter force or the means for altering the control values are controlled by means of a look-up table.

37. A communication device according to claim 28, wherein a reading/writing head of the memory device is configured to be driven to a predetermined position when the activity information indicates that at least one external electromagnetic field is active or above a predetermined power level.