Adaptive disk drive operation

• US 6,400,892 B1
• Filed: 01/11/1999
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Gordon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOCCIO, VINCENT F
• Application Number:
  US09/227,549
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5781, 360/73.03, 360/48, 386/95, 386/96, 386/125-126, 386/46, 369/32, 369/48
• US Class Current: 386/344
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/125 involving the detection of carrier data format
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/26 Speed-changing arrangements; Reversing arrangements; Drive-transfer means therefor

Abstract

In storing data on a storage device, for example, a disk drive, it is determined what type of data is to be stored, distinguishing between normal data and slow data, such as audio data or text messages. Slow data is data which can be used effectively when retrieved at a relatively low storage medium speed. Slow data is further assigned to be stored at a predetermined location on the storage medium selected to avoid reliability problems due to the slower medium speed. Storing and retrieving such data at a slower medium speed from the assigned location increases drive efficiency by conserving power without compromising storage device reliability.

Claims

1. A method of storing data, there being a plurality of different types of data, on a moving storage medium having a first surface opposite a second surface and having a plurality of different predetermined traveling speeds comprising:

determining whether data to be stored is of a first type;

determining a location on the moving storage medium at which to store the data according to the determined data type, wherein the location is within a first region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined to be the first type and the location is within a second region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined not to be the first type, and wherein the first and second regions are mutually exclusive;

operating the moving storage medium at a predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type; and

storing the data at the determined location on the moving storage medium;

wherein the moving storage medium is a disk medium and the first and second regions are respectively outside and inside diameter regions of the disk medium;

wherein the first type of data comprises at least one of audio data, phonemail, a text message;

if the data is determined to be the first type, then the predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed; and

if the data is determined not to be the first type, then the predetermined traveling speed comprises a normal traveling speed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of data types are distinguished based on what minimum storage medium traveling speed can be effectively used when reading out the stored data.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said operating comprises operating the moving storage medium at a relatively low traveling speed.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said operating comprises operating the moving storage medium at a normal traveling speed.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said data comprises audio data;

and wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said data comprises phonemail;

and wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein said data comprises a text message;

and wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said data comprises video;

and wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a normal traveling speed.

9. A method of retrieving data which has been stored according to the method of storing of claim 1, comprising:

determining a type of stored data to be retrieved;

determining a location on the moving storage medium where the stored data is located;

operating the moving storage medium at a predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type; and

retrieving the stored data from the determined location on the moving storage medium.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a normal traveling speed.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein said data comprises audio data;

and wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein said data comprises phonemail

and wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein said data comprises video;

and wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a normal speed.

15. A method of retrieving data which has been stored according to a method of storing data, there being a plurality of different types of data, on a moving storage medium having a first surface opposite a second surface and having a plurality of different predetermined traveling speeds, the method of storing data comprising:

determining whether data to be stored is of a first type;

determining a location on the moving storage medium at which to store the data according to the determined data type, wherein the location is within a first region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined to be the first type and the location is within a second region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined not to be the first type, and wherein the first and second regions are mutually exclusive;

operating the moving storage medium at a predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type; and

storing the data at the determined location on the moving storage medium;

the method of retrieving data comprising;

determining a type of stored data to be retrieved;

determining a location on the moving storage medium where the stored data is located;

operating the moving storage medium at a predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type;

retrieving the stored data from the determined location on the moving storage medium;

receiving a data message while said retrieving the stored data is being performed at the relatively low speed;

determining the size of the data message;

writing the data message in memory while said retrieving of the stored data is being performed if the data message is determined to be smaller than an available memory; and

if the data message is determined to be larger than the available memory, then halting the retrieving of said stored data from the moving storage medium, increasing the traveling speed of the moving storage medium to a speed associated with the data message type, storing the data message, decreasing the traveling speed of the moving storage medium and continuing the retrieving of said stored data from the moving storage medium.

16. A direct access storage device for storing data comprising:

a recording medium having a first surface opposite a second surface and having a plurality of predetermined storage locations;

a motor having a plurality of different predetermined motor speeds to rotate the medium; and

a controller;

wherein the controller determines whether data to be stored is a first type from among a plurality of different types of data, determines a predetermined storage location for the determined data type, determines a predetermined motor speed for the determined data type, and stores the data at the predetermined storage location at the predetermined motor speed, wherein the predetermined storage location is within a first region on the first surface of the recording medium if the data is determined to be the first type and the predetermined storage location is within a second region on the first surface of the recording medium if the data is determined not to be the first type, and wherein the first and second regions are mutually exclusive;

wherein the recording medium is a disk medium and the first and second regions are respectively outside and inside diameter regions of the disk medium;

wherein the first type of data comprises at least one of audio data, phonemail, a text message;

if the data is determined to be the first type, then the predetermined motor speed comprises a relatively low motor speed; and

if the data is determined not to be the first type, then the predetermined motor speed comprises a normal motor speed.

17. The direct access storage device according to claim 16, wherein the controller further determines what type of data is to be read from a plurality of different types of data, determines a predetermined motor speed for the determined data type, determines the location on the medium where the data to be read is stored, and reads the data from the location on the medium at the predetermined motor speed.

18. The direct access storage device according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of data types are distinguished by what motor speed can be effectively used when reading the stored data.

19. The direct access storage device according to claim 18, wherein said data comprises audio data;

and wherein said predetermined motor speed comprises a relatively low motor speed.

20. The direct access storage device according to claim 18, wherein said data comprises phonemail;

and wherein said predetermined motor speed comprises a relatively low motor speed.

21. The direct access storage device according to claim 18, wherein said data comprises video data;

and wherein said predetermined motor speed comprises a normal motor speed.

22. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program product, the computer program product comprising means for causing a computer to provide a method of storing data, there being a plurality of different types of data, on a moving storage medium having a first surface opposite a second surface and having a plurality of different predetermined traveling speeds, the method including:

determining whether data to be stored is of a first type;

determining a location on the moving storage medium at which to store the data according to the determined data type, wherein the location is within a first region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined to be the first type and the location is within a second region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined not to be the first type, and wherein the first and second regions are mutually exclusive;

operating the moving storage medium at a predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type; and

storing the data at the determined location on the moving storage medium;

wherein the moving storage medium is a disk medium and the first and second regions are respectively outside and inside diameter regions of the disk medium;

wherein the first type of data comprises at least one of audio data, phonemail, a text message;

if the data is determined to be the first type, then the predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed; and

if the data is determined not to be the first type, then the predetermined traveling speed comprises a normal traveling speed.

23. An article of manufacture according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of data types are distinguished based on what minimum storage medium traveling speed can be effectively used when reading out the stored data.

24. An article of manufacture according to claim 23, wherein said data comprises audio data;

wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

25. An article of manufacture according to claim 23, wherein said data comprises phonemail;

wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

26. An article of manufacture according to claim 23 wherein said data comprises video;

wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a normal traveling speed.

27. An article of manufacture according to claim 22, further comprising means for causing a computer to provide a method of retrieving data which has been stored according to the provided method of storing, the method of retrieving including:

determining a type of stored data to be retrieved;

determining a location on the moving storage medium where the stored data to be retrieved is located;

operating the moving storage medium at the predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type; and

retrieving the stored data from the determined location on the moving storage medium.

28. An article of manufacture according to claim 27, wherein said data comprises audio data;

wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

29. An article of manufacture according to claim 27, wherein said data comprises phonemail;

wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a relatively low traveling speed.

30. An article of manufacture according to claim 27, wherein said data comprises video;

wherein said predetermined traveling speed comprises a normal traveling speed.

31. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program product, the computer program product comprising means for causing a computer to provide a method of storing data, there being a plurality of different types of data, on a moving storage medium having a first surface opposite a second surface and having a plurality of different predetermined traveling speeds, the method including:

determining whether data to be stored is of a first type;

determining a location on the moving storage medium at which to store the data according to the determined data type, wherein the location is within a first region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined to be the first type and the location is within a second region on the first surface of the moving storage medium if the data is determined not to be the first type, and wherein the first and second regions are mutually exclusive;

operating the moving storage medium at a predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type; and

storing the data at the determined location on the moving storage medium;

further comprising means for causing a computer to provide a method of retrieving data which has been stored according to the provided method of storing, the method of retrieving including;

determining a type of stored data to be retrieved;

determining a location on the moving storage medium where the stored data to be retrieved is located;

operating the moving storage medium at the predetermined traveling speed associated with the determined data type; and

retrieving the stored data from the determined location on the moving storage medium;

further comprising means for causing a computer to provide a method of interrupting the provided method of retrieving, the method of interrupting including;

receiving a data message while said retrieving the stored data is being performed at a relatively low speed;

determining the size of the data message;

writing the data message in memory while said retrieving of the stored data is being performed if the data message is determined to be smaller than an available memory; and

if the data message is determined to be larger than the available memory, then halting the retrieving of said stored data from the moving storage medium, increasing the traveling speed of the moving storage medium to a speed associated with the data message data type, storing the data message, decreasing the traveling speed of the moving storage medium and continuing the retrieving of said stored data from the moving storage medium.