Method and apparatus for detecting free fall
First Claim
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1. A data processing system, comprising:
- a data storage device having data stored on a data storage medium;
a read/write head operatively coupled with said data storage medium; and
an acceleration detector coupled to said read/write head, said detector detecting a change in an acceleration of said data processing system, wherein said detector includes a switch member having a first position and a second position and wherein the switch member is switched from the first position to the second position when the change in the acceleration is detected.
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Abstract
A data processing system including a data storage device having data stored on a data storage medium. Within said data processing system, a system electronics is operatively coupled to a sensor and to said data storage device. When the sensor senses a change in gravitational or inertial acceleration of said data processing system, it alerts system electronics to temporarily park a read/write head in a safe position.
114 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A data processing system, comprising:
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a data storage device having data stored on a data storage medium;
a read/write head operatively coupled with said data storage medium; and
an acceleration detector coupled to said read/write head, said detector detecting a change in an acceleration of said data processing system, wherein said detector includes a switch member having a first position and a second position and wherein the switch member is switched from the first position to the second position when the change in the acceleration is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
a non-electrically conductive support material;
an electrically conductive tubular casing coupled to said support material; and
a beam having a first end and a second end, said first end supported by said support material.
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9. The data processing system as recited in claim 8, wherein the second end of the beam contacts the casing when the switch member is in the first position and wherein the second end of the beam does not contact the casing when the switch member is in the second position.
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10. A method for protecting a data storage device which is operatively coupled to a read/write head, comprising:
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detecting a change in acceleration, said change being detected through a switch member having a first position and a second position, wherein said change causes the switch member to switch from the first position to the second position; and
positioning said read/write head in a safe position upon said detecting. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
a non-electrically conductive support material;
an electrically conductive tubular casing coupled to said support material; and
a beam having a first end and a second end, said first end supported by said support material.
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15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the second end of the beam contacts the casing when the switch member is in the first position and wherein the second end of the beam does not contact the casing when the switch member is in the second position.
Specification