Disk drive caching initial host requested data in non-volatile semiconductor memory to reduce start-up time of a host computer
First Claim
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1. A disk drive connectable to a host computer, the disk drive comprising:
- (a) a disk for storing initial host requested (IHR) data requested by the host computer during a start-up process of the host computer;
(b) a head actuated radially over the disk;
(c) a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) for caching at least part of the IHR data; and
(d) a disk controller for performing a mechanical initialization process for the disk drive and for transmitting the IHR data to the host computer during the start-up process by;
enabling the disk drive to receive a read command from the host computer before completing the mechanical initialization process;
receiving the read command from the host computer to read the IHR data;
if the IHR data is cached in the NVSM, transmitting the cached IHR data from the NVSM to the host computer; and
if the IHR data is not cached in the NVSM;
waiting for the mechanical initialization process to complete;
reading the IHR data from the disk; and
transmitting the IHR data to the host computer, wherein;
the start-up process begins in connection with an operating system boot of the host computer;
the IHR data comprises operating system boot data;
the IHR data comprises a plurality of IHR data blocks requested in a sequence by the host computer during the start-up process; and
when the sequence of IHR data blocks requested by the host computer changes, the disk controller re-allocates a block of the NVSM storing a later requested IHR data block cached in the NVSM in order to cache an earlier requested IHR data block in the NVSM.
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Abstract
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk for storing initial host requested (IHR) data requested by a host computer during a start-up process of the host computer, a head actuated radially over the disk, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) for caching at least part of the IHR data. The disk drive transmits the cached IHR data from the NVSM to the host computer during the start-up process thereby avoiding the delay associated with initializing the mechanics of the disk drive as well as conserving battery power for mobile applications.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A disk drive connectable to a host computer, the disk drive comprising:
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(a) a disk for storing initial host requested (IHR) data requested by the host computer during a start-up process of the host computer; (b) a head actuated radially over the disk; (c) a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) for caching at least part of the IHR data; and (d) a disk controller for performing a mechanical initialization process for the disk drive and for transmitting the IHR data to the host computer during the start-up process by; enabling the disk drive to receive a read command from the host computer before completing the mechanical initialization process; receiving the read command from the host computer to read the IHR data; if the IHR data is cached in the NVSM, transmitting the cached IHR data from the NVSM to the host computer; and if the IHR data is not cached in the NVSM; waiting for the mechanical initialization process to complete; reading the IHR data from the disk; and transmitting the IHR data to the host computer, wherein; the start-up process begins in connection with an operating system boot of the host computer; the IHR data comprises operating system boot data; the IHR data comprises a plurality of IHR data blocks requested in a sequence by the host computer during the start-up process; and when the sequence of IHR data blocks requested by the host computer changes, the disk controller re-allocates a block of the NVSM storing a later requested IHR data block cached in the NVSM in order to cache an earlier requested IHR data block in the NVSM. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a disk drive during a start-up process for a host computer, the disk drive comprising a disk for storing initial host requested (IHR) data requested by the host computer during the start-up process, a head actuated radially over the disk, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) for caching at least part of the IHR data, the disk drive performing a mechanical initialization process, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling the disk drive to receive a read command from the host computer before completing the mechanical initialization process; (b) receiving the read command from the host computer to read the IHR data; (c) if the IHR data is cached in the NVSM, transmitting the cached IHR data from the NVSM to the host computer; and (d) if the IHR data is not cached in the NVSM; waiting for the mechanical initialization process to complete; reading the IHR data from the disk; and transmitting the IHR data to the host computer wherein; the start-up process begins in connection with an operating system boot of the host computer; the IHR data comprises operating system boot data; the IHR data comprises a plurality of IHR data blocks requested in a sequence by the host computer during the start-up process; and when the sequence of IHR data blocks requested by the host computer changes, further comprising the step of re-allocating a block the NVSM storing the last IHR data block cached in the NVSM in order to cache an earlier requested IHR data block in the NVSM. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification