Removable media storage system with memory for storing operational data

• US 7,006,318 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Hansen, John P., Stence, Ronald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): TZENG, FRED
• Application Number:
  US10/231,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20040042112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 360/69, 360/78.04, 711/4, 711/102, 711/103, 711/156
• US Class Current: 360/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0611 in relation to response time
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0656 Data buffering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10 Digital recording or reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/012 Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic disks G11B17/00, G11B19/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence

Abstract

A removable media data storage system with a memory for storing operational data regarding a removable media. In some examples, the operational data stored includes utilization data and/or system data. In some embodiments, the operational data is stored in a non-volatile IC based memory such as e.g. MRAM. In some examples, the memory can store multiple sets of operational data with one set for each removable media that has been inserted into the data storage system. The data system may include a processor operably coupled to the memory, wherein the memory and processor are located on a circuit board in the data system housing.

Claims

1. A removable media storage system comprising:

access circuitry for reading user data from a removable media when the removable media is coupled to the removable media storage system;

a non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory, the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory is configured to store operational data associated with the removable media that has been coupled to the removable media storage system;

wherein the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory is configured to store operational data associated with a plurality of removable media;

wherein the operational data further comprises at least one of a master list, a list of defective sectors associated with the plurality of removable media and a list of unused storage sectors associated with the plurality of removable media;

wherein the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory includes a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) having a programming voltage that has a magnitude of no greater than 5.5 volts.

2. The removable media storage system of claim 1 wherein operational data further includes system data.

3. The removable media storage system of claim 1 wherein the operational data further includes utilization data.

4. The removable media storage system of claim 3 wherein the utilization data further comprises information describing one or more storage locations in the removable media where accesses have occurred.

5. The removable media storage system of claim 3 wherein the utilization data further includes a last accessed location on the removable media.

6. The removable media storage system of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory is configured to store a unique identifier for identifying each of the plurality of removable media.

7. The removable media storage system of claim 1 wherein the operational data further comprises at least one of how many times each of the plurality of removable media has been accessed.

8. A removable media storage system comprising:

access circuitry for reading user data from a removable media when the removable media is coupled to the removable media storage system;

a non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory, the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory is configured to store operational data associated with the removable media that has been coupled to the removable media storage system;

wherein the operational data further includes utilization data;

wherein the utilization data further includes information describing a number of times the removable media is accessed by the removable media storage system;

wherein the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory is configured to store operational data associated with a plurality of removable media;

wherein the operational data further comprises at least one of a master list, a list of defective sectors associated with the plurality of removable media and a list of unused storage sectors associated with the plurality of removable media;

wherein the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory includes a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) having a programming voltage that has a magnitude of no greater than 5.5 volts.

9. A method of storing information in a removable media storage system comprising:

reading user data from a removable media where the removable media is coupled to the removable media storage system;

storing operational data associated with the removable media in a non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory of to removable media storage system;

coupling the removable media to the removable media storage system;

prior to reading the user data from the removable media, determining whether a media identification number stored in the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory matches an identifier associated with the removable media; and

if there is no match, determining if there is available space to store operational data of the removable media in the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory and writing the operational data in the available space, and if there is not sufficient space, using a predetermined method to select operational data of the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory of a previously coupled removable media for overwriting with the operational data of the removable media.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

maintaining the operational data in the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory for subsequent use after power to the removable media storage system is removed.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

maintaining the operational data in the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory for subsequent use after the removable media is removed from the removable media storage system.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory includes a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM).

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising programming the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory with a programming voltage that is no greater than 5.5 volts.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the operational data includes:

utilization data that provides operating details associated with accessing a removable media to obtain user data.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein operational data includes a last accessed location on the removable media.

16. A removable media storage system comprising:

removable media access circuitry, the removable media access circuitry configured to read user information from a removable media when the removable media is coupled to the removable media storage system for accessing user data on the removable media;

a non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory, the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory storing operational data associated with a removable media that has been coupled to the system;

wherein the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory is configured to store operational data associated with a plurality of removable media;

wherein the operational data further comprises at least one of how many times each of the plurality of removable media has been accessed;

wherein the non-volatile integrated circuit-based memory is a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) that stores a media identification number for potential matching with an identifier associated with the removable media;

wherein the magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) has a programming voltage that has a magnitude of no greater than 5.5 volts.