Controlling operation of a memory device

• US 7,995,978 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Hannula, Teemu, Leinonen, Marko
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; CongVan
• Application Number:
  US11/666,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20080043361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,477 Days
• Field of Search: 455/407, 455/412.1, 455/414.1, 455/182.1, 455/183.2, 455/184.1, 455/185.1, 455/186.1, 455/187.1, 455/67.11, 455/67.7, 455/514, 455/550.1
• US Class Current: 455/186.1
• 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, comprising:

receiving activity information used to indicate whether at least one electromagnetic field external to a memory device is active or above a predetermined power level;

controlling storing data to and reading data from the memory device based on the activity information, wherein the 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; and

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.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the 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. The method according to claim 2, wherein the 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. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving the activity information comprises receiving information on transmission or reception of radio frequency signals.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the 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 controlling comprises controlling reading/writing head positioning of a memory device provided in the communication device.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the 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. The method according to claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises creating a compensation for the external electromagnetic field.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the creating the compensation comprises creating the compensation by means of a counter force applied to reading/writing head positioning control.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the receiving the activity information comprises obtaining the activity information from a look-up table and the creating the compensation comprises creating the counter force by means of the look-up table.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the creating the compensation comprises creating the compensation by changing control values of a reading/writing head positioning system.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the receiving the activity information comprises obtaining the activity information from a look-up table and the creating the compensation comprises changing the control values by means of the look-up table.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the 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.

13. A computer program comprising program code means for performing the method according to claim 1 when the program is run on a computing means.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory device configured to operate in a communication device relating to an electromagnetic field external to the memory device,

wherein the apparatus is configured to control the storing data to and reading data from the memory device based on activity information used to indicate whether at least one electromagnetic field external to the memory device is active or above a predetermined power level,

wherein the apparatus is further 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, and

wherein the apparatus is further configured to store data temporarily in electrical memory means and transfer 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.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, comprising a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device or a magneto-optical memory device.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, comprising a hard disk, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a minidisk, a subscriber identity module or a multimedia memory card.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, 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.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, the external electromagnetic field being created by cellular activity.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, the cellular activity comprising activity of a mobile communication system.

20. The apparatus according to claim 14, the external electromagnetic field being created by non-cellular activity.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, the non-cellular activity comprising activity of a Bluetooth system, a wireless local area network or a global positioning system.

22. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus is 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.

23. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus is 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.

24. A communication device comprising an apparatus according to claim 14.

25. A communication device, comprising:

a memory device and electrical memory configured to store data temporarily, the communication device relating to an electromagnetic field external to the memory device,

wherein the communication device is configured to store data to and read data from the memory device configured to be controlled based on activity information used to indicate whether at least one electromagnetic field external to the memory device is active or above a predetermined power level,

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, and

wherein the electrical memory is further configured 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.

26. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein the memory device is a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device or a magneto-optical memory device.

27. The communication device according to claim 26, 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.

28. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein the activity information comprises information on transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals.

29. The communication device according to claim 28, 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.

30. The communication device according to claim 25, 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.

31. The communication device according to claim 30, 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.

32. The communication device according to claim 25, 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.