Method and apparatus for detecting free fall

• US 20030128475A1
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Paul James Wehrenberg
• Inventors: Wehrenberg, Paul James
• Granted Patent: US 6,768,066 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/250
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/04 Arrangements for preventing, inhibiting, or warning against double recording on the same blank or against other recording or reproducing malfunctions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/08 by using devices external to the driving mechanisms, e.g. coin-freed switch coin actuated mechanisms G07F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 21/12 Raising and lowering; Back-spacing or forward-spacing along track; Returning to starting position otherwise than during transducing operation

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.

Claims

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.

2. A data processing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said acceleration is gravitational or inertial.

3. A data processing system as recited in claim 2, wherein said detector causes said read/write head to be stably positioned in a safe location whenever a change in acceleration is detected.

4. A data processing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said safe location is one of a parked position off to a side of said data storage medium or a secured operating position that prevents vibration from damaging said read/write head or said data storage medium.

5. A data processing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said safe location is one of a parked position off to a side of said data storage medium or a secured operating position that prevents shock from damaging said read/write head or said data storage medium.

6. A data processing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said read/write head is removed from said data storage medium and locked in a safe position.

7. An acceleration sensor, comprising:

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.

8. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 7 wherein said beam is flexible.

9. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 8 wherein said beam has any aspect ratio.

10. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 9 wherein said second end of said beam contacts said casing when said sensor is at rest.

11. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 9 wherein said second end of said beam does not contact said casing during free fall.

12. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a mass attached to said second end of said beam.

13. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 12 wherein said beam, said mass, and said casing are each electrically conductive.

14. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 13 wherein said mass contacts said casing when said sensor is at rest.

15. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 7 wherein said tubular casing is closed at both ends and filled with an inert gas or non-electrically conductive liquid.

16. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 14, further comprising:

means to couple said sensor to a substrate.

17. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 16 wherein said means is one of at least one lead or one conductive pin.

18. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 7 wherein said support material is rigid.

28. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 18 wherein said tubular casing is closed at both ends and filled with an inert gas or non-electrically conductive liquid.

19. An acceleration sensor, comprising:

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.

20. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 19 wherein said support material is flexible.

21. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 20 wherein said beam is rigid or flexible.

22. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 21 wherein said second end of said beam contacts said casing when said sensor is at rest.

23. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 21 wherein said second end of said beam does not contact said casing during free fall.

24. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 21, further comprising:

a mass attached to said second end of said beam.

25. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 24 wherein said mass contacts said casing when said sensor is at rest.

26. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 24 wherein said mass does not contact said casing when said sensor is at rest.

27. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 25 wherein said mass, said casing, and said beam are each electrically conductive.

29. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 21, further comprising:

means to couple said sensor to a substrate.

30. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 29 wherein said means is one of at least one lead or one conductive pin.

31. An acceleration detector, comprising:

an electrically insulating support material;

an electrically conductive cylindrical casing attached to said support material, said casing having an interior; and

a beam located within said casing'"'"'s interior and protruding through said support material.

32. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 31 wherein said casing said casing has oblique interior walls.

33. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 32, further comprising:

a ring of insulating material separating said beam from said oblique interior walls, and

a mass located with said interior of said casing.

34. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 33 wherein said mass, casing, and beam are electrically conductive.

35. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 34 wherein said mass is spherical and wherein said mass contacts said beam and said oblique surface when said sensor is at rest.

36. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 34 wherein said mass is spherical and wherein said mass does not contact said beam and said oblique surface during free fall.

37. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 31 wherein said cylindrical casing is closed at both ends and filled with an inert gas or non-electrically conductive liquid.

38. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 37, further comprising:

means to couple said sensor to a substrate.

39. An acceleration sensor as recited in claim 38 wherein said means is one of at least one lead or one conductive pin.

40. A method for protecting a data storage device which is operatively coupled to a read/write head, comprising:

detecting a change in acceleration, said change indicating the possibility of an impact in the immediate future; and

positioning said read/write head in a safe position upon said detecting.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said acceleration is gravitational.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein said acceleration is inertial.