Lance W Carlson

US Patent:

6347017, Feb 12, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/222061

Inventors:

Lance Robert Carlson - Niwot CO

Assignee:

STMicroelectronics, N. V.

International Classification:

G11B 5596

US Classification:

360 7704, 360 7809

Abstract:

The invention is a servo compensation method and system for use in a disk storage system. The disk storage system experiences error that causes a head to become mis-aligned with the disk. The error comprises multiple spin-frequency harmonic run-out error and other servo position errors. During follow mode, a digital filter processes a position error signal to generate a compensation signal. The position error signal is comprised of components representative of the multiple spin-frequency harmonic run-out error and the other servo position errors. The compensation signal is comprised of components that cause the servo positioning system to compensate for the multiple spin-frequency harmonic run-out error and the other servo position errors. The digital filter also operates as an oscillator that provides an oscillating signal at multiples of the spin frequency of the disk during seek mode.

US Patent:

6459539, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Nov 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/440438

Inventors:

Lance R. Carlson - Longmont CO
Jeffrey L. Whaley - Boulder CO
Robert L. Metz - Westminster CO

Assignee:

Maxtor Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G11B 2736

US Classification:

360 31, 360 75, 360 60

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system for determining whether the flying height of a read/write head above a disk in a disk drive is within an acceptable range, in substantially real time. The system relies on variations in read signal resolution with flying height to make the determination. In one embodiment, read signal resolution is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the present flying height is in the desired range. In another embodiment, the number of peaks in a read signal that are detected (and/or not detected) by a detector is used to determine whether the head is in the proper flying height range. Because of read signal resolution effects, the number of detected peaks will decrease as the flying height of the head is increased. The system also provides for postponing a transfer of data to/from the disk when it is determined that the head is not within the acceptable range.

US Patent:

6493175, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Dec 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/220738

Inventors:

Lance R. Carlson - Niwot CO

Assignee:

STMicroelectronics N.V.

International Classification:

G11B 555

US Classification:

360 7804, 360 7704

Abstract:

A disk drive system corrects run-out errors without substantial PES transients and without significant response time. The disk drive system includes a servo compensation system coupled to a read/write head. The servo compensation system is adapted to generate a run-out correction waveform for a track in a disk. The run-out correction waveform includes one or more sinusoidal component waveforms, each of which is defined by a phase and an amplitude. The method includes measuring an amplitude and a phase of one or more sinusoidal component waveforms for a set of specified tracks in a disk. The method also includes determining a phase and an amplitude of one or more sinusoidal component waveforms for a destination track based on a measured amplitude and a measured phase of the one or more measured sinusoidal component waveforms. The sinusoidal component waveforms for the destination track are adapted to substantially correct a run-out error in the destination track. The method further includes generating a run-out correction waveform for the destination track such that the disk drive system substantially corrects the run-out error in the destination track.

US Patent:

6894854, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Apr 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/843631

Inventors:

Lance R. Carlson - Longmont CO, US
Jeffrey L. Whaley - Boulder CO, US
Robert L. Metz - Westminster CO, US

Assignee:

Maxtor Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G11B027/36
G11B021/02

US Classification:

360 31, 360 75

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system for determining whether the flying height of a read/write head above a disk in a disk drive is within an acceptable range, in substantially real time. The system relies on variations in read signal resolution with flying height to make the determination. In one embodiment, read signal resolution is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the present flying height is in the desired range. In another embodiment, the number of peaks in a read signal that are detected (and/or not detected) by a detector is used to determine whether the head is in the proper flying height range. Because of read signal resolution effects, the number of detected peaks will decrease as the flying height of the head is increased. Means are also provided for postponing a transfer of data to/from the disk when it is determined that the head is not within the acceptable range.

US Patent:

6973535, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

May 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/447544

Inventors:

Curtis H. Bruner - Longmont CO, US
Lance R. Carlson - Niwot CO, US
Jeffrey E. Mast - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Cornice, Inc. - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G06F013/12
G06F012/00

US Classification:

711112, 710 3, 710 74

Abstract:

An electromechanical data storage arrangement is interfaced with a host. The interface may include a conductor that carries read and write gate signals. Another conductor carries both a servo sync mark and an error signal. The storage arrangement includes an external serial interface connected to a host serial interface applying a device identification to a portion of serial control-related data that travels over the interface. A serial router in the storage arrangement uses the device identification to manage the control-related data between the interface and a number of serial devices and associated interfaces within the storage arrangement. The serial router is in selective data communication with each of the device serial interfaces, for using the device identification to direct a host-asserted command to a targeted device where each device is controlled by a different command set such that the system can be customized for different command sets of different devices.

US Patent:

7149891, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Mar 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/074104

Inventors:

Curtis H. Bruner - Longmont CO, US
Lance R. Carlson - Niwot CO, US
Jeffrey E. Mast - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Cornice, Inc. - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G06F 9/445
G06F 3/06
G11B 5/09
G11B 20/10

US Classification:

713100, 711112, 710 10, 717168

Abstract:

An electromechanical data storage arrangement is interfaced with a host. The interface may include a conductor that carries read and write gate signals. Another conductor carries both a servo sync mark and an error signal. The storage arrangement includes an external serial interface connected to a host serial interface applying a device identification to a portion of serial control-related data that travels over the interface. A serial router in the storage arrangement uses the device identification to manage the control-related data between the interface and a number of serial devices and associated interfaces within the storage arrangement. The serial router is in selective data communication with each of the device serial interfaces, for using the device identification to direct a host-asserted command to a targeted device where each device is controlled by a different command set such that the system can be customized for different command sets of different devices.

US Patent:

7162577, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Mar 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/073969

Inventors:

Curtis H. Bruner - Longmont CO, US
Lance R. Carlson - Niwot CO, US
Jeffrey E. Mast - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Cornice, Inc. - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G06F 12/00
G06F 13/10

US Classification:

711112, 710 74

Abstract:

An electromechanical data storage arrangement is interfaced with a host. The interface may include a conductor that carries read and write gate signals. Another conductor carries both a servo sync mark and an error signal. The storage arrangement includes an external serial interface connected to a host serial interface applying a device identification to a portion of serial control-related data that travels over the interface. A serial router in the storage arrangement uses the device identification to manage the control-related data between the interface and a number of serial devices and associated interfaces within the storage arrangement. The serial router is in selective data communication with each of the device serial interfaces, for using the device identification to direct a host-asserted command to a targeted device where each device is controlled by a different command set such that the system can be customized for different command sets of different devices.

US Patent:

7162578, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Mar 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/074105

Inventors:

Curtis H. Bruner - Longmont CO, US
Lance R. Carlson - Niwot CO, US
Jeffrey E. Mast - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Cornice, Inc. - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G06F 9/44
G06F 12/00

US Classification:

711112, 710 8, 717168

Abstract:

An electromechanical data storage arrangement is interfaced with a host. The interface may include a conductor that carries read and write gate signals. Another conductor carries both a servo sync mark and an error signal. The storage arrangement includes an external serial interface connected to a host serial interface applying a device identification to a portion of serial control-related data that travels over the interface. A serial router in the storage arrangement uses the device identification to manage the control-related data between the interface and a number of serial devices and associated interfaces within the storage arrangement. The serial router is in selective data communication with each of the device serial interfaces, for using the device identification to direct a host-asserted command to a targeted device where each device is controlled by a different command set such that the system can be customized for different command sets of different devices.