Mass storage peripheral device with operating circuitry and programs located remotely therefrom

{
  "publication_number": "US6195216B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Mass storage peripheral device with operating circuitry and programs located remotely therefrom",
  "abstract": "A mass storage peripheral device for use with a host computer has a rotating data medium with a motor arranged to rotate it. A sensor reads information from the medium, and a data preamplifier for amplifies the read information. An interface is connected between the mass storage peripheral device and the associated computer. The interface includes a data transmission path to conduct data signals from the data amplifier to a controller circuit for the peripheral device in the host computer. The mass storage peripheral device may also include a circuit path to receive motor control and drive signals from the host computer for operating the motor. The peripheral device may be adapted to receive motor control signals from a servo circuit, which is preferably located in the host computer and connected to the interface for operating the motor. A read channel circuit is connected to receive the amplified data signal, also may be located in the host computer.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A mass storage peripheral device and a host computer, said mass storage peripheral device comprising: a rotating data medium and a motor arranged to rotate said data medium and located peripheral to said host computer; a sensor for at least reading information from said medium; a data preamplifier for amplifying said information detected on said data medium; an interface circuit for connection between said mass storage peripheral device and said host computer, said interface circuit including a data transmission path to conduct data signals from said data preamplifier; and a controller circuit for said mass storage peripheral device located in said host computer wherein servo circuitry is located partially in said host computer and partially in said mass storage peripheral device, and said servo circuitry is connected to said interface circuit for operating said motor.",
    "2. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein the mass storage peripheral device is a disk drive assembly.",
    "3. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein the mass storage peripheral device is a hard disk drive assembly.",
    "4. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein the mass storage peripheral device is a CD-ROM disk drive assembly.",
    "5. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein the mass storage peripheral device is a DVD disk drive assembly.",
    "6. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein the mass storage peripheral device is a floppy disk drive assembly.",
    "7. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein the mass storage peripheral device is a high capacity floppy disk drive assembly.",
    "8. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein the mass storage peripheral device is a miniature storage device.",
    "9. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 wherein said mass storage peripheral device further comprises a positioning mechanism for positioning said sensor, and wherein said host computer further comprises a circuit located in said host computer and connected to said interface circuit for operating said positioning mechanism.",
    "10. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 1 further comprising a read channel circuitry connected to receive said amplified data signal.",
    "11. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 10 wherein said read channel circuitry is contained in said host computer.",
    "12. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 10 wherein said read channel circuitry is contained in said mass storage peripheral device.",
    "13. The mass storage peripheral device of claim 10 wherein said read channel circuitry is partially contained in said host computer and partially contained in said mass storage peripheral device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThis invention relates to improvements in mass storage peripheral devices, and more particularly to improvements in mass storage peripheral devices for association with a computer architecture to enable operating circuitry and programs of the peripheral device to be located remotely from the device.\n\n2. Relevant Background\n\nMass storage peripheral devices have played a large part in the development of modern computers. Typical mass storage devices include hard and floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD devices, and the like.\n\nA typical mass storage peripheral device that may be associated with a computer has various electronic circuits for the operation of the device that are configured so that the device may be used as universally as possible with various processor or computer configurations. Typically, for example, a mass storage peripheral device is constructed with a spinning data medium on which data is at least read, and often times to which data may be written. Such devices also generally include a motor for spinning the medium, and one or more head devices that are movable to selectable locations on the medium to read and record data from the medium. Associated electronic circuitry is often provided on a printed circuit board that is provided in an assembly with the spinning medium to control the rotation of the motor and the selective positioning of the heads.\n\nParticular electronic circuits that may be provided with any particular mass storage device may vary depending upon the type and kind of peripheral device considered.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 3/0607",
    "G06F 13/00",
    "G06F 3/0658",
    "G06F 3/0689",
    "G11B 19/02"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 3/06",
    "G11B 19/02",
    "G11B 20/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Texas Instruments Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Curtis H. Bruner",
    "Tracy D. Harmer"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1998-03-09",
  "publication_date": "2001-02-27",
  "grant_date": "2001-02-27",
  "priority_date": "1998-03-09",
  "application_number": "US-3756598-A",
  "family_id": "21895029",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
  "citations": [
    "US3801969A",
    "US4651238A",
    "US4649474A",
    "US4745524A",
    "US5075805A",
    "US5884093A",
    "US5909334A",
    "US6061751A"
  ]
}