Dynamic information storage or retrieval – With particular cabinet structure – Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc
Patent
1994-10-03
1996-08-20
Hindi, Nabil Z.
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
With particular cabinet structure
Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc
369291, 360133, G11B 2303
Patent
active
055485715
ABSTRACT:
A protective frame for a data storage disk (e.g., an optical, magneto-optical or magnetic disk) is provided with manufacturer and user information for controlling the operation of a disk drive. The manufacturer information is generally non-alterable by the disk user and may, for example, identify the orientation of the disk in the frame (e.g., side "A" is facing upwards) and the disk's storage capacity (e.g., the recordable number of megabytes or gigabytes). The user information, on the other hand, is alterable by the user and may, for example, indicate the "writeability" of a particular side of the disk, i.e., whether or not such side is write-protected. According to a preferred embodiment, the manufacturer and user information are collectively defined by a predetermined pattern of holes formed in the disk frame. The hole pattern is aligned with a path taken by the frame (and its associated disk) in entering the disk drive housing for utilization. Preferably, this hole pattern is scanned as the disk frame enters the disk drive, and the information it represents is acted upon even before the disk is positioned for rotation. Preferably, the disk drive includes a drive mechanism for engaging and advancing a disk frame into the disk drive at a predetermined speed. A light source located at a fixed location along the path of the disk frame operates to scan illuminate the hole pattern as the frame enters the disk drive, and a photodetector senses the hole pattern as the frame advances past the light source. A suitably programmed microcontroller responds to the photodetector output to cause the disk drive to operate in accordance with the manufacturer and user information represented by the hole pattern in the frame.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4773058 (1988-09-01), Petruchik et al.
patent: 4817071 (1989-03-01), Carlson et al.
patent: 4819114 (1989-04-01), Bernitt et al.
patent: 4945530 (1990-07-01), Sandell et al.
patent: 4995029 (1991-02-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5091815 (1992-02-01), Suzuki
patent: 5091901 (1992-02-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5173816 (1992-12-01), Ogihara
patent: 5272693 (1993-12-01), Fujisawa
patent: 5325243 (1994-06-01), Rath et al.
Eastman Kodak Company
Hindi Nabil Z.
Owens Raymond L.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for identifying data storage disks does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for identifying data storage disks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for identifying data storage disks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2335878