Hard Disk Drive Priority Standby Command for Mobile Shock Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computers are vulnerable to operational shock, which can cause hard disk drive failure due to the read/write head contacting the spinning platter, and existing active protection systems do not react quickly enough to prevent damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that issue a priority standby command to the hard disk drive upon activation of a user-defined activation device, such as closing the lid of a laptop, causing the read/write head to park and the platters to cease spinning, thereby preventing operational shock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard standby command is issued to the hard disk drive, then the hard disk drive enters standby mode, but it takes between five and sixty seconds or more to complete the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by issuing a standby command in advance before the operational shock event occurs. When the activation device detects a potential drop or shock condition, the system proactively commands the hard disk drive to enter standby mode before the actual shock happens, allowing the read/write head to park and platters to stop spinning in anticipation of the harmful event. This pre-action approach eliminates the time delay problem by starting the protection sequence as early as the risk is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the skipping principle by using a priority standby command that interrupts normal operation and forces an immediate transition to standby mode. The priority command bypasses standard processing delays and rushes the hard disk drive through the standby entry process as quickly as possible, reducing the transition time from tens of seconds to under five seconds, thereby skipping the lengthy normal standby sequence.
2Ease of operation
If the user sets the lid closure to do nothing mode to enable quick computer pickup, then the computer can be picked up immediately, but the hard disk drive continues to operate and becomes vulnerable to operational shock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the activation device to automatically detect potential shock conditions and trigger the priority standby command without requiring user intervention. The system monitors conditions such as sudden lid closure or acceleration changes and autonomously protects the hard disk drive by entering standby mode, allowing the computer to be picked up immediately while the drive is protected, thus resolving the conflict between ease of operation and protection.
3Reliability
If an active protection system with motion sensor is used to detect drops, then protection can be provided, but the system does not react quickly enough to sudden unexpected jarring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an activation device that detects potential shock conditions earlier than traditional motion sensors. This activation device monitors precursor conditions such as lid closure events or acceleration changes and triggers the protection sequence before the actual shock occurs, providing an intermediate warning period that allows the priority standby command to execute and protect the hard disk drive before the harmful event fully manifests.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for preventing operational shock to a hard disk drive of a mobile computer. An exemplary method includes, responsive to activation by a user of an activation device associated with the mobile computer, changing a state of the activation device. The exemplary method also includes, responsive to the change of state of the activation device, issuing a priority standby command to the hard disk drive.