KR100604931B1 - Method for checking quality of information storage device and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for checking quality of information storage means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for checking the quality of an information storage means including an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing recorded information, the method comprising: a servo pattern for a write operation following a track of a storage medium. Write a specific data pattern to the storage medium to verify the data area of the storage medium while checking the quality of the data, and follow the tracks of the storage medium to check the quality of the servo pattern for the read operation. By inspecting defects, it is possible to reduce the time required for inspection by allowing inspection processes that have been performed separately in the same process, and to perform servo pattern inspection without actual data being written. Can be run in a recorded environment, increasing the reliability of the scan, and consequently Is to improve the quality of the information storage means.

Description

Method for checking quality of information storage device and apparatus

FIG. 1 briefly illustrates a flow of processes conventionally used to inspect the quality of a servo pattern and a data region among various processes until an information storage means such as a hard disk drive is made.

2 illustrates a flow of inspecting a servo pattern for a write operation in a process of inspecting a quality of a conventional servo pattern.

3 illustrates a flow of inspecting a servo pattern for a read operation in a process of inspecting a quality of a conventional servo pattern.

4 shows a flow of filling data to check the quality of a data area in which conventional information is recorded.

Fig. 5 shows a process of inspecting the filled data in order to check the quality of the data area where information is recorded conventionally.

Figure 6 shows a flow of an example of a method for checking the quality of information storage means in accordance with the present invention.

7 shows in block form an example of the configuration of an apparatus for checking the quality of the information storage means according to the present invention.

8 illustrates an example of a flow of a process of writing a specific data pattern for data area verification while checking the quality of a servo pattern for a write operation according to the present invention.

9 illustrates an example of a flow of a process of inspecting a defect of a data region while simultaneously inspecting a servo pattern for a read operation according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inspecting the quality of recordable information storage means such as a hard disk drive.

A method of checking the quality of a servo pattern recorded on a disk in a hard disk drive. Until now, a read or write operation is excluded from a target track without excluding a read (read) or write operation under actual conditions. The quality of the servo pattern was determined by analyzing the phenomena occurring while performing only track following.

However, only tracking for reading or writing does not take into account the actual read or write operation that occurs after the tracking, so checking the quality of the servo pattern under these conditions may occur during actual reading or writing. The problem is not enough checking.

In order to write data to or read data from the hard disk drive, there is a process of searching for a target track and following the process of staying on the track after the search. Once searched and followed, basic conditions are met to read data written to the disc or write new data to the disc.

However, in order to search and follow the target track, the quality of the servo pattern recorded for each track must be secured to a certain level or more. Checking the quality of the servo pattern is one of the basic and important processes in the hard disk drive, because if the quality of the servo pattern is not good, even the operation of going to the target track before reading or recording data on the disk cannot be performed.

The hard disk goes through a variety of processes until it is a finished product, and the process of checking the quality of the servo pattern or the recorded data in the track is one of the essential steps.

There are a large number of tracks on the disc, and the servo patterns are basically recorded on each track, and data is recorded based on this. Conventionally, a process of inspecting a servo pattern in a track and a process of inspecting an area in which data is recorded have existed separately. As described above, there are a number of processes for checking the quality of the hard disk drive. As a result, the process time is increased, and there is a problem in that reliability is also deteriorated in terms of the test result for the track quality as described above.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention, to solve the above problems, proposes a method for checking the quality of the servo pattern under the actual read or write conditions, the process that existed separately, that is, the servo pattern in the track The present invention provides a method and apparatus for checking the quality of information storage means such as a hard disk drive so as to shorten the process time by merging the processes for inspecting a process and inspecting a region in which data is recorded.

According to the present invention for solving the above technical problem, a method for checking the quality of the information storage means, a method for checking the quality of the information storage means including an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing the recorded information A method comprising: (a) writing a specific data pattern to a storage medium for verifying a data area of the storage medium while checking a quality of a servo pattern for a write operation by following a track of the storage medium; And (b) inspecting the written data pattern and inspecting the defect of the data area while following the track of the storage medium to check the quality of the servo pattern for the read operation.

At this time, the step (a), (a1) setting the state of the storage means to the write mode; (a2) searching for and following a target track of the storage medium under test; (a3) writing a specific data pattern for a predetermined number of revolutions on the track to be searched and subjected to the test; (a4) If an error does not occur in the process of step (a3), the target track value is immediately increased. If an error occurs, the current track or servo sectors are registered as servo defects and the target track value is increased. step; And (a5) continuing the steps (a1) to (a4) with respect to the increased target track value and executing the inspection as many as the target track number.

In addition, the step (b), (b1) setting the state of the storage means to the read mode; (b2) searching for and following a target track of the storage medium under test; (b3) registering an existing track or servo sectors as a servo defect and increasing a target track value when an error occurs while following the searched track; (b4) If no error occurs in the following track, read the data pattern written in step (a) to the searched track, and if there is no error in the value written in step (a), immediately increase the target track value, and If present, registering the current track or data sectors as a data defect and incrementing the target track; And (b5) continuing the steps (a1) to (a4) with respect to the increased target track value and executing the inspection for the target number of tracks.

In the case of (a) or (b), if there is only one head that records or reads data in the storage medium, it is preferable to perform the inspection to the last track or the desired track of the storage medium and proceed to the next step. Do.

In the step (a) or step (b), if there are a plurality of heads for recording or reading data on the storage medium, an inspection is performed until the last track or a desired track approaching the last head of the storage medium. It is preferable to proceed to.

According to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned other technical problem, the quality inspection apparatus of the information storage means is for inspecting the quality of the information storage means including an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing the recorded information. An apparatus, comprising: a write check / recorder for writing a specific data pattern to a storage medium for verifying a data area of the storage medium while performing a quality check of a servo pattern for a write operation by following a track of the storage medium; And a read check / check unit for checking the quality of the servo pattern for a read operation by following the tracks of the storage medium, and checking the defect of the data area by checking the data pattern written by the write check / recorder. It is characterized by.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 briefly illustrates a flow of processes conventionally used to inspect the quality of a servo pattern and a data region among various processes until an information storage means such as a hard disk drive is made.

The preprocessing for the quality check is performed (step 100), the quality of the servo pattern for the writing operation is checked (step 110), and the quality of the servo pattern for the reading operation is checked (step 120). After checking the quality of the servo pattern, the controller checks whether there is a defect in the data area and writes a specific data pattern to the hard disk drive to verify the data area (step 130). In operation 140, the defect is detected in the data area using the data pattern. Then, processing after the quality inspection is finished (step 150).

A is the point where step 100 ends and step 110 begins, B is the point where step 110 ends and step 120 begins, and C is the point where step 120 ends and step 130 begins. , D denotes the point where step 130 ends and step 140 begins.

In order to check the quality of the servo pattern and the data area of the hard disk drive, the steps of checking the quality of the servo pattern as shown in FIG. 1 (step 110 and 110) and the step of checking the quality of the data area 120 And step 130). The problem with this has already been described above.

2 illustrates a flow of inspecting a servo pattern for a write operation in a process of inspecting a quality of a conventional servo pattern. FIG. 2 is a detailed flowchart of step 110 of FIG. 1. In the following description, a hard disk drive (HDD) is used as the information storage means.

The servo pattern check for the write operation is started (step 200). The HDD is set to the write mode (step 210), the track to be pattern-tested among the tracks of the media on which data is recorded in the HDD is set as the target track and the track is searched (step 220), and the media is n times During the rotation, the track is followed to track whether an error has occurred (step 230).

It is determined whether an error has occurred (step 240), and if an error has occurred, the track and a specific servo sector in the track are registered as a defect, that is, a low quality point, for the servo pattern of writing (step 250). Then, the track value is increased (step 260).

If the error does not occur in step 240, the track is finished and the track value is immediately increased (step 260). Since the number of tracks of the HDD is predetermined, the increased target track value is determined (step 270). If the target track value is less than or equal to the maximum track value, repeat steps 210 through 260 to check all tracks. If the target track value is greater than the maximum track value, all tracks are checked. Proceed to step.

3 illustrates a flow of inspecting a servo pattern for a read operation in a process of inspecting a quality of a conventional servo pattern. 3 is a detailed flowchart of step 120 of FIG.

The servo pattern check for the read operation is started (step 300). The HDD is set to the read mode (step 310), the track to be pattern-tested among the tracks of the media on which data is recorded in the HDD is set as the target track, and the track is searched (step 320), and the media is n times During the rotation, the track is followed to track whether an error has occurred (step 330).

It is determined whether an error has occurred (step 340), and if an error has occurred, the track and a specific servo sector in the track are registered as a defect point for the read servo pattern (step 350). Then, the track value is increased (step 360).

If the error does not occur in step 340, the track is finished and the track value is immediately increased (step 360). If the inspection is completed for all tracks (step 370) of the HDD through this process, the process proceeds to step C (130).

Step 110 (or the process of FIG. 2) and 120 (or the process of FIG. 3) have already been described above, but since the quality check is performed on the servo pattern without writing or reading the actual data, It has the disadvantage of not being tested.

4 shows a flow of filling data to check the quality of a data area in which conventional information is recorded. 4 is a detailed flowchart of step 130 of FIG. 1.

When the process of filling a specific data pattern for data area verification is started (step 400), the HDD is set to a write mode (step 410). The target track is searched (step 420), and a predetermined pattern of data patterns is written to the track for a predetermined time or while the media of the HDD is rotated n times (step 430).

The target track value is increased (step 440), and it is determined whether the target track value is the maximum track value (step 450). When data patterns are recorded for all tracks, the process proceeds to point D or 140.

Fig. 5 shows a process of inspecting the filled data in order to check the quality of the data area where information is recorded conventionally. 5 is a detailed flowchart of step 140 of FIG. 1.

The defect check of the data area of the HDD media is started (step 500). The HDD is set to the read mode (step 510), the target track is searched (step 520), and the data pattern written on the track is read (step 530) through the process as shown in FIG. As a result, it is determined whether an error has occurred (step 540). If an error has occurred, the track is in a defective state because it is an area in which written data cannot be properly stored. Therefore, the track or data sector is registered as the data defect area (step 550), and the target track is incremented to check the next track (step 560). If no error occurs in step 540, the target track is immediately increased (step 560), and steps 510 to 560 are repeated until the target track value reaches the track maximum value (step 570). This checks for defects on all tracks in the HDD's data area.

As described above, the HDD quality inspection process can be seen that there are problems in that the inspection processes having a similar process to those in which the reliability is inferior due to the inspection without the actual data are applied at different time points to increase the overall inspection time.

The present invention will be described in order to solve this problem.

Figure 6 shows a flow of an example of a method for checking the quality of information storage means in accordance with the present invention.

This method involves checking the quality of an information storage means such as an HDD including an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing the recorded information. The method starts with a preprocessing for quality inspection (step 600). After the quality inspection is finished, the process is terminated (step 630). Steps 600 and 630 are substantially the same as steps 100 and 150 of FIG. 1, respectively.

Pre-processing and following the tracks of the storage medium of the HDD to check the quality of the servo pattern for the write operation, and writing a specific data pattern to the storage medium for data area verification of the storage medium (step 610). Following the track, the quality of the servo pattern for the read operation is checked while the written data pattern is checked to check the defect of the data area (step 620).

A 'indicates the point at which step 600 ends and the step 610 according to the present invention begins, and B' indicates the point at which step 610 ends and the step 620 according to the present invention starts.

7 shows in block form an example of the configuration of an apparatus for checking the quality of the information storage means according to the present invention. The apparatus for checking the quality of information storage means such as an HDD including an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing recorded information, is an HDD storage medium for a HDD that has been processed by the preprocessor 700. A write check / recorder 710 for writing a specific data pattern to a storage medium for verifying the data area of the storage medium and following the tracks of the storage medium while following the tracks of the servo pattern for quality checking of the write operation. And a read check / check section 720 that checks the defect of the data area while checking the quality of the servo pattern for operation and by checking the data pattern written by the write check / record section 720. The HDD which has been inspected by the read inspection / inspection unit 720 is post-processed by the post processing unit 730.

8 illustrates an example of a flow of a process of writing a specific data pattern for data area verification while checking the quality of a servo pattern for a write operation according to the present invention. This is a detailed example of step 610.

The servo pattern check for the write operation and the filling of a specific data pattern for data area verification are started (step 800). Although described below, in the conventional case, two separate processes are executed separately. In the present invention, the two inspection processes are treated as one process.

The HDD is set to the write mode (step 810), the track to be pattern-tested among the tracks of the media on which data is recorded in the HDD is set as the target track and the track is searched (step 820). During a predetermined time or while the media is rotated n times, a specific pattern of data having a predetermined format is recorded on the track (step 830). At this time, the specific pattern may have various forms, and the present invention does not limit the pattern to any particular shape.

At this time, whether or not a tracking error has occurred for the track during n revolutions is continuously observed (step 840). If an error occurs, the track or servo sectors are registered as a servo defect (step 850) and the target track value is increased (step 860). If the error does not occur in step 840, the track is not abnormal. If there is no error, the target track value is immediately increased (step 860).

The increased target track value is compared with the maximum track value of the HDD (step 870), and if the target track value is less than or equal to the track maximum value, steps 810 to 860 are repeated to check all tracks. If the target track value is larger than the maximum value of the track, all the tracks have been inspected, and therefore, the process proceeds to step B '620.

If there is only one head for recording data or reading data in a media which is a storage medium of the HDD, the inspection is performed to the last track of the storage medium and the process proceeds to the next step.

However, if there are a plurality of heads, in step 870, it is determined whether the target track value has increased to the last track approached by the last head of the HDD.

Conventionally, after searching and following the target track, it is checked whether there is an error without an actual write operation. In the case of FIG. 8 improved according to the present invention, an actual user checks whether an error occurs while actually writing a predetermined data pattern on a disc. It can be seen that the quality test for the servo pattern is performed under the same conditions as the environment using the HDD.

9 illustrates an example of a flow of a process of inspecting a defect of a data region while simultaneously inspecting a servo pattern for a read operation according to the present invention. This is a detailed example of step 620.

The defect check is started for the servo pattern check and the data area verification for the read operation (step 900). Although described below, in the conventional case, these are two processes that are separated and executed separately. In the present invention, the two inspection processes are treated as one process.

The HDD is set to the read mode (step 910), the track to be pattern-tested among the tracks of the media on which data is recorded in the HDD is set as the target track, and the track is searched and followed (step 920), so that an error has occurred. Inspect (step 930).

If an error has occurred, the track and specific servo sectors within the track are registered as a defect point for the servo pattern of reading (step 940). The target track value is increased (step 950). If no error occurred in step 940, the servo defect check on the track is finished, and there is no servo defect.

In step 610 or step 830, the data pattern written to the track is read (step 960). Since the written data is a known value, it is compared with the result of reading the value to determine whether an error has occurred in the track (step 970). If an error occurs, the track is an area that does not properly preserve the written data. It is in a state of effect. Therefore, the track and data sector are registered as the data defect area (step 980), and the target track is incremented to check the next track (step 950). If no unchecked sectors remain in the target track at this time, after all of the sectors are checked, the process proceeds to the next track.

If no error occurs in step 970, the target track is immediately increased (step 950), and steps 910 to 950 are repeated until the target track value becomes the track maximum value (step 990). This checks for defects on all tracks in the HDD's data area.

As in the case of Fig. 8, when there is only one head for recording data or reading data in the media which is the storage medium of the HDD, the test is performed to the last track of the storage medium and the post processing step (630) is performed. . However, if there are a plurality of heads, in step 970, it is determined whether the target track value has increased to the last track approached by the last head of the HDD, and then all the tracks of the HDD are inspected, and the next step is a post-processing step (630). Do it.

Through the above process, it can be seen that the quality is checked in both cases of searching and following the data recorded in step 610 and actually reading the data after the following.

Conventionally, after searching and following a target track, it is checked whether there is an error of a servo pattern for a read operation in the absence of actual data. In the case of FIG. 9 improved according to the present invention, a predetermined data pattern is actually recorded on a disc. In this state, it is possible to check whether the error occurs in the servo area and the data area at once and the inspection time is shortened, and it can be seen that the quality test for the servo pattern is performed under the same conditions as the environment where the actual user uses the HDD.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Examples included in the above description are introduced for the understanding of the present invention, and these examples do not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various embodiments in accordance with the present invention in addition to the above examples are possible. The scope of the present invention is shown not in the above description but in the claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

In addition, it can be easily understood by those skilled in the art that each of the above steps according to the present invention can be variously implemented in software or hardware using a general programming technique.

And some steps of the invention may also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for checking the quality of an information storage means including an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing recorded information, the method comprising: a servo pattern for a write operation following a track of a storage medium. Write a specific data pattern to the storage medium to verify the data area of the storage medium while checking the quality of the data, and follow the tracks of the storage medium to check the quality of the servo pattern for the read operation. By inspecting defects, it is possible to reduce the time required for inspection by allowing inspection processes that have been performed separately in the same process, and to perform servo pattern inspection without actual data being written. Can be run in a recorded environment, increasing the reliability of the scan, and consequently Is to improve the quality of the information storage means.

Claims (6)

A method for inspecting the quality of information storage means comprising an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing recorded information, the method comprising: (a) writing a specific data pattern to a storage medium for verifying a data area of the storage medium while checking the quality of a servo pattern for a write operation by following a track of the storage medium; And (b) inspecting the defect of the data area by inspecting the written data pattern while checking the quality of the servo pattern for the read operation by following the track of the storage medium. Quality checking method. According to claim 1, wherein the step (a), (a1) setting a state of the storage means to a write mode; (a2) searching for and following a target track of the storage medium under test; (a3) writing a specific data pattern for a predetermined number of revolutions on the track to be searched and subjected to the test; (a4) If an error does not occur in the process of step (a3), the target track value is immediately increased. If an error occurs, the current track or servo sectors are registered as servo defects and the target track value is increased. step; And (a5) continuing the steps (a1) to (a4) for the increased target track value, and executing the inspection for the target number of tracks. According to claim 1, wherein step (b), (b1) setting the state of the storage means to a read mode; (b2) searching for and following a target track of the storage medium under test; (b3) registering an existing track or servo sectors as a servo defect and increasing a target track value when an error occurs while following the searched track; (b4) If no error occurs in the following track, read the data pattern written in step (a) to the searched track, and if there is no error in the value written in step (a), immediately increase the target track value, and If present, registering the current track or data sectors as a data defect and incrementing the target track; And (b5) continuing the steps (b1) to (b4) with respect to the increased target track value and executing as many inspections as the number of target tracks. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Step (a) or step (b) is characterized in that if the head for recording or reading data in the storage medium is one head, the inspection is performed to the last track or the desired track of the storage medium and then proceeds to the next step. Quality inspection method of information storage means. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Step (a) or step (b) performs the inspection up to the last track or the desired track accessed to the last head of the storage medium when there are a plurality of heads for writing data to or reading data from the storage medium. Quality inspection method of the information storage means, characterized in that proceeding to. An apparatus for inspecting the quality of information storage means including an information storage medium capable of recording, storing or removing recorded information. A write check / recorder which tracks tracks of the storage medium and writes a specific data pattern on the storage medium for verifying a data area of the storage medium while checking the quality of the servo pattern for a write operation; And And a read check / check unit for checking the quality of the servo pattern for the read operation by following the track of the storage medium and checking the data pattern written by the write check / recorder to check the defect of the data area. A quality inspection device for information storage means.

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