Monty Aaron Forehand

US Patent:

6342802, Jan 29, 2002

Filed:

May 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/575970

Inventors:

Monty Aaron Forehand - Yukon OK

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

H03K 302

US Classification:

327198, 327143

Abstract:

An integrated circuit for particular use in a disc drive has a core logic module connected to a core voltage, an input/output buffer module connected to an input/output voltage and having input/output buffer control lines connected to the core logic module, and a mode switch input on the I/O buffer module that is operable to prevent output operation of the I/O buffer module whenever core voltage is below a safe operating level. One embodiment has the core logic module determining when the safe operating level is met and providing an appropriate signal to the I/O buffer. Another embodiment has a separate level detect module operably connected to the core voltage and the input/output voltage determining when the safe operating level is met, and having an output connected to the mode switch input on the I/O buffer module.

US Patent:

6516426, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Jun 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/333315

Inventors:

Monty A. Forehand - Yukon OK
Mark A. Heath - Oklahoma City OK

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 24, 711113

Abstract:

A disc storage system having a host computer interface adapted to coupled to a host computer, a disc storage medium having a disc surface and a spindle motor coupled to the disc adapted to rotate the disc. The disc includes spare data regions and permanent data regions. A transducer is positioned for reading and writing data on the disc surface. The system further includes a controller adapted to write data on the spare data regions to thereby provide a non-volatile write cache.

US Patent:

6760174, Jul 6, 2004

Filed:

Jan 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/057271

Inventors:

Monty A. Forehand - Yukon OK

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 509

US Classification:

360 53, 360 75, 360 7707, 360 7804, 360 71

Abstract:

A method of recovering data from a data sector through adaptive fly height to improve reliability of a disc drive is disclosed. Encountering a data error in a data sector initializes an error recovery routine that increases a fly height of the read/write head for asperity encounters, or decreases the fly height of the read/write head for low amplitude read signal encounters. In the case of asperity encounters, when the increased fly height fails data recovery, the read/write head is positioned off track, then lowered to burnish the asperity and the data sector is re-read.

US Patent:

7298572, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Jan 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/057277

Inventors:

Monty A. Forehand - Yukon OK, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 21/02
G11B 5/596

US Classification:

360 75, 360 7808

Abstract:

A method of reducing read/write head wear and disc wear through controlling fly height of the read/write head to improve reliability of a disc drive is disclosed. Absent data transfer operations, a fly height adjusted sweep cycle routine executes a sweep cycle sub-routine that positions the read/write head at an inner most data track, lowers the fly height of the read/write head and performs a seek to the outer most data track to sweep debris from a recording surface and then raises the fly height above an operating fly height for the read/write head, oscillates the read/write head to dislodge debris accumulated on the read/write head and holds the read/write head at the raised fly height while awaiting a new data transfer operation.

US Patent:

8438652, May 7, 2013

Filed:

Mar 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/728320

Inventors:

Robert E. Weinstein - Berthoud CO, US
Monty A. Forehand - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 7/04

US Classification:

726 27

Abstract:

A data storage device in which access to user data is restricted. The data storage device includes a data memory having memory locations that store user data. The device also has a program memory. The program memory includes first program code that enables a user to create a first device security ID and thereby restrict access to the stored data. Second program code, also included in the program memory, is capable of receiving a security command and comparing a second device security ID associated with the received security command to a stored security key. If the second device security ID and the stored security key correspond, then authentication with the first device security ID is bypassed and access is provided to the stored data.

US Patent:

8566603, Oct 22, 2013

Filed:

Jun 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/815216

Inventors:

Jason R. Cox - Firestone CO, US
Christopher J. Demattio - Longmont CO, US
Monty A. Forehand - Loveland CO, US
Michael B. Danielson - Longmont CO, US
James C. Hatfield - Johnstown CO, US
Manuel A. Offenberg - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 21/00
G06F 12/14

US Classification:

713183, 713193, 726 7, 380 45, 380277

Abstract:

A storage device that supports Trusted Computer Group (TCG) security allows management of TCG security features by a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) using non-TCG security commands supported by the BIOS. In one implementation, a BIOS that does not support TCG security but does support ATA security can use ATA drive unlock to invoke TCG drive unlock on the storage device. Further, the storage device can be transitioned among multiple security operating modes (e. g. , Undeclared, ATA security or TCG security).

US Patent:

7363564, Apr 22, 2008

Filed:

Jul 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/182291

Inventors:

Robert Wayne Moss - Longmont CO, US
Monty Aaron Forehand - Loveland CO, US
Laszlo Hars - Cranberry Township PA, US
Donald Rozinak Beaver - Pittsburgh PA, US
Charles William Thiesfeld - Lakeville MN, US
Jon David Trantham - Chanhassen MN, US
William Preston Goodwill - Edmond OK, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G01R 31/28
H03K 19/00

US Classification:

714734, 714727, 714724, 714726, 714723, 326 8, 326 16, 713182, 726 26

Abstract:

An apparatus comprises at least one port for coupling signals to the apparatus, a mode selector for setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode, and a port control for controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode. A method for controlling access to the port is also provided.

US Patent:

20020029354, Mar 7, 2002

Filed:

Jun 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894152

Inventors:

Monty Forehand - Yukon OK, US
Kevin Fruendt - Yukon OK, US
Virat Thantrakul - Oklahoma City OK, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC

International Classification:

G06F001/26
G06F001/28
G06F001/30
G06F011/30

US Classification:

713/340000

Abstract:

A non-volatile write cache using an alternate power source is implemented in a disc drive to maintain the integrity of cached write commands during a standard disc drive power loss, and to further recover and execute outstanding cached write commands when standard disc drive power is restored. The disc drive includes an internal or external alternate power source, control circuitry to switch between normal and low-power modes, memory control circuitry to, when in low-power mode, maintain the refresh of the cache, and firmware to recover and execute cached write commands once power is restored.