Larry Koudele

US Patent:

6404570, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Nov 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/432826

Inventors:

Michael McNeil - Boulder CO
Andrew W. Davis - Boulder CO
Larry Koudele - Longmont CO

Assignee:

Maxtor Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G11B 2736

US Classification:

360 31, 360 7702, 360 53, 360 46, 360 67, 360 68, 360 65, 360 51

Abstract:

Adaptive channel optimization in a disk drive is achieved by selecting a track of the recording medium and then writing a first data pattern to opposite sides of the selected track. The first data pattern is written a certain percentage off-track in relation to the centerline of the selected track. A second data pattern is then written directly on the selected data track and the off-track margin is determined as a function of how far the recording head can be positioned away from the center of the selected track during reading of the second data pattern while meeting a specified error rate. The off-track margin test is repeated iteratively using a combination of channel variable settings in order to find a set of variable settings which provides an optimal performance criterion for the drive.

US Patent:

6678102, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Aug 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/649660

Inventors:

Bruce Liikanen - Berthoud CO
Julian Lewkowicz - Lafayette CO
Larry Koudele - Longmont CO

Assignee:

Maxtor Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G11B 2736

US Classification:

360 31, 360 60, 360 75, 360 53, 360 46, 360 7708

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for detecting a high fly write event in a computer disk drive is provided. The method and apparatus allow the detection of high fly write events occurring over very short time spans. In addition, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting high fly write events with a great deal of sensitivity. The method and apparatus of the present invention provide quick response and high sensitivity by monitoring the strength of a signal derived from a servo sector position burst or a group of bursts, and signaling a high fly write event if the monitored signal strength is less than a predetermined or threshold amount.

US Patent:

6975467, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Oct 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/976669

Inventors:

Julian Lewkowicz - Lafayette CO, US
Larry J. Koudele - Broomfield CO, US

Assignee:

Maxtor Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

G11B027/36

US Classification:

360 31, 360 75

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for detecting a high fly write condition in a disk drive is disclosed. Amplitudes of automatic gain control (AGC) fields are used in connection with determining whether a high fly write condition exists in a disk drive, since the amplitude of an AGC field read by a head is generally related to the flying height of the head. In one embodiment, a calibration process is performed to obtain average amplitudes of AGC fields on a zone-by-zone basis for a head associated with a disk surface. These average amplitudes of AGC fields are then stored onto the disk surface for later use. When a write operation is to be performed, the head measures the amplitude of the AGC field associated with a data sector onto which a block of data is to be stored. The measured amplitude of the AGC field is compared to the average amplitude of the AGC fields for the zone associated with the AGC field being read. If the difference between the measured amplitude of the AGC field and the average amplitude for the AGC fields for the zone is outside of a certain tolerance, a high fly write condition may exist.

US Patent:

7574553, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Jun 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/454493

Inventors:

Christopher J Squires - Westminster CO, US
Scott E Burton - Westminster CO, US
Douglas I McCampbell - Boulder CO, US
Larry J Koudele - Superior CO, US
George C Cope - Lyons CO, US

International Classification:

G06F 12/00

US Classification:

711100, 365227

Abstract:

A control arrangement, for example, in a digital component that forms part of a system, draws an input current for its operation and is configured for monitoring an interface for any one of a group of commands and, upon detecting an issued one of the group of commands, operates the component for executing the issued command in an operational mode, and during an idle time on the interface, the control arrangement exclusively monitors the interface for any one of the group of commands such that the input current is limited to a leakage current. The component may draw less than 1 milliamp of current during the idle mode.

US Patent:

7738204, Jun 15, 2010

Filed:

Aug 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/507752

Inventors:

Curtis H. Bruner - Longmont CO, US
Larry J Koudele - Superior CO, US
Noureddine Kermiche - Longmont CO, US

International Classification:

G11B 5/09

US Classification:

360 51, 360 40, 360 41, 360 48, 360 53, 360 7702, 710 74

Abstract:

An apparatus and associated method are described for use in a disk drive including a disk that that is supported for controlled rotation and for cooperating with a transducer arrangement for accessing the disk in performing a data operation. The disk includes an arrangement of servo track wedge segments for storing servo data such that a set of servo data is periodically available as the disk is rotated in relation to the transducer arrangement and the servo track wedges are separated by an arrangement of user data wedge segments for use in storing user data. Generally, a controller IC and a channel IC are provided. The servo data is transferred from the channel IC to the controller IC using one data protocol and user data is bidirectionally transferred between the channel IC and the controller IC using a different data protocol.

US Patent:

8257189, Sep 4, 2012

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/415515

Inventors:

Larry J. Koudele - Superior CO, US
Guy R. Wagner - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

GeoGolf, LLC - Superior CO

International Classification:

A63B 69/36
A63B 67/02

US Classification:

473155, 473199, 473200, 473353, 473409

Abstract:

Monitoring of a golf ball and apparatus for doing so is described using differential time locating. Launch parameters of a golf ball can be characterized independent of any specific positional measurement on the basis of a ball signal that is transmitted from the ball. These parameters include initial spin, initial velocity, and initial trajectory. Ground proximity detection is described as well as a landing position and rollout position detection technique and associated apparatus. Calibration techniques are described for various kinds of range receivers that subsequently receive the ball signal.

US Patent:

8347030, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Jul 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/511244

Inventors:

Christopher J. Squires - Westminster CO, US
Scott E. Burton - Westminster CO, US
Douglas I. McCampbell - Boulder CO, US
Larry J. Koudele - Superior CO, US
George C. Cope - Lyons CO, US

Assignee:

Benhov GmbH, LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G06F 12/00

US Classification:

711112, 713300

Abstract:

A control arrangement, for example, in a digital component that forms part of a system, draws an input current for its operation and is configured for monitoring an interface for any one of a group of commands and, upon detecting an issued one of the group of commands, operates the component for executing the issued command in an operational mode, and during an idle time on the interface, the control arrangement exclusively monitors the interface for any one of the group of commands such that the input current is limited to a leakage current. The component may draw less than 1 milliamp of current during the idle mode.

US Patent:

8499227, Jul 30, 2013

Filed:

Sep 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/888585

Inventors:

Bruce A. Liikanen - Berthoud CO, US
Gerald L. Cadloni - Longmont CO, US
Larry J. Koudele - Erie CO, US
John L. Seabury - Erie CO, US
Stephen P. Van Aken - Boulder CO, US
Guy R. Wagner - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Micron Technology, Inc. - Boise ID

International Classification:

H03M 13/03

US Classification:

714786, 714 42, 714794

Abstract:

In one embodiment, an encoder reads a set of data from memory cells to obtain retrieved data influenced by one or more distortion mechanisms as a result of having been stored. A quality metric is generated responsive to the retrieved data that changes in value responsive to differences between the user data and the associated retrieved data. A quality monitor establishes a relationship between a current value of the quality metric and a threshold value and monitors the relationship as being indicative of a degradation of the quality of the retrieved data, and selectively initiates an error response. In another embodiment, a correction value is iterated through a set of values as a quality metric is monitored such that the value of the quality metric which most closely approaches the value of the quality metric immediately subsequent to an initial writing of the data can be selected.