Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for controlling magnetoresistive effect element head

US5606470A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
4References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 2, 1995
Grant dateFeb 25, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 2, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B2005/0018
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

When a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is in a waiting state, feedback control for positioning the carriage is released, and a supply of a sense current to the magnetoresistive effect element of the MR magnetic head is adjusted so as to prolong the life of the MR magnetic head. When the interface and control circuit recognizes that there is no order from the host computer and that the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is in a wait state, the servo control circuit releases the feedback control for positioning the head. A mode, etc. selection control circuit controls the recording/reproduction amplifier so as not to supply a sense current to the magnetoresistive effect element of the MR magnetic head. Accordingly, the time for supplying a sense current to the magnetoresistive effect element of the MR magnetic head is reduced in a great measure and, therefore, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the element characteristics by electro-migration or the like. The result is that the life of the element can be prolonged. Hence, the output of the MR magnetic head can be increased without sacrificing the reliability. Accordingly, it has become possible to i…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.