Data storage apparatus and method for handling data on a data storage apparatus

Abstract

In an embodiment, a data storage apparatus having a plurality of spare area arrays may be provided additional to remote spare areas or alone and each of the spare area arrays respectively may be assigned to essentially each of a plurality of format features of the data storage medium and thereby serve as a contiguous free region in the user area. As a format feature on a data storage disc comprised by a disc drive may be understood in particular a zone, a track or a cylinder in case of multitude discs, a block on a track or as well a sector.

1 . Data storage apparatus ( 1 ) comprising a data storage medium ( 2 ), in particular a disc drive ( 1 ) comprising a data storage disc ( 2 ) formatted in a predetermined format architecture comprising a plurality of at least one format feature, in particular selected from the group consisting of: zones, cylinders and tracks, and having a user area and a spare area defined thereon, characterised in that the format architecture provides a plurality of spare area arrays, each of the spare area arrays being respectively assigned to essentially each of the plurality of the at least one format feature.  
     
     
         2 . Data storage apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the format architecture provides a plurality of spare area arrays (SA,  22   a,    22   b ), wherein each of the spare area arrays (SA,  22   a,    22   b ) are respectively assigned to essentially each of a plurality of tracks ( 8 ).  
     
     
         3 . Data storage apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  characterised in that the apparatus ( 1 ) further comprises a read/write-head ( 3 ), a drive to rotate the medium and a servo to move the head, a controller ( 6 ) having a control electronics, a microprocessor and a memory (RAM, ROM) and an interface for connecting the apparatus ( 1 ) to a host ( 7 ).  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus for reproducing audiovisual information, comprising a data storage apparatus, the data storage apparatus comprising: 
 a data storage medium ( 2 ), in particular a disc drive ( 1 ) comprising a data storage disc ( 2 ) formatted in a predetermined format architecture comprising a plurality of at least one format feature, in particular selected from the group consisting of: zones, cylinders and tracks, and having a user area and a spare area defined thereon, wherein the format architecture provides a plurality of spare area arrays, each of the spare area arrays being respectively assigned to essentially each of the plurality of the at least one format feature.