Texas Instruments Corporation

Steven E Thomson

Brian D Wilson

Lester Schowe

The present invention provides for a dual sequencer for use in a peripheral storage device system, as well as a new protocol for data retrieval/storage in peripheral storage device systems. The system provides for more efficient media storage/retrieval and addresses the issue of channel latencies in media storage/retrieval systems.

Dual sequencer based disk formatter

Serial port circuitry (,) for use in a mass data storage device (,) and a method for configuring and operating it are disclosed. The serial port circuitry includes a serial port (,) for providing information from circuitry within the mass data storage device (,) for use external to said mass data storage device and user programmable circuitry connected to the serial port to receive externally applied signals (,) to modify at least one parameter of said mass data storage device (,). The user programmable circuitry preferably includes a sequencer (,) programmed to selectively provide at least two different serial port control outputs (,) to modify at least two parameters of said mass data storage device. The sequencer (,) executes pre-established program instructions contained in a RAM (,) to control the mass data storage device. The sequencer includes a state machine (,) configured by selected outputs states of the RAM, an address generator (,) for applying addresses to the RAM for producing the selected outputs from the RAM, and a timing circuit (,) for timing programmable time periods for continuing execution of selected RAM output commands.

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Lafayette, CO, United States of America

Steven E Thomson