Patent ID: 7606128
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for assigning a spare area in a storage medium assignable at least one spare area, characterized by identifying a predetermined maximum allowable size of an outer spare area and assigning the outer spare area only one time within or to the predetermined maximum allowable size, the outer spare area being assigned to a first size smaller than the predetermined maximum allowable size and not expandable to the predetermined maximum allowable size, or assigned to a second size same as the predetermined maximum allowable size, wherein the outer spare area is assigned during a formatting process of the storage medium, or in-use status different than the formatting process of the storage medium, the outer spare area is located at an outer radius of the storage medium, and the outer spare area is assigned if only an inner spare area is assigned to a fixed size at an inner radius of the storage medium.