Patent ID: 7426090
Filing Date: 2008-09-16
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A storage device comprising: a head having at least either one of a reading element and a recording element and provided with a heater for changing a projection distance protrusion value by thermal expansion accompanying electric-power-distributed heating for accessing data by floating above a rotating recording medium; a clearance information measurement unit for measuring clearance information required for controlling a clearance between the reading or recording element and the recording medium upon desired correction; and a clearance control unit for controlling the clearance to a predetermined target clearance upon reproduction or recording by changing the projection distance protrusion value of the head by varying the electric power distributed to the heater, wherein the recording medium is divided into a plurality of zones in a radial direction, and the clearance information measurement unit measures the clearance information for each of the zones and saves the information in the recording medium or a system area of a memory.