Patent ID: 8259407

Claim:
A system for controlling a rotational speed of a platter in a storage device, the system comprising: a mode selection module configured to select a mode of operation for the storage device, wherein the mode of operation includes i) a read/write mode in which data is to be read from or written to the platter, ii) a standby mode in which data is not to be read from or written to the platter, or iii) a shutdown mode, wherein the mode selection module is configured to select the standby mode after a predetermined period during which reading and writing to the storage device is not performed, and wherein the predetermined period is selected based on a type of device in which the storage device is implemented; and a speed control module configured to in response to the mode selection module selecting the read/write mode of operation for the storage device, maintain the rotational speed of the platter at a first predetermined speed to permit reading or writing of data to the platter, in response to the mode selection module selecting the shutdown mode of operation for the storage device, reduce the rotational speed of the platter to rest, and in response to the mode selection module selecting the standby mode of operation for the storage device, maintain the rotational speed of the platter at a second predetermined speed that is i) less than the first predetermined speed, and ii) greater than rest.