Patent ID: 6298421
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A data storage device, comprising:a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores control data, wherein the control data includes identification data for identifying a type of control data;mode setting means for selectively setting a predetermined download operation mode and the mode setting means includes a rewritable mode setting means for setting a rewritable mode to allow the downloading means to write the inputted control data over the already-stored control data in the rewritable memory; anddownloading means for performing a downloading operation to receive inputted control data and to write the inputted control data to the nonvolatile memory according to a selectively-set download operation mode, the downloading means includes comparing means for comparing the identification data, included in the inputted control data, with other identification data, included in already-stored control data, in the rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a rewriting means for writing the inputted control data over the already-stored control data when the comparing means determines that the identification data, included in the inputted control data, matches the other identification data, included in the already-stored control data, wherein the rewritable mode setting means controls, during the rewritable mode, the rewriting means to write the inputted control data over the already-stored control data even when the comparing means determines that the identification data, included in the inputted control data, does not match the other identification data, included in the already-stored control data.