Patent ID: 7298649

Claim:
A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising: a control circuit having a volatile memory; and a nonvolatile memory including a first memory area and a second memory area, wherein said first memory area is capable of being accessed by a host system connectable to said nonvolatile memory apparatus, wherein said second memory area is capable of storing one or more pieces of firmware therein, wherein said control circuit is capable of receiving a first command, which is issued from said host system, for selecting from said one or more pieces of firmware in accordance with information included said first command, and is capable of reading the selected piece of firmware from said second memory area to said volatile memory, wherein each of said first memory area and said second memory area includes a management area, wherein said management area of said first memory area stores first information indicating a data storing area, wherein said management area of said second memory area stores second information indicating a firmware storing area, wherein said control circuit further includes a second nonvolatile memory for storing first operation steps of a basic function of said nonvolatile memory apparatus, and wherein said firmware stored in said second memory area includes second operation steps of an additional function of said nonvolatile memory apparatus.