Command-controllable IC memory with compatibility checking unit suspending memory operation/enabling data to be only read from memory when IC memory operation is host incompatible

A command-controllable IC memory device comprising a memory unit storing data from a host system where the IC memory device is controlled by the host system, said IC memory device comprising:

• a compatibility information storage unit in which compatibility information is prestored, said compatibility information including information identifying one or more operationally compatible IC memory chips;
• an identification information storage unit storing IC memory identification information supplied from a host system;
• and
• a compatibility checking unit determining compatibility with host system operation by determining whether the identification information stored to the identification information storage unit is contained in the compatibility information,
• wherein the compatibility checking unit enables data to be only read from the memory unit when IC memory operation is determined not compatible with the host system.

An operational compatibility checking method for a command-controllable IC memory device comprising a memory unit storing data from a host system where the IC memory device is controlled by the host system, said compatibility checking method comprising the steps of:

• supplying IC memory identification information from a host system;
• determining whether said supplied identification information is contained in predefined compatibility information, said compatibility information including information identifying one or more operationally compatible IC memory chips;
• and
• determining compatibility with the host system based on the result of determining whether the supplied identification information is contained in the predefined compatibility information,
• wherein data can only be read from the memory unit when IC memory operation is determined not compatible with the host system.

A method for checking compatibility of an IC memory device comprising command-controllable memory where the IC memory device is controlled by a host system, said IC memory device comprising the steps of:

• prestoring compatibility information including information identifying one or more operationally compatible IC memory chips;
• storing IC memory identification information supplied from a host system;
• determining whether the stored IC memory identification information is contained in the compatibility information and outputting a compatibility check result based on said determination;
• outputting both a disable signal that suspends action of the command-controllable memory device when IC memory operation is determined not compatible with the host system.