Non-volatile memory storage system and method for reading an expansion read only memory image thereof

A method for reading an expansion ROM image, wherein the expansion ROM image is stored in a non-volatile memory for storing user data in the non-volatile memory storage system, the method for reading the expansion ROM image comprising:

• receiving a read command for reading an activation code in the expansion ROM image from a host connected to the non-volatile memory storage system;
• determining a corresponding address of the activation code in the expansion ROM image stored in the non-volatile memory according to an address of the activation code in the expansion ROM image in the read command;
• transmitting the read command and the corresponding address to a microcontroller of the non-volatile memory storage system;
• reading the activation code in the expansion ROM image and storing the activation code to a buffer memory of the non-volatile memory storage system;
• transmitting the activation code in the expansion ROM image from the buffer memory to the host;
• and
• wherein the activation code in the expansion ROM image is read from the non-volatile memory in unit of sectors, and the activation code in the expansion ROM image is transmitted from the buffer memory to the host in unit of bytes.

A controller, suitable for a non-volatile memory storage apparatus having at least one non-volatile memory, the controller comprising:

• a microcontroller;
• a buffer memory, coupled to the microcontroller for temporarily storing a expansion read only memory (ROM) image read from the non-volatile memory;
• and
• a virtual host module, coupled to the microcontroller for providing an activation code in the expansion ROM image to a host through a connecting interface and mapping an address of the activation code in the expansion ROM image to be read by the host and an address of the activation code in the expansion ROM image stored in the non-volatile memory.