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Patent US5355344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5355344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Structure for using a portion of an integrated circuit die
Assignee: STMicroelectronics lnc USA
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Filing: 1992-11-13
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Granted: 1994-10-11
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Expires: 2012-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Two addresses of an integrated circuit are selected to define a portion of the die which is functional and the portion of the die which will not be used. An input structure for addresses, which may be added to part of the electrostatic discharge (ESD) input structure of a pin, allows an address signal to be set to a predetermined logic level and to not be bonded out to the package. Additionally, another input structure allows the mapping of a signal pin to be changed. The function of a pin may need to be changed to accommodate a pinout for a different density device. This is useful when a die is put into a smaller density device package which has a pin out that does not accommodate the die. In this way, partially functional die that previously were discarded may be utilized, thereby recouping potential losses during manufacturing.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. McClure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:25
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C29/00; G11C29/70; G11C29/76; H; H10; H10D; H10D89/00; H10D89/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for utilizing a desired portion of a memory integrated circuit die, comprising the steps of: determining which address signal pads correspond to the desired portion of the memory integrated circuit die; identifying the address signal pads which will not be used so as to render a smaller addressable memory device; setting each identified address signal pad to a logic level so as to avoid a floating condition and to identify the desired portion of the die; bonding the pads of all address signal pads to the package of the integrated circuit with the exception of the identified address signal pads which will not be bonded to the package of the integrated circuit; and reversing the mapping between a first signal pad and a second signal pad in order to change the function of the first signal pad and the function of the second signal pad.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for utilizing a desired portion of a memory integrated circuit die, comprising the steps of: determining which address signal pads correspond to the desired portion of the memory integrated circuit die; identifying the address signal pads which will not be used so as to render a smaller addressable memory device; setting each identified address signal pad to a logic level so as to avoid a floating condition and to identify the desired portion of the die; bonding the pads of all address signal pads to the package of the integrated circuit with the exception of the identified address signal pads which will not be bonded to the package of the integrated circuit; and reversing the mapping between a first signal pad and a second signal pad in order to change the function of the first signal pad and the function of the second signal pad.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein determining which address signal pads correspond to the portion of the die is accomplished by testing the die.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The die of claim 1, wherein the desired portion of the memory integrated circuit die is functional.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The die of claim 1, wherein each identified address signal pad has input circuitry for setting the address signal pad to a desired logic level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The die of claim 4, wherein the input circuitry is capable of functioning as an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
The die of claim 4, wherein the input circuitry is comprised of a first transistor connected to a first predetermined voltage and a second transistor connected to a second predetermined voltage, with a node connecting the first transistor to the second transistor operably connected to an input buffer circuitry, and whereby the first transistor is operably connected to a means for setting the first transistor to a predetermined logic level and the second transistor is operably connected to a means for setting the second transistor to a predetermined logic level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The die of claim 6, wherein the means for setting the first transistor to a predetermined logic level is a first fuse and the means for setting the second transistor to a predetermined logic level is a second fuse.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The die of claim 7, wherein the address signal pad is set to a first logic state by blowing the first fuse and is set to a second logic state by blowing the second fuse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The die of claim 8, wherein only one of the first fuse and the second fuse may be blown.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The die of claim 8, wherein the first logic state is equal to a logic low level and the second logic state is equal to a logic high level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The die of claim 10, wherein when the first fuse is blown the address signal pad is equal to a logic low level and when the second fuse is blown the address signal pad is equal to a logic high level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The die of claim 6, wherein the address signal pad is to be normally bonded to the package housing the integrated circuit die and the first fuse and the second fuse will not be blown.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The die of claim 12, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor of the input circuitry function to provide ESD protection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein setting each identified address signal pad to a logic level is accomplished by testing the die.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
95 words
A memory integrated circuit die wherein only a portion of the memory array is utilized, comprising: a memory matrix, having a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows; a plurality of address signal pads; means for selecting a desired portion of the memory matrix to be addressed by the address signal pads for use as a smaller density device; and means for reversing the mapping between a first signal pad and a second signal pad in order to change the function of the first signal pad and the function of the second signal pad.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A memory integrated circuit die wherein only a portion of the memory array is utilized, comprising: a memory matrix, having a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows; a plurality of address signal pads; means for selecting a desired portion of the memory matrix to be addressed by the address signal pads for use as a smaller density device; and means for reversing the mapping between a first signal pad and a second signal pad in order to change the function of the first signal pad and the function of the second signal pad.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The die of claim 15, wherein reversing means is provided through logic circuitry which reverses the mapping of the first signal pad and the second signal pad to their respective buffer circuits.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The die of claim 16, wherein the logic circuitry is comprised of a first signal pad input structure having a first transmission gate and a second transmission gate, both of which are electrically connected to the first signal pad, and a second signal pad input structure having a first transmission gate and a second transmission gate, both of which are electrically connected to the second signal pad.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The die of claim 17, wherein the first signal pad input structure and the second signal pad input structure are operably connected to a fuse.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The die of claim 18, wherein the output signal of the first transmission gate of the first signal pad and the output signal of the first transmission gate of the second signal pad form a first electrical node.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The die of claim 19, wherein the first electrical node is electrically connected to the buffer circuitry of the first signal pad.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The die of claim 18, wherein the output signal of the second transmission gate of the first signal pad and the output signal of the second transmission gate of the second signal pad form a second electrical node.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The die of claim 19, wherein the second electrical node is electrically connected to the buffer circuitry of the second signal pad.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The die of claim 20, wherein the fuse is used to reverse the mapping of the first signal pad and the second signal pad to their respective buffer circuitry.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The die of claim 23, wherein upon blowing the fuse, the mapping of the first signal pad is reversed to the buffer circuitry of the second signal pad.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The die of claim 23, wherein upon blowing the fuse, the mapping of the second signal pad is reversed to the buffer circuitry of the first signal pad.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The die of claim 23, wherein when the fuse is not blown, the first signal pad and the second signal pad are not reverse mapped.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The die of claim 15, wherein the reversing means is done in order to accommodate the pinout of an integrated circuit memory die to a smaller density die package than is normally used for the integrated circuit memory die density.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4446534A
Cited
US4833650A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-10 | 1998-04-11 | 1998-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-10 | 2002-04-11 | 2002-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-10 | 2006-04-11 | 2006-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |