The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 20, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 24, 1996
Si-yeol Lee, Kyungki-do, KR;
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon, KR;
Abstract
An integrated circuit memory device includes an array of memory cells having a selectable first or second data path width. The integrated circuit memory device also includes a circuit which permanently selects one of the first and second data path widths for permanent operation of the integrated circuit memory device, and which temporarily overrides the permanent selection, to thereby temporarily operate the integrated circuit memory device using the other data path width. Accordingly, for example, when the first path width is a 16 bit path width and the second path width is a 4 bit path width, the path width is permanently selected during manufacturing of the integrated circuit memory device, to thereby manufacture 16 bit path width or 4 bit path width devices. However, during testing, the 16 bit path width devices may be temporarily overridden and tested as 4 bit path width devices. The number of test pins which are required can therefore be reduced and testing efficiency can be improved.