Integrated circuits with interchangeable connectors
US7502879B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/1732
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques for interchanging positions of external terminals of an integrated circuit chip are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a chip comprises at least a pair of external terminals for communicating with other components or circuits, an internal circuit and an interchangeable unit coupled between the external terminals and the internal circuit. The interchangeable unit is configured to interchange the external terminals electronically such that the chip remains compatible in various versions involving an change of the terminals thereof, wherein the an interchangeable unit is controllable externally by a selecting pin applicable to either a high level or a low level to cause the external terminals interchanged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.