Integrated circuit and method capable of minimizing circuit area of non-volatile memory circuit

An integrated circuit, comprising:

• a non-volatile memory circuit, for securely and permanently recording and protecting a key data content having Y bits;
• a programmable memory circuit, for storing a user configuration data content having X bits greater than Y bits;
• a decision circuit, coupled to the non-volatile memory circuit and the programmable memory circuit, arranged for:
• receiving the key data content having Y bits and the user configuration data content having X bits;
• converting the user configuration data content having X bits into a user configuration key content having Y bits;
• comparing the user configuration key content having Y bits with the key data content having Y bits;
• selecting a fallback configuration data content having X bits as an output data when the user configuration key content does not match the key data content;
• and
• selecting the user configuration data content having X bits as the output data when the user configuration key content matches the key data content;
• and
• a processing circuit, coupled to the decision circuit, for receiving the output data of the decision circuit and performing at least one corresponding capability operation according to the output data.