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US 7,479,798 B1Granted
Selectively disabled output
AssigneeAltera Corporation
InventorLaura Reese
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Circuits, methods, and apparatus are directed to an integrated circuit having a disabling element that can disable a reading of data from the circuit. Once the disabling element is set to not allow a reading of the data, the disabling element cannot be changed to allow a reading of the data. The data may be configuration data or internal data stored within the integrated circuit. Examples of the disabling element include a memory element, a break in a circuit line, and an input pad configuration.
Claims16
An integrated circuit comprising:
- a plurality of storage circuits capable of storing data;
- a readout circuit for outputting the data;
- and
- a disabling element, wherein a first state of the disabling element allows a reading of the data and wherein a second state disables the reading of the data,
- wherein once the disabling element is in the second state, the disabling element cannot enter the first state, and
- wherein when the disabling element is in the second state, the outputting of the data is prevented, and wherein the disabling element includes a non-repairable break in a circuit line, the circuit line being used for sending data from the storage circuits to a data output of the integrated circuit.
3 more elements
An integrated circuit comprising:
- a plurality of storage circuits capable of storing data and that receives at least one read enable signal when the data is read out;
- a readout circuit for outputting the data;
- and
- a disabling element, wherein a first state of the disabling element allows a reading of the data and wherein a second state disables the reading of the data;
- wherein once the disabling element is in the second state, the disabling element cannot enter the first state;
- and
- wherein when the disabling element is in the second state, the outputting of the data from the storage circuits is prevented, and wherein the disabling element inhibits the read enable signal from being received by the storage circuits.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.