US5400263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for specifying the flow of test execution and the binning for a testing system
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1992-04-06
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Granted: 1995-03-21
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Expires: 2012-04-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a method for specifying test flow and binning of an integrated circuit part in an integrated circuit tester. The method comprises the steps of receiving descriptions of the tests, receiving test flow statements indicating when the tests are to be executed, receiving binning statements, executing the tests as indicated by the test flow statements, and binning the IC device as indicated by the results of the tests.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Rohrbaugh
- 👤 Thomas H. Baker
- 👤 Michael J. Bennett
- 👤 Mercedes E. Gil
- 👤 Robert W. Proulx
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/319; G01R31/31903; G01R31/31912; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/32; G06F2201/00; G06F2201/865
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for testing a device, comprising the steps of: (a) inputting configuration data including one or more statements of a testflow-specific language; (b) generating, from said configuration data, a testflow structure including a flownode representative of each said statement; (c) selecting an initial flownode of said testflow structure; (d) executing said selected flownode, wherein, if said selected flownode represents a run statement, said executing includes the steps of: (i) executing a test indicated by said run statement on the device, and (ii) storing at least one test result from said test; (e) if there is a subsequent flownode in said testflow structure, then selecting said subsequent flownode and repeating step (d) as required; and (f) binning the device wherein said binning is independent of said testflow structure, the step of binning comprising the steps of: (i) inputting a binning specification, (ii) generating a binning set comprising at least one binning rule, (iii) inputting said at least: one stored test result, and (iv) binning the device based on said binning rules and said at least one stored test result.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for testing a device, comprising the steps of: (a) inputting configuration data including one or more statements of a testflow-specific language; (b) generating, from said configuration data, a testflow structure including a flownode representative of each said statement; (c) selecting an initial flownode of said testflow structure; (d) executing said selected flownode, wherein, if said selected flownode represents a run statement, said executing includes the steps of: (i) executing a test indicated by said run statement on the device, and (ii) storing at least one test result from said test; (e) if there is a subsequent flownode in said testflow structure, then selecting said subsequent flownode and repeating step (d) as required; and (f) binning the device wherein said binning is independent of said testflow structure, the step of binning comprising the steps of: (i) inputting a binning specification, (ii) generating a binning set comprising at least one binning rule, (iii) inputting said at least: one stored test result, and (iv) binning the device based on said binning rules and said at least one stored test result.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises the step of selecting said subsequent flownode according to a sequence specified in said configuration data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein, if said selected flownode represents an if statement, then step (d) comprises the steps of: (g) evaluating an expression indicated by said selected flownode; and (h) executing a first conditional flownode if said expression is true.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, farther comprising the step of: (g) executing a second conditional flownode if said expression is false.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1, wherein, if said selected flownode represents a while statement, then step (d) comprises the steps of: (g) evaluating an expression indicated by said selected flownode; (h) executing a conditional flownode if said expression is true; and (i) repeating steps (g) and (h) if said expression is true.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein, if said selected flownode represents a repeat statement, then step (d) comprises the steps of: (g) executing a conditional flownode; (h) evaluating an expression indicated by said selected flownode; and (i) repeating steps (g) and (h) if said expression is true.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein if said selected flownode represents a print statement, step (d) comprises the steps of printing a value of a specified variable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1, wherein if said selected flownode represents a compound statement, step (d) comprises the: step of branching to step (c) so as to recursively execute a nested testflow structure indicated by said selected flownode, wherein said nested testflow structure comprises at least one flownode representative of at least one statement which comprises said compound statement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein if said selected flownode represents an assign statement, step (d) comprises the step of assigning a value of a right hand side of said assignment statement to a variable of a left hand side of said assign statement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the step of parsing said configuration data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises the step of evaluating an expression indicated by said selected testflow which depends on at least one specified test result associated with at least one run statement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises the step of evaluating an expression indicated by said selected flownode, wherein the value of said expression depends on whether at least one specified test associated with at least one run statement has been executed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises the step of evaluating an expression indicated by said selected flownode wherein the value of said expression depends on the value of a constant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises the step of evaluating an expression wherein the value of said expression indicated by said selected flownode depends on the value of a variable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer-based apparatus for testing a device, comprising: a parser which receives configuration data having a statement of a testflow-specific language and generates a testflow structure, having at least one flownode; traversing means for traversing said testflow structure by invoking means for processing flownodes in said testflow structure; means for processing a run flownode including: means for executing a test of said run flownode on the device; and means for storing at least one test result of said test; and means for binning the device, wherein said binning is based on said at least one stored test result, and said binning is independent of said test-flow structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer-based apparatus for testing a device, comprising: a parser which receives configuration data having a statement of a testflow-specific language and generates a testflow structure, having at least one flownode; traversing means for traversing said testflow structure by invoking means for processing flownodes in said testflow structure; means for processing a run flownode including: means for executing a test of said run flownode on the device; and means for storing at least one test result of said test; and means for binning the device, wherein said binning is based on said at least one stored test result, and said binning is independent of said test-flow structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer-based apparatus of claim 15, wherein the device is an integrated circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: means for processing an if flownode of said testflow structure including: means for evaluating an expression associated with said if flownode of said testflow structure; and means for executing a first conditional flownode of said if flownode if said expression is true.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: means for executing a second conditional flownode of said if flownode if said expression is false.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: evaluating means for evaluating an expression of a while flownode of said testflow structure; executing means for executing a conditional flownode of said while flownode; and means for repeatedly: (1) invoking said evaluating means, and (2) invoking said executing means if said expression is true, while said expression is true.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: executing means for executing a conditional flownode of a repeat flownode of said testflow structure; evaluating means for evaluating an expression of said repeat flownode; and means for repeatedly invoking said executing means and said evaluating means until said expression is false.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for printing a value of a variable of a print flownode of said testflow structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for recursively calling said traversing means to traverse a nested testflow structure indicated by a compound flownode in said testflow structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising execution means for assigning a value of a right hand side indicated by an assign flownode in said testflow structure to a left hand side indicated by said assign flownode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for evaluating an expression indicated by a flownode in said testflow structure which depends on at least one specified test result indicated by at least one run flownode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for evaluating an expression of a flownode in said testflow structure, wherein said expression depends on whether said test result has been received for at least one specified test.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for evaluating an expression of a flownode in said testflow structure, wherein said expression depends on the value of a constant.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for evaluating an expression of a flownode in said testflow structure, wherein said expression depends on the value of a variable.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for receiving said flownodes from said parser and inserting them into said testflow structure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said traversing means comprises means for selecting a next flownode according to a sequence indicated in said configuration data.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for characterizing a device, comprising the steps of: (a) inputting a binning specification; (b) generating, from said binning specification, a binning set comprising at least one binning rule; (c) inputting at least one stored test result for the device; (d) selecting an initial binning rule from said binning set; (e) determining whether an expression of said selected binning rule is true based on said at least one stored test result; (f) if said expression is false and if there is a next binning rule in said binning set, then selecting said next binning; rule and repeating step (e); and (g) communicating, to a user, a bin associated with said selected rule.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for characterizing a device, comprising the steps of: (a) inputting a binning specification; (b) generating, from said binning specification, a binning set comprising at least one binning rule; (c) inputting at least one stored test result for the device; (d) selecting an initial binning rule from said binning set; (e) determining whether an expression of said selected binning rule is true based on said at least one stored test result; (f) if said expression is false and if there is a next binning rule in said binning set, then selecting said next binning; rule and repeating step (e); and (g) communicating, to a user, a bin associated with said selected rule.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 30, wherein step (f) comprises the step of: (h) selecting said next binning rule according to a sequence specified in said binning specification.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of selecting an otherwise rule if no expression in said binning set was true.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of indicating to said user that the device is shippable if said binning specification indicates that devices associated with said bin are good.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of communicating to said user that the device should be reprobed, if said binning specification indicates that devices associated with said bin should be reprobed.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of communicating to said user an indication of a physical bin associated with said bin.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of presenting a color associated with said bin.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of presenting a representation of a minor bin which indicates said test result more specifically than said bin.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 30, wherein step (e) comprises the step of: (f) evaluating an expression based on whether at least one specified test was executed on the device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30, wherein step (e) comprises the step of: (f) evaluating an expression based on a constant value.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 30, wherein step (e) comprises the step of: (f) evaluating an expression based on a value of a variable.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
122 words
An computer-based apparatus for characterizing a device, comprising: means for receiving from a tester, at least one stored test result of a test executed on the device; a parser which receives a binning specification and generates a binning structure comprising at least one binning rule, wherein said binning rule comprises a bin for characterizing the device and an expression; evaluating means for determining whether said expression is true based on said at least one stored test result; traversing means for invoking said evaluating means on each binning rule in said binning structure until reaching an applicable rule for which said evaluating means determines said expression to be true; and means for indicating said bin of said applicable binning rule to a user.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
122 words
An computer-based apparatus for characterizing a device, comprising: means for receiving from a tester, at least one stored test result of a test executed on the device; a parser which receives a binning specification and generates a binning structure comprising at least one binning rule, wherein said binning rule comprises a bin for characterizing the device and an expression; evaluating means for determining whether said expression is true based on said at least one stored test result; traversing means for invoking said evaluating means on each binning rule in said binning structure until reaching an applicable rule for which said evaluating means determines said expression to be true; and means for indicating said bin of said applicable binning rule to a user.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said traversing means comprises means for selecting a next binning rule according to a sequence indicated in said binning specification.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for indicating a minor bin of said applicable binning rule to said user, wherein said minor bin represents said test result more specifically than said bin.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for indicating to said user a quality of said applicable binning rule, wherein said quality indicates whether said device is good.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said binning rule further comprises a reprobe indicator which indicates whether the device should be reprobed.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said binning rule further comprises an indication of a physical bin which indicates a physical bin of said tester into which the device should be placed.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said binning rule further comprises a color indicator which indicates a color in which to display said result to said user.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for selecting an otherwise rule of said binning structure as said applicable binning rule if no binning rule was selected as said applicable binning rule.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said evaluating means comprises means for evaluating an expression based on whether the tester executed at least one specified test on the device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said evaluating means comprises means for evaluating an expression based on a constant value.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said evaluating means comprises means for evaluating an expression based on a value of a variable.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer-based apparatus of claim 41, wherein the device is an integrated circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-20 | 1998-09-19 | 1999-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-20 | 2002-09-19 | 2003-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-20 | 2006-09-19 | 2007-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |