Patent ID: 7221180

Claim:
A method for testing electronic components, in which electronic components of a set are supplied in sequence for testing to first and second testers in series, the method comprising: a) performing testing in a first full mode comprising: a1) selecting an electronic component that is next in the sequence; a2) testing the electronic component with the first tester using a predetermined set of test criteria and sorting out the electronic component if an error is found; a3) if no error is found by the first tester, testing the electronic component with the second tester using the predetermined set of test criteria and sorting out the electronic component if an error is found; and a4) repeating a1) to a3) until no errors are found for a predetermined number of electronic components in succession; and b) if a) is completed before testing all of the electronic components in the set, performing testing in a split mode comprising: b1) selecting an electronic component that is next in the sequence; b2) testing the electronic component with the first tester using a first subset of the predetermined set of test criteria and sorting out the electronic component if an error is found; and b3) if no error is found by the first tester, testing the electronic component with the second tester using a second subset of the predetermined set of test criteria and sorting out the electronic component if an error is found; and b4) repeating b1) to b3) for subsequent electronic components in the sequence.