Patent ID: 6943576

Claim:
A test system that tests first through m-th circuit devices for defects, comprising: a controller that is configured to generate a test signal having information for testing first through m-th circuit devices; and first through m-th control circuits, each configured to test a respective one of the first through m-th circuit devices for a defect using the test signal, and to stop testing the respective one of the first through m-th circuit devices when a defect is identified, wherein the first through m-th circuit devices are integrated circuit devices, each integrated circuit device having first through n-th output signals, and wherein the first through m-th control circuits each comprise: a relay that is configured to toggle between transferring the test signal to one of the integrated circuit devices, and preventing the transfer of the test signal, in response to a relay control signal; a test unit that is configured to receive first through n-th device output signals from the integrated circuit device, and to generate a test result signal having information on whether or not one or more of the first through n-th device output signals is defective; and a relay control circuit that is configured to generate the relay control signal to toggle the relay to prevent transfer of the test signal to the integrated circuit device when the test result signal indicates that one or more of the first through n-th device output signals are defective.