Patent ID: 7451270

Claim:
A control system, comprising: a storage device to store data signals and a mode designator, the mode designator to select a first or a second mode of operation, wherein the storage device includes a memory having multiple addressable storage locations, each for storing a different respective set of data signals and a respective mode designator to control how the data signals are to be utilized after the data signals stored at the addressable storage location are read from the memory; a circuit coupled to the storage device to receive as control signals predetermined ones of the data signals along with the respective mode designators to control whether the circuit operates in a first mode or a second mode, the control signals to control operation of the circuit when the circuit is operating in the first mode; and Error Correction Code (ECC) logic coupled to the storage device to interpret the predetermined ones of the data signals as ECC check bits to detect errors in the data signals when the circuit is operating in the second mode.