Patent ID: 7173340

Claim:
A first integrated circuit die adapted for die stacking, comprising: (a) an input/output function control bonding pad; (b) a first bonding pad controllable to function as either an input or an output in response to an input/output function control signal applied to the input/output function control bonding pad; (c) a second bonding pad controllable to function in a first mode or in a second mode in response to the input/output function control signal; (d) input/output control circuitry coupled to the first bonding pad and also coupled to the input/output control bonding pad for i. causing the first bonding pad to function as an output of the first integrated circuit die when the input/output function control signal is equal to a first reference voltage and for causing the second bonding pad to function in the first mode when the input/output function control signal is equal to the first reference voltage, and ii. causing the first bonding pad to function as an input of the first integrated circuit die when the input/output function control signal is equal to a second reference voltage and for causing the second bonding pad to function in the second mode when the input/output function control signal is equal to the second reference voltage; (e) the input/output function control circuitry of the first integrated circuit die functioning in cooperation with corresponding input/output function control circuitry in a second integrated circuit die similar to the first integrated circuit die and stacked on the first integrated circuit die to form a selected path for communication of information between the first and second integrated circuit die when the first bonding pad of the first integrated circuit die is connected by a wire bond to a corresponding first bonding pad of the second integrated circuit die.