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Article

Title: H-P Devises Small Data Chip That Attaches to Most Surfaces

Author: Lawton, Christopher Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: Wall Street Journal, v248 n13 pB6(1) Publication Date: Jul 17, 2006
  ISSN: 0193-2241
URL of Publication: http://www.wsj.com

Hewlett-Packard has developed what it calls Memory Spots, which are tiny data storage chips that can be attached to any surface. The chips can wirelessly transmit information to another device within a millimeter away. It may take years before the product becomes marketable, but H-P sees strong potential in the small data chips. For instance, they could be used in hospitals to store medical records in a storage device attached to the patients wristband. A Memory Spot could also be affixed to a postcard to store and deliver video or music. The data chips are similar to bar codes used in retail products, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, but Memory Spots can store more data than bar codes and RFID. They are smaller than grains of rice, but the H-P data chips can hold a maximum of four megabits of data. Data transmission is as fast as 10 megabits per second, faster than that of RFID, which transmits information at a few hundred kilobits per second. Memory Spots do not use batteries. Instead, they rely on read-write devices used with them. Unlike Memory Spots, RFID also poses security issues because information from the device can be read from a distance. Once the H-P devices become marketable, the company could bring the technology to devices such as cell phones and other consumer products.

Companies:
Hewlett-Packard (HP) Co

Products:
Memory Spots

TecTerms:


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