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Semiconductor technology being what it is, it doesn't seem too farfetched to be able to have a small amount of write-once ROM on a flexible tape with a self-adhesive backing. Think of one of those label-maker guns but with the ability to store 16k in a 1cm square. With a low-cost handheld programmer/reader
you can make up labels with substantial data content and read them by, say, pressing on metal contacts at the corners of the 1cm "stamp". Here's a couple of applications:
1.) Put a P.O. box or local police station's address on an individual key, such that if lost it can be returned. (I eschew key rings on my motorcycle keys - they tend to cause damage when tossed around by the wind)
2.) Make a game for kids by encoding short audio phrases "straight ahead", "to the left", etc. and stamping locations along a path. The reader can have .mp3 decoding ability and a small speaker.
3.) Stick one to the back of your driver's license with blood type, organ donor status, emergency contact info.
4.) Similarly, put important contact info and addresses on pets' name tags.
5.) Hide them inside valuables in case of theft, for help in recovery.
Dallas Semi's iButton
http://www.ibutton.com/
Almost baked --- these are perhaps slightly larger than Dr. Foo suggests. [wiml, Dec 17 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]
Texas Instruments' "Tag-It" line
http://www.ti.com/t...s/RI-I01-110A.shtml
Non-contact (RF) tags. Thin enough to be made into stickers, but require larger area and only hold 256 bits. [wiml, Dec 17 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]
[link]
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2-D barcodes exist, but I doubt they store 16k of data. RF tags also exist, but I don't know of any that are programmable. Shouldn't be too hard to bake, though I still can't think of a good reason other than inventory control. |
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2D barcodes can contain up to 1.8Kb of data and need no power at all. |
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[UnaBubba], [bristolz] The PROM wouldn't have to be powered except when reading, in which case they'd be powered by the batteries in the reader. |
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There are things like rf coupled smart cards which need no contacts. They might be shrunk to a form which enables adhesive fixing to a key. |
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I like the iButton, wiml. Putting it on a ring is almost resurrecting the idea of a personal seal. |
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Some sort of kid's gadget would be cool that would let you write little PROMs with secret messages, pass them around to your friends, and read them with a secret reader. You could make the reader and writer pretty cheaply. |
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The problem would be that every kid has one of the decoders. Not very secret. |
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phoenix: You could have optional secret codes, and tell your friends the codewords. I thought it would be cool to be able to leave messages for your mates. |
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Just yanking your chain [pottedstu]. I don't think teachers would appreciate the secrecy, though. |
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