Patent ID: 7764529
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: B82Y,G06K,G11B,G11C

Abstract:
1. A non-volatile electrical data storage device comprising a card-like memory unit and a read/write unit ( 11 ) provided as physically separate units, wherein the memory unit comprises a layer of a memory material ( 4 ) capable of attaining at least two distinct physical states and/or being set to either thereof or switched therebetween upon applying an electric field across the memory material ( 4 ), wherein said at least two distinct physical states are characterized by an impedance value or a polarization value, wherein the electric field is applied at specific positions and with a specific direction so as to define a memory cell with a determined extension in a volume of the memory material at the specific position for storing a datum given by a logical value as assigned to the distinct physical state set in the memory cell by the applied electric field, wherein the logical value can be detected and read by applying a potential difference across the memory cell, wherein the memory unit comprises a global layer ( 4 ) of memory material, wherein the memory unit comprises a common bottom electrode ( 2 ) interfacing and contacting the memory layer ( 4 ), wherein the read/write unit ( 11 ) is a moveable unit, for instance a hand-held apparatus, comprising a set of contact means ( 9 ) provided in a geometrical arrangement of pattern such that on applying the read/write unit to the memory unit in an initial write operation to a virgin memory layer ( 4 ), memory cells forming bit spots are generated therein in a geometrical arrangement or pattern in exact correspondence with that of the contact means ( 9 ) in the read/write unit ( 11 ) and wherein the data storage device is characterized in that the memory unit comprises a common top electrode (