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Data crystal chip: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
(Some clean-up. "Background" section could probably be better named...)
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[[File:Data crystal in-game.png|right|thumb|A data crystal chip]]
[[File:Data crystal in-game.png|right|thumb|A data crystal chip]]
A '''data crystal chip''' is a file storage and transfer device akin to 21st-century memory cards. Data crystal chips are often used to store data that cannot be sent via wireless transmissions because of the data's sensitive or complex nature. They are used by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] to store navigation data, weapons data, and strategic and tactical intelligence. Data crystal chips can also be used to house the [[Riemann matrix]] of an [[artificial intelligence]] construct, even one of starship-grade.


With the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] and subsequent versions of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], a data crystal chip containing an AI matrix can be inserted into the [[SPARTAN Program|Spartan]] wearer's neural interface; this allows the AI and Spartan to synchronize on a mental level, coordinating the supersoldier's reflexes to an even greater degree.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''</ref> An [[armored matrix]] may be used to transport and protect an AI's data crystal chip; this is often done when no [[holotank]] is available.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 317''</ref>
A '''data crystal chip''', often referred to as a '''data crystal''',<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 402'' (2010 edition)</ref> a '''memory crystal''',<ref name="fs157">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 157'' (2010 edition)</ref> or a '''data chip''',<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 211''</ref> is a file storage and transfer device akin to 21st-century memory cards. They could store the [[Riemann matrix]] of a [[artificial intelligence]] or immense amounts of data. The data chips were composed of silicon and crystal.<ref name="gl225">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 225''</ref> Although most data chips are the size of a small [[Wikipedia:matchbook|matchbook]],<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 265''</ref> some may be smaller than a thumb.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 13''</ref> A pea-sized data crystal chip variant was used to store [[Artificial intelligence#"Micro" AI|"micro" AI]]s, like [[Jerrod]]. They were compatible with a [[Portable computer|laptop]]'s auxiliary reader port and could connect to the laptop's [[holography|holographic]] projector.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 147''</ref>
 
==Background==
[[File:Mom, Son, & Daughter.png|thumb|300px|[[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] supplying [[John-117]] with [[Cortana]]'s data chip.]]
Data crystal chips are often used to store data that cannot be sent via wireless transmissions because of the data's sensitive or complex nature. They are used by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] to store navigation data, weapons data, and strategic and tactical intelligence.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[The Mona Lisa]]", ''page 169''</ref> Data crystal chips can also be used to house the [[Riemann matrix]] of an [[artificial intelligence]] construct, even one of starship-grade. A data crystal was considered the physical entity of an AI.<ref name="gl225"/> [[Smart AI|"Smart" AIs]] of high importance have a matrix fail-safe that will either destroy the data crystal or render it useless when activated.<ref name="fs157"/> Despite this, [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]]'s personal AI, [[Kalmiya]], was able to reconstruct a fragment of [[SPARTAN-III program|erased information]] from trace ionization that was taken from [[Araqiel]]'s data chip, after Halsey initiated his fail-safe.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 159'' (2010 edition)</ref>
 
With the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] and subsequent versions of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], a data crystal chip containing an AI matrix can be inserted into the [[SPARTAN Program|Spartan]] wearer's neural interface; this allows the AI and Spartan to synchronize on a mental level, coordinating the supersoldier's reflexes to an even greater degree.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''</ref> A data crystal chip may also be physically inserted into the systems of a [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] warships or military space stations to allow the AI to infiltrate the ship's [[Covenant battle network|battle network]] and take control of the ship's systems.<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 219''</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 77'' (2010 edition)</ref> When a smart AI, [[Black-Box]], was inserted into the systems of ''[[Pious Inquisitor]]'', the AI instantly absorbed all the ship's information in the vessel's data banks and transferred it to his data chip.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 225''</ref> Data crystal chips can also be inserted into numerous terminals and consoles on [[Forerunner]] structures, including [[Installation 04]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]''</ref> and [[Requiem]].<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> An [[armored matrix]] may be used to transport and protect an AI's data crystal chip; this is often done when no [[holotank]] is available.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 317'' (2003 edition); ''page 354'' (2010 edition)</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
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File:7466272-Full.jpg|Cortana transferring into a data crystal chip.
File:7466272-Full.jpg|Cortana transferring into a data crystal chip.
File:Reach 7804700 Full.jpg|Cortana's data crystal chip in an [[armored matrix]].
File:Reach 7804700 Full.jpg|Cortana's data crystal chip in an [[armored matrix]].
File:Lazlo's body.png|A data chip beside the body of [[Laszlo Sorvad|Professor Laszlo Sorvad]].
File:H5 empty Data Chip Crystal.jpg|Cortana's data crystal chip on a dog tag chain.
File:H5 empty Data Chip Crystal.jpg|Cortana's data crystal chip on a dog tag chain.
</gallery>
</gallery>


== List of appearances ==
== List of appearances ==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]'' {{Mo}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
{{Col-end}}


== Sources ==
== Sources ==

Revision as of 02:19, August 26, 2014

Template:Outofdate

Era-rw.png This article is a stub. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.
A data crystal chip

A data crystal chip, often referred to as a data crystal,[1] a memory crystal,[2] or a data chip,[3] is a file storage and transfer device akin to 21st-century memory cards. They could store the Riemann matrix of a artificial intelligence or immense amounts of data. The data chips were composed of silicon and crystal.[4] Although most data chips are the size of a small matchbook,[5] some may be smaller than a thumb.[6] A pea-sized data crystal chip variant was used to store "micro" AIs, like Jerrod. They were compatible with a laptop's auxiliary reader port and could connect to the laptop's holographic projector.[7]

Background

Dr. Halsey supplying John-117 with Cortana's data chip.

Data crystal chips are often used to store data that cannot be sent via wireless transmissions because of the data's sensitive or complex nature. They are used by the UNSC to store navigation data, weapons data, and strategic and tactical intelligence.[8] Data crystal chips can also be used to house the Riemann matrix of an artificial intelligence construct, even one of starship-grade. A data crystal was considered the physical entity of an AI.[4] "Smart" AIs of high importance have a matrix fail-safe that will either destroy the data crystal or render it useless when activated.[2] Despite this, Doctor Catherine Halsey's personal AI, Kalmiya, was able to reconstruct a fragment of erased information from trace ionization that was taken from Araqiel's data chip, after Halsey initiated his fail-safe.[9]

With the Mark V and subsequent versions of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, a data crystal chip containing an AI matrix can be inserted into the Spartan wearer's neural interface; this allows the AI and Spartan to synchronize on a mental level, coordinating the supersoldier's reflexes to an even greater degree.[10] A data crystal chip may also be physically inserted into the systems of a Covenant fleet warships or military space stations to allow the AI to infiltrate the ship's battle network and take control of the ship's systems.[11][12] When a smart AI, Black-Box, was inserted into the systems of Pious Inquisitor, the AI instantly absorbed all the ship's information in the vessel's data banks and transferred it to his data chip.[13] Data crystal chips can also be inserted into numerous terminals and consoles on Forerunner structures, including Installation 04[14] and Requiem.[15] An armored matrix may be used to transport and protect an AI's data crystal chip; this is often done when no holotank is available.[16]

Trivia

Though Cortana's data crystal chip is featured prominently in Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 3, and Halo 4, her method of transfer varies between each game. In Halo: Combat Evolved, Cortana's matrix is transferred only when the chip is directly inserted into an access port. In Halo 2, Cortana is capable of transferring from the MJOLNIR Mark VI's gauntlets to any electronic system in close proximity without using the chip. The chip returns in Halo 3, though Cortana is seen transferring herself remotely to and from the device, much as she did via the suit's gauntlets in Halo 2. Halo 4 reintroduces the direct-insertion system from Halo: Combat Evolved, despite Cortana having upgraded the suit since the events of Halo 3. This may be do to Cortana's deteriorating state of rampancy, as at one point she mentions being "unable to move on her own".

Gallery

  • Captain Jacob Keyes holding a data crystal chip in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    Captain Jacob Keyes holding a data crystal chip in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • Keyes holding a data crystal chip in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

    Keyes holding a data crystal chip in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  • John-117 holding Cortana's data crystal chip.

    John-117 holding Cortana's data crystal chip.

  • Cortana transferring into a data crystal chip.

    Cortana transferring into a data crystal chip.

  • Cortana's data crystal chip in an armored matrix.

    Cortana's data crystal chip in an armored matrix.

  • A data chip beside the body of Professor Laszlo Sorvad.

    A data chip beside the body of Professor Laszlo Sorvad.

  • Cortana's data crystal chip on a dog tag chain.

    Cortana's data crystal chip on a dog tag chain.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 402 (2010 edition)
  2. ^ a b Halo: First Strike, page 157 (2010 edition)
  3. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 211
  4. ^ a b Halo: Glasslands, page 225
  5. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 265
  6. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 13
  7. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 147
  8. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "The Mona Lisa", page 169
  9. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 159 (2010 edition)
  10. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Pillar of Autumn
  11. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 219
  12. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 77 (2010 edition)
  13. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 225
  14. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level Assault on the Control Room
  15. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Requiem
  16. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 317 (2003 edition); page 354 (2010 edition)
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