ibutton (Dallas Chip) Electronic Locks And Readers

What Is an iButton or Dallas Chip?

Introduction
The iButton is a computer chip enclosed in a very thin stainless steel can. Because of this unique and durable container, up-to-date information can travel with a person or object anywhere they go. The steel iButton can be mounted virtually anywhere because it is rugged enough to withstand harsh environments, indoors or outdoors. It is small and portable enough to attach to a key fob, ring, watch, or other personal items, and be used daily for applications such as access control to buildings and computers, asset management, and various data logging tasks. Please see below for the ibutton locks and readers we sell.



iButton Components
The Can and Grommet

An iButton uses its stainless steel 'can' as an electronic communications interface. Each can has a data contact, called the 'lid', and a ground contact, called the 'base'. Each of these contacts is connected to the silicon chip inside. The lid is the top of the can; the base forms the sides and the bottom of the can and includes a flange to simplify attaching the button to just about anything. The two contacts are separated by a polypropylene grommet.



The 1-Wire Interface
By simply touching the iButton to the two contacts described above, you can communicate with it through our 1-Wire protocol. The 1-Wire interface has two communication speeds: standard mode at 16kbps, and overdrive mode at 142kbps. For more information, please see our application note, Reading and Writing 1-Wire® Devices Through Serial Interfaces.

The Address
Each iButton has a unique and unalterable address laser etched onto its chip inside the can. The address (e.g. 2700000095C33108) can be used as a key or identifier for each iButton.

How Do I Get Information Into and Out of the iButton?
Information is transferred between your iButton and a PC with a momentary contact at up to 142kbps. You simply touch your iButton to a Blue Dot receptor or other iButton probe, which is connected to a PC. The Blue Dot receptor is cabled to a 1-Wire adapter that is attached to a spare PC port. 1-Wire adapters exist for USB, serial, and parallel ports. The Blue Dot receptor and 1-Wire Adapter are inexpensive.



The iButton is also the ultimate information carrier for AutoID and many portable applications. All the latest handheld computers and PDAs can communicate with iButtons. For a full listing of all portable devices that communicate with iButtons, go to the iButton Solutions Search.

How Durable Is the iButton?
The silicon chip within the iButton is protected by the ultimate durable material: stainless steel. You can drop an iButton, step on it, or scratch it. The iButton is wear-tested for 10-year durability.

What Can I Do with the iButton?
The iButton is ideal for any application where information needs to travel with a person or object. Affixed to a key fob, watch, or ring, an iButton can grant its owner access to a building, a PC, a piece of equipment, or a vehicle. Attached to a work tote, it can measure processes to improve efficiency, such as manufacturing, delivery, and maintenance. Some iButton versions can be used to store electronic cash for small transactions, such as transit systems, parking meters, and vending machines. The iButton can also be used as an electronic asset tag to store information needed to keep track of valuable capital equipment. Click here to see some of the iButton Applications used around the world.



What Do I Need to Put Together an iButton Application?
There are four components fundamental to any iButton application: iButtons A host system: this can be a PC, a laptop, a handheld computer, or an embedded system. Locking device - It could be a stand alone lock or reader. A layer of software to interface iButtons to computers and produce the desired information in the desired format. iButtons costs are very reasonable. Unlike regular keys they can be re used over and over again. The ibutton receptor and 1-Wire Adpater and software also are very reasonably priced. These are purchased as a set. You can review our Product Section and Online Store to get all product details and exact costs for all components.

What Are the Advantages of iButtons Over Other Technologies?
When developing an iButton solution for an application, you can consider many complementary technologies. Bar codes, RFID tags, magnetic stripe, prox, and smart cards are some of the possibilities. Unlike bar codes and magnetic stripe cards, most of the iButtons can be read AND be written to. In addition, the communication rate and product breadth of iButtons goes well beyond the simple memory products typically available with RFID. As for durability, the thin plastic of smart cards is no match for the strength of the stainless-steel-clad iButton.

Who Is Using the iButton?
With over 178 million iButtons currently in circulation, the list of users is very long but it includes big business and small business, schools and universities, military, goverment and even homeowners.