iButton Components

The Can and Grommet
All iButtons use their stainless steel "Can" for their electronic communications interface. Each "Can" has a data contact which is called the "Lid" and a ground contact which is called the "Base". Each of these contacts is connected to the silicon chip inside. The "Lid" is the top of the "Can" and the "Base" forms the sides and the bottom of the "Can" and includes a flange for easily attaching the button to just about anything. The two contacts are separated by a polypropylene grommet.

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

The iButton product line has over 20 different products by adding different functionality to the basic button. iButtons come in the following different varieties.

• Address Only
• Memory
• Real Time Clock
• Secure
• Temperature

How Do I Get Information In and Out ? 
Information is transferred between your iButton and a clock, lock, vending machine, terminal, reader or PC with a momentary contact. You simply touch your iButton to a Blue Dot receptor or reader head and information is instantly exchanged. In-Touch Solutions has developed a simple iButton Keyboard Wedge that can place an iButton serial number into any application with a simple touch (requires no additional software). This can be the perfect unforgettable password.
 

How Durable is the iButton?
The silicon chip within the iButton is protected by the ultimate durable material: stainless steel. You can drop it, step on it, or scratch it. (Try any of those with your Smart Card and see what happens.) 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 a variety of processes to improve efficiency, such as manufacturing, delivery, and maintenance. Some versions of the iButton can be used to store 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. 

What are the Advantages of iButtons Over Other Technologies?
When deciding on a solution to meet your needs there are many technologies on the market to consider along with iButtons. Bar-codes, RFID Tags, Magnetic Stripe, Prox, and Smart Cards to name a few.

• Durability
  Unlike Bar-codes and Magnetic Stripe systems there are no optics or sensative magnetic heads to wear out . The iButton is read through a solid stainless steel contact. The iButton itself is a stainless steel can that is more durable than any other of the alternatives, the thin plastic of Smart Cards is no match for the strength of the stainless-steel clad iButton. 
• Cost
  iButton systems are very cost effective, In-Touch has a wide variety of low cost iButton readers, terminals, clocks and locks available to do timekeeping, access monitoring/control and more. The iButtons themselves are inexpensive and wear tested for 10 year durability. Because every iButton is unique you can use the same ibutton to unlock your door at home, gain access to work, log onto a job, gain access to the health club, etc. etc. all with the same iButton.
• Security
  All iButtons derive their uniqueness from a globally unique, controlled serial number engraved in silicon. The factory techniques used in making these unique chips are prohibitively difficult to duplicate. Even someone with unlimited time and resources that knew the serial number would have great difficulty in duplicating a simple iButton key.