What Is iButton?

The iButton is a button. But not just any control. It'sIt's the button you never knew you needed, but now that you have it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. The iButton is a small device with a microchip encased in a durable stainless steel enclosure that looks like a button, hence its name. It's durable and mountable anywhere to carry up-to-date information, even in harsh outdoor environments. It'sIt's minimal and portable—you can attach it to a ring or watch, key fob or another personal item—and then use it as access control for devices, computers and buildings. After that? Data logging and data management tasks await! iButtons were designed with a simple goal: to make sure that the information on your microchip stays safe. They'reThey're built to last, with a plastic housing that protects the chip from damage and keeps it dry. The plastic is so rigid that it can even withstand being run over by a truck—seriously! The iButton uses its "can" housing as the communications interface. The lid is the data contact, and the base (formed by the sides and bottom) acts as the ground, all connected to the microchip inside. Both leads are separated by a polypropylene grommet, through which a perfect seal prevents dust and water from getting through to the microchip. The iButton is a tiny little chip that can do many things. It can store data, track temperature and humidity, act as a key or even store your credit card information. The imagination of the user only limits the applications. The iButton works by having an antenna connected to it, enabling users to read and write data in the iButton using a 1-Wire interface that only requires them to touch the iButton to a corresponding reader connected to a computer system or any other electronic system designed for the iButton. The application differs depending on the type of chip used for the iButton.