Hand Held Products, Inc. Announces Dolphin Handheld Computer With Integrated iButton Reader

Business Wire, Oct 12, 1998

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 1998--Hand Held Products, Inc. and Dallas Semiconductor Corporation announces a technology alliance integrating the patented iButton(tm) reader into Dolphin(tm) handheld computers so as to read and write data to and from iButton electronic labels.

The iButton version also can be equipped with an integrated bar code scanner--further expanding the functionality and possibilities of automatic data in several markets including: transportation, warehousing and manufacturing.

Described as an electronic label, an iButton is actually a dime-size computer memory chip encased in stainless steel. Data can be transferred in a split-second between an iButton and a handheld PC equipped to read iButtons. With an 8K capacity, iButton is a portable database that will operate up to 10 years in most environments. The iButton data-reading and writing feature helps save time and increase efficiency in harsh indoor and outdoor working environments like; security access control, asset management, food quality control, maintenance inspection.

"Industries using our iButton technology demand an equally rugged handheld computer for their harsh working environments. Dolphin has a reputation for its durable and single-handed-use design," said Kevin Ahearn, iButton channel manager for Dallas Semiconductor. "Dolphin is the ideal handheld computer to integrate an iButton reader and writer. A technology alliance with Hand Held Products complements our market strategy since many target industries for iButton already use Hand Held's Dolphin computer in their other automatic data collection solutions."

Scott Cardais, president and CEO of Hand Held Products, said, "Combining iButton technology with a handheld computer, like the Dolphin, meets the demand for highly portable handheld computing solutions for harsh environments. Dolphin's ergonomic, design, durability, speed, and open development platform make it the perfect device for integrating the benefits of iButton into specific portable data collection solutions for customers in many industries."

Founded in 1982, Hand Held Products manufactures and markets a wide range of portable, computer-based data collection products and easy application development software used in a variety of commercial markets. Hand Held has offices in Latin America, U.K., Europe and Australia, in addition to the US. More information is available at www.handheld.com, or 1-800-582-4263.

Founded in 1984, Dallas Semiconductor, of Dallas, Texas, designs, develops and manufactures unique semiconductor products including iButtons. iButton is a patented technology of Dallas Semiconductor. More than 20 million iButtons are in use today since the technology was first introduced in 1992.