InstaLoad Battery Tech unveiled by Microsoft

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[title:Press Release]Microsoft Unveils InstaLoad Battery Installation Technology That Allows Batteries to Be Inserted in Either Direction: New ease-of-use feature now available for third-party licensing.

REDMOND, Wash. July 1, 2010 Microsoft Corp. today announced a new technology aimed at improving the battery installation process called InstaLoad battery installation technology, which allows users to easily install a battery without regard to positive and negative polarity. Never again will people have to squint to see battery installation diagrams - the device simply works regardless if the battery is installed positive-side-up or positive-side-down. InstaLoad is a patented battery contact design now available for license by third-party device suppliers, with companies like Duracell already lining up to endorse the technology for use in their own products.

Product Applications and Differentiators

InstaLoad technology can be incorporated into devices that require frequent battery swap-outs, are used in less-than-ideal environments or use several batteries. Industries that could greatly benefit from this type of timesaving technology based on their environments include law enforcement, military, construction, outdoor sporting and camping. In addition, users of devices with multiple batteries and frequent battery swap-out - including battery chargers, digital cameras, camera flash units and toys - could also benefit.

Unlike existing electronic solutions designed to address battery-polarity installation, InstaLoad is a mechanical invention that does not drain battery power or require expensive electronic circuitry. InstaLoad battery contacts can be cost-effectively designed into most battery compartments, as it usually requires replacing existing battery contacts with the patented InstaLoad contact design. The technology is compatible with popular off-the-shelf batteries used in products such as flashlights, toys, battery chargers, lighting and most other battery-operated consumer electronic devices that use CR123, AA, AAA, C or D size batteries (disposable or rechargeable) or similar barrel-type battery form factors.

Royalty-Free License Program for Accessibility Products

The InstaLoad technology can provide an additional usability benefit for battery-operated accessibility devices that are designed for people with hearing, vision or learning disabilities.

"Microsoft is pleased to offer a royalty-free license program to suppliers and manufacturers for this class of accessibility devices," said Rusty Jeffress, corporate vice president, Specialized Devices & Applications, Microsoft. "We believe the InstaLoad feature can make a difference in the lives of those people who need and use these products on a daily basis."

Microsoft Licensing Program

InstaLoad is the latest addition to the Microsoft Hardware Intellectual Property Licensing program. The Microsoft Hardware IP Licensing program was established five years ago and has successfully licensed Microsoft technology to many global manufacturers and retail brands in the mouse, keyboard and webcam industries. InstaLoad is the first technology offering by Microsoft Hardware for licensing to a broader industry, across a variety of battery-operated devices.

Microsoft is offering commercial licensees both a license to the InstaLoad technology and a license to the InstaLoad logo for use on product packaging and marketing materials. This logo program will help users identify those battery-operated products that feature InstaLoad technology. Microsoft offers commercial licensees fair and equitable terms. In addition, Microsoft offers a no-charge InstaLoad evaluation kit, which includes a detailed design specification and demo unit to help device suppliers quickly start their product prototyping.

More information about the Microsoft InstaLoad technology and Hardware IP Licensing program is available at

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseand...technology.mspx or by e-mail at [email protected].

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

Technology Partner Quotes

"Duracell Smart Power is all about making the lives of consumers easier and more efficient as they depend on battery power for the mobile devices that keep them organized and connected while away from the grid. After evaluating Microsoft's InstaLoad technology, Duracell is excited about the possibilities of incorporating this simplified battery installation technology into future Duracell products, delivering a better experience for our consumers."

Dan McCarthy

Director, Global Marketing

Duracell

"Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in the supply of technology products used by outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Our customers demand the highest quality products used in the harshest environments. We are pleased to be working with Microsoft to incorporate the InstaLoad Technology into our headlamps to let our customers focus on the task at hand."

David Mellon

VP Product

Black Diamond Equipment Co.

"AE Light is pleased to be one of the first companies to incorporate Microsoft's InstaLoad technology into our law enforcement flashlight line. Having the ability to quickly change a battery without concern of proper positioning under stressful conditions is a major safety improvement."

Marc Allsman

President

Allsman Enterprises (AE Light)

"As a leading manufacturer of communication technology for people with hearing and vision loss, simplicity is a key component to the usability of our products. We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to offer the InstaLoad battery installation technology in ClearSounds Communications' planned accessibility products. This seemingly simple technology will dramatically improve the experience for our customers."

Michele Ahlman

President

ClearSounds Communications

"Memory Protection Devices (MPD) is pleased to partner with Microsoft on the rollout of its InstaLoad technology. We intend to manufacture Microsoft's InstaLoad battery holders and contacts, and market them via our websites (http://www.batteryholders.com and http://www.battery-contacts.com). We will ensure that these innovative components are available to developers of battery powered products on a global scale."

Tom Blaha

President

Memory Protection Devices Inc.
QUOTE said:
Microsoft has certainly had some ups and downs with its products over the years, but we're pretty sure the company's new InstaLoad technology falls somewhere between a home run and the best thing it's ever done. It promises to do nothing short of redefine the way you insert batteries, and let you shove 'em into devices without any regard for positive or negative polarity. That's apparently possible thanks to a patented battery contact design, which Microsoft says "simply works," and is compatible with a whole range of battery sizes (both standard and rechargeable). What's more, Microsoft is now already licensing the technology to third party device suppliers, and is even offering a royalty-free license for suppliers and manufacturers of accessibility products. Still no word on when the first devices using the technology will be available, but Microsoft already counts Duracell and flashlight-manufacturer AE Light among its partners.
Yay! We finally don't have to struggle with putting in batteries the right way again! Wait a minute. What does this solve again?

Source: Engadget
 

ProtoKun7

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ore0 said:
Now Microsoft takes away our polarity!!!
Now what are we going to reverse in the neutron flow? :<

Haha, seems like there's a lot of battery talk going on recently. Just earlier I was reading the thread about the batteries that will supposedly hold huge amounts of power.
 

Devin

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ore0 said:
First Microsoft takes away our controllers... Now Microsoft takes away our polarity!!!
whathassciencedonez.jpg

Why did you put a spoiler in a spoiler? Just curious.

QUOTEI think they have made a solution to a problem that didn't really exist.

Agree'd.
 

VashTS

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i am offended for the batteries, it does matter what way they go in.

seriously, this is stupid. i wish i could get paid for retarded ideas i have. and i do have some.
 

dragon574444

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Anything to make people have to think less. Seriously, the plus goes to the plus, the minus goes to the minus. Once you're a "Pro", you'll be able to identify the flat end of the battery usually goes to the spring!
 

iYoshi-

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VashTS said:
i am offended for the batteries, it does matter what way they go in.

seriously, this is stupid. i wish i could get paid for retarded ideas i have. and i do have some.

Reverse microwave?
biggrin.gif


Yeah this is kinda stupid, They should spend their money on more important things, like buying off competitors.
 

Mantis41

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WOW! MS just invented the bridge rectifier............ Hang on......
OK....so, MS found a way to shrink diodes so the fit in a battery........... Nope....... been done before as well......
So what are the patenting exactly? The fact that they put the two together? I've made a micro bridge rectifier call the patent company. Can I patent peanut butter and jelly? I'll make a fortune out of the yanks.

Besides I read this in another forum
QUOTE said:
== energy wastage. Especially in one-cell and two-cell designs.

As a typical low-Vf diode drops 0.2V, the wastage for a 2-cell device is 14%.

Then you have the additional manufacturing costs.
 

Maikel Steneker

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InstaLoad sounded like it would... you know, instantly load. Not having to wait for batteries to charge would be interesting.

I'm not too enthusiastic about this, but it'll be interesting to see how it works.
 

Richy Freeway

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Mantis41 said:
WOW! MS just invented the bridge rectifier............ Hang on......
OK....so, MS found a way to shrink diodes so the fit in a battery........... Nope....... been done before as well......
So what are the patenting exactly? The fact that they put the two together? I've made a micro bridge rectifier call the patent company. Can I patent peanut butter and jelly? I'll make a fortune out of the yanks.

Besides I read this in another forum
QUOTE said:
== energy wastage. Especially in one-cell and two-cell designs.

As a typical low-Vf diode drops 0.2V, the wastage for a 2-cell device is 14%.

Then you have the additional manufacturing costs.
Did you even read the article?

How would a bridge rectifier help if you had the two positive terminals together? Guess what, it wouldn't.

There's no bridge rectifier, it's all done with the battery contacts. No extra components, no electronics.

Why would anyone want this? You'd be amazed at how many stupid people out there. There's probably a LOT of wasted tech support time on people getting batteries in wrong. I know I've had more than one customer in my shop that's got it wrong, imagine how many calls a day Microsoft gets cos Joe Bloggs can't fit the batteries in his wireless mouse properly.

Or carry on bashing Microsoft cos it's the cool thing to do.
 

ProtoKun7

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ore0 said:
RoxasIsSora said:
Why did you put a spoiler in a spoiler? Just curious.
I don't know how not to
mellow.gif
It's because you used a capital S. I think it's probably a glitch with the tags.
GGentlemen.
GGentlemen.
Mentlegen.


And reading through the OP again, this sounds even weirder than it did the first time.
mellow.gif
As long as people continue to manufacture products compatible with standard batteries, of course, then this isn't too bad for the idiots among us.
 

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