Microsoft Instaload Battery Technology

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edelbrock

Newly Enlightened
Joined
May 7, 2008
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I ran across a press release from Microsoft about a new product that allows the use of a battery without regard to polarity. I did a search and did not find anything about it here, so I thought I would bring it to the attention of the forum for discussion.
The press release is here:
http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/jul10/07-01InstaLoadPR.mspx
"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."
 
cool
i dont want it, i dont want propriatary connections on stuff.
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...16D7D6943635/Microsoft_InstaLoad_Brochure.pdf
all it is is putting duel connections on at the connection points that wont work with everything the same way
Plus it will add in a shorting capability that did not exist previously having the poles more close by any means to eachother.

IMO it is unacceptable and incorrect psudo solution to user ignorance, and manufacture markings, BIG fat arrows are a far better solution.
how many times has the user struggled to see the markings for polarity, address that , and Dont add in another propriatary and dangerous connection that restricts users.

has it been to difficult for the manufactures to put in markings that a user can see, instead of struggle with, that they would change the connection style itself to address?
lazy cheap non-solution for thier already lazy poorly marked stuff, par for them and the china manufactured stuff they will toss it in. :)

oops corrected
 
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Justin Case said:
Could have a problem with flat top cells.
Click to expand...

i suspect it will be very dependant on the shoulder and nipple heights, which we have all seen vary greatly, and cause issues already in things.
a bit more insulation (which is a good thing) around the can, and the user can swear at the thing for not connecting.
plus on the other end, the base insulations and base design connection, how many cells have we already seen that have a slightly resessed base? like the e2 123 for example.

its a bloody conspiracy :) one device One battery , one corporation , one world :D
 
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Not going to work with multi-cell lights that directly connect 2-3 cells in series in a body tube.

Could work with Single cell lights, although I don't really see the advantage over the already proven mechanical methods.
 
edelbrock said:
"Microsoft Corp. today announced a new technology aimed at improving the battery installation process called InstaLoad battery installation technology"
Click to expand...

Oh this is priceless. Recess half of a battery clip and suddenly this is a "technology". Judas.

This will cause way more problems than it will solve. And what problem are we trying to solve anyway, with this "technology"? Even unsighted folks have no problem putting batteries in 95% of the devices out there. For the other 5%, well the designers should stop putting springs on the B+ side or doing other oddball things in those devices. Problem solved.
 
I believe its more than a battery, it has a circuit that delivers positive and negative voltage and uses a comparator to determine which way the load receives its power...I'd imagine the capacity of an AA would resemble more like an AAA if this was true:thinking:
 
n3eg said:
I would have expected more Microsoft jokes.
Click to expand...

They have an update for it already , it was incompatable with energiser v.E2.1 batteries ?

You Activate it online before the first use, and each battery change?

If you cant get it working with a particular battery, for $29 you can call "tech support" in india for help?

There is a 47 page TOU you have to agree to, to install a battery in it?

Support for it was dropped in 2009?
 
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So when I call MS tech support, I'll say the blue screen shows BAT file polarity not found.
 
This is an Instant Load all right. If this were closer to April 1st, I would've sworn.... :devil:
 
notrefined said:
coming soon, microsoft is bringing this technology to the firearms industry ;-)
Click to expand...

:crackup:



I'm looking forward to this technology coming to the Building Hardware industry.


Want Nails which can be Hammered from either end.

:p
_
 
Illum said:
I believe its more than a battery, it has a circuit that delivers positive and negative voltage and uses a comparator to determine which way the load receives its power...I'd imagine the capacity of an AA would resemble more like an AAA if this was true:thinking:
Click to expand...


x2... it needs a microprocessor that analyzes the Vin polarity, and inverts it or turns it around, and presents that power to whatever is next in line.

this really does not interest me at all....
:tired:

I for one do not want Microsoft anywhere near the flashlight and tactical gear industries.

MS :xyxgun::rant:
 
kramer5150 said:
x2... it needs a microprocessor that analyzes the Vin polarity, and inverts it or turns it around, and presents that power to whatever is next in line.
Click to expand...

Why couldn't you just slap a few diodes in there, at each stage, ala bridge rectifier style? Not saying you'd want to, I'm just wondering why there has to be a big bad microprocessor. Yeah the diode voltage drop would be unacceptable but can't FET's be used as diodes with no voltage drop? (Way out of my area.)

Edit: Nah wait a minute, you guys got me all confused with this talk about microprocessors. You don't need any such nonsense because the nipple can only touch the positive terminal. Doesn't matter which physical end it's on that day. There is nothing to detect nor invert. Basically recessing half the contact just like I said above.

Patent #7527893 if anyone is bored. I got about halfway through but eh stopped reading after I was sure it was just a silly mechanical device with no microprocessor.
 
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I didn't bother reading the links. I don't see the market for this first, and secondly the potential problems you all are outlining aren't a big deal in their eyes, the battery will be more reliable then their software, so they thing that is good. they have never heard of 100% reliability
 
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