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MS Design Lets You Put Batteries In Any Way You Want

Posted by timothy on from the dis-orientation dept.

jangel writes "While its strategy for mobile devices might be a mess, Microsoft has announced something we'll all benefit from. The company's patented design for battery contacts will allow users of portable devices — digital cameras, flashlights, remote controls, toys, you name it — to insert their batteries in any direction. Compatible with AA and AAA cells, among others, the 'InstaLoad' technology does not require special electronics or circuitry, the company claims."

8 of 453 comments (clear)

  1. What to work on next. by bob_jordan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thats one of lifes great problems solved. Any chance they can work on Windows stability next?

    Bob.

  2. An actual patent by White+Flame · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For once, we're hearing about an authentically clever, afaik new physical design which solves a real problem and is actually sanely applicable to be patented. I wasn't expecting that when I clicked on this story. Gotta hand it to Microsoft for this one.

  3. Re:And in other news... by sammyF70 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I did the unthinkable and read TFA. They are not trying to patent the diode, they came up with a completely stupidly simple *mechanical* system which really allows to put the batteries in any direction you want without checking the polarity. it's one of the "so simple anybody could have thought of it" patents, and I must confess that I am actually impressed by its simplicity.

    For once I must say "well done, Microsoft" (sadly I'm not really anticipating repeating that sentence all too often)

    --
    "DRM is like the Ford Pinto: it's a smooth ride, right up the point at which it explodes and ruins your day."-C.Doctorow
  4. Re:Dodge this by Animaether · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is specifically for battery compartments with a physical parallel configuration, rather than a series configuration.
    ( 'physical configuration' as in the batteries laying side-by-side, rather than end-to-end, so the batteries' poles never directly touch eachother; unrelated to the electrical circuitry's configuration )

    I'm trying to recall the last time I've seen a physical series configuration; but I just realized my old-ass flashlight counts as one.
    ( it's been replaced years ago by a proper wind-up for emergency cases and a decent Maglite-like one with a rechargable set for more frequent/high intensity beam use )

  5. This is best invention from Microsoft ever. by twisting_department · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I have to say it again. This is the most brilliant invention Microsoft has ever come up with. It fixes an every day niggle that every one has just accepted for decades. It's dead obvious but no one thought of it before (I assume so far). Perfect candidate for a patent. And for all those who don't read articles: No it does not uses diodes, it's purely mechanical therefore does not drop any battery voltage or waste power like a bridge would. It's probably as cheap to make as regular battery contacts. Just hope it is as reliable as normal contacts. Brilliant I say. Well done Microsoft. I always thought you had some innovation in you somewhere.

  6. Re:Pretty proud, eh? by ragefan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They even made a logo for it.

    So instead of just paying attention to whether the batteries are in correctly, they'll have to first pay attention to whether the device matters which way that batteries go.

  7. Re:Dodge this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but I just realized my old-ass flashlight counts as one.
    ( it's been replaced years ago by a proper wind-up for emergency cases and a decent Maglite-like one with a rechargable set for more frequent/high intensity beam use )

    Thanks a lot

  8. Re:Now if only... by Andrewkov · · Score: 5, Funny

    How is she getting through so many batteries??