G+_Bernard Bout Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Fr. Robert Ballecer - re: Twit Knowhow #165 and the Microsoft Battery tech. This switching by software to save power first came out in 2012 and was done by Nvidia using their software called NVIDIA optimus technology, where the laptop was fitted with an Intel low power GPU as well as an NVidia Geoforce GPU. The computer had 2 drivers installed and the Nvidia software took care of the switching. When low power apps like Wordprocessors etc. were opened, the GPU switched automatically to the Intel one hence using less power, and when a more powerful GPU (Graphics, Games etc) was needed, it switched to the GeoForce GPU automatically. I actually have a computer fitted with this type of tech. So MS is just expanding on this switching tech on the battery side, not actually inventing something new. Here is the link where there is a white paper. More can be found on Wikipedia and searching google. http://www.nvidia.com/object/optimus_technology.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 I know about Optimus technology. I was one of the tech people who first reviewed an Optimus-enabled system. This is not switching between GPU and CPU based on power needs.. This is switching power based on CPU and GPU needs. This is something entirely new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Marsh Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 An entirely new technology? A method and apparatus for switching between different sources of power. So... it's a software switch. It's a novel idea, and I'm sure it'll be used to make mobile devices run longer on a charge and enable greater peak performance, but I don't think I'd call it an entirely new technology. I don't even know if I'd call it a a new technology at all. I'd call it a decent approach to battery management. Batteries have been produced before with different storage technologies within. Short lived, high current cells and long-running, low-current cells have been paired to produce small, lightweight special-application batteries capable of fulfilling varied needs within a single installation. How is the laptop "smart" battery so different from this? It doesn't matter whether the locus of control is in the battery, OS, or the mobo, it serves the same utility as previous designs. As one who has been deeply involved in a successful patent filing, I don't see this "technology" as groundbreaking at all. I also know that I want nothing to do with a patent filing ever again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Bernard Bout Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ IMHO this is exactly that. Using software to switch resources. In fact very long ago NVidia started with Application/Game Profiles where settings were made into profiles and software used them to run games with these profile settings that affected the GPU. Going even further back, we have the Windows .INI files that dictated profiles for an app. All MS is doing now is using a similar method to switch resources. This can only be based on profiles similar to NVidia's game/app profiles. Only they are doing it with batteries now. This is not new, but just different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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