calimike Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 REDMOND, Wash. (CBS Seattle) ? Microsoft has been granted a patent for its ?avoid ghetto? feature for GPS devices. A GPS device is used to find shortcuts and avoid traffic, but Microsoft?s patent states that a route can be plotted for pedestrians to avoid an ?unsafe neighborhood or being in an open area that is subject to harsh temperatures.? Created for mobile phones, the technology uses the latest crime statistics and weather data and includes them when calculating a route. The patent, written in a combination of tech-speak and legalese, was awarded to Microsoft earlier this week. It also described other uses for the new GPS technology. One section of the patent mentioned that advertisers can use the technology to navigate a user through a newly set up ad campaign. Microsoft declined to comment to CBS Seattle. http://seattle.cbslo...or-gps-devices/ Weird! What kind of law by MSFT? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H. Veteran Posted January 6, 2012 Veteran Share Posted January 6, 2012 OMG, LOL :rofl: (Y) They need to roll this out now. My friends from CT always get lost in Queens or in Brooklyn and need some hey cuz they are freaking out. Pretty little girls from Fairfield, CT :D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594566459 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_Lyons10 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I sure could have used this on my Garmin... It always wants to take me through the WORST neighborhood whenever I'm in Philly... lol Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594566465 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aethec Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 That could be useful when you travel by foot at night. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594566609 Share on other sites More sharing options...
strekship Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I am surprised something like this doesn't already exist. It makes sense. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594566979 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rohdekill Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I could have used this feature when traveling across multiple states. It would have completely avoided Gary, Indiana. What a dump. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594567005 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I could have used this feature when traveling across multiple states. It would have completely avoided Gary, Indiana. What a dump. haha. This. I had to drive through there a few weeks back and it was amazing that as soon as you get into Gary, the roads suck, everything is run down, and there are swamps for some reason. It's like it's own trashy world. And then as soon as you get out, the roads are fine and the scenery is magically better. :laugh: Anyway, I can't believe Garmin or somebody else never came up with this feature. The "Avoid Ghetto" concept has been joked about for years. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594567015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahoospa Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Watch some organization call it discrimination. :angry: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594567023 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArialBlue Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 It would be discrimination if it was called "Avoid Hispanic / Black Neighborhood" - which by all means this feature is, statistically speaking. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594567059 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted January 7, 2012 Member Share Posted January 7, 2012 That would actually be a useful feature to have. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594567159 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew_Thepc Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 apart from all the discrimination lawsuits MS might get into because of this, sounds awesome :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594567303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 So, I vote they name this new feature "Ghetto Blaster"! :p Aethec 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1049607-microsoft-patents/#findComment-594567561 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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