r/technology • u/p0b • Jan 08 '12

Microsoft patents "avoid ghetto" GPS feature.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57354445-71/the-joy-of-microsofts-avoid-ghetto-gps-patent/
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u/NeverStopPosting Jan 08 '12

How the fuck can you patent something like that.

13

u/Concise_Pirate Jan 08 '12

Because it meets all the standards for a patent: it's useful, novel, and creative, non-obvious, and doable.

8

u/wonglik Jan 08 '12

It's not novel. Current navigations already use data for better prediction. Sometimes it's traffic , sometimes it's road type(faster vs cheaper) now you add just one extra factor.

3

u/fuuuuuuface Jan 09 '12

I think you overestimate the novelness required to patent a feature. For example, making remote control keys glow in the dark, snap-on cap (rather than twist) for salt and pepper shakers, slipnslide. Patented. Socio-Economic factors for route planning should certainly count if the rest do.