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Microsoft's 911 Patent
The register is reporting "'Microsoft was today granted a patent for accessing data used by the emergency services.' They quote from the application 'In sum, what is needed is a way to provide users with access to needed emergency information. This should be simple from the user's perspective, so that even very emotional users can find what is needed in a straightforward, yet comprehensive process.' Apparently the patent was filed one month after 9/11."
And I thought it was just a joke when people said that Microsoft was working to kill Apple and Linux users. Seriously though, I wonder how many people will die because other people with similar lifesaving products for OS X and Linux won't be able to release them because of this patent.
Although I'm not sure that Microsoft is the right person for the job, I agree that this was a huge need right after the attacks. Cell phone and land line exchanges were absolutely flooded with calls, and couldn't handle all the traffic.
My question: How, exactly, is a PocketPC application going to help with this? I mean, really - do they expect us to all rush out and buy one so that we can have access to emergency information? How would putting it in a rental car be of any use to the people who own the car they're driving when an emergency occurs?
I think the timing is pretty distasteful as well - almost as if they're saying "We could have done it better, and here's how!"
I am scientifically inaccurate.
The article starts by making it seem like if you call 911, then Microsoft can access the data. But the patent makes it seem more like its a new 911 system, simply built by Microsoft. If its a new system that works better, then in this case I will side with Microsoft and say good for them, the 911 system is innefficient in some places. On the other hand, if they can access private data...to hell with them. "They that give up liberty for security deserve neither" - Benjamin Franklin
So put that in your pipe and grep it
I think you miss the whole point of 9/11. It's US(the coporate world) against THEM(People who live in caves and apparently haven't got any nulearweapons).
If Microsoft DIDN'T make money off of this, the terrorists would be winning!!
From the actual patent, numbered 6882706:
What is claimed is:
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
maintaining a plurality of records in an emergency data store, each record comprising emergency data and having type of emergency information associated therewith that classifies the record as corresponding to at least one type of emergency;
providing an emergency page, the emergency page including a plurality of emergency type links, each emergency type link corresponding to a particular type of emergency;
receiving an indication that an emergency type link was actuated, and in response,
accessing the emergency data store to locate at least two records that are each associated with the type of emergency that corresponds to the actuated link;
aggregating the data from each located record into aggregated emergency data; and
providing an emergency sub-page based on the aggregated emergency data.
The abstract is even more vague. So, I don't see any invention here, nor any innovation. It sounds like a database with a simple user interface. I'm working on such a system right now. Am I violating Miscrosoft's patent? Sure, my system deals with proletariat efficiencies, but it's basically the same idea.
I don't see how a patent can be granted for this. Emergency services have been doing this for years, just on paper and with log books. Sure, it's good to have needed information in one convenient place, with a simple interface, but I fail to see any innovation or invention. How can one patent something that is simply logic? Can logic really be patented? I know it has been, but that doesn't mean it's not asinine. Maybe I read the patent wrong, but I just see this as simple logic.
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I would be very concerned about the potential abuse of this type of technology. Imagine the following scenarios:
1. Immature person tries out the emergency call just to see what happens or if it really works.
2. Creative but malicious person writes virus that triggers this technology.
3. Someone triggers the emergency call in one place, using this as a distraction away from where a real emergency (burglary, for example) is taking place.
4. Creative but malicious person writes program that blocks this technology.
These are just a few random things that come to mind. Numbers 1 and 3 can be done today using a regular phone, but numbers 2 and 4 are what concern me--the idea that someone could potentially make it look like you or I were "prank-calliing" the police or fire station, or interfere with a real-life emergency.
This is all hypothetical, of course.
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I really find it disgusting how patents can be filed with no implementation in sight. So how does Microsoft intend to provide such a service?
Or did they file to patent to blackmail^Wpersuade the Government into buying their products because theirs is the only chip on the block?
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Yes, budget burning is somethign i never understood and think that it should be criminal if they are caught doing it.
We recently had a tax levi on the ballot were i live and it failed. The schools started canceling certian popular after school activities like football and such (that or requiring outragious fees to participate). Some book keeper requested budget and expense information for the previous several years and pointed out that in the last fiscal quarter of each year, the schools were spending on average of 25% more money on supplies and other stuff that doesn't need approval for purchasing then the previous 3 quarters. Then in the begining of the next quarter they would respend on much of the same items. It apears that when school is being let out for the year, they go thru more supplies then when it is in session and they use all those supplies up while the children are on break. Some of the expenses appeared to be obvious budget burning too.
Its no wonder the government costs so much to run. Our local police and fire have threatened to strike for more pay and some idiot made the fire contract's payroll contingent on the police's pay so an increase in one automaticaly increases the other. We waist so much money that it isn't right.