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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."
Microsoft, for all your counter-terrorism needs.
Just another harmless drunk
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.
"911 Operator. What is the nature of the emergency?"
"HELP! There's a criminal trying to break into my house!"
"We will have someone there right away, Ma'am. Just tell me your name, your address, and your patent use approval identification number."
"This is Mary Smith of 123 Maple Drive, and what?-- patent thingamabob?"
"Your patent use approval identification number, the proof that you can properly use this protected 911 service."
"He's got a gun! Hurry!"
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but this seems to be a patent violation. Our enforcement officers will be out there immediately to collect payment plus penalty."
Caller: "Help, my house is on fire!"
911: "You appear to be making an emergency call. Would you like me to set up a template?"
Caller: "A what? Help me!"
911: "Accessing help..."
911: "..."
911: "Socket timed out, retrying..."
Caller: "Augh!"
911: "Welcome to the 911 help system. Please say your search terms now."
Caller: "....... FIRE!"
911: "Searching..."
911: "FIRE up your browsing experience with the new MSN Search, your comprehensive portal to the web!"
Caller: "Augh!"
Where do you want to go today ?
[ ] Hospital
[ ] Police Station
[ ] E.R.
[ ] Fire Station
Blue Screen of Death... _literally_.
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!!
Next they will try to make money from it. An extension to something as important as 911 should not be corporate.
You mean, like the corporately made, and profitable rescue vehicles that are driven to the scene of the emergency? Or the corporately made, and profitable Motorola gear that the responders are using? Or the coporately owned and managed telecomm systems that actually carry the 911 calls? Or the countless consulting and systems integration companies that help build and run the emergency dispatch systems that handle 911 calls?
This Corporate = Inherently Bad sentiment has become an embarassment. So, if the exact same patent had been filed, and business plan had been dreamt up by just Little Old Me, would it be Bad then? How about if me and two other guys formed a small incorporated group to do it? Is it bad then? How about 30 of us? 300? 3000? What exactly is the inherently bad corporate number, anyway? There must be some cosmic constant that much of slashdot is working with, and it should be shared for peer review.
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
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.
BDR Gear
Outdoor gear, MREs, and more!
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.
Anakin Simpson: If you're not with me, then you're my enemy--ooh, donuts!
Operator: 911...What is your emergency?
Caller: My wife is having a heart attack! Please send someone!!
Operator: It seems you are using 911 for the first time. Would you like some help?
Caller: YES!! Send someone NOW!!
Operator: In order to complete this call, you will have to restart your phone. Please hang up and call again.
Caller: WHAT??!!
Operator: Your phone is now restarting...(click!)
GET FREE APPLE STUFF!
20 minutes... 25 minutes... 23 minutes... 14 minutes... 2 minutes... 40 minutes...
How about a button with "Don't Panic" written in large, friendly letters on it?
>> Do you really want your children being able
>> to call the emergency services easily?
No, I'd much prefer to die if my child is the only one around.