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Microsoft Patents Frustration-Detection System
I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "Microsoft has patented a frustration-detection help system that would monitor your computer use and biometrics to figure out when you were frustrated. It could then offer to pair you up with someone else doing exactly the same thing who might be able to help you out. Interestingly, they don't appear to use speech recognition to detect abnormal levels of swear words, but that could be due to their past difficulties with speech recognition. 'Physical responses aren't the only things that could trigger this event--taking an abnormally long time to complete a task would do so also--but the biometric aspect is certainly the most unusual. Is this patent a harbinger of a dystopian future where computer users' biorhythms will be monitored to increase efficiency? Unlikely. The idea, which was birthed at Microsoft Research, is simply a more advanced version of user focus group testing that Microsoft (and most other software companies) have been doing for years now.'"
Makes sense, I mean they are into complimentary products.
Keyboard and Mouse
Xbox and games
Windows and this.
I can easily detect my frustration level based on which version of Windows I am using.
HAL: It can only be attributable to human error.
Dave Bowman: Hello, HAL do you read me, HAL?
HAL: Affirmative, Dave, I read you.
Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.
Dave Bowman: What's the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Dave Bowman: What are you talking about, HAL?
HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
Dave Bowman: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL?
HAL: I know you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.
Dave Bowman: Where the hell'd you get that idea, HAL?
HAL: Dave, although you took thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
HAL: Just what do you think you're doing, Dave?
C'mon, guys, let's just agree to let Microsoft have this one, eh?
Modern copyright is theft of culture from everyone and it retards the progress of the useful arts and sciences.
Microsoft has now patented Vista's User Account Control (UAC) feature as a "frustration causation system." Combined with the frustration detection/matchmaking service, they now have found a way to defer all responsibilities for support for Vista to the community.
User pounds fist on keyboard.
*pop*
Clippy: Hi! Looks like you're pretty pissed off!
User throws computer across the room.
Those who believe the Internet is private,
find their privates are on the Internet.
This is nothing new, it's just the first phase of putting the WSYP Project into actual use.
It looks like you are reading Slashdot again.
Would you like some help in getting back to work?
Obama likes poor people so much, he wants to make more of them.
Firefox?
You are either growing frustrated or you are having a heart attack. Shall I notify the administrator?
Apple has patented a smugness detection process. If you are sufficiently smug while using your Apple computer, the machine will now give you a pat on the back. if you are not sufficiently smug it will automatically shut down and install Windows.
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
frustration= (OS =~ /Windows/i);
return frustration;
Hey don't blame me, IANAB