A report from CBS Seattle claims that Microsoft has been granted a patent for what CBS calls an “avoid ghetto” routine for GPS devices. Advertisers could also use the technology to navigate users through an ad campaign.
The reports says,
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, which was awarded to Microsoft last week, also describes the above mentioned “drive by all my ads” feature.
Microsoft declined to comment to CBS Seattle about the patent.
I can hear it now, “Turn left at the Chevrolet billboard, travel 2 miles until you see the McDonald’s Big Mac sign. Drive straight for 12 miles. You have arrived in a nice neighborhood.”
