Microsoft Files Patent for Hot-or-Not Style Fashion Rating System

We're not sure what to make of this, other than maybe Microsoft is trying a wee bit too hard to be hip. Or maybe it's a reminder that pretty much anything is patentable. In any event, the software maker has filed a patent for a "Hot or Not" interface allowing viewers to rate one another's fashion sense via uploaded pics. Taken from the patent application:

"The contributor uploads self images for viewing and rating (or voting) by viewers who choose provide an opinion on different fashion and/or cosmetic looks of the contributor. The contributor takes images show the contributor presented with a number (e.g., two) of different fashion choices. The snapshots can then be processed for upload to a website or other accessible location by one or more viewers. The viewers can cast a vote for one of the images by selecting the desired image, in response to which the viewer and/or contributor will be presented with overall statistics for that set of images as to how other viewers voted, as well as a next set of photos depicting the user in a different fashion and/or cosmetic choice. This process can continue until terminated."

It's called the Online Personal Appearance Advisor and, well, we're not really sure what Microsoft might be cooking up, but we're hoping it's nothing like this.