U.S. patent application number 14/673030 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-06 for system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace for a scheduled workshift.
The applicant listed for this patent is API Healthcare Corporation. Invention is credited to Bryan Dickerson, Gary Charles Sutcliffe, Jonathan Michael Tallon.
Application Number | 20160292647 14/673030 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56939656 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160292647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dickerson; Bryan ; et
al. |
October 6, 2016 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD TO TRACK TIME AND ATTENDANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL AT
A WORKPLACE FOR A SCHEDULED WORKSHIFT
Abstract
A system and method to track time and attendance of an
individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a
location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable
electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system
that records a registration time of the individual at the
workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives
an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic
device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not
detect recording of the individual registration time at the time
clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at
or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of
the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically
causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the
individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to
record the registration time.
Inventors: |
Dickerson; Bryan; (Neosho,
WI) ; Tallon; Jonathan Michael; (Hartland, WI)
; Sutcliffe; Gary Charles; (Slinger, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
API Healthcare Corporation |
Hartford |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56939656 |
Appl. No.: |
14/673030 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 6/00 20130101; G08B
7/06 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201; G06Q 10/1091 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20060101
G06Q010/10; G08B 7/06 20060101 G08B007/06; H04W 4/02 20060101
H04W004/02 |
Claims
1. A system to track a time and an attendance of an individual at a
workplace, the system comprising: a location tracking system having
a stationary wireless device that detects a presence of a portable
electronic device uniquely associated with and carried by the
individual, the portable electronic device including a first
microprocessor connected to an interface; a time clock system that
records a registration time of the attendance of the individual at
the workplace; and a main controller having a second microprocessor
connected in communication with the location tracking system and
the time clock system, where if the main controller receives a
first electronic communication from the location tracking system
transmitted in response to detecting the presence of the portable
electronic device associated with the individual, and if the main
controller does not detect recording of the registration time of
the individual at the time clock system, and if the main controller
detects a current time at or later than a predefined start time of
a predefined scheduled work shift time period of the individual at
the workplace, then in response the microprocessor automatically
executes a plurality of computer program instructions to
automatically transmit a second electronic communication that
causes generation of an alert at the portable electronic device
prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal from the
portable electronic device acknowledging need of the individual to
record the register time at the time clock system.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor of the main
controller executes program instructions to search a schedule
database of the system and to identify the individual associated
with exceeding the predefined scheduled start time of the
predefined workshift time period without recording the registration
time.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronic communication
triggers the location tracking system to transmit a presence
feedback signal representative whether detected a location data
indicative of the presence of the individual at the workplace
within the prescheduled workshift time period.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic communication from
the main controller triggers at least one of a vibratory alert at
the portable electronic device, a visual notification at the
portable electronic device, and an audible alert at the portable
electronic device.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback signal transmitted
from the portable electronic device of the individual causes the
clocking system to register the individual at the predefined
scheduled start time of the predefined workshift time period.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback signal transmitted
from the portable electronic device of the individual causes the
clocking system to record the registration time at an input time as
indicated by the feedback signal from the portable electronic
device.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein when the main controller detects
transmission of a threshold number of requests of the electronic
communications without transmission of the feedback signal from the
portable electronic device, then the main controller communicates
an escalation message in electronic format to a predefined
recipient.
8. A system to track a time and an attendance of an individual at a
workplace, the system comprising: a location tracking system having
a stationary wireless device that detects a presence of a portable
electronic device uniquely associated with and carried by the
individual, the portable electronic device including a first
microprocessor connected to an interface; a time clock system that
records a registration time of the individual at the workplace; and
a main controller having a second microprocessor in communication
with the location tracking system and the time clock system, where
if no recording of the registration time of the individual at the
clock system within a predefined work shift time period for the
individual, then in response the microprocessor of the main
controller automatically executes a plurality of computer program
instructions to perform the following: automatically transmitting
an electronic communication that causes the location tracking
system transmit a feedback signal indicative if there is a stored
location data of the presence of the individual at the workplace
within the predetermined workshift time period, and if there is the
location data per above, then automatically transmitting an
electronic communication to the portable electronic device that
causes an alert prompting for a feedback signal from the portable
electronic device acknowledging need of the individual to record
the registration time at the clock system.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the electronic communication from
the main controller automatically triggers at least one a vibratory
alert of the portable electronic device, a visual notification at
the portable electronic device, and an audio alert at the portable
electronic device.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the feedback signal transmitted
from the portable electronic device triggers the time clock system
to record the registration time for the individual at the
predefined scheduled start time of the predetermined workshift time
period.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the feedback signal transmitted
from the portable electronic device triggers the time clock system
to record the register time per an input as indicated by the
feedback signal from the portable electronic device.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein when the main controller detects
transmission of a threshold number of electronic communications
without a feedback signal from the portable electronic device, then
the main controller transmits an escalation message in electronic
format to a predefined recipient.
13. A method to track a time and an attendance of an individual at
a workplace, the method comprising the steps of: detecting presence
of a portable electronic device uniquely associated with and
carried with the individual at the workplace; detecting the
individual has not recorded a registration time at the clock
system; and detecting if currently within a predefined scheduled
work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then in
response, automatically transmitting an electronic communication to
the portable electronic device that triggers an alert prompting for
a feedback signal to be transmitted from the portable electronic
device acknowledging need for the individual to record the
registration time at the clock system; further including the step
of detecting transmission of a threshold number of electronic
communications without transmission of the feedback signal from the
portable electronic device, and in response automatically
communicating an escalation message in electronic format to a
predefined recipient.
14. The method of claim 13, further including the step of
transmitting an electronic message instructing the location
tracking system to transmit a feedback communication indicative if
a stored locative data indicative of the presence of the portable
electronic device of the individual within a predefined scheduled
work shift time period at the workplace.
15. The method of claim 13, further including the step of
transmitting an electronic communication that triggers a search of
the location tracking system for a location data indicative of the
portable electronic device of the individual at the workplace.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of triggering a
request for a feedback signal via the portable electronic device
includes a vibration of the portable electronic device.
17. The method of claim 13, further including the step of receiving
the feedback signal from the portable electronic device that causes
the time clock system to record the registration time for the
individual at a start time of the predefined work shift time
period.
18. The method of claim 13, further including the step of receiving
the feedback signal from the portable electronic device of the
individual that causes the clocking system to record the
registration time of the individual per an input time at the
portable electronic device.
19. (canceled)
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of triggering a
request for a feedback signal via the portable electronic device
includes one of a visual notification and an audible alert at the
portable electronic device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The subject herein generally relates to a system and method
to track time and attendance of an individual, and more
specifically to a system and method operable to prompt an
individual for action if located at the workplace and yet not
registered with the time clock for a scheduled workshift.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the disclosure and may not constitute prior
art. Time and attendance systems typically include employee time
clock systems, whether mechanical punch clocks or electronic, at
workplaces to assist employers in the tracking of time worked by
employees. The time clock system collects date and time information
collected with respect to the employee to establish a record to be
used by payroll departments in calculating the appropriate pay for
the employee. Certain known time clock systems employee various
biometric technologies to verify the unique identity of the
employee, including fingerprints or retina scans. Yet, current time
and attendance systems still require significant supervisor or
managerial time and expense to review the time clock transactions
(e.g., clock-in, clock-out) for compliance with work schedules,
overtime, and other rules and regulations, as well as to make
appropriate corrections for payroll calculations. Known attempts to
reduce this expense have been limited to employee education and
discipline.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] In view of the above recited concerns, there is need for a
system and method of time and attendance that automatically and in
general real-time monitors employee presence and compliance with
recording or registration of time attendance at the time clock
system, and that automatically triggers electronic communications
of alert to reduce payroll review, correction and human
intervention while sustaining employer-employee goodwill. The
above-described needs are addressed by the embodiments of the
subject matter described herein.
[0004] According to one aspect of the subject matter, a system to
track a time and an attendance of an individual at a workplace is
provided. The system includes a location tracking system having a
stationary wireless device that detects a presence of a portable
electronic device uniquely associated with and carried by the
individual, the portable electronic device including a first
microprocessor connected to an interface; a time clock system that
records a registration time of the attendance of the individual at
the workplace; and a main controller having a second microprocessor
connected in communication with the location tracking system and
the time clock system, where if the main controller receives a
first electronic communication from the location tracking system
transmitted in response to detecting the presence of the portable
electronic device associated with the individual, and if the main
controller does not detect recording of the registration time of
the individual at the time clock system, and if the main controller
detects a current time at or later than a predefined start time of
a predefined scheduled work shift time period of the individual at
the workplace, then in response the microprocessor automatically
executes a plurality of computer program instructions to
automatically transmit a second electronic communication that
causes generation of an alert at the portable electronic device
prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal from the
portable electronic device acknowledging need of the individual to
record the register time at the time clock system.
[0005] According to another aspect, a system to track a time and an
attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system
includes a location tracking system having a stationary wireless
device that detects a presence of a portable electronic device
uniquely associated with and carried by the individual, the
portable electronic device including a first microprocessor
connected to an interface; a time clock system that records a
registration time of the individual at the workplace; and a main
controller having a second microprocessor in communication with the
location tracking system and the time clock system, where if no
recording of the registration time of the individual at the clock
system within a predefined work shift time period for the
individual, then in response the microprocessor of the main
controller automatically executes a plurality of computer program
instructions to perform the following: automatically transmitting
an electronic communication that causes the location tracking
system transmit a feedback signal indicative if there is a stored
location data of the presence of the individual at the workplace
within the predetermined workshift time period, and if there is the
location data per above, then automatically transmitting an
electronic communication to the portable electronic device that
causes an alert prompting for a feedback signal from the portable
electronic device acknowledging need of the individual to record
the registration time at the clock system.
[0006] According to yet another aspect, a method to track a time
and an attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The
method includes the steps of: detecting presence of a portable
electronic device uniquely associated with and carried with the
individual at the workplace; detecting the individual has not
recorded a registration time at the clock system; and detecting if
currently within a predefined scheduled work shift time period of
the individual at the workplace, then in response, automatically
transmitting an electronic communication to the portable electronic
device that triggers an alert prompting for a feedback signal to be
transmitted from the portable electronic device acknowledging need
for the individual to record the registration time at the clock
system.
[0007] This summary briefly describes aspects of the subject matter
described below in the Detailed Description, and is not intended to
be used to limit the scope of the subject matter described in the
present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The features and technical aspects of the system and method
disclosed herein will become apparent in the following Detailed
Description in conjunction with the drawings in which reference
numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a
system in accordance to the subject matter described herein.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a portable
electronic device employed in the system of FIG. 1 in accordance
with the subject matter described herein.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method
of operating the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the subject
matter described herein.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows schematic diagram illustrative of an example of
a display generated by the system of FIG. 1 in accordance to the
subject matter described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific examples that may be
practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to
enable one skilled in the art to practice the subject matter, and
it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that
logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the subject matter of this
disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore,
provided to describe an exemplary implementation and not to be
taken as limiting on the scope of the subject matter described in
this disclosure. Certain features from different aspects of the
following description may be combined to form yet new aspects of
the subject matter discussed below.
[0014] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the
present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are
intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The
terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than
the listed elements. The term user and/or the plural form of this
term are used to generally refer to those persons capable of
accessing, using, or benefiting from the present disclosure. As
used herein, when the phrase "at least" is used, it is open-ended
in the same manner as the term "comprising" is open-ended.
[0015] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments, which may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system 100 to track a
time and an attendance of an individual 105 at a predefined area
110 of a workplace. The system 100 includes a location tracking
system 115, and a time clock system 120 connected in communication
with a main controller 125. Examples of the individual 105 can be
an employee of the workplace, a contractor or consultant or other
third party person, etc. and is not limiting on the subject matter
described herein.
[0017] The location tracking system 115 can be generally operable
to track a presence of a portable electronic device 130 carried by
the individual 105 within the predefined area 110 of the workplace
in generally real-time. An example of the location tracking system
115 can include a main location tracking computer or computer
server 132 in communication with a stationary device 135 (e.g.,
transceiver) operable to communicate back and forth with the
portable electronic device 130 uniquely associated with an
individual identification and carried by individual 105. The
location tracking system 115 can employ various types of wireless
technology (e.g., optical, radio frequency (RF), bar code scanning,
ultrasound, global positioning (GPS), wireless local area network
(WLAN), ultra-wide band (UWB), ultra high frequency (UHF),
BLUETOOTH.TM., ZIGBEE.TM., WI-FI.TM., cellular-based positioning,
infrared (IR), etc. or combination thereof) to track location of
the portable electronic devices 130, and is not limiting on the
subject matter described herein. The location tracking system 115
can include or otherwise be connected in communication with a
location tracking database 140 for recording or storage of
collected location data acquired by or received from the location
tracking system 115 with respect to unique individual identifier
uniquely associated with the portable electronic device 130.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, an example of the portable electronic
device 130 can be generally operable to have its presence detected
or tracked by the location tracking system 115. The portable
electronic device 130 can include or be in the form of a passive or
active identification tag or badge, cellular or mobile phones, etc.
or combination thereof, having a microprocessor 145 connected to an
interface 150. The interface 150 can include various input devices
generally operable to receive instructions from the individual 105
for communication to the main controller, as well as an output
device generally operable to illustrate feedback to the individual
105 as communicated from the main controller. An examples of the
input device include a keypad or selector buttons 155, 157, 159
(e.g., mechanical or touch-activated), that when triggered
instructs the portable electronic device 130 to communicate
instructions to the main controller 125. The illustrated example of
the portable electronic device 130 shown in FIG. 2 includes a
keypad 155, an acknowledge selector button 157, and a decline
selector button 159. An example of the output device can include a
visual indicator 160 (e.g., LCD screen, LED light, etc.) or an
audible indicator 165 or combination thereof operable to
communicate feedback or electronic formatted message content
communicated from the main controller.
[0019] The time clock system 120 can be generally operable to track
or record a current date and clock-in (i.e., start) or clock-out
(i.e., end) associated with a unique individual identifier at a
place of employment. The time clock system 120 can be operable to
translate information with respect to actions by the individual 105
to clock-in or clock-out into an electronic format for
communication to other systems 170 for developing accounting
records and reports, to generate payroll, etc. Examples of the time
clock system 120 can be in hard-wired or wireless communication
with other parts of the system 100. The time clock system 120 can
include an internal clock mechanism to track current date and time,
and employ readers or scanners operable to read information data
associated with individual identification cards or tags or badges.
The time clock system 120 can further include a local display 180
to visualize a category of the action (e.g., clock-in, clock-out,
etc.) associated with a unique individual identifier, as well as
the recorded current time and date for time and attendance purposes
for storage and retrieval with a clocking database 185. The time
clock system 120 can also employ other technologies to verify the
unique identification associated with an action of the individual
105, including facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, retina
scanning, etc. and is not limiting on the subject matter described
herein.
[0020] The main controller 125 can be generally operative to
receive, process, and convey information in the form of electronic
communications to and from the location tracking system 115 and the
time clock system 120. The example of the main controller 125 can
generally include a memory 190 having a series of computer readable
program instructions for execution by a computer processor 195. The
example memory 190 can be a computer program product including a
non-transitory, tangible, computer readable medium of varying type
generally operable to store electronic formatted data or
information and computer readable program instructions accessible
and readable by the computer processor 195. In certain examples,
the memory 190 can be accessible by a remote computing device 200
or the portable electronic device 130 carried by the individual 105
or supervisor via a network connection 205.
[0021] The computer-readable instructions can comprise a
programming code for execution by the computer processor 195. The
programming code can be embodied in software stored on the memory
190 independent of or in combination with software embodied in
firmware or dedicated hardware. The computer program product may be
stand-alone or integrated as part of the main controller 125. As
used herein, the term tangible, non-transitory computer readable
storage medium can be expressly defined to include any type of
computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude
propagating signal media and to exclude transmission media. As used
herein, "tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium"
and "tangible, non-transitory machine readable storage medium" can
be used interchangeably.
[0022] Examples of the memory 190 can include, but are not limited
to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), Synchronous
Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory
(DRAM), EEPROM, flash memory, a cache, compact disc (CD), digital
versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,
magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, a hard drive, a flash memory, or any other medium which
can be used to store the desired electronic format of information
or program instructions for a duration and which can be accessed by
the computer processor 195 or at least a portion of the main
controller 125.
[0023] The example computer processor 195 can include hardware to
execute one or more tasks as defined by the computer readable
program instructions. The computer processor 195 can be, for
example, part of a computer server, a laptop or desktop, a mobile
device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an
IPAD.TM.), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet
appliance, or any other type of known computing device. For
example, the computer processor 195 can be implemented by one or
more integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or
controllers from any desired family or manufacturer.
[0024] The memory 190 and computer processor 195 as referred to
herein can be stand-alone or integrally constructed as part of
various programmable computing devices of various types, including
for example a cache, a desktop computer or laptop computer
hard-drive, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip
systems (SOCs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), etc. or the like
and any combination thereof operable to execute the instructions
associated with implementing the method (discussed later) of the
subject matter described herein.
[0025] The controller 125 of the system 100 can also be configured
to communicate instructions to and from the remote computer devices
200. Examples of remote computer devices 200 as referenced herein
can include: a mobile telephone; a computer such as a desktop or
laptop type; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or mobile phone; a
notebook, tablet or other mobile computing device; or the like and
any combination thereof. The subject matter of this description may
be implemented as a stand-alone computer program product or as an
application configured for execution by one or more of the remote
computing devices 200. The application (e.g., webpage, downloadable
applet or other mobile executable) can generate the various
displays or graphic/visual representations described herein as
graphic user interfaces (GUIs) or other visual illustrations, which
may be generated as webpages or the like, in a manner to facilitate
interfacing (receiving input/instructions, generating graphic
illustrations) with users via the remote computing device(s)
200.
[0026] The network 205 can facilitate transmission of electronic
format or digital data. The example network 205 can be a wired
interface (e.g., a data bus, a Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0 or
3.0) connection, etc.) and/or a wireless interface (e.g., radio
frequency, infrared, optical, near field communication (NFC),
etc.), a wide area network (WAN); a local area network (LAN); the
Internet; a cloud-based computing infrastructure of computers,
routers, servers, gateways, etc.; or any combination thereof
associated therewith that allows the system 100 or portion thereof
to communicate with various computing devices 200 described
above.
[0027] With respect to the example of the network 205 as including
a cloud-based infrastructure, the system 100 can share information
via web-based applications, cloud storage and cloud services. For
example, a Web-based portal may be used to facilitate access to
information, etc. The system 100 can illustrate the Web-based
portal as a central interface to access information and
applications, and data may be viewed through the Web-based portal
or viewer, for example. Additionally, data may be manipulated and
propagated using the Web-based portal, for example. The Web-based
portal can be accessible locally (e.g., in an office) and/or
remotely (e.g., via the Internet and/or other network or connection
160), for example.
[0028] The main controller 125 can also be in communication with an
input or input device 220 and an output or output device 230.
Examples of the input device 220 include a keyboard, joystick,
mouse device, touch-screen, track ball, light wand, voice control,
or similar known input device known in the art. Examples of the
output device 230 include a liquid-crystal monitor, a plasma
screen, a cathode ray tube monitor, a touch-screen, a printer,
audible devices, etc. The input device 220 and output device 230
can be independent of one another, or combination as an interface
240 to the system 100.
[0029] Having provided an example of one construction of the system
100 as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with above-description, the
following is a description of an example of a method 300 (See FIG.
3) to operate the system 100 in accordance with the subject matter
described herein. It should also be understood that the sequence of
the acts or steps of the method 300 as discussed in the foregoing
description can vary. Also, it should be understood that the method
300 may not require each act or step in the foregoing description,
or may include additional acts or steps not disclosed herein. It
should also be understood that one or more of the steps of the
method 300 can be represented by one or more computer program
modules of computer-readable program instructions stored in the
memory 190 of the system 100. As mentioned above, the method 300
can be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or
machine readable instructions). The terms module and component as
referenced herein can generally represent program code or
instructions that causes specified tasks when executed on the
computer processor 195. The program code can be stored in one or
more computer readable mediums that comprise the memory 190.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3 and for sake of example, assume step 302
includes detecting presence of a portable electronic device 130
uniquely associated with and carried with the individual 105 at the
workplace. An example of step 302 can include the portable
electronic device 130 transmitting a location or presence signal
303 (See FIG. 1) including the individual identifier data
associated with the portable electronic device 130 (See FIG. 1).
Step 306 can include the stationary reader 135 of the location
tracking system 115 detecting receipt of the presence signal 303.
Step 308 can include processing the presence signal 303 to identify
the unique individual identification associated with a location of
the stationary reader 135. Step 310 can include transmitting
location data and associated individual identifier to the main
controller 125. This example assumes that the portable electronic
device 130 at least periodically transmits the presence signal 303.
Alternatively, the portable electronic device 130 can interact in
various other ways (e.g., passively) with the location tracking
system 115 or combination thereof. The type of communicative
interaction in detecting the location or presence data of the
portable electronic device 130 with the location tracking system
115 can vary and is not limiting on the subject matter described
herein.
[0031] Also, assume for example, step 312 includes the system 100
retrieving, from a scheduling database 313, stored information data
of a predefined or predetermined workshift 314. The information
data of the workshift 314 can be in electronic or digital format
and include a list of unique identifiers for the individuals 105
scheduled to work for a time period or time frame having a start
time (e.g., clock-in time) and an end time (e.g., clock-out) for
the individual 105 to begin and end, respectively, for a particular
date of employment at the workplace of employment. The start time
and end time can be a distinct time value or a threshold value
range. The workshift 314 can be stored in electronic format in the
schedule database 313 for retrieval via the microprocessor of the
main controller of the system 100.
[0032] Step 316 can include the time clock system 120 recording the
registration time of the attendance (e.g., clock-in) associated
with the unique individual identifier of the individual 105 at the
predefined area 110 of the workplace. Step 320 includes comparing
the list of individual identifiers of individuals 105 tracked to
have registered (e.g., clocked-in) at the time clock system 120 in
comparison to the list of individual identifiers of individuals 105
scheduled per the predefined workshift 314.
[0033] Step 325 includes detecting those individual identifiers
associated with the individuals 105 that have not recorded a
registration time at the time clock system 120. An example of step
325 can include detecting if a candidate individual identifier of
an individual 105 is currently within a predefined scheduled time
period of the work shift 314 associated with the individual 105 at
the workplace. Step 325 can include the main controller 125
executing program instructions to search the work schedule database
313 of the system 100 and to identify the individual 105 associated
with exceeding the predefined scheduled start time of the
predefined workshift time period without recording the registration
time at the time clock system 120.
[0034] For those individual identifiers of individuals 105 detected
or tracked by the main controller 125 not have registered at the
time clock system 120 for the workshift 314, step 330 can include
transmission of an electronic communication or message 332 from the
main controller 125 that instructs or triggers the location
tracking system 115 to transmit a feedback signal or communication
334 indicative of recording a stored locative data indicative of
the presence of the portable electronic device 130 and/or unique
identifier associated with unregistered individuals 105 is recorded
within a predefined scheduled time period of the work shift 314.
Step 330 can also include transmission of the electronic
communication 332 from the main controller 120 that triggers a
search of the location database of the location tracking system 115
for the location data indicative of the portable electronic device
130 of the individual 105 at the workplace. Step 335 can include
comparing the feedback signal or communication 334 from the
location tracking system 115 received in response to step 330, with
the information data in the workshift 314. The transmission of the
feedback signal 334 from the location tracking system 115 can
include data indicative of the last recorded location data with
respect to detected presence of the individual identifier and/or
portable electronic device 130 associated with the individual 105
at the predefined area 110 of the workplace, for comparison to
information data of the individual identifier and scheduled
location associated with the individual identifier of the
individual 105 in accordance to stored information data of
workshift 314. From step 335, step 340 can include identifying and
creating a list of individual identifiers and associated portable
electronic devices 130 associated with the individuals 105
identified as having location data indicative of presence at the
predefined area of the workplace, scheduled for an applicable
workshift, but not recorded a registration time at the time clock
system 120.
[0035] In response if the system 100 detects that currently within
a predefined scheduled work shift time period of the individual 105
at the workplace without detecting that the individual 105 recorded
a registration time at the clock system 120, step 345 can include
automatically transmitting an electronic communication or message
348 or signal to the portable electronic device 130 that triggers
an alert or notification prompting for a feedback signal to be
transmitted from the portable electronic device 130 acknowledging
need for the individual 105 to record the registration time at the
clock system 120. An example of step 345 can include the step 350
of the main controller 125 transmitting an electronic communication
352 with an instruction over the network 205, step 355 can include
the electronic communication 352 triggering the location tracking
system 115 to communicate the electronic communication 348 to the
portable electronic device 130, and step 360 can include the
electronic communication 348 triggering or causing the alerts or
notifications described at the respective portable electronic
devices 130 associated with individual identifiers of individuals
identified and recorded on the list in step 335. The electronic
communication 348 can trigger the alert or notification in the form
a visual notification, a vibratory notification, or an audible
notification or combination thereof from the display 160 or
vibration mechanism 165 or combination thereof requesting
acknowledgement or feedback from the individual 105 via the
portable electronic device 130.
[0036] Step 365 can include receiving a feedback signal 366 from
the portable electronic device 130. One example of the feedback
signal 366 can include instructions operative to automatically
cause the time clock system 120 to record the registration time for
the individual 105 at a start time in accordance to the predefined
work shift 314. In another example of step 365, the feedback signal
366 transmitted from the portable electronic device 130 of the
individual 105 is operative to automatically cause the time clock
system 120 to record the registration time of the individual 105
per an input time included in the feedback signal 366 as received
via the input device 150 of the portable electronic device 130. In
another example of step 365, the feedback signal 366 is triggered
from activation of the selector buttons 157 or 159 with
instructions or information data indicative of individual feedback
of acknowledge or decline, respectively, the request to record a
registration time at the time clock system 120 for illustration at
the output 230.
[0037] Step 370 can include detecting transmission of a threshold
number of electronic communications without detection of receipt of
transmission of the feedback signal from the portable electronic
device 130. In response to step 370 exceeding a threshold, step 380
can include automatically transmitting an electronic escalation
communication or message 382 to a predefined recipient. The
electronic escalation message 382 can be communicated to the remote
device 200 associated with the predefined recipient, or to the
portable electronic device 130 of the predefined recipient, per
predefined program instructions stored at the main controller
125.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a graphic
display 400 in accordance to the subject matter described herein
for illustration at the output 230 (see FIG. 1) or remote devices
200. The display 400 can include a graphic illustration visually
indicative of detected or identified events where the system 100
did not detect recording of a registration at the time clock system
120, where the illustration of each event can include a graphic
illustration 405 of a list of unique individual identifications
(e.g., names) of individual 105 in event, a graphic illustration
410 of identifiers of portable electronic device(s) 130 carried by
the individual 105, a graphic illustration 415 of the respective
workshift 314 or portion thereof (e.g., scheduled clock-in or start
time) of the individual 105 associated with the event, a graphic
illustration 420 of the location data (e.g., defined area, time,
portable electronic device identifier, etc.) where the location
tracking system 115 detected the portable electronic device 130
carried by the individual 105 at the defined area 110 of the
workplace within the time frame of the predefined workshift 314. If
the location tracking system 115 does not have location data
indicative of the presence of the individual 105 at the predefined
area 110 of the workplace, the graphic illustration 425 can be
illustrative a graphic notification (e.g., alphanumeric, symbol,
color, etc.) indicative of no presence detected for the individual
105 at the predefined area of the workplace, in contrast to the
graphic illustration 420 of time and location detected. Graphic
illustration 430 can include a value indicative of the recorded
registration time associated with the individual 105 at the time
clock system 120. If no recorded registration time at the time
clock system 120 is detected by the system 100, then the graphic
illustration 435 can be a graphic notification (alphanumeric,
symbol, color, etc.) similar to the graphic illustration 425
described above. Graphic illustration 440 can include a numerical
value or alphanumeric description of each of the time values when
particular electronic communications were transmitted, or summation
thereof, or time value when the escalation messages was transmitted
or combination thereof.
[0039] In another example of the system 100 and method 300, the
example of the portable electronic device 130 does not have the
interface 150 and can configured in multiple portable electronic
devices to provide similar operational function. In this example, a
first portable electronic device 130 can be carried by the
individual and configured in passive or active communication with
the location tracking system 115 to communicate and record the
location of the individual 105. A second portable electronic device
130 (e.g., cellular phone, pager, etc.), different than the first
portable electronic device 130, can carried by the individual 105
and be configured to be in communication (e.g., wireless or network
or combination thereof) to receive the communications 348 from the
main controller 125 and to trigger the alert or notification to the
individual to acknowledge the failure to register with the time
clock system 120.
[0040] Although the above description of the system 100, method 300
and graphic display 400 is directed to the example of the
individual 105, the subject matter described herein is not limited
to this example, The system 100, method 300 and graphic display can
be directed to time and attendance of various types of assets, such
as a machine or hardware device equipped to carry the portable
electronic device, in a similar manner as directed to the
individual 105 as described above.
[0041] A technical effects of the subject matter described above
can include, but is not limited to, providing the system 100 and
method 300 of time and attendance that automatically and in general
real-time monitors or audits a presence of the individual 105 and
associated compliance with recording or registration of time
attendance at the time clock system 120, and that automatically
triggers electronic communications that reduces payroll review,
correction and human intervention while sustaining
employer-individual 105 goodwill. The system 100 and method 300 can
employ real-time location system (RTLS) in conjunction with a time
clock system 120 to create a list of individuals 105 scheduled to
be registered or record their attendance within a certain time
frame of a predefined workshift 314. The system 100 and method 300
can remove those individuals 105 from the list that record a
registration time at the time clock system 120 in compliance with
the workshift 314. Within a threshold of the schedule time for
individuals 105 to register or record attendance, the system 100
and method 300 automatically queries the location tracking system
115 to detect if individuals 105 that failed to record a
registration time are within the predefined area 110 of the
workplace, and if so, to automatically facilitates the electronic
communication 348 to cause an alert or notification (e.g., phone
messaging or vibrating a portable electronic device 130 carried by
the individual 105). Upon transmitting the electronic communication
348, the system 100 and method 300 monitors or detects if received
the electronic communication 366 indicating an acknowledgement by
the individual 105 of the need to record a registration time with
the time clock system 120. If the system 100 and method 300 fail to
detect the electronic communication 366 indicative of individual
acknowledgement of the need to register or the individual 105 fails
to respond, the system 100 and method 300 automatically transmits
the electronic communication 382 to remote device 200 or portable
electronic device 130 carried by the designated or predefined
recipient to indicate the recordation failure event and the failure
to correct the event. As such, the system 100 and method 300
facilitates notification and call to action when the individual 105
is scheduled to work, is on premise, and yet has failed to
officially registered or recorded (e.g., clock-in) a registration
time at the predefined area 110 of the workplace. Further, the
system 100 and method 300 automatically trigger electronic
communications 348 to facilitate correction in a timely manner. In
addressing such failures to register in for work, the system 100
and method 300 reduces time and expense to make corrections and
further improves the accuracy in monitoring the labor productivity
at the workplace.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable
scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal
language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages
of the claims.
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