Abstract:
A time keeping system includes a computer, which can be configured either standalone or in a network. The system is preprogrammed with a Maximum Inactivity Duration (MID) value. When the duration of inactivity at the computer exceeds MID, the user is automatically logged off. The MID can be subtracted from the activity duration value to derive an adjusted activity duration value. A time keeping method utilizes the system for automatically determining activity durations as a function of the difference between log in and log off times, from which the MID can be subtracted. An administrator can observe, save and report information relating to activity durations for all of the computer terminals in the system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/598,886, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to computerized business recordkeeping functions, and in particular to an automated time clock system and method.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Computer systems, including standalone and networked configurations, are widely used in business for various functions, including employee recordkeeping. For example, systems that allow individuals to log in to respective networked computers for indicating their presence at or absence from their places of employment are known. Businesses and other organizations also commonly use computer systems for a wide variety of bookkeeping-related applications, including payroll preparation and reporting.  
         [0006]     Present timekeeping information management systems are susceptible to inaccuracies, which are often associated with users inputting misinformation or inadvertently omitting certain necessary procedures. For example, an employee forgetting to log off of his or her computer at work may appear to be present and accruing time for which he or she would be appear to be entitled to compensation. Although such mistakes can commonly be remedied, for example by correcting the time records after-the-fact, such corrections are susceptible to inaccuracies. Moreover, many computer system users are required to perform various job-related procedures in connection with their assigned computers. Such responsibilities can include various information and communication management tasks, file management, scheduling and other procedures, all of which can encroach on the productive time remaining for employees&#39; primary job responsibilities. Additional computer-related procedures, such as timekeeping and recordkeeping functions requiring specific actions on the part of the users, can be regarded as inconvenient or burdensome, particularly among computer users who must devote substantial time to routine computer tasks such as e-mail communications, etc.  
         [0007]     A time keeping software solution would preferably require minimal input from users by automating as many procedures as possible. Such a software solution would preferably be adaptable to various computer hardware and software systems, provide maximum convenience for computer users and facilitate accurate and reliable time keeping and payroll functions for organizations using same. Effective human resource management could be facilitated with such a time keeping software solution. For example, tasks could be better distributed on the basis of human resource availability. Moreover, more appropriate levels of responsibility and assistance could be delegated to the employees and associates of organizations. Greater potential work-related accomplishments and results could thereby be realized by the organizations and individuals.  
         [0008]     Heretofore there has not been available a system and method for automating conventional time clock payroll recordkeeping functions with the advantages and features of the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     In the practice of the present invention, a system and method are provided for automatically initiating a time keeping function, which can be associated with a standalone or networked computer system. The time keeping system can automatically log off users after predetermined, administrator-set periods of terminal inactivity designated Maximum Inactivity Duration (MID). The system administrator can access the records in an entire system corresponding to an organization for purposes of managing human resources and facilitating payroll operations. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a networked computer system in an organization, to which the time keeping system of the present invention can be applied.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an aspect of the method of the present invention, particularly showing the general steps involved in performing the time keeping method.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing an aspect of the method of the present invention, including the user interface steps associated with performing the method.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view of a computer monitor showing the Graphic User Interface (GUI) including a screensaver with a log in window adapted for initiating the time keeping function.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view of a computer monitor showing the GUI including a log off window.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a view of a central display, such as might be monitored by a computer system administrator.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a view of an individual terminal display, such as might be available to its user.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0000]     I. Introduction and Environment  
         [0017]     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.  
         [0018]     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.  
         [0019]     Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral  2  generally designates a computer system configured as a network  4  including a server  6 , which can be connected to or include a database  8  and multiple terminals  10  with monitors  11 . The present invention is also adapted for application to standalone computers and various network configurations including LANs, WANs, etc. The hardware and software components of the network  4  are also virtually unlimited, and can be configured, designed and constructed pursuant to the criteria and functions of various applications, which can benefit from the time keeping system present invention. Moreover, the time keeping system can be utilized in connection with networks of networks, which can be linked via the Worldwide Web (Internet). Still further, the system  2  can accommodate “telecommuters”, who work remotely and login to the network  4  from various remote locations, including their homes, travel destinations, while in transit, etc.  
         [0020]     In the practice of the method of the present invention, as shown from the administrative side in  FIG. 2 , the system is initialized at  12 , e.g. by an administrator of the network  4 . The operating parameters are set at  14  and can include user names, passwords and operating variables and functions. For example, the administrator can set the Maximum Inactivity Duration (MID) variable, which is described in more detail below. Also as shown in  FIG. 2 , the time keeping system links to the database  8  for storing and retrieving information at step  16 . At step  18  time keeping system links to a payroll function, which can be implemented by appropriate software. The payroll function links to suitable general ledger or other appropriate recordkeeping, reporting or general business software at  20 . Reports relating to the time keeping and payroll functions can be generated at step  22 . Such reports can be provided to employees, personnel files, governmental agencies (e.g. taxation and revenue departments), payroll services, etc. at step  24 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows the user side of the method of the present invention. A user can comprise a person, an entity or another computer system. The user initializes the system at  30 , e.g. by setting his or her user name, password and other user-controlled variables. The MID variable can optionally be set by the user at  32  if permitted, otherwise this variable can be reprogrammed with the software implementing the time keeping system  2  or can be set by the administrator. For example, an entity with multiple employees utilizing the time keeping system  2  might establish a standard MID for all employees as a matter of company policy. Alternatively, the MID can be user-adjustable, and can be preprogrammed with multiple values corresponding to the MIDs appropriate for various tasks and applications, including multi-tasking operations.  
         [0022]     A screensaver  34  with a log in area  35  ( FIG. 4 ) is displayed at  36  and the method proceeds to a primary user decision box  38 , from which a negative decision leads to a user name input at  40 . The user name input step can optionally be skipped if the user is the primary user of the terminal, i.e. affirmative decision at  38 . For example, the computer terminal  10  can be preprogrammed to default to a predetermined (i.e. primary) user name. An optional password is input at step  42 , but can be omitted if deemed unnecessary. The log in procedure described above can be modified or adapted as appropriate. For example, biometrics, fingerprint recognition and other user-identifying/authenticating procedures and functions can be utilized with the method of the present invention. The screensaver  34  can remain displayed and pre-log in inputs such as keystrokes, mouse movements, etc. can be ignored until the user logs in.  
         [0023]     After completing the log in procedure, the screensaver  34  disappears upon input to the computer  10  by a keystroke, mouse movement, etc. and the time keeping function commences at  44  by establishing a start time and starting a timer, whereafter the computer  10  functions normally. The timekeeping function continues to operate normally until a predetermined time keeping suspension function occurs. For example, a step in which the user voluntarily logs off at  46  establishes a stop time. A log off screen  56  including a log off area  58  ( FIG. 5 ) is displayed at step  55 . Another suspension function might involve the user opening an application or commencing an activity for which time would be suspended, which can be handled like a voluntary log off at step  46 . For example, if the user interrupted his or her work on tasks for which time was being recorded by, for example, opening other software applications, the timekeeping function can be suspended at  46 .  
         [0024]     The MID variable provides an automatic suspension of the time recording function when the inactivity duration exceeds same, i.e. a positive result at decision box  50 . For example, if the user were to leave work or otherwise discontinue activity on the computer  10  without logging off, the timekeeping system would automatically log him or her off after the MID elapsed. After the user is logged off, the net activity duration value is calculated at  52 . If the log off resulted from the MID being exceeded, the MID time is subtracted from the net duration to provide an adjusted activity duration at  54 . Thus, the user can be provided with an incentive to log off when he or she is finished with activity on the terminal  10  in order to avoid having the MID subtracted from the activity duration. The log off screen  56  ( FIG. 4 ) is displayed for use in connection with a user-initiated (voluntary) log off procedure. Upon involuntary log off, e.g. by exceeding the MID, the screensaver  34  is displayed along with the log in area  35  whereby the user can restart the time keeping function.  
         [0025]     If the server  6  is available (positive result at decision box  60 ), the method proceeds to an output activity duration step at  62  whereat the activity duration value can be F transferred to the server  6  for storage in the database  8  or for use in connection with any of the other functions described above. In the event the server  6  is unavailable (negative result at decision box  60 ), e.g. due to the network  4  being down or for some other reason, the activity duration information can be stored locally at step  63  for retrieval and output later. The output can be utilized to update the users&#39; files, generate reports, calculate payroll, etc. An affirmative decision at the shut down decision box  64  ends the procedure. A negative decision at  64  leads to a display of the screensaver at step  36 . Optionally, the screensaver display step  36  can be omitted and the system  4  can continue with another application. The time keeping system  2  can thus be used for tracking time in connection with various tasks, applications, customers, clients, activities, etc.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a central or administrator display  65  of the type that would be available to an administrator for monitoring user activity. The display  65  can include a calendar  66  for convenient reference. Columns for User Name  68 , Time Arrived  70 , Time In  72 , Time Out  74  and Notes  76  can be included in the display  65 , along with other pertinent information.  FIG. 7  shows an individual user display, which can correspond to his or her time records produced by the system and method of the present invention.  
         [0027]     It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above. Other components and configurations can be utilized in the practice of the present invention.