FR2729485A1 - METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A CODE ON A TIMING CARD AND TIME RECORDER HAVING THE APPRECIATION FUNCTION OF THE ESTABLISHED CODE - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for setting a code on a time card (PA) is described. This includes the step of selecting the day, from numeric digits representing dates printed in a date column (T1) on the time card, which is equal to a number of the ID code of a card user, and the step of applying a code reading mark (M2) in the day indicator column, hence the formation of the ID code of the card user on the time card. A time recorder having the function of judging a code is also described.

Description

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  The present invention relates to a method for establishing a code on a time card and a time recorder having the function

appreciation of the established code.

  The present invention is used in the technical field of time recorders, for use in companies, offices, etc. whose number of employees is relatively small (about thirty), and more particularly, the present invention relates to a method for establishing a code on a time card, in which an ID code and a classification of the work of the users of a card can be established on the time card in a very simple manner, and a time recorder presenting the function of appreciation of the code established by

  reading the code on the time card.

  In the prior art, there are two types of time cards; in the first type represented in FIG. 10 (A), for example, a column PT for preparing exclusive codes used to form the ID code of a card user (employee code) and a job classification code is formed on the lower side of the card so that various codes can be formed in this column PT by punching or marking; in the second type shown in Figure 10 (B), for example, Na and Nb code preparation columns are used to form the symbol "-" and the symbol "+" on opposite sides of the bottom of the scorecard TN so that various codes can be prepared in these columns Na and Nb by punching

or marking.

  However, in both types of TM and TN time cards, since the PT column or the Na and Nb columns used to prepare various codes are necessary, the small spaces present on the TN time cards and TM are occupied by the PT column or the Na and Nb columns, do not

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  leaving only a limited space for printing

work data.

  In addition, in the case where a code is prepared by punching, since an exclusive punching machine making it possible to punch the PT column or the Na and Nb columns is necessary, the work of preparing the cards is tedious and the cost of

this preparation is high.

  Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide an exclusive time recorder in which various codes can be easily prepared using a date column originally formed on each time card and without the need to provide a code preparation column which is used exclusively for the preparation of a code on the time card, so that an effective area of the time card can be widened as much as possible, and one can appreciate the various codes prepared in the date column on the time card by

reading codes.

  In order to solve the technical problems set out above, the present invention employs the following means: (1) Among the numerical digits representing the dates printed in a column of dates on the time card, the day which corresponds to a number of the ID code of the user of a card is selected and then a code reading mark is applied in the column indicating the days, hence the formation of the ID code of the user of the card on the scorecard. (2) an empty column or a column indicating particular days, previously formed in a column of dates on the time card, serves as a column in which an identification mark must be formed, and a classification code of work of a map user is determined based on whether a landmark

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  identification is formed or not in the column of

  preparation of identification marks.

  (3) The time recorder according to the present invention comprises a marker reading means for reading a marker which is entered in a column for indicating the days on an inserted time card, a date determining means for dividing a numerical digit representing a date relative to the position where the benchmark, read by the reading means, is located, a means of judgment of benchmark of appreciation of benchmark of identification in order to assess whether or not a benchmark of identification exists in an empty column formed in a date column or in an indication column for particular days, and a code determination means for determining an ID code and classification of the work of a card user in accordance with the result of the assessment

  performed by the respective appraisal means.

  (4) The time recorder according to the present invention further comprises means for determining the type of time card in order to determine the type of a time card which is different in accordance with the day of closure of the card. , an upper surface / rear surface appreciation means in order to appreciate the upper surface / lower surface of an inserted time card, the division of a numerical digit representing a date, made by the date appreciation means , and the assessment of whether the identification mark exists or not, carried out by the means of assessing the identification marks, carried out in accordance with the result of the determination made by the means of determining the type of card of score and with the result of the appreciation made by the means of appreciation of upper surface / surface

back.

  (5) The type of time card determination means includes a date selection switch

  closing which is arranged in time recording.

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  (6) The type of time card determination means includes a sensor for determining the type of a time card by reading a code of the type

  card that is formed on the score card.

  The various means which have just been exposed which are employed in the present invention operate from

the following way.

  According to the means mentioned in the para.

  graph (1) above, if, among the 30 days except the 3rd digit numerals representing the dates 1 to 31 printed in a date column on both sides of the time card, the day, which is equal to an ID code number of a card user, is selected, and then a marker is applied in the days indicator column by black marking, punching or cutting, ID codes for thirty card users can be prepared on the score cards of the respective users. Consequently, it is no longer necessary to provide a code preparation column which is used exclusively for preparing a code on a time card, and an effective area of the card.

  scoring can be expanded to this extent.

  According to the means mentioned in the para.

  graph (2) above, since an empty column or

  an indicator column for a particular day, i.e.

  say the 3rd day, which is formed beforehand in a date column on the time card, serves as a column in which an identification mark must be prepared, if, for example, it is established beforehand that a time card having a marker in each preparation column relates to a part-time worker and a scorecard with no marker relates to a normal employee, a classification of work of the user of the card can be determined according to the fact that an identification mark is formed or not in the column for preparing the identification marks. In

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  As a result, it is no longer necessary to prepare a code preparation column used to prepare a job classification code on the time card, and an effective area of the time card can be enlarged to this extent.

  According to the means mentioned in the para.

  above graph (3), when the marker reading means reads a marker in the day indication column on an inserted time card, the date determining means divides a numerical digit representing a date in order to determine the ID code of the user of the card, and when the means of assessing the identification marks appreciates the fact that an identification mark exists or not, the classification of the works of the card of the user is determined or established. Consequently, data on jobs is calculated in accordance with the ID code and classification of jobs, and such calculated data can be printed on the time card and stored in a memory for each worker.

  According to the means mentioned in the para.

  graph (4) above, although the position of the numerical digit representing the date of each date column is different depending on the difference in the closing day and the difference in the insertion position of the time card , i.e. depending on whether the time card is inserted with the top surface / back surface facing forward, this difference can be specified by means of determining the type of time card and the means of appreciation of the upper surface / rear surface. Consequently, according to such a specified mode, the division of the numerical digit representing a date, made by the date appreciation means, and the assessment as to whether the identification mark exists or not, performed by the means of appreciation of identification mark, can be

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  executed without problem, thus allowing to appreciate the ID code and the classification of the work of

the card user.

  According to the means mentioned in the para.

  graph (5) above, if the card closing date is determined by the closing day selection switch, the appreciation of the IC code of the card user and the appreciation of the work classification of the card user are then made on the basis of such a determined closing day, and in the case where a time card having a different closing day is used, the appreciation of the ID code and the Assessment of job classification can be done without problem by operating this selector switch.

  According to the means mentioned in the para.

  graph (6) above, the sensor reads the identification code formed in the time card so as to automatically assess the type ter of the time card, and the assessment of the ID code and the assessment of the classification of work is carried out in accordance with the mode of the identification code thus read. As a result, a multitude of time cards with different card closing days can be processed by a single time recorder without causing problems. As seen in the foregoing, the previously mentioned technical problems inherent in the prior art devices can be

  resolved by the means set out above.

  The preceding paragraphs have highlighted the more relevant object of the present invention. This object should be considered as merely illustrative of some of the most prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying

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  the present invention in a different manner or by amending it within the framework thereof. Consequently, other objects permitting the full understanding of the invention can be achieved by referring to the

  detailed description of the preferred embodiment, in

  more from the scope of the invention defined by

claims.

  The present invention will be well understood

  during the following description made in connection with

  the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of a time recorder equipped with a code appreciation function according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a display panel used to modify the function of a selector switch, which is arranged inside the time recorder of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a block diagram of the electrical construction of the time recorder of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a job classification table, using an empty column and a 31-day indicator column; FIG. 5 is a view of the upper surface of a time card (card A) on which codes are established in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 (A) is a view of the back surface of a time card (card B) and Figure 6 (B) is a view of the top surface of a time card (card C), codes for card B and for card C being established in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 (A) is a view of the top surface, partially in a flat, of a score card (card A) in which the type of card is indicated by a mark, and Figure 6 (B) is a view of the

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  rear surface, partly flat, of a scorecard (card A), in which a marker indicating the classification of the work is applied to a column indicating 31 days; Figure 8 is a flow diagram of the procedures of the time recorder according to the present invention; FIG. 9 is a view of the upper surface of a time card (card A), in which marks are applied to the date column by punching and cutting; and Figures 10 (A) and 10 (B) are views of

  the upper surface of conventional score cards.

  In Figure 1, there is shown in a perspective view the external appearance of a time recorder having the function of appreciating a code according to the present invention. In this figure, reference 1 represents the body of the recorder; reference 2, an upper housing which can be opened and closed relative to the body 1; reference 3, an insertion slot allowing the insertion of a time card which is described later; reference 4, a clock face of the analog type; reference 5, a selection key switch equipped with a totalization mode; reference 6, a digital display unit of the crystal type; the reference 7, a keyboard

  comprising a multitude of selector switches

  tion 7a, and reference 7b, indicator lights each accompanying the individual switches 7a, respectively. When using the time recorder, the selection switches 7a have the function of determining a printing column. However, when the upper case 2 is open, a display panel 8, indicating the closing dates of the card, 8A, 8B, 8C, etc. (Figure 2) appears in the body 1 of the record and the functions of the individual switches 7a are automatically switched in accordance with the

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  respective indications of the display panel 8.

  Consequently, for a new establishment of a date or of several closing dates on the time card or for the switching of the date or the closing dates with respect to each other, the switches 7a are selectively turned and closed. again the upper case 2 relative to the body 1 of the recorder. By performing this operation, the time recorder processes the time data in the newly closed card day (s) mode

  established by the selection switch 7a.

  Figure 3 is a block diagram explaining the electrical construction of the time recorder. In FIG. 3, the reference 10 represents a central processing unit (CPU) which constitutes the center of the control unit, and the reference 11 represents a memory comprising a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM). An interface circuit 13 is mounted between the CPU 10 and the memory 11 via a bus 12. To the interface circuit 13 are connected a clock circuit 14, a printer 15, a motor 16 d introduction of a card, a code sensor 17 for reading various codes (marks) formed on the time card, a sensor 18 for appreciation of the upper surface / rear surface for appreciating the upper surface / rear surface of the time card , and an encoder 19 in addition to the

  selection switch (total switch

  sation) 5, the display unit 6, the keyboard 7 and the selector switches 7a which have been mentioned above. They operate according to a system program which is stored beforehand in the

memory 11.

  In FIG. 5, the reference symbol PA represents a time card which is generally called card A, in which the closing day is the 3rd day of the month. On the upper surface of this PA card, printing columns for the

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  days 1 to 15 of the month are formed, and on its rear surface, printing columns of days 16 to 31 of the month are formed. In Figure 6 (A), the reference symbol PB represents a time card which is generally called card B, in which the closing day is the 20th day of the month. On the upper surface of this PB card, printing columns for the 2nd to 5th days of the month are formed, and on its rear surface, the printing column for the 6th to 20th days of the month is formed. In figure 6 (B), the PC symbol represents a time card which is generally called card C, in

  which the closing day is the 25th day of the month.

  On the upper surface of this PC card, the printing columns for the 26th to 10th days are formed, and on its rear surface, printing columns for the 11th to 25th days of the month are formed. In the case of the PA card, the highest column T2 of the date column T1 on the upper surface is, as shown in FIG. 5, an empty column. In the case of the PB card (card B) and the PC card (card C), the tallest T2 columns of the date columns T1 on the rear surface are empty columns, respectively. These empty columns are used as columns in which an identification mark M1 making it possible to determine the classification of the work of the user of the card

is formed.

  Column T5 indicating the 3rd day of the month on each time card PA, PB, PC serves as a column in which the identification mark M5 making it possible to determine the job classification of the user of the card is formed as in the case from the highest T2 column of each card (see Figure 7 (B). Depending on whether the identification marks M1 and M5 exist or are in the highest T2 column and the T5 column indicative of the 3rd day, the classification of the works of 1il 2729485 the user of the card is determined as is

  shown in the table in Figure 4.

  In FIGS. 5 and 6, the reference T3 represents a column indicating day, day (numerical number representing this day) which is equal to the number of a predetermined ID code of the user of the card. The reference M2 represents a code reading mark which is applied to this column T3. In the examples shown, given that the mark M2 is applied to the indicator column of the 8th day, the

  ID number of the card user is "8".

  In the case where the ID code includes a number other than "8", the mark M2 is applied to the day indicator column which includes the number other than "8". Therefore, the maximum number of ID codes that can be determined in accordance with the present invention is

thirty (30).

  In FIG. 7 (A), the reference T4 represents an indicator column which indicates the type of the time card (card A, card B, or card C), an indicator column which is formed at the bottom of the time card. In this example, given that a mark M3 is represented in the indicator column on the card A, this time card PA is considered by the time recorder as the card A in

  which the closing date is the 3rd day of the month.

  However, since the determination of the type of a time card is sometimes carried out by the selection switch 7a as mentioned above, such a

  selection should be considered optional.

  A cutout S formed in the lower edge of each time card PA - PC is used to assess the upper surface / rear surface of the time card. The sensor 18 for assessing

  upper surface / rear surface detects this de-

  section f so as to assess whether the time card is inserted or not with its upper surface facing forward. If the cut f

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  is formed on the left side of the card, the appreciation is that the scorecard is inserted with its top surface facing forward, and if it is on the right side, the appreciation is that the scorecard PA, PB or PS is inserted with its rear surface directed

forward.

  The code sensor 17 detects the column T1 of the dates on each time card PA - PC which is introduced by the card introduction motor 16, appreciates the fact that the identification mark M1 is entered or not in the column T2 the highest and

  also appreciates the fact that the identification mark

  Fication M5 is entered or not in the indicator column of the 3rd day, T5, so that the CUU 10 of FIG. 3 determines the classification of the work of the user of the card. In an identical manner, the code sensor 17 detects the code reading mark M2 so as to divide the date on the basis of the amount of insertion of the card by the motor 16 so that the CPU 10 appreciates the ID number of

  the user of the card based on the date.

  The time recorder calculates the data on the work of the user of the card from the classification of the work and the ID code thus appreciated and causes the printer 15 to print the results of the calculation in predetermined columns of each PA - PC card. Such calculated job data can also be stored in memory

of each card user.

  The operating mode of the time recorder using the time card on which one or more codes are established in accordance with the present invention will now be described in connection with

  the organization chart shown in Figure 8.

  First of all, in step 1, one of the time cards PA to PC is inserted into the slot 3 provided in the body 1 of the recorder. Then, in step 2, the card introduction motor 16 undergoes

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  a normal rotation to bring the card into the body 1 of the recorder, and in step 3, the type of the card is assessed by the operation of reading the code of type M3 or by the selection of the selection switch 7a . In the following step 4, the upper surface / rear surface of the PA, PB or PC card is

  appreciated and the program then proceeds to step 5.

  In step 5, it is appreciated whether the upper surface / rear surface of the inserted card coincides or not with the current date. If the judgment result is negative, the program proceeds to step 6, the card insertion motor 16 is rotated in the opposite direction so as to immediately return the score card to the insertion slot 3 and the procedure is finished. It goes without saying that, when the insertion position of the PA, PB or PC time card is wrong, an alert phrase, indicating the incorrect position of insertion of the PA, PB or PC card, is displayed in the display unit 6 so as to alert the user of the card. If the assessment is affirmative in step 5, the program goes to step 7 in which there is assessment that the position of the printing column which has been chosen by the selection switch 7a is yes or not in the "ARRIVAL" position. If the result of this assessment is affirmative, the code sensor 17 proceeds to assess whether the marks Mi, M5 are entered or not, and the job classification and the ID code of the user of the card are read. by reading the M2 mark. If the appreciation "reading ORK is made during the next step 9, the program goes to step 10 in which the motor 16 for inserting the cards is rotated in the opposite direction in order to start the operation. return on the PA, PB or PC time card. The program goes to the next step 11 in which the printer 15 is brought to

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  print the arrival time in the printing column for the current day halfway through the return operation for the PA, PB or PC card. Then, the program proceeds to step 12 in which the data relating to this arrival time is stored in a

  memory location of the card user.

  In the final step 13, the time card PA, PB or PC brought back to the insertion slot 3 is extracted and the

procedure is finished.

  On the other hand, if the result of the assessment made in step 7 is negative, the program proceeds to step 14, in which there is assessment whether the printing column is located in the "START" position. If the result of the assessment carried out in step 14 is again negative, the program proceeds to step 25 in which the time card PA, PB or PC is returned to the insertion slot 3. A mid path of the return operation for the PA, PB or PC card, the time printing is entered in the printing column for the current day in step 26, and the program goes to

step 13.

  If the result of the assessment carried out in step 14 is affirmative, procedures such as reading the job classification and the ID code (step 15), assessing whether the reading is OK or not (step 16), the appreciation of the fact that the arrival date exists or not (step 17), the calculation of the actual hours of work (step 18), the return of the time card (step 19), the printing of the remaining time and actual hours of work (step 20), putting the data in the memory location of each card user (step 21), assessing whether the totalization switch 5 is on or off closed state (step 22), and printing of the totalized data (step 23) are executed, and the program goes to step 13. If the results of the assessment made in steps 16

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  and 17 are both negative, the procedures of steps 25 and 26 are executed. If the result of the assessment carried out in step 22 is negative, the program proceeds to step 13, skipping the procedure of step 23. In the embodiments shown, the marks M1 to M5 are produced with a black marker.

  As a variant, the marks M1 to MS can be formed by a punch M6 or a cut M7 as shown in FIG. 9, or by other similar means. The selection

marking means is optional.

  As described in the foregoing, if the job classification and the ID code are established in the date column on a time card in accordance with the method for establishing a code in accordance with the present invention, it is not necessary to form a preparation column used exclusively for establishing a code on the scorecard. Therefore, it is possible to have a larger printing column or to provide a new printing column which effectively uses the limited area present on the card. In addition, if a marker is entered in each column of the date column, a marker can be formed using a black marker or a simple punching machine and without the need to use a punching machine. exclusive with a complicated structure. Consequently, the cost of producing the time card can be extremely reduced. Furthermore, since the job classification and the ID code can be read by a simple school sensor and since time cards with different closing days can be processed by a simple time recorder, the latter can be very simplified in terms of structure. Therefore, the time recorder of the present invention is suitable for small or large companies

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  office, offices, etc., with staff

less than thirty people.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, it is on the contrary subject to modifications and

  variants which will appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims (4)

  1 - Time recorder having a code appreciation function, comprising means for reading a marker in order to read a marker which has entered a column indicating days on an inserted time card, a means for determining the date to divide a numerical number representing a date relative to the position in which said mark, read by said reading means, is located, an identification mark appreciation means for appreciating the fact that an identification mark exists or not in an empty column formed in a date column or a column indicative of a particular day, and code determining means for determining an ID code and classification of the work of a card user in accordance with the result of the appreciations   performed by said respective appraisal means.   2 - Time recorder according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining the type of time card in order to determine the type of a time card which is different in accordance with a card closing day, a means of 'upper surface / rear surface appreciation in order to appreciate the upper surface / rear surface of an inserted time card, the division of a numerical digit representing a date, effected by said date appreciation means, and the assessment of whether the identification mark exists or not, made by said means for assessing identification marks, this being made in accordance with the result of the determination made by the means for determining the type of card score and with the result of the assessment made by the assessment means of   upper surface / rear surface. 18 2729485   3 - Time recorder according to claim 2, wherein the means for determining the type of time card comprises a closing date selection switch (7a) which is arranged in the recorder. 4 time recorder according to claim 2, wherein the time card type determination means comprises a sensor (17) to determine the type of a time card by reading a card type code which is trained on the scorecard.