WO2006045992A1

WO2006045992A1 - Attendance reporting

Info

Publication number: WO2006045992A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000589
Authority: WO
Inventors: David William Harmon
Original assignee: Harmon, Bonnie, Maureen
Priority date: 2004-10-27
Filing date: 2005-02-17
Publication date: 2006-05-04
Also published as: GB0423884D0

Abstract

An attendance reporting unit (1) includes sensors (16) to associated with keys on a keypad to clocking in and out data by personnel and a device (MCB) to send the data over a cellular telecommunications network to a receiver (32) which may be at a monitoring centre (30) at which the data is automatically recorded. This allows the monitoring centre to also be unsupervised.

Description

TITLE: ATTENDANCE REE³ORTING

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to attendance reporting, especially to attendance reporting in situations where the person reporrting attendance is remote from the receiver. Throughout this specification, the term "personnel" is used to refe x to any one or more persons and the term "attendance" is used to include "time and attendance" in addition to "attendance".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One instance of this is peripatetic personnel such as cleaners, who may report for unsupervised work to different sites and need to keep a record of their attendance in order for their pa^ to be calculated. Similarly it is a well known problem that travelling salespeople may not report their attendance time and location accurately. At the moment the honesty of the personnel must be relied upon. Random visits can be made for example by phone or in person by supervisors but this only allows a limited amount of supervision.

It is therefore an object of this invention to be able to improve attendance reporting by personnel. Another object of the Invention is to monitor personnel more closely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a finest aspect of the invention, we propose: an attendance reporting unit comprising means to input attendance data, and a device to communicate input attendance data with a cellular telecommunications network for transmission to a receiver.

The invention allows attendance data to be sent to a receiver, which may be remote from the reporting unit, where the data may be recorded automatically. By "remote" is meant "elsewhere", for example a car journey away. Hence, not only may personnel be monitored from a remote location but also a cumulative central record may be kept of attendance. This reduces or removes the need for supervisors to visit the personnel.

The attendance reporting unit may be a portable module accompanying the personnel or it may be permanently at one location for use by visiting personnel. The means to input attendance data may comprise a keypad on the exterior of the module. The device to cominunica"te input attendance data is preferably suitable for communicating the attendance data with a standard cellular phone system. The data may be communicated as an SMS text message.

Thus, attendance data can be effectively transmitted over one or more existing mobile phone networks. Means may be provided to collect and record the attendance data, for example in conjunction with an existing database.

The cellular telecommunications network may comprise a standard digital mobile phone system, for example GSM, GPRS or UMTS or a subsequent generation system. Thus, personnel within a range of cells covering any required area may report attendance- This could be any area covered by the cellular system, for example a small area such as a building site or a whole country in so far as it is covered by a mobile phone network.

Personnel may be tracked effectively by a remote monitoring centre, which may include a computerised recording system for the data received. This allows the recording centre to be manned only part-time or occasionally accessed.

The attendance data may also comprise clocking in and out information, so that working time and payment may be calculated for work done k>y personnel. The attendance data may further comprise the location of the input data. For a system for a plurality of personnel, it may also comprise data identifying tlie individual personnel, for example a keycode. A camera may be provided to obtain a photograph of the personnel. A device to process the photographic information, for instance a jpeg image, may further be provided for storage or transmission to the receiver. The camera and processing device may be contained in or associated with the module.

Thus, a peripatetic workforce may be tracked. Moreover, the unit may also be used for a large number of personnel such as in a school, a factory or hospital, for example with a plurality of access locations.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we propose an attendance reporting system comprising: an attendance reporting unit comprising means to input attendance data and a device to communicate input attendance data via a cellular telecommunications network; an attendance data receiving device remote from the reporting unit to receive attendance data communicated over the cellular telecommunications network.

The attendance reporting system may further comprise any of the features of the attendance reporting unit as proposed above. SimilarZLy, the application of the system may include one or more features of the application of the attendance reporting unit as proposed above.

Hence, the attendance data receiving device may further comprise means to automatically record attendance data at the remote location. Moreover, the attendance data receiving device may further comprise means to amend an existing database. Thus, not only may personnel be monitored from a remote location but also a cumulative central record may be kept of attendance.

As proposed above, the cellular telecommunications network is preferably a standard cellular phone network so that attendance data can be effectively communicated over one or more existing phone networks. The cellular telecommunications netwoxk preferably comprises a standard digital mobile phone system, for example GSM, GPRS or UMTS or a subsequent generation system. The data communication device must be compatible with the network to be used.

The communication device may include means to convert the input data into an SMS text message. The attendance reporting system may further include an SMS receiver, which may be in a remote mobile phone or in a remote monitoring centre, which may include a computerised recording system for the data received. Thus, personnel may be tracked effectively. The recorded data can be accessed according to choice. Also, this allows the recording centre to be manned only part-time or occasionally accessed.

The remote monitor-Lng centre of the attendance reporting system may further include means to calculate attendance time and necessary payment from received attendance data for work done by personnel.

According to a third aspect of the invention we also propose: a method of reporting attendance comprising the steps of inputting- attendance data into a reporting module, and communicating the input attendance data through a celluILar telecommunications network for transmission to a receiver.

The method of reporting attendance of the invention- may be used with an attendance reporting unit and. attendance reporting system having any of the features as proposed above.

The method may further comprise automatically remotely receiving attendance data. Then the attendance data may be recorded so that a cumulative central record of attendance can usefully be created, for example in. conjunction with an existing database. Furthermore, the receiver need not be permanently supervised.

Preferably a standard cellular phone network is employed to communicate the attendance data. Thus, attendance data can be effectively communicated over one or more existing phone networks. The attendance data may be processed into data suitable for SMS messaging and then communicated Joy SMS messaging through the standard cellular phone network.

The cellular telecommunications network may comprise a standard digital mobile phone system, for example GSM_r GPRS or UMTS or a subsequent generation system. Thus,- personnel within a range of cells covering any required area may report attendance. This could be any area, covered by the ce3_lular system, for example an area as small as for example a building site up to a whole country in so far as it is covered by a mobile phone network.

After receipt, the attendance data may be processed by a computerised recording system. The attendance data may recorded onto an existing personnel information database. The method may further comprise calculating payment for work done by personnel from attendance data comprising clocking in and out information and working time information. The attendance data may further comprise the location of the input data. For a system for a plurality of personnel, it may also comprise data identifying the individual personnel. Thus, a peripatetic workforce may be usefully tracked.

Therefore, the attendance reporting unit, system and method of the invention may usefully result in an effective automatic record of attendance data, so that attendance may be remotely monitored. Additionally, the personnel may be encouraged to improve their reliability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of this invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the exterior of an attendance reporting unit according to the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the interior of the attendance reporting unit of Figure 1, showing th.e essential electronic components;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of an attendance reporting system according to the invention in wriich the module of Figures 1 and 2 may be employed; and

Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing the steps of an example of a method of reporting attendance according to the invention .

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An attendance reporting unit (1), shown in Figure 1_, consists of a module (10) . This attendance reporting module (10) is compatible with the current second generation GSM mobile phone system.

The upper surface (11) of the module (10) bears a keypad membrane in which is seated an array (12) of pairrs of clocking in and out keys (14) for inputting attendance data. Each OUT key turns on an adjacent red light (R) for clocking out and each IN key turns on an adjacent green light (G) for clocking in. A pair of keys (14) and a pair of lights (17) is allocated to each user, denoted by a name label N. A key having its own light (15, 15^r ) is also provided for contacting a remote supervising manager. An antenna (not shown) is disposed in the module by which data is transmitted to a base station of the cellular system for onward transmission to a remote telephone number. The antenna could optionally be outside the module .

As shown in Figure 2, the attendance reporting module contains a set of essential electronic components similar to those of a mobile phone for SMS text messaging including circuit boards. No speech components such as a microphone, speaker or speech converter, are employed in this embodiment.

The components are interconnected as known to the man skilled in "the art so as to convert the input attendance data into SMS data for transmission via the GSM phone network.

The essential components inside the module are:

a main circuit board (MCB) to which a SIM card (S) is attached and which is includes a GSM signal processor (GSM) to produce SMS text and a microprocessor (E⁵) , connected by a ribbon cable (13) to a

a daughterboard (D) having sensors (16) each associated an input key (14) to convert pressing of the respective keys into a respective digital signal,

and a connection (not shown) to 12V mains power. The power could optionally be from a 12V battery. The reporting person is expected to press relevant keys on the attendance reporting module (10) to register clocking in and out at a location. Each pressing of a key results ±n a signal being transmitted as an SMS text message via GSM to a remote phone number.

As shown schematically in Figure 3, the module described above is employed in an attendance reporting system, also having an SMS receiver (32) at a monitoring centre (30) remote from the reporting person. Data transmitted via the GSM phone system (2) is received in the SMS receiver (32) and the received data is recorded automatically in a database (34) . A cumulative record of attendance is thereby maintained.

With reference to the flow diagram of Figure 4, the steps of a method of reporting attendance, employing a portable module, data receiving device and monitoring centre just described, are now given by way of a non- limiting example, for a cleaner, who is employed peripatetically by a cleaning company that needs "to keep track of the time and attendance of its employees :

STEP 1: The cleaner is at a location without supervision and wishes to notify the time they start cleaning so the cleaner keys in clocking on information by pressing their clocking in key (14a) on the attendance reporting module

(D .

STEP 2:

(a) This input data, along with the location, is converted by the module into SMS messaging data and transmitted by radio waves from the antenna of the module.

(b) The SMS text message travels through the GSM phone system (2) to the phone number of an SMS receiver (32) .

(c) At the monitoring centre the data is received in the receiving device (32) and automatically xecorded in a computerised database (34) . The data is analysed by computer: to produce a time and attendance evaluation for the cleaner, from which is calculated their pay. (Alternatively, it may be an SMS receiver in a mobile phone. )

STEP 3: The cleaner must input clocking off information when they stop cleaning by pressing their clocking out key (14b) .

STEPS 2 (a) , (b) and (c) are repeated:

As before, this input data, along with the location, is converted into SMS messaging data and transmitted by radio waves from the antenna of the module through the GSM phone system to the phone number of a monitoring centre determined by the module.

Steps 1 to 3 are repeated as above at the cleaner' s next workplace.

Claims

1. An attendance reporting unit comprising means to

_* input attendance data, and a device to communicate input attendance data with a cellular telecommunications network for transmission to a receiver.

2. An attendance reporting unit according to claim 1, wherein the unit comprises a portable module.

3. An attendance reporting unit according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the means to input attendance data comprises a keypad.

4. An attendance reporting unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the device to communicate input attendance data is suitable for communicating the attendance data with a standard cellular phone system.

5 . An attendance reporting unit according to claim 4 , wherein the standard cellular phone system comprises a d igital system.

6 . An attendance reporting unit according to claim 5 , wherein the phone system comprises GSM, GPRS or UMTS or a s ubsequent generation system .

7 . An attendance reporting unit according to any p receding claim, wherein the data input means comprises means f or clocking in and out .

8. An attendance reporting unit according to an/ preceding claim, wherein the data is output from the unit as an SMS text message.

9. An attendance reporting unit according to an/ preceding claim, wherein the data input means comprises means for inputting the location of the personnel.

10. An attendance reporting unit according to an/ preceding claim, wherein the data input means comprises means for identifying the individual personnel.

11. According to a second aspect of the invention, an attendance reporting system comprises: an attendance reporting unit comprising means to input attendance data and a device to communicate input attendance data via a cellular telecommunications network; and an attendance data receiving device remote from the reporting unit to receive attendance data communicated. over the cellular telecommunications network.

12. An attendance reporting system according to claim.

11, wherein the attendance data receiving device further comprises means to automatically record attendance data at the remote locat±on.

13. An attendance reporting system according to claim.

12, wherein the attendance data receiving device further comprises means to amend an existing database.

14. An attendance reporting system according to claim. 11, 12 or 13, wherein the cellular telecommunications network is a standard cellular phone system.

15. An attendance reporting system according to claim 5 14, wherein the standard cellular phone system is GSM,

GPRS or UMT, S or a subsequent generation system.

16. An attendance reporting system according to any pxeceding claim, wherein the data receiving device is

10 associated with a remote monitoring centre.

17. An attendance reporting system according to claim

16, wherein the remote monitoring centre includes a computerised recording system for th.e data received.

15

18. An attendance reporting system according to claim

17, further including means to calculate payment from received attendance data for work done by personnel.

20 19. A method of remotely reporting attendance comprising the steps of: inputting attendance data into a reporting module, and communicating the input attendance data through a cellular telecommunications network for transmission to a

25 receiver.

2 0 . A method of remotely reporting attendance according t o claim 19 , further comprising automatically remotely receiving attendance data .

30

21. A method of remotely reporting attendance according to claim 20, after receipt, storing" the received data in a computerised recording system.

22. A method of remotely reporting attendance according to claim 21, comprising amending a personnel information database with the received attendance data.

5

23. A method of remotely reporting attendance according to claim 20, comprising communicating the input attendance data through a standard cellular phone network

10 24. A method of reporting attendance according to claim 23, comprising, after inputting, processing the attendance data in the reporting unit into data suitable for SMS messaging and then communicating the SMS data representing the input attendance data by SMS messaging

15 through the standard cellular phone network.

25. A method of reporting attendance according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the cellular telecommunications network comprises a standard digital mobile phone system. 0

26. A method of reporting attendance according to claim 25, wherein the standard digital mobile phone system comprises GSM, GPRS or UMTS or a subsequent generation system. 5

27. A method of remotely reporting attendance according to any one of claims 19 to 26, further comprising calculating payment for work done by personnel from attendance data. 0