Time and attendance system and method therefor

• US 5,550,359 A
• Filed: 09/14/1994
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Bennett, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRECH, KARL D
• Application Number:
  US08/306,302
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 235/382.5, 235/382, 235/380, 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/14 with apparatus adapted for use with individual cards

Abstract

A system and method for rapidly recording employee time and attendance information. A user identification document is provided which contains identification information in the form of a bar code. The user places the document in a three-dimensional scanning region of a reader which scans the bar-coded information. The system is also designed to record a video image of the user as the bar code is scanned. The system may additionally require the user to input additional information in the form of a password or access code. The reader temporarily stores the information and sends confirmation to the user that the information has been successfully recorded. A host computer, connected to the reader and a plurality of other readers, periodically polls the reader. Upon polling by the host computer the reader transmits all information stored in its memory to the host computer where the information is stored in a database for subsequent analysis. The host computer may additionally be connected, along with a plurality of other host computers, to a central computer capable of retrieving and analyzing information from all host computers.

Claims

1. A time and attendance system for the high-speed recording of time information for a plurality of users, said time and attendance system comprising:

a plurality of user identification documents, one for each user of a plurality of users, each said user identification document having a bar code containing information uniquely identifying said user;

a base;

an upper container oriented above said base;

a support connecting said upper container to said base;

at least one user input means fixedly mounted in said upper container for reading said bar code to obtain said identification information on each said user identification document when each said user identification document is passed through a predetermined three-dimensional scanning region, said three-dimensional scanning region providing a guide for said plurality of user identification documents, said three-dimensional scanning region comprising;

said base, said base having an upper surface;

a column extending vertically from said base, said column having a vertically inclined arcuate surface;

said upper container connected atop said column and having a lower surface facing said upper surface of said base;

a reading means contained in said upper container;

a card fixedly attached to said upper surface of said base; and

an aperture in said lower surface of said upper container of said user input means through which said reading means projects a beam of laser light;

said three-dimensional scanning region being a region formed by the projection of said laser beam, the base of said region bounded inferiorly by said upper surface of said base and the apex of said region formed by said aperture; and

a host computing means connected to said at least one user input means for processing said user identification information, said host computing means comprising

(a) display means for displaying information corresponding to said user identification information;

(b) storing means for storing said user identification information;

(c) a database contained in said storing means for retaining a record of each time and date of each said user attendance as said user passes said corresponding user identification document through said predetermined three-dimensional scanning region; and

(d) means connected to said at least one user input means for transferring said user identification information from said at least one user input means to said host computing means;

said host computing means coupled to said transfer means and said storing means for processing said user identification information received from said at least one user input means through said transfer means, storing said user identification information in said database contained in said storing means, and transferring said identification information to said display means.

2. The time and attendance system of claim 1, wherein said user identification document comprises a card, approximately 2 inches by 3.5 inches, with said bar code encoded on the face of said card.

3. The user identification card of claim 2, wherein said card further comprises a photograph of said user on the face of said card near said bar code.

4. The user identification card of claim 2, wherein said card further comprises information consisting of at least said user'"'"'s name printed on the face of said card near said bar code.

5. The time and attendance system of claim 1, wherein said storing means comprises a read-only memory.

6. The time and attendance system of claim 1, wherein said transfer means comprises a serial port.

7. The time and attendance system of claim 1, wherein said host computing means periodically requests validated identification and time and date information to be sent from said at least one user input means and wherein said at least one user input means comprises:

means for reading said bar code on said user identification document containing identification information corresponding to said user;

means for storing said read identification information corresponding to said user;

means for guiding said user identification document into said predetermined three-dimensional scanning region;

means for inputting optional identification information corresponding to said user;

means for providing current date and time information to said processing means;

processing means receptive of said read identification information from said reading means and of said current date and time from said providing means for transferring said stored identification information and said current time and date information to said storing means;

display means connected to said processing means; and

means for providing validation signal to user upon successful reading of said user identification information;

said processing means, upon successful transfer of said stored identification information to said storing means, using said validation means to generate a validation signal to said user through said validation means and storing said current time and date in said storing means.

8. The time and attendance system of claim 7, wherein said means for storing identification information comprises a computer memory chip with a memory stack capable of storing a plurality of transactions.

9. The time and attendance system of claim 7, wherein said means for reading comprises a laser scanner capable of scanning said bar code on each said document.

10. The time and attendance system of claim 7, wherein said means for inputting optional identification information comprises a keypad.

11. The time and attendance system of claim 7, wherein said means for providing current date and time information comprises a digital clock.

12. The time and attendance system of claim 7, wherein said display means comprises a liquid crystal alphanumeric display (LCD).

13. The time and attendance system of claim 7, wherein said validation means comprises an audio speaker.

14. The time and attendance system of claim 7, wherein said validation means comprises a light.

15. A time and attendance system for the high-speed recording of time information for a plurality of users, said time and attendance system comprising:

a plurality of user identification documents, one for each user of a plurality of users, each said user identification document having a bar code containing information uniquely identifying said user;

a base;

an upper container oriented above said base;

a support connecting said upper container to said base;

at least one user input means fixedly mounted in said upper container for reading said bar code to obtain said identification information on each said user identification document when each said user identification document is passed through a predetermined three-dimensional scanning region formed by said base and said upper container, said three-dimensional scanning region providing a guide for said plurality of user identification documents;

a host computing means connected to said at least one user input means for processing said user identification information, said host computing means comprising

(a) display means for displaying information corresponding to said user identification information;

(b) storing means for storing said user identification information;

(c) a database contained in said storing means for retaining a record of each time and date of each said user attendance as said user passes said corresponding user identification document through said predetermined three-dimensional scanning region;

(d) means connected to said at least one user input means for transferring said user identification information from said at least one user input means to said host computing means;

said host computing means coupled to said transfer means and said storing means for processing said user identification information received from said at least one user input means through said transfer means, storing said user identification information in said database contained in said storing means, and transferring said identification information to said display means;

said host computing means periodically requesting validated identification and time and date information to be sent from said at least one user input means and wherein said at least one user input means comprises;

means for reading said bar code on said user identification document containing identification information corresponding to said user;

means for storing said read identification information corresponding to said user;

means for guiding said user identification document into said predetermined three-dimensional scanning region, said guiding means comprising a three-dimensional scanning region, said three-dimensional scanning region comprising;

said base of said user input means, said base having an upper surface;

a column extending vertically from said base, said column having a vertically inclined arcuate surface;

said upper container connected atop said column and having a lower surface facing said upper surface of said base;

a reading means contained in said upper container;

a card fixedly attached to said upper surface of said base; and

an aperture in said lower surface of said upper container of said user input means through which said reading means projects a beam of laser light;

said three-dimensional scanning region being a region formed by the projection of said laser beam, the base of said region bounded inferiorly by said upper surface of said base and the apex of said region formed by said aperture;

means for inputting optional identification information corresponding to said user;

means for providing current date and time information to said processing means;

processing means receptive of said read identification information from said reading means and of said current date and time from said providing means for transferring said stored identification information and said current time and date information to said storing means;

display means connected to said processing means; and

means for providing validation signal to user upon successful reading of said user identification information;

said processing means, upon successful transfer of said stored identification information to said storing means, using said validation means to generate a validation signal to said user through said validation means and storing said current time and date in said storing means.

16. A time and attendance system for the high-speed recording of time information for a plurality of users, said time and attendance system comprising:

a plurality of user identification documents, one for each user of said plurality of users, each said user identification document having a bar code containing information corresponding to said user;

a base;

an upper container oriented above said base;

a support connecting said upper container to said base;

a user input means in said upper container for reading said bar code to obtain said user identification information on each said user identification document, said user input means comprising;

(a) means for storing said user identification information wherein said storing means comprises a computer memory chip with a memory stack capable of storing a plurality of transactions,

(b) means for reading said user identification information comprising a laser scanner capable of scanning bar code information,

(c) a predetermined three-dimensional scanning region near said reading means for placing said user identification document near said reading means to be read by said laser scanner, said three-dimensional scanning region providing a guide for said plurality of user identification documents, said three-dimensional scanning region comprising;

(i) said base, said base having an upper surface;

(ii) a column extending vertically from said base, said column having a vertically inclined arcuate surface;

(iii) said upper container connected atop said column and having a lower surface facing said upper surface of said base;

(iv) a card fixedly attached to said upper surface of said base; and

(v) an aperture in said lower surface of said upper container of said user input means through which said reading means projects a beam of laser light;

said three-dimensional scanning region being a region formed by the projection of said laser beam, the base of said region bounded inferiorly by said upper surface of said base and the apex of said region formed by said aperture;

(d) means for inputting optional identification information comprising a keypad,

(e) processing means receptive of said read user identification information for transferring said user identification information to said storing means,

(f) means for providing current time and date information comprising a digital clock, and

(g) display means comprised of a liquid crystal alphanumeric display (LCD), said processing means, upon successful transfer of said stored identification information to said storing means, generating a validation signal to said user, using said validation means, or validation information and storing said current time and date in said storing means; and

a host computing means for processing said user identification information, said host computing means comprising;

(a) a second display means connected to said host computing means for display of information represented by said user identification information,

(b) a second storing means connected to said host computing means for storing said user identification information, said second storing means comprising a read-only memory,

(c) a database contained in said second storing means including records of times and dates of user attendance, and

(d) a means connected to said user input means and said host computing means for transfer of said user identification information from said user input means to said host computing means,

said host computing means coupled to said transfer means and said second storing means for processing said user identification information received from said user input means through said transfer means, storing said user identification information in said database contained in said second means, and transferring said user identification information to said second display means.

17. A method for recording time and attendance comprising the steps of:

forming a three-dimensional scanning region between a base and an upper container containing a bar code reading device, said three-dimensional scanning region comprising;

said base, said base having an upper surface;

a column extending vertically from said base, said column having a vertically inclined arcuate surface;

said upper container connected atop said column and having a lower surface facing said upper surface of said base;

a card fixedly attached to said upper surface of said base; and

an aperture in said lower surface of said upper container through which said bar code reading device projects a beam of laser light;

said three-dimensional scanning region being a region formed by the projection of said laser beam, the base of said region bounded inferiorly by said upper surface of said base and the apex of said region formed by said aperture;

passing a document containing bar-coded information under said bar code reading device through said three-dimensional scanning region;

recording said bar-coded information contained on said document with said bar code reading device;

transmitting said bar-coded information from said bar code reading device to a digital processor;

transmitting said bar-coded information from said digital processor to a digital memory;

transmitting current time and date information stored in a clock to said digital processor;

transmitting said current time and date information from said digital processor to said digital memory; and

transmitting a validation signal from said digital processor to a visual indicator and to an auditory indicator.

18. The method for recording time and attendance of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

periodically sending a polling signal from a host computer to said digital processor;

in response to said polling signal, said digital processor retrieving all information stored in said digital memory;

said digital processor transmitting said information to said host computer; and

said host computer storing said information in a database for subsequent analysis.