Activity based time accounting system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An activity based time accountin system, comprising:
- a plurality of personal data collection devices (PDCD) for disposition on the person of selected users during a predetermined use period;
a central storage and processing facility (SPF) for receiving and storing each of the PDCD units in electrical interconnection during other than said predetermined use period;
means in said PDCD units for recording time accounting information for each of said selected users during said predetermined use period;
means in said SPF central unit for collecting all user time accounting information during other than said predetermined use period; and
means for communications with a network computer that includes selected business accounting software;
wherein said SPF unit includes;
a non-volatile data storage;
resident software including the PDCD software which is downloaded by the SPF to the PDCD; and
means for formatting the time accounting data to create a data file for access by said network computer.
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Abstract
An activity based time accounting system consisting of a plurality of personal data collection devices (PDCD'"'"'s) which are carried by selected users or workers during a predetermined use period, a central storage and processing facility (SPF) for receiving and storing each of the PDCD units in electrical interconnection during other than said use periods, and circuitry in said PDCD units for recording time accounting data for each of the selected users during each use period; and including collection circuitry for gathering all PDCD unit data during the other than said use periods for compilation and transmission for processing with business accounting software.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An activity based time accountin system, comprising:
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a plurality of personal data collection devices (PDCD) for disposition on the person of selected users during a predetermined use period; a central storage and processing facility (SPF) for receiving and storing each of the PDCD units in electrical interconnection during other than said predetermined use period; means in said PDCD units for recording time accounting information for each of said selected users during said predetermined use period; means in said SPF central unit for collecting all user time accounting information during other than said predetermined use period; and means for communications with a network computer that includes selected business accounting software; wherein said SPF unit includes; a non-volatile data storage; resident software including the PDCD software which is downloaded by the SPF to the PDCD; and means for formatting the time accounting data to create a data file for access by said network computer.
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2. An activity based time accounting system, comprising:
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plurality of personal data collection devices (PDCD) for disposition on the person of selected users during a predetermined use period; a central storage and processing facility (SPF) for receiving and storing each of the PDCD units in electrical interconnection during other than said predetermined use period; means in said PDCD units for recording time accounting information for each of said selected users during said predetermined use period; means in said SPF central unit for collecting all user time accounting information during other than said predetermined use period; and means for communications with a network computer that includes selected business accounting software; wherein said PDCD units each include; a rechargeable battery; a non-volatile memory; an LCD display; and a keypad for entering job and activity codes; and wherein said SPF unit includes; a non-volatile data storage; resident software including the PDCD software which is downloaded by the SPF to the PDCD; and means for formatting the time accounting data to create a data file for access by said network computer.
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3. A time accounting system for automatically collecting and interpreting information for input to a network computer system to effect activity-based cost accounting, comprising:
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a storage and processing facility (SPF) base section which includes a microprocessor, and circuit means providing an interface between the time accounting system and said network computer system; at least one SPF group sections connected in parallel with the SPF base section; a plurality of interface circuits disposed in each one of said SPF base and group sections; and a plurality of personal data collection device (PDCD) units detachably connected to each of said plurality of section interface circuits during non-use of said time accounting system; whereby said plurality of PDCD units is each detached for carriage by a designated user during use of said time accounting system. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A time accounting system, comprising:
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a plurality of self-powered personal data collection devices (PDCD) to be carried by a respective plurality of users, each collection device including; a microcontroller including SRAM and SROM memory, a liquid crystal display, a keypad, and a regulated battery power supply; a storage and processing facility base unit disposed at a work central location; a plurality of storage and processing facility group units connected serially with an end group unit connected to said base unit; and a second microprocessor disposed on said base unit and controlling operation of said base unit and said group units. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of automatic activity based time accounting using a computer network in communication with a central storage and processing facility (SPF) and a plurality of personal data collection devices (PDCD), comprising:
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plural PDCD units each carried by a respective employee during work periods; each PDCD unit having a memory, an LCD display, and a keypad for entering job and activity codes and employee identification; docking each of the PDCD units in the SPF unit during the non-work periods said docking being made with electrically interactive connection; collecting the time accounting information stored in the PDCD memory during the non-work periods for communication to said computer network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification