Method for tracking time attendance of either a dedicated user or multiple non-dedicated users, interchangeably, using a single multi-function electronic hand-held device

• US 8,126,788 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Exaktime Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Exaktime Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Pappas, Anthony H., Bulatewicz, Thomas F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Obaid, Fateh
• Application Number:
  US12/128,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20080296364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1091 Recording time for administrative or management purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity

Abstract

A method for tracking time attendance for either a single dedicated user, and typically owner, of a single multi-function electronic hand-held device without the need of entering password information, or selectively interchangeable to multiple non-dedicated users which must enter passwords to access their time tracking screens is provided. The time tracking software on the hand-held device can be placed into solo mode for a single dedicated user, which can be selectively deactivated so as to enable multiple non-dedicated users to enter their passwords to log in and clock-in or clock-out. The solo mode may be selectively reactivated so as to automatically log in the dedicated user and display his or her time tracking screen. An authorized administrator'"'"'s password may be necessary to activate or deactivate solo mode.

Claims

1. A method for selectively tracking time attendance for either a single dedicated user or multiple non-dedicated users, interchangeably, using a single multi-function electronic hand-held device, comprising the steps of:

providing a time tracking software application installed on the multi-function hand-held device;

using the hand-held device to activate the time tracking software;

determining if the time tracking software is in a solo mode dedicated to a single user of the hand-held device;

if the time tracking software is not in the solo mode and one or more non-dedicated users need to use the hand-held device to clock-in or clock-out;

a) displaying a password screen on the hand-held device;

b) each non-dedicated user entering a password using the hand-held device to log in;

c) confirming the password with a list of non-dedicated user passwords electronically stored on the hand-held device;

d) enabling each logged in non-dedicated user to clock-in or clock-out using the hand-held device; and

e) electronically storing each non-dedicated user clock-in and clock-out event on the hand-held device;

if the time tracking software is in the solo mode and the dedicated user needs to clock-in or clock-out;

a) automatically logging the dedicated single user in; and

b) enabling the dedicated user to clock-in or clock-out using the hand-held device; and

c) electronically storing each dedicated user clock-in and clock-out event on the hand-held device; and

if the time tracking software is in the solo mode and one or more non-dedicated users need to clock-in or clock-out;

a) using the hand-held device to selectively deactivate the solo mode;

b) enabling the non-dedicated users to enter their passwords to log in using the hand-held device;

c) enabling the logged in non-dedicated users to clock-in or clock-out using the hand-held device; and

d) electronically storing the non-dedicated users clock-in and clock-out events on the hand-held device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-function hand-held device comprises a personal digital assistant or a cell phone.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing step includes the step of installing the time tracking software on the multi-function hand-held device so as to be operable with Palm operating system software.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively deactivating the solo mode step includes the step of requiring an authorized administrator to deactivate solo mode.

5. The method of claim 4, including the step of determining if an entered password is of an authorized administrator.

6. The method of claim 5, including the step of permitting deactivation of solo mode if it is determined that the entered password is of an authorized administrator.

7. The method of claim 5, including the step of not permitting deactivation of solo mode if it is determined that the entered password is not of an authorized administrator.

8. The method of claim 1, including the step of selectively activating the solo mode if it is determined that the time tracking software is not in solo mode, including the step of requiring entry of an authorized password.

9. The method of claim 8, including the step of determining if an entered password is of an authorized administrator.

10. The method of claim 9, including the step of permitting activation of solo mode if it is determined that the entered password is of an authorized administrator.

11. The method of claim 1, including the step of dedicating the hand-held device to a user, including the steps of displaying a list of registered employees, and an authorized administrator selecting an employee from the list to be the dedicated user in solo mode for the hand-held device.

12. The method of claim 9, including the step of not permitting activation or reactivation of solo mode if it is determined that the entered password is not of an authorized administrator.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the authorized administrator is the dedicated user.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the authorized administrator is the dedicated user.

15. The method of claim 1, including the step of the logged in user inputting data relating to the job location.

16. The method of claim 1, including the step of the logged in user inputting data relating to the job activity.