Networked time-keeping system

Abstract

Disclosed is time keeping system for an employer. The system includes one or more time-keeping network appliances. Each of these appliances includes a small web server. The system also includes some form of employee interface which enables the employee to submit, and the time keeper to receive, identification information regarding the employee. One embodiment uses at least one of a card reader, punch key pad, bar code reader, or proximity badge reader. These devices are used to clock employees in and out. The system also optionally includes an audio-output device to give the employee audio feedback during clock in and an LCD to give the employee visual feed back. If a second network device is included in the system, it is automatically set up as a client of the original time keeper introduced into the system.

1 . An employee time keeping arrangement comprising: 
 a first time-keeping device, said device adapted to be included in a network;    said first time-keeping device being adapted to configure said first time-keeping device as a master device if no other time-keeping devices exist in the network;    said first time-keeping device adapted to configure said first time-keeper device as a client if a second time-keeping device already exists in the network; and    said first time-keeping device being further adapted to cause an IP address to be displayed, said IP address enabling a user to access said first time-keeping device from a web browser on a client computer on said network by entering said IP address into said web browser.    
     
     
         2 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said first time-keeping device is adapted to send, receive and store employee information.  
     
     
         3 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said first time-keeping device has a feed back system, said feedback system comprising: 
 an audio speaker.    
     
     
         4 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said first time-keeping device has a feed back system, said feedback system comprising: 
 an LCD display.    
     
     
         5 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said first time-keeping device includes a reader device.  
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein said reader comprises: 
 a magnetic card reader.    
     
     
         7 . The arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein said reader comprises: 
 one of a key pad, a bar-code scanner, a proximity badge reader, and a biometric reader.    
     
     
         8 . A method of providing an employer with a time-keeping system for use in a network, said method comprising: 
 providing a first time keeper;    adapting said first time keeper to display an IP address which if entered into a web browser in said network enables a user to access a process on said first time-keeper which enables said user to set up a static IP address for said first time-keeper which enables network access to a personnel database on said first time-keeper;    adapting said software to receive employee information and retain said employee information in a database; and    further adapting said software to receive and store employee clock in and clock out information in said database.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which enables the user to print bar codes for the creation of an employee identifying item.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which enables the user to create a photo ID card.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which enables the user to generate a job-tracking report of all the hours worked on a project.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which causes an email alert to be transmitted every time a predetermined event occurs.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said predetermined event is one of a clock-in and a clock-out.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which causes an email alert to be transmitted every time an employee one of: (i) clocks in at an unscheduled time for that employee, and (ii) clocks out at an unscheduled time for that employee.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which causes an email alert to be transmitted at the end of a particular work period, said alert including a total number of hours worked that period.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which causes an email alert to be transmitted when an employee is working at one of: (i) an unscheduled time, and (ii) near an unscheduled time.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a process in said software which causes said first time-keeper to be directed to an off-site backup server when a selection is made during a set up process.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , said method comprising: 
 including a token which is a signature file on said first time-keeper so that when a second time-keeping network appliance is added to said LAN, said second appliance will act as a client.    
     
     
         19 . A time-keeper device for a business, said device useable in a local area network (LAN) associated with said business said device comprising: 
 a start up process which causes an IP address to be displayed which enables a user to access said time-keeper device from a web browser on a client computer in said LAN; and    a monitoring process which triggers the transmission of an email alert upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said predetermined event comprises at least one of a clock-in and a clock-out.