Electronic timekeeping system and method of using same

Abstract

An apparatus for tracking the time spent on different tasks on behalf of different entities comprises a plurality of tokens, each having an RFID coded with information uniquely associated with one of the tasks or one of the entities. A platform connected to a user's computer has an internal sensor that detects the RFID tag of a token placed on the top of the platform. Timing circuitry in the platform generates a start signal when the sensor detects a token's RFID tag and a stop signal when the token is removed from the platform. Decoding circuitry in the platform generates a data signal identifying the task or entity associated with the token. The user can then use his or her computer to associate the time spent on a task with a particular entity. Tokens include three-dimensional icons or text to identify the task or entity represented by each token, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for tracking the length of time spent on each of a plurality of different tasks on behalf of a plurality of different entities, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of tokens, each including a remotely readable electronic tag coded with predetermined information uniquely associated with at least one of (i) a task, and (ii) an entity; and   a sensing device including a sensor for detecting the electronic tag of a token when the token is at a predetermined position relative to the sensing device, timing circuitry for generating a start signal when the sensor first detects the electronic tag and a stop signal when the sensor ceases detecting the electronic tag, and decoding circuitry for generating a data signal with content based on the predetermined information identified by the detected electronic tag.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensing device includes a self-contained platform having an essentially flat surface and the predetermined position is on the flat surface; and   the platform encloses a space containing an antenna for detecting the electronic tag when the token is placed on the flat surface.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the predetermined information is associated with a task represented by visible indicia on the token for identifying the task to a user of the apparatus; and   the electronic tag is disposed internally of the token and is invisible to the user.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein the visible indicia is a three-dimensional icon representing the task associated with the token. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein the task is at least one of a telephone conference, legal research, a personal meeting, and preparing correspondence. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the predetermined information is associated with an entity represented by visible indicia on the token for identifying the entity to a user of the apparatus; and   the electronic tag is disposed internally of the token and is invisible to the user.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the visible indicia is at least one of written text and an image representing the entity associated with the token. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  for installation as part of a desk with a desk top providing a workspace for a user of the apparatus, wherein:
 the sensing device comprises a plurality of the sensors embedded in the desk top; and 
 the sensors are distributed in an area of the desk top and are invisible to the user of the apparatus, the apparatus being programmable using an electronic computing device to designate an active region in which the sensors can detect the electronic tag of a token when the token is placed on the desktop at a predetermined position relative to the active region. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method of tracking time spent on a particular task for on behalf of an entity, the method comprising:
 obtaining (a) a plurality of tokens, each including a remotely readable electronic tag coded with predetermined information uniquely associated with a task, and (b) a sensing device including a sensor for detecting the electronic tag of a token when the token is placed on a surface of the sensing device, timing circuitry for generating a start signal when the sensor first detects the electronic tag and a stop signal when the sensor ceases detecting the electronic tag, and decoding circuitry for generating a data signal with content based on the task associated with the detected electronic tag;   placing a token on the surface of the sensing device;   thereafter performing the task associated with the token; and   removing the token from the surface of the sensing device after completing the task.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sensing device includes a self-contained platform with an essentially flat top surface for accepting the tokens thereon and an enclosed space containing an antenna for detecting the electronic tag when the token is placed on the flat top surface, the method further comprising:
 obtaining an electronic computing device and a desk with a desktop; and   positioning the platform on the desktop and connecting it to the electronic computing device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising correlating (i) relative times of respective multiple start and stop signals generated by the timing circuitry from the electronic tags of tokens placed on and removed from the platform, and (ii) the task associated with the data signal generated by the sensing circuitry from the electronic tag of each token. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising associating the correlated information with an entity on behalf of which each task was performed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising loading the correlated relative times and tasks into a database of a time-keeping and billing program. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the platform is connected to the electronic computing device via one of a wired USB connection, a Bluetooth connection, a radio frequency serial link, and a wireless network (WiFi). 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising loading the start signal, stop signal, and data signal into a database of a time-keeping and billing program. 
     
     
         16 . A system for tracking the length of time spent by a user on each of a plurality of different tasks on behalf of a plurality of different entities, the system comprising:
 a plurality of tokens, each including a remotely readable electronic tag coded with predetermined information uniquely associated with at least one of (i) a task, and (ii) an entity;   a sensing device including a sensor for detecting the electronic tag of a token when the token is placed at a predetermined position relative to the sensing device by the user, timing circuitry for generating a start signal when the sensor first detects the electronic tag and a stop signal when the sensor ceases detecting the electronic tag, and decoding circuitry for generating a data signal with content based on the predetermined information identified by the detected electronic tag; and   an application software module for interfacing with time and billing software to generate billing information based on the start signal, the stop signal, the data signal and a billing rate of the user.   
     
     
         17 . A system as in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the sensing device includes a self-contained platform having an essentially flat surface and the predetermined position is on the flat surface; and   the platform encloses a space containing an antenna for detecting the electronic tag when the token is placed on the flat surface.   
     
     
         18 . A system as in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the predetermined information is associated with a task represented by visible indicia on the token for identifying the task to the user; and   the electronic tag is disposed internally of the token and is invisible to the user.   
     
     
         19 . A system as in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the predetermined information is associated with an entity represented by visible indicia on the token for identifying the entity to the user; and   the electronic tag is disposed internally of the token and is invisible to the user.   
     
     
         20 . A system as in  claim 17 , wherein the application software module is resident on one of (i) an electronic computing device operatively connected to the platform, and (ii) a cloud-based remote server.