Video Enhanced Time Tracking System and Method

Abstract

A video enhanced time tracking system is provided. The system may include a video capturing device, software applications (such as an application running on the video capturing device), and a backend system. The application may include a time tracking application that tracks time simultaneously as the video capturing device captures video. The captured video and the tracked time information may be uploaded to the backend system where it may be stored and processed. The system may correlate the tracked time information with the captured video and provide it to a client for review. In some embodiments, the system also includes an image recognition system that recognizes the user to authenticate the user's identity, that recognizes the user's workspace to determine when the user is working, and that recognizes the work being performed to determine the client that the user may be working for.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for video enhanced time tracking of work performed by at least one user, said system comprising:
 at least one video capturing device, said video capturing device functions to capture video of said at least one user;   at least one means for tracking time of said work of said at least one user, said time tracking means tracks time simultaneously as said video capturing device captures said video;   a backend system in communication with said video capturing device and said time tracking means, said backend system capable of storing said video and said tracked time; and,   wherein said captured video is correlated with said tracked time to generate a record of billed work performed by said at least one user based on said tracked time.   
     
     
         2 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , said system further comprising:
 said at least one video capturing device having an image recognition means for recognizing said at least one user;   a means for authenticating said at least one user's identity;   wherein said system captures video and tracks time of said user based on said identification of said user.   
     
     
         3 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said means for tracking time:
 starts tracking time when activated by said user, beginning at a first time; 
 stops tracking time when deactivated by said user, ending at a second time; 
   wherein said tracked time period between said first time and said second time is uploaded to said backend system;   wherein said captured video is uploaded to said backend system, which correlates said captured video with said tracked time period; and,   wherein said backend system creates a record of said work performed during said tracked time period starting at said first time and ending at said second time.   
     
     
         4 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 3 , said system further comprising:
 an external system;   a network;   said video capturing device interfaces with said network;   said means for tracking time interfaces with said network;   said backend system interfaces with said network;   said external system interfaces with said network;   wherein said external system is capable of accessing said record of billed work through said network.   
     
     
         5 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , said system further comprising:
 an external system, said external system in communication with said backend system to access said captured video and said tracked time.   
     
     
         6 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 5 , wherein said external system is a client service. 
     
     
         7 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 5 , wherein said external system is a billing service. 
     
     
         8 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 5 , wherein said external system is an accounting service. 
     
     
         9 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , wherein said means for tracking time is located on video capturing device. 
     
     
         10 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 9 , wherein said video capturing device further comprises:
 a video camera, said video camera having an optical system, a display, a memory means for storing said video; and,   an application to:
 control the operations of said video capturing device; 
 control the operations of said means for tracking time; 
 interface with said user; and, 
 interface with said backend system. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 10 , wherein said video capturing device further comprises:
 an image recognition means;   a microphone;   a speaker;   a power source.   
     
     
         12 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , said system further comprising:
 a means for generating a bill of sale corresponding to said tracked time.   
     
     
         13 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , wherein said record of billed work can be remotely accessed by a client. 
     
     
         14 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , wherein said captured video can be remotely accessed by a client. 
     
     
         15 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , wherein said tracked time can be remotely accessed by a client. 
     
     
         16 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 1 , wherein said captured video is correlated with said tracked time by said backend system. 
     
     
         17 . A system for video enhanced time tracking of work performed by a plurality of users, said system comprising:
 a plurality of video capturing devices for capturing video of said plurality of users;
 each of said video capturing devices directed to capturing video of each said user; 
 each of said plurality of video capturing devices having a time tracking application; 
 each of said plurality of video capturing devices connected to a network; 
   a backend system connected to said network;   wherein said captured videos and said tracked times for each said user are uploaded to said backend system via said network; and,   wherein said tracked time is correlated with said captured video for each said user to generate a record of billed work based on said tracked time for each said user.   
     
     
         18 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 17  for tracking work performed by a first user, said system performing the operations of:
 (A) starts tracking time at a first time for said first user; 
 (B) starts capturing video at said first time for said first user; 
 (C) stops tracking time at a second time for said first user; 
 (D) stops capturing video at said second time for said first user; 
 (E) determining a total tracked time period for said first user from said first time to said second time; 
 (F) determining a total captured video period for said first user from said first time to said second time; 
 (G) uploading said total captured video for said first user to said backend system; 
 (H) uploading said total captured video for said first user to said backend system; 
 (I) generating a record of billed work performed by said first user during said total tracked time period. 
 
     
     
         19 . The system for video enhanced time tracking of  claim 18  for tracking work performed by a second user, said system performing the operations of:
 (A) starts tracking time at a first time for said second user; 
 (B) starts capturing video at said first time for said second user; 
 (C) stops tracking time at a second time for said second user; 
 (D) stops capturing video at said second time for said second user; 
 (E) determining a total tracked time period for said second user from said first time to said second time; 
 (F) determining a total captured video period for said second user from said first time to said second time; 
 (G) uploading said total captured video for said second user to said backend system; 
 (H) uploading said total captured video for said first user to said backend system; 
 (I) generating a record of billed work performed by said second user during said total tracked time period. 
 
     
     
         20 . A system for video enhanced time tracking of work performed by a plurality of users, said system comprising:
 a plurality of video capturing devices, each said video capturing device directed to capturing video for one of each of said plurality of users;
 said video capturing devices connected to a network; 
   a plurality of time tracking devices, each said time tracking device directed to tracking time for one of each of said plurality of users;
 said time tracking devices connected to a network; 
   a backend system for storing said captured videos and said tracked times;
 said backend system connected to said network; 
   an external system for processing a record of billed work for each of said plurality of users;
 said external system connected to said network; 
   wherein, for each of said plurality of users, said tracked time is correlated with said captured video.