Method and apparatus for a web based punch clock/time clock
View Patent ↗A system and method for building GUI screen screens for a time keeping and expense tracking system includes a time keeping and expense tracking (TKET) server that includes computer instructions that define logic for building GUI screen screens according to user definitions, communication channel throughput capacity, and terminal capacity. Initially, the TKET server examines a user's ID to determine his group affiliations and ability levels for modifying the parameters, objects, and layout of a GUI screen. Thereafter, the TKET server allows the user to make changes according to his defined abilities. For subsequent sessions, the TKET server builds a GUI screen according to the previously defined parameters. One embodiment of the present invention, the TKET server is operable to receive communication signals transmitted by way of a wireless communication channel and to generate corresponding display screens that are responsive to the user terminal type. If the user terminal is a mini laptop having wireless communication capability, for example the TKET server transmits GUI screen display signals in a WAP protocol for display thereon the user terminal. On the other hand, if the user terminal is merely a cellular phone, then the TKET server is operable to transmit a very limited set of display signals primarily comprising text and control characters. The TKET server is operable to act as a remote time clock. Accordingly, the TKET server is formed to receive and interpret signals that define the user ID, an account code, and whether a start or stop timekeeping event has been selected. The TKET server also is operable to prompt an IVR to interact with the user.
1. A method within a time keeping and expense entry server for tracking employee work time, comprising:
activating web based time and expense entry software;
generating a text message for delivery to a user terminal by way of one of a wireless network or an Internet, to request a user identifier (ID), a selection between start and stop, and an account code wherein the text message is displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) based upon a terminal type of the user and wherein the GUI provides an option for the user to select one of a start or stop status wherein the GUI and text message are generated in a manner that does not require specialized client software on the user terminal;
transmitting the GUI and the text message over one of the wireless network or the Internet;
receiving a response from the user terminal by way of one of a wireless network or an Internet wherein the response indicates the user has started or has stopped working;
verifying the user's ID and that the user is authorized to make time and expense entries; and
storing the response to support the subsequent generation of reports that detail employee work activities and total account activities.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the text is transmitted to a wireless terminal in the form of a short message service message.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the text is transmitted to the user terminal in the form of a page.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the text is transmitted to the user terminal in the form of an email message.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the text is generated as a part of a GUI screen display in a form that prompts the user to enter his or her responses in the corresponding fields.
6. A method in a time keeping and expense entry server (TKET) for monitoring employee work time, comprising:
receiving a message from a user terminal by way of one of a wireless network or an Internet;
extracting a user identifier (ID), an account code, and a selected indication of a start or stop status;
storing a time entry event with respect to an account code according to user ID wherein the time entry event is an indication that the user has started or has stopped working;
determining whether additional information is required; and
generating graphical user interface (GUI) screen display signals for transmission to the user terminal by way of one of a wireless network or an Internet, to request the additional information wherein the GUI screen display that is generated is based in part upon at least one of a terminal type and a communication channel capacity.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the type of GUI screen display that is generated as a result of the GUI screen display signals depends on terminal type.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the TKET server generates the GUI screen display signals to create specified GUI screen displays according to channel capacity.
9. A time keeping and expense entry server for tracking employee work time, comprising:
means for activating web based time and expense entry software;
means for generating a text message for delivery to a user terminal by way of one of a wireless network or an Internet, to request a user identifier (ID), a selection between start and stop, and an account code wherein the text message is displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) based upon a terminal type of the user and wherein the GUI provides an option for the user to select one of a start or stop status wherein the GUI and text message are generated in a manner that does not require specialized client software on the user terminal;
means for transmitting the GUI and the text message over one of the wireless network or the Internet;
means for receiving a response from the user terminal by way of one of a wireless network or an Internet wherein the response indicates the user has started or has stopped working;
verifying the user's ID and that the user is authorized to make time and expense entries; and
means for storing the response to support the subsequent generation of reports that detail employee work activities and total account activities.