Centralized, automatic reporting system and method from interface technologies

Abstract

One or more parameters such as time is reported to a center using a portable access device. The center then automatically receives data from the access device and populates an electronic form and converts the data for storage and subsequent processing or review. The invention allows other parties, upon proper authentication, to annotate received data, to indicate acceptance or rejection of the reported data. Depending on the relationship of the various parties and business rules stored with the center, parties other than the sender and center may also download reported data for subsequent processing, even where they have different hardware and software platforms. The invention is particularly suitable for senders such as employees who need to submit time sheets, expense reports, and the like to an employer, or for automatic analysis of submitted inventory reports, product orders, etc. In one embodiment, the center acts as an automatic data collecting and reporting intermediary between the sender and an employment agency, on one hand, and between the agency and a client, on the other hand, where the sender is associated with the agency but performs tasks on behalf of the client.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 003,341, which was filed on 31 Oct. 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to a system and a method for reporting and tracking one or more parameters such as time or sales, or for placing orders, etc., especially where the person or organization that creates the report or order is remote from the person or organization that is to receive and process the report or order.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Much of ones work life is tracked and measured. Time cards, time sheets, time clocks and time-tracking software, for example, are features of the modern workplace that are seemingly as unavoidable as the hierarchies that require them. Consequently, following a routine repeated daily by millions in almost every industrialized country, those whose time is to be reported complete a rep...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This conventional process is, however, as rife with possibilities for error as it is widespread.

For example, every time someone must enter information, be it numerical or textual or both, manually onto paper, there is the possibility of error, since someone else will usually later have to read and interpret what has been written.

The likelihood of error is often lessened when using time cards that are punched by machine, but even then the chance of error is not eliminated, because as soon as the data on the card is entered manually into a tracking system, there is a risk of misinterpretation or simply just typing errors.

Moreover, even if everyone in the chain of reporting were infallible, the process itself contains an unavoidable inefficiency whenever reported data must be reentered into a tracking system—the very need for data reentry requires both time and an employee to do the reentry.

The disadvantages of this are, however, plain.

First, the employee may not be comfortable with or competent in using the time-tracking software, especially if the software is based on a web browser.

Second, even assuming that every reporting employee has convenient access to a suitable computer terminal, it would be wasteful to load multiple copies of the time-tracking software into each terminal.

The alternative of having several employees having to share a single instance of the software to report their time, for example, late on a Friday afternoon, would arguably be even worse.

The addition of a third party—the agency—increases the complexity and likelihood of error not only of the time-tracking procedure, but usually also of the information that needs to be reported: The most immediately obvious complication is physical—the time reports in almost every instance must be sent from one facility, for example, the client's, to another, that is, the agency.

Because an agency, especially a successful one, often contracts its employees out to many different clients, it is unlikely that all clients will have the same software that the agency prefers.

Moreover, most clients will be loath to taking on the task of tracking time themselves, or to load into their own computers a software package provided by

Requiring the employees to drop off the forms in person is inconvenient at best and at times impossible.

Sending them by mail introduces delay and the risk of misplacement and loss.

Even assuming no delay or loss, these solutions still require manual data entry, which itself leads to the drawbacks mentioned above.

Because the modern world is full of reports and orders, the problems identified above in the context of reporting time arise in other contexts as well, where other parameters than time must be reported instead of, or in addition to, time.

Furthermore, similar problems occur even in contexts where the one reporting information is not in any way associated with the recipient of the report.

However, not all companies have, or wish to have, a web site, and not all potential customers are comfortable with the thought of placing orders over such an insecure channel.

Moreover, high-tech, on-line ordering and order processing are not always appropriate.

For example, it would in most cases be too time-consuming and tedious to expect several co-workers in an office to have to go on-line and fill in browser-based forms simply to place advanced orders for lunch at one of their favorite restaurants.

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