Attendance detection terminal with energy-saving mode

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an attendance recording terminal, namely a time recording terminal, for recording attendance information of a person based on an action by that person. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for operating such an attendance recording terminal, namely a time recording terminal, for recording attendance information of a person based on an action by that person, and to a corresponding computer program.

[0002] Attendance terminals are widely used in the workplace to record employee attendance. They are frequently found in office buildings, factories, and hospitals. These terminals provide a system for the electronic recording and storage of employee attendance. A time and attendance terminal also serves to record and store completed working hours. In general, this refers to a person's attendance information, which allows them to clock in to work, for example, for a break or at the end of the workday, or to clock out of the system.

[0003] Attendance and attendance terminals allow for a central point of interaction for employees, for example, in the entrance area of ​​an office building or on each floor or in each department of a building / company. This allows for easy clocking and recording of attendance. The employer then has access to a central system, such as the terminal's storage management unit, which enables them to easily track employee attendance information.

[0004] Conventional presence detection terminals, as described in the present invention, comprise a control unit and at least one sensor unit that monitors an area adjacent to the presence detection terminal. This sensor unit may, for example, include an infrared sensor. To ensure energy efficiency, an energy-saving mode may be provided, which will be referred to below, for example, as the second operating state of the presence detection terminal. From this second operating state (energy-saving mode), the control unit can switch the presence detection terminal to a first operating state, for example, to allow interaction between the user and the presence detection terminal in this higher, first operating state.

[0005] To enable interaction in the initial operating state, attendance recording terminals typically include at least one intent engine. The intent engine determines a person's intention to interact with the terminal and outputs corresponding intent information, which can then be processed to record the person's attendance. The intent engine can be implemented as software within the attendance recording terminal or its control unit, or it can be comprised of software.

[0006] Typically, conventional presence detection terminals use a simple sensor unit, such as an infrared sensor, to detect whether a person is in the vicinity of the terminal when switching from energy-saving mode to the primary operating state. If a person is detected, the terminal switches from the energy-saving secondary operating state to the more advanced primary operating state, which allows interaction. This switch to primary operating state then usually activates all necessary components of the terminal, such as a display for information or interaction, the intent engine for recording intentions, and other functionalities.

[0007] US 2013 / 048716 A1 discloses systems and methods by which a cardholder can customize the user interface of a terminal in an access control or time and attendance system. The methods include receiving user information from a cardholder or from a card and updating at least one terminal property based on the received user information. A terminal display can be put into a sleep mode. The terminal display can be put into an on mode when a card is detected at a distance of approximately 1 meter from the terminal.

[0008] US 2017 / 0289766 A1 discloses techniques for digital assistant experiences based on presence detection. A system is able to detect a user's presence and distance from a reference point and adapt a digital assistant experience based on the distance. The distance represents the proximity to a client device, which outputs various elements of a digital assistant experience. The client device contains a system behavior manager. The system behavior manager can detect a user's presence at close range, whereupon the client device can be switched from a low-energy mode to an active mode.

[0009] Against this background, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an attendance recording terminal in which energy efficiency is further increased.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is based on the objective of providing a corresponding computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal or a corresponding computer program in order to further increase energy efficiency.

[0011] According to the invention, the aforementioned problems are solved by the proposed attendance recording terminal, namely a time recording terminal, for recording attendance information of a person based on an action by that person, as well as by the proposed computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal, and by the proposed computer program with the features of the corresponding independent claims. Furthermore, preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

[0012] Specifically, an attendance recording terminal is proposed for capturing a person's attendance information based on their actions. The proposed attendance recording terminal is a time recording terminal. It includes: a control unit, at least one sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is configured to observe an environmental zone, and an intent engine, wherein the intent engine is configured to detect an intention of an interaction of the person with the presence detection terminal and to output intent information.

[0013] The control unit is configured to put the attendance recording terminal into at least a first operating state and a second operating state, wherein the attendance recording terminal is in an energy-saving mode in the second operating state compared to the first operating state. The attendance recording terminal is characterized in that the control unit is configured such that the attendance recording terminal switches from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on the intent information.

[0014] With regard to the computer-implemented procedure, a computer-implemented procedure for operating an attendance recording terminal, namely a time recording terminal, for recording attendance information of a person based on an action of the person is proposed, which procedure includes at least the following steps: Observing an environmental zone with at least one sensor unit, detecting an intent to interact with the presence detection terminal by an intent engine, generating intent information, and switching the presence detection terminal from a second operating state to a first operating state, wherein the presence detection terminal is operated in an energy-saving mode in the second operating state compared to the first operating state.

[0015] The computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal is characterized by the fact that first the intention of the person to interact with the attendance recording terminal is recorded and then the attendance recording terminal switches from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on the intention information.

[0016] The features and advantages described in connection with the proposed attendance recording terminal are correspondingly transferable to the proposed computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal. The computer-implemented method can be configured to operate the proposed attendance recording terminal as described. Conversely, the proposed attendance recording terminal is preferably configured to execute the proposed computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal. Therefore, the features and specific advantages relating to the attendance recording terminal and the method for operating the attendance recording terminal are generally described together in a simplified manner.Features described in connection with the device of the attendance recording terminal can be incorporated into claims relating to the computer-implemented method, and vice versa.

[0017] A significant advantage of the present invention is that the presence detection terminal (hereinafter referred to as "terminal") is only activated from an energy-saving mode when it is clear that the person in the vicinity intends to interact with the terminal. A simple approach by the person does not trigger a switch to the primary operating state; this only occurs when it is clear that interaction is desired. Therefore, the terminal remains in an energy-saving mode even if people simply walk past it. This is particularly advantageous in a business environment, such as a factory floor or a hospital, where there is a lot of activity around the terminal and consequently many people pass by. The terminal then operates in an energy-saving mode until it is clear that a person passing by intends to interact with it.

[0018] The sensor unit can be configured to output presence information detected by observing the surrounding area. The control unit is then configured so that the presence detection terminal does not switch from the second operating state to the first solely based on the detected presence information. This distinguishes the proposed presence detection terminal, or computer-implemented method, from conventional state-of-the-art systems that switch from an energy-saving mode to a less energy-efficient operating state solely due to the detected presence of a person, for example, based on a simple signal captured by an infrared sensor, which is representative of a person's mere presence. The proposed presence detection terminal can...According to the proposed computer-implemented method, it is advantageous to filter out those individuals who do not wish to interact with the attendance recording terminal. This allows the attendance recording terminal to switch to a higher operating state when a person intending to interact is detected.

[0019] The first operating state is therefore the more active state, in which the attendance terminal can perform all its intended operations. This first operating state can thus also be described as "wake-up mode." The second operating state, in turn, represents an "ECO mode," i.e., an energy-saving mode. In this state, for example, the display, the memory management unit, or other non-essential components (engines) can be switched off or deactivated. This allows the attendance terminal to operate more energy-efficiently.

[0020] For example, the detected presence information can be combined with further information that indicates whether the person actually wants to interact with the terminal. This additional information could be distance data, suggesting that the person is not merely in the vicinity but has moved closer to the terminal. From this, it can be inferred that interaction is desired, and therefore the terminal should be switched to its initial operating state. Alternatively, the additional information could be the person's movement pattern, such as the direction or speed of movement captured by camera tracking, which can also indicate a desire for interaction.Furthermore, active signal input by the person, whether remotely in the form of voice and / or gesture input, can serve as further information and thus be used to conclude that an interaction is desired and therefore the first operating state can be activated.

[0021] Preferably, the sensor unit and / or the intent engine is permanently ready for operation or awake and not switched off in the second operating state.

[0022] At least one sensor unit monitors the area surrounding the attendance terminal, such as a corridor in an office building or an entrance area of ​​a building or floor. This is where people who interact with the attendance terminal are expected. The sensor unit can comprise one or more sensors. Multiple sensor units or sensors may also be used. The sensor unit or sensors can be integrated as a component of the attendance terminal, for example, within its housing, or they can be located wholly or partially outside the terminal, which is typically mounted on or near a wall. In the latter case, a communication link between the sensor unit and the attendance terminal, particularly its control unit, can be advantageously provided.

[0023] Based on its observations, the sensor unit provides presence information for the person detected in the surrounding area. This can be simply the information that a person is present. Alternatively, the presence information can be more detailed, for example, by displaying a photograph of the person.

[0024] The control unit can be integrated into the attendance terminal or be separate. For example, the control unit can be located elsewhere, not inside the terminal's housing, or it can be implemented online, communicating with the terminal via a communication link and controlling processes such as bookings.

[0025] The storage management unit can be located locally and, for example, be an integrated component of the attendance terminal. Alternatively, the storage management unit can also be located online in a cloud. In this case, the attendance terminal can establish an online connection to the storage management unit, for example, via its control unit, and thus communicate with it. The storage management unit can be configured to process and store the attendance information of the individual.

[0026] The storage management unit can store master records of employee data. Person-specific data stored there can include, for example, information about the person's working hours, the language they speak (to enable specific interaction with the attendance terminal), or individual preferences or requirements for user-specific interaction. For example, it can record if a person has a visual or hearing impairment to enable interaction tailored to their individual needs.

[0027] The intent engine can also be called an intent detection device. It is a system for determining a person's intention to interact with the attendance terminal. The intent engine then outputs corresponding intent information. The intent engine can be implemented as software within the attendance terminal or comprise a separate software component.

[0028] The intent engine can use various data points to determine a person's intention. For example, data stored in a person's master record can be used as a variable for analysis. This could include the start time of the interacting person's shift or working hours, or simply the time at the beginning of the workday when the person appears at the attendance terminal, presumably to clock in. Alternatively, movement data captured by the sensor unit or other sensors can be used. For instance, this data can track whether a person is moving towards the interior or the exit, and their speed of movement.

[0029] It's also possible for more actions to be performed at the attendance terminal than just clocking in or out. For example, a person might want to check the balance stored on their key card or badge, perhaps for use in a cafeteria. The intent engine can then also incorporate the time into the analysis to determine the intention behind the person's interaction with the attendance terminal, since balance checks are frequently performed around lunchtime.

[0030] Predetermined types of movements, such as those of a keycard or badge, by the person interacting with the attendance terminal can also be representative of a specific intention, which the intent engine then recognizes and outputs corresponding intent information. There may also be intentions for interacting with the attendance terminal that do not require unambiguous identification of the individual. For such intentions, it may be sufficient to assign the detected person to a group of people who are generally authorized to interact with the attendance terminal.

[0031] In principle, the attendance recording terminal can include an identification engine. The identification engine, also known as an identification device, is a mechanism for determining the identity of a person interacting with the attendance recording terminal. The identification engine can be implemented as software within the attendance recording terminal or as part of the control unit. The identification engine outputs identification information, which can uniquely represent the interacting person or assign them to a group of people.

[0032] For this purpose, the identification engine can use the presence information previously detected by the sensor unit. For example, a photograph taken by the sensor unit can be analyzed by the identification engine and assigned to a person. Similarly, if the sensor unit detects presence via wireless communication with a mobile access medium, such as an access card, badge, or mobile device belonging to the interacting person, this presence information, for example in the form of the keycard identifier, can be further processed by the identification engine and used for identification.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, identification can also be based on at least one further piece of personal information. For example, the identification engine could have its own sensors, or the sensor unit could first provide detected presence information that simply represents the presence of a person, and then the sensor unit could retrieve further personal information to identify that person.

[0034] The additional personal information need not include personal data, but only enable the unambiguous identification of the person or the unambiguous differentiation of one person from other persons.

[0035] The control unit is configured to put the attendance recording terminal into at least a third operating state, whereby the attendance recording terminal in the third operating state is put into an energy-saving mode compared to the second operating state.

[0036] The attendance recording terminal can be put into a third operating state, whereby the attendance recording terminal is operated in an energy-saving mode in the third operating state compared to the second operating state.

[0037] The third operating state can serve as a kind of "deep sleep mode," in which all systems are reduced to a minimum, except for those systems or engines necessary to detect that interaction is desired. Therefore, the terminal can be operated in a particularly energy-efficient manner.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the presence detection terminal or the computer-implemented method for operating a presence detection terminal, it is proposed that the ambient zone be divided into a plurality of subzones. Preferably, the plurality of subzones comprises at least the following: a near zone and a far zone. The near zone is located closer to the presence detection terminal than the far zone. This advantageously enables the targeted detection of individuals, determining their distance from or relative position to the terminal.

[0039] In particular, the control unit is configured so that the presence detection terminal can only be switched to the first operating state when a person is detected in its immediate vicinity. Specifically, the step of switching the presence detection terminal from the second operating state to the first operating state can only occur when a person is detected in its immediate vicinity. This ensures particularly energy-efficient operation of the terminal, as individuals who are detected but merely passing by the terminal, and who likely do not wish to interact due to their proximity, do not unnecessarily put the terminal into an active and energy-consuming state.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the presence detection terminal, it is proposed that the control unit is configured such that the presence detection terminal is automatically put into the second operating state when the person is detected in the far zone and at the same time no person is detected in the near zone.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal, it is proposed that the attendance recording terminal is automatically switched to the second operating state when the person is detected in the far zone and simultaneously no person is detected in the near zone.

[0042] This makes the terminal particularly energy-efficient to operate, because as soon as it can be concluded, based on the distance between people and the terminal, that no further interaction is desired, the energy-saving second operating state is immediately activated.

[0043] A storage management unit contains working time data, and the attendance recording terminal is configured such that at least one of the following conditions is met: The attendance recording terminal can only be switched to the third operating state outside of regular working hours, and / or the attendance recording terminal is switched to the first operating state and cannot be switched to the second operating state during a specified period of regular working hours, in particular at the beginning and / or at the end of regular working hours.

[0044] Regular working hours are specified or recorded, whereby: The attendance recording terminal can only be switched to the third operating state outside of regular working hours, and / or during a specified period of regular working hours, in particular at the beginning and / or end of regular working hours, the attendance recording terminal is switched to the first operating state and switching the attendance recording terminal to the second operating state is blocked.

[0045] In this way, the terminal is optimally adapted to the employees' working hours. For example, the energy-saving mode(s) can be advantageously deactivated precisely when many interactions are expected.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the presence detection terminal, at least one first processor and one second processor are provided, wherein the first processor is configured at least for performing the switching of the presence detection terminal to the first operating state, and preferably also to the second operating state, and wherein the second processor is configured at least for operating the at least one sensor unit and / or the intent engine.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal, it is proposed that the step of switching the attendance recording terminal from the second operating state to the first operating state, and preferably also the step of switching the attendance recording terminal to the second operating state, is performed by means of a first processor, wherein the step of observing an environmental zone with the sensor unit and / or the step of detecting the intention of the person to interact with the attendance recording terminal by the intent engine is performed by means of a second processor.

[0048] The second processor is preferably less powerful than the first processor.

[0049] Advantageously, the second processor responsible for monitoring the surrounding area, which must be active in order to detect potentially interacting persons, can be designed to be more energy-efficient than the processor that only works when a person wishing to interact is detected, in order to change the operating states as intended.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the presence detection terminal, it is proposed that the sensor unit comprises at least one of the following units: at least one camera, at least one biometric sensor, at least one proximity sensor, and / or at least one mobile access engine, wherein the mobile access engine of the sensor unit is configured such that, in order to detect the person in the ambient zone, a communication exchange takes place between the mobile access engine and a mobile access medium of the person.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the computer-implemented method for operating an attendance detection terminal, it is proposed that the sensor unit observes the surrounding area by means of at least one of the following units: at least one camera, at least one biometric sensor, at least one proximity sensor, and / or at least one mobile access engine, wherein the mobile access engine of the sensor unit communicates with a mobile access medium of the person to detect the person in the surrounding area.

[0052] The mobile access engine can be implemented as software within the presence detection terminal or sensor unit, or it can comprise software that evaluates the communication exchange between the person and the sensor unit and, if necessary, generates and outputs the detected presence information. Contactless detection of the person by the sensor unit, and thus interaction between the person and the presence detection terminal, is particularly advantageous, as it eliminates the need for the person to approach the terminal closely.

[0053] In another embodiment, the person's mobile access medium can be designed as an access card, badge, and / or mobile device. This allows for particularly simple contactless communication between the person and the attendance terminal.

[0054] Furthermore, the task is solved by a computer program which includes computer program commands that, when the program is executed by a processor of an attendance recording terminal, cause the attendance recording terminal to execute the steps of the proposed procedure described above or below.

[0055] Furthermore, a computer-readable medium is proposed on which the aforementioned computer program is stored.

[0056] Further advantageous and preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. The drawings, which merely depict exemplary embodiments, show... Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the proposed attendance recording terminal; Figure 2 shows a flowchart of the process steps of a proposed computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal; Figure 3 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an identification engine of the proposed attendance recording terminal; Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement of a proposed attendance recording terminal in a corridor; and Figure 5 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a control unit of the proposed attendance recording terminal.

[0057] In Figure 1The schematic diagram shows the configuration of an exemplary embodiment of a proposed attendance recording terminal 10. The attendance recording terminal 10 is a time recording terminal designed to enable the recording of employee time, for example, at the entrance of a company building. Specifically, various booking processes can be carried out at the time recording terminal, thus storing and processing different attendance information. For example, an employee can clock in or out when taking a break or when their workday has ended.

[0058] The attendance terminal 10 is therefore set up to record attendance information for person 40 based on an action by person 40. The attendance terminal 10 comprises, as described in Figure 1shown, at least one control unit 11 and one sensor unit 12.

[0059] Furthermore, the depicted and therefore preferred attendance recording terminal 10 has a storage management unit 20. The storage management unit 20 can be located locally and, for example, be an integrated component of the attendance recording terminal 10, or the storage management unit 20 can also be located online in a cloud. This is shown in Figure 1 as indicated by the dashed lines. The attendance recording terminal 10 can then establish an online connection to the storage management unit 20 via the control unit 11 and thus communicate with the storage management unit 20.

[0060] The storage management unit 20 contains master data for the individuals who interact with the attendance terminal 10. This master data can include person-specific information, such as employee-specific details like working hours. This person-specific data is available to the attendance terminal 10 and its control unit 11 via a communication link between the storage management unit 20 and the control unit 11. The storage management unit 20 also processes and stores the attendance information for the individual, for example, that they have arrived at work and are about to begin recording their working hours.

[0061] The sensor unit 12 of the presence detection terminal 10 monitors an environmental zone 30, which surrounds the presence detection terminal 10 (see also Figure 4The sensor unit 12 therefore receives signals from the ambient zone 30, as indicated by the solid arrow pointing from the ambient zone 30 to the sensor unit 12 in Figure 1 hinted at.

[0062] The sensor unit 12 can have 30 different units for observing the surrounding area. In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 1 The sensor unit 12 comprises the following four units: a camera 121, a biometric sensor 122, a proximity sensor 123, and a mobile access engine 124. The sensor unit 12 can also comprise only one of these units or different combinations thereof. It is also possible to provide two identical units, for example, two cameras 121. Furthermore, several separately operating sensor units with different configurations can be provided.

[0063] The aforementioned units of sensor unit 12 initially detect the presence of person 40 in the ambient zone 30. Based on this, sensor unit 12 can output detected presence information for person 40. Specifically, for example, camera 121, directed towards the ambient zone 30, observes the corresponding room, such as a corridor surrounding the presence detection terminal 10 (with reference 300 in the Figure 4 marked), and uses image processing to detect when person 40 enters the surrounding area 30.

[0064] The biometric sensor 122 of sensor unit 12 can, in turn, detect a direct action by person 40 at sensor unit 12 and thus at presence recording terminal 10. For example, person 40 can perform a fingerprint scan on biometric sensor 122 or trigger another signal.

[0065] The proximity sensor 123 of the sensor unit 12 can be designed in various embodiments and can detect the presence of person 40 in the ambient zone 30 without contact.

[0066] The mobile access engine 124 of sensor unit 12 detects the presence of person 40 in the ambient zone 30 via a communication exchange between the mobile access engine 124 and person 40, specifically a mobile access medium belonging to person 40. This mobile access medium can be an access card, such as a key card. It can also be a keyless transponder (badge) or a mobile device belonging to person 40, which has a specific application for communicating with the mobile access engine 124.

[0067] The mobile access engine 124 of the sensor unit 12 is configured such that a Figure 1The communication exchange between the mobile access engine 124 and the person's mobile access medium, indicated by the dashed double arrow, takes place in order to detect the presence of person 40 and to be able to output the detected presence information.

[0068] For example, the keyless transponder (badge) or access card of person 40 can also be equipped with RFID or UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology. A corresponding RFID or UWB module of the mobile access engine 124 then detects when person 40 enters the environmental zone 30. This function can also be implemented via an application on person 40's mobile device.

[0069] The mobile access engine 124 can be implemented as software in the presence recording terminal 10 or in the sensor unit 12, or can include software through which the communication exchange between the person 40 and the sensor unit 12 is evaluated and, if necessary, the detected presence information is generated and output.

[0070] If the sensor unit 12 observes, for example in one of the ways described, that a person 40 is in the environmental zone 30 or is entering the environmental zone 30, the sensor unit 12 can output a detected presence information of the person 40.

[0071] As proposed, the presence detection terminal 10 is not configured in accordance with the state of the art such that it automatically switches from an energy-saving second operating state to a higher first operating state as soon as the mere presence of person 40 in the ambient zone 30 is detected by sensor unit 12. Rather, the control unit 12 is configured such that the presence detection terminal 10 switches from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on an intention signal.

[0072] For this purpose, the attendance recording terminal 10 also includes an intent engine 112 (intention recognition device). The intent engine 112 can be part of the control unit 11 and can be implemented as software in the attendance recording terminal 10 or in the control unit 11, or it can comprise software that can evaluate specific information resulting from the actions of person 40.

[0073] The intent engine 112 recognizes the intention of person 40, specifically, whether or not they wish to interact with the attendance recording terminal 10. To do this, the intent engine 112 captures person 40's intention to interact and outputs intent information representing their intention regarding the interaction. This information can be simply the fact that person 40 wants to interact, or it can be the specific interaction itself, i.e., the concrete intention behind the interaction.

[0074] The specific intention of the interaction could be, for example, that person 40 wants to clock in because their working time is beginning, or that they want to clock out of the time tracking system. Furthermore, person 40's specific intention could also be to retrieve specific information stored in a master record. For example, person 40 might want to check their attendance or working time over a certain predefined period. It may also be possible to use the attendance terminal 10 to find out if there is still credit on an access card or a personal employee card, if the access card or personal employee card (or a badge) can also be used for payment in a cafeteria or similar establishment. Preferably, the storage management unit 20 contains the master record of the corresponding personal data.

[0075] The intent information can generally be detected with sensor unit 12, whereby the following data can form the basis of the intent information: a movement pattern of person 40, specifically the direction of movement of person 40 in the environment zone 30 and / or a movement speed of person 40, and / or a signal input by person 40.

[0076] The direction and / or speed of movement can be recorded via camera tracking and / or ultra-wideband signal. This is particularly advantageous because no further action is required from person 40 to process or interpret this data.

[0077] The direction and / or speed of movement can already help differentiate whether the person 40 in the vicinity wishes to interact or not. A specific intention can also be inferred from the movement pattern. For example, the direction of movement of person 40 from outside the building towards attendance terminal 10 suggests that person 40 wishes to clock in to work. Conversely, movement towards the building or floor exit could generally indicate that person 40 wishes to clock out or clock in for a break.

[0078] The analysis of person 40's movement, and thus the interpretation of their intention, could also incorporate person-specific information stored, for example, in the storage management unit 20. This unit might, for instance, indicate that person 40 is currently on a break or is generally logged out. Then, based on a generally desired interaction between this person 40 and the attendance recording terminal 10, it could be inferred that the person wishes to clock in.

[0079] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the control unit 11 or the engines feature an AI (Artificial Intelligence) with a machine learning engine to analyze, for example, movement data. This allows the specific detected presence information of person 40 to be analyzed using machine learning, enabling, for instance, a comparison of recorded behavior of person 40, such as a movement pattern, with known learned behaviors or movement patterns. This can influence the decision of whether or not to activate an engine and can also contribute to the subsequently described recording of person 40's intention to interact.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, the intention information regarding the interaction of person 40 can also be transmitted via an active signal input by person 40. This signal input could, for example, be as follows: The intent engine 112 receives a signal representing the intention to interact, entered by person 40 on a mobile device, and / or the intent engine 112 receives voice input representing the intention to interact from person 40 or recognizes gesture input representing the intention to interact from person 40, and / or the intent engine 112 processes a signal representing the intention to interact, entered by person 40 at the presence detection terminal 10, for example on a touchscreen display.

[0081] In the first case, where person 40 actively enters information on their mobile device, it is advantageous that person 40 can clearly specify their intention to interact, thus reducing the risk of misinterpretation. For this purpose, an application on person 40's mobile device can display the specific interactions available to them with the attendance recording terminal 10, which they can then select. Through appropriate communication between the mobile device and the attendance recording terminal 10, or more precisely, with the intent engine 112, the intention to interact is then recorded in the attendance recording terminal 10, and the intent information is provided.

[0082] In the second case mentioned above, where the signal input is via voice input from person 40 or via gesture input from person 40, a corresponding voice detection engine 112a (speech recognition device) or gesture detection engine 112b (gesture recognition device) is provided. The voice detection engine 112a and the gesture detection engine 112b can be implemented as software in the control unit 11 or in the intent engine 112, respectively, or can comprise software that evaluates the incoming voice signal from person 40 or the detected gesture or movement of person 40 to obtain specific information.

[0083] For example, person 40 can communicate their intention to interact with the attendance terminal 10 via voice input, such as saying the word "Check in". If this voice signal is recognized by the voice detection engine 112a, the intent engine 112 then knows that an interaction, and specifically which one, is desired. In the case of a gesture, for example, person 40 may be required to perform a specific movement, which is detected by the sensor unit 12, so that the gesture detection engine 112b recognizes this as an intention to check in or out and recognizes the corresponding intent information. A gesture could also involve person 40 performing a predetermined movement with their mobile access medium, which is then wirelessly received by the attendance terminal 10 and recognized by the gesture detection engine 112b as the corresponding intent information.

[0084] In the third case mentioned above, for example, it is necessary for person 40 to enter a signal on the touchscreen display of the attendance terminal 10 to express their intention. The attendance terminal 10 may only display possible, corresponding intentions. The intent engine 112 then processes this entered signal as the corresponding intent information.

[0085] The control unit 11 of the proposed attendance recording terminal 10 is configured such that the attendance recording terminal 10 switches from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on the intent information. Specifically, the attendance recording terminal 10 only switches to the less energy-efficient, ready-to-use second operating state when it is clear that interaction is desired.

[0086] The corresponding proposed computer-implemented procedure for operating the attendance recording terminal 10 for recording attendance information of a person 40 based on an action of person 40 is in Figure 2 illustrated by the following steps: In process step S101, the surrounding area 30 is monitored with the sensor unit 12; during process step S102, the intent of the person 40 to interact with the presence detection terminal 10 is detected by the intent engine 112 and the intent information is generated; then, depending on the intent information, in the subsequent process step S103 the presence detection terminal 10 is switched from the second operating state to the first operating state.

[0087] Specifically, if an interaction is desired, the attendance recording terminal 10 is put into the first operating state (step S104), or if no interaction is desired, the attendance recording terminal 10 is left in the second operating state (step S105) and the surrounding zone 30 continues to be monitored (S101) or the intentions of persons 40 continue to be recorded (S102).

[0088] The first operating state is the more alert operating state, in which the attendance recording terminal 10 can perform all intended operations. For example, it may be stipulated that in the first operating state a connection to the memory management unit 20 exists only after an online connection has been established, or that the memory management unit 20 is only switched on in the first operating state. It may also be stipulated that a display on the attendance recording terminal 10 is only switched on once the attendance recording terminal 10 has entered the first operating state. Therefore, the first operating state can also be referred to as "wake-up mode".

[0089] The second operating state is an "ECO mode," i.e., an energy-saving mode. In this state, for example, the previously mentioned display, the memory management unit 20, or other non-essential components (engines) can be switched off or deactivated. This allows the presence detection terminal 10 to operate more energy-efficiently.

[0090] It is particularly advantageous that the proposed attendance recording terminal 10 also has a third operating state, which can also be referred to as "deep sleep mode". This third operating state ("deep sleep mode") is even more energy-efficient than the second operating state ("ECO mode"). In this third operating state, all non-essential features are switched off.

[0091] The attendance recording terminal 10 is particularly advantageous when configured in such a way that it can only be switched to the third operating state when there are no regular working hours and therefore no interactions are to be expected.

[0092] Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the attendance recording terminal 10 has two different processors. The first processor can be solely responsible for performing the changes in operating states. Accordingly, the first processor can wake up the system or the attendance recording terminal 10, if necessary, in stages. The second processor can then be responsible for monitoring itself, further interaction, and recording of transactions. The second processor is therefore configured at least to operate the sensor unit 12 and the intent engine 1112. The second processor is particularly advantageous because it is less power-hungry and therefore more energy-efficient than the first processor.

[0093] The change from the first operating state to one of the other more energy-saving operating states can, for example, occur automatically when the interaction of person 40 with the presence recording terminal 10 is completed and / or when the person has moved away from the ambient zone 30 or a specified subzone, and / or when a specified period of time has elapsed.

[0094] Furthermore, as in Figure 1As shown, the attendance recording terminal 10 does not necessarily have to include an identification engine 111 (identification device). This identification engine 111, integrated, for example, into the control unit 11, can identify person 40 based on the detected presence information of person 40. The identification engine 111 can be configured to output identification information that is uniquely representative of a specific person 40 or, at the very least, can uniquely assign that person 40 to a predefined group of people. For example, for some interactions, it may not be absolutely necessary to uniquely identify the specific person 40, but may be sufficient to simply assign them to a group of people.For example, it can be recognized that person 40 basically belongs to an "allowed" group of people, so that person 40 can carry out an interaction as long as the interaction does not require a more in-depth, unambiguous identification.

[0095] The identification engine 111 can be implemented as software in the presence recording terminal 10 or in the control unit 11, or it can comprise software through which detected presence information of person 40 or other personal information can be evaluated.

[0096] If the sensor unit 12 has detected a person 40, this person can be specifically identified using the identification engine 111 if necessary. The identification of person 40 can be based, for example, on the detected presence information of person 40 and / or on at least one other piece of personal information. This additional piece(s) of personal information that can be used for identification need not include personal data, but only enable the unique identification of person 40 or the unambiguous differentiation of one person from other persons.

[0097] In the example of camera 121, the detected presence information could be a photograph of person 40. However, it could also simply be the signal that camera 121 has detected a person, provided to control unit 11 or identification engine 111 as basic presence information. The specific photograph of person 40 could then be provided as further personal information, on the basis of which the actual identification would then take place.

[0098] Furthermore, the identification engine 111 is configured to verify person 40 and to issue verification information. Verification here refers to a more detailed level than simple identification. The described identification allows person 40 to be recognized individually or assigned to a group of people. However, verification goes further, also checking whether the identified person 40 is a real person or whether there is any deception, such as an attempt at a deliberate fraudulent booking. This verification of person 40 is based on the detected presence information of person 40 and / or on other personal information.

[0099] The identification engine 111 can be used for this purpose, as in the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 3As can be seen from the detailed description of an identification engine 111, it includes an anti-spoofing engine 111a. The anti-spoofing engine 111a, which may be implemented as software within the identification engine 111 or may comprise software, can distinguish between real people and photographs of a person held in front of the camera 121. Such an anti-spoofing engine 111a is particularly advantageous when cameras 121 are used as sensor units 12 to prevent deliberately false entries at the attendance recording terminal 10.

[0100] The identification engine 111 therefore either receives detected presence information or further personal information for evaluation and identification of person 40, or the identification engine 111 can also detect such information itself. For this purpose, as in the exemplary embodiment of the identification engine 111 in Figure 3The identification engine 111 is shown to comprise at least one of the following units: at least one camera 111b, at least one biometric sensor 111c, and / or at least one mobile access engine 111d. The functionalities of the individual units have already been described previously in connection with the sensor unit 12, to which reference may be made. It should be explicitly mentioned that the mobile access engine 111d of the identification engine 111 is configured such that, for the identification of person 40, a communication exchange takes place between the mobile access engine 111d and a mobile access medium (badge, access card, mobile device or application on a mobile device, or the like) of person 40.

[0101] In principle, to reduce the number of individual units, it can also be provided that the identification engine 111 can directly access the units of the sensor unit 12 (camera 121, biometric sensor 122, mobile access engine 124) or receive corresponding information from them.

[0102] Furthermore, it may also be provided that the sensor unit 12 and the control unit 11 or the identification engine 111 are integral components of the presence detection terminal 10 and, for example, are installed together with the corresponding sensors in a housing of the presence detection terminal 10. However, it may also be advantageous to arrange the sensor unit 12 or a part of the sensor unit 12, for example the camera 121, outside the presence detection terminal 10 at a convenient point in the ambient zone 30, while the identification engine 111, for example with its camera 111b, is an integral component of the presence detection terminal 10.Then, the basic detection of a person can advantageously be carried out via the sensor unit 12 at a distance from the presence recording terminal 10, while the identification of the person 40 by means of the identification engine 111 on the basis of the information generated at the camera 111b takes place at the presence recording terminal 10 itself.

[0103] The surrounding zone 30, in turn, can, as Figure 1 and in an example of an arrangement of an attendance recording terminal 10 in a corridor 300 likewise Figure 4 As can be seen, the area is divided into several subzones. A near zone 31, located closest to attendance recording terminal 10, and a far zone 32, located furthest from attendance recording terminal 10, are provided. A middle zone 33 is located between near zone 31 and far zone 32.

[0104] Advantageously, the sensor unit 12 specifically recognizes in which subzone a person 40 is located and, if necessary, outputs a corresponding specific detected presence information of the person 40, depending on one or more zone-specific signal(s) that the person 40 in the mentioned subzone(s) emanates from the person 40.

[0105] The zone-specific signal does not need to be actively triggered by person 40. Rather, the zone-specific signal is merely elicited by person 40, for example, through their presence or the manner of their movement within the respective subzone. For instance, camera tracking can be used to monitor person 40's movements within the subzone and generate a zone-specific signal from this data. Thus, the zone-specific signal can be triggered simply by person 40's presence or movement within the subzone.

[0106] The following circumstances can be incorporated into the zone-specific signal and thus the specific detected presence information of person 40: In which subzone is person 40 located, and / or into which subzone does person 40 go, and / or what does a movement pattern of person 40 look like?

[0107] The movement pattern of person 40 can refer to their direction and / or speed of movement. The direction of movement can be represented by a direction vector over time. This allows the movement pattern of person 40 to be recorded within a specific environmental zone or subzone and used, for example, to analyze the intention behind the interaction. Knowing which subzone person 40 moves into allows for the detection of zone changes and provides a basis for analysis.

[0108] The technical means for detecting the position, i.e., the presence or movement of person 40, for example in a subzone, can advantageously be the sensor unit 12. The sensor unit 12 advantageously comprises a camera 121.

[0109] In this way, for example, the aforementioned waking of individual engines or the switching of the presence detection terminal 10 to different operating states can occur depending on which subzone person 40 is located in or how person 40 moves within a subzone. If, for example, person 40 only enters the far zone 32 and is detected there, but does not approach the presence detection terminal 10 any further and therefore does not enter the middle zone 33 or the near zone 31, it can be concluded that person 40 does not want to interact with the presence detection terminal 10 at all. Accordingly, the control unit 11 can advantageously be configured such that the presence detection terminal 10 is only switched to the first operating state if person 40 is detected in the near zone 31 or at least in the middle zone 33.

[0110] The in Figure 4The example shown of a corridor 300, which has a T-junction, illustrates the different subzones, represented by dashed partial circles, that surround the presence detection terminal 10 at varying distances. Person 40, located in the near zone 31, interacts with the presence detection terminal 10. Person 40a, in turn, is located in the far zone 32, where, although a basic detection of person 40a occurs via the sensor unit 12 of the presence detection terminal 10, this detection would not yet trigger the presence detection terminal 10 to operate. Only when person 40a also enters the middle zone 33, or, depending on the desired configuration, the near zone 31, is a corresponding intention recognized via the interaction of person 40, thus causing a switch to the first operating state.The third person, 40b, is located outside the entire environmental zone 30, so no detection of person 40b takes place. The attendance terminal 10 does not detect person 40b in the configuration shown, as it is clear that person 40b does not wish to interact with the attendance terminal 10.

[0111] Both the described intent information and the previously described identification information can represent important booking information that the attendance recording terminal 10 processes. Specifically, the control unit 11 receives the identification information from the identification engine 111 and the intent information from the intent engine 112 and processes it. A comparison is then made to determine whether the received booking information matches predefined booking information stored in the storage management unit 20. Thus, the identification information identifies the specific person 40 interacting with the attendance recording terminal 10, and the intent information specifies the desired booking process of person 40.Should such an intention be possible, as in the example where person 40 wants to clock in to work and the storage management unit 20 indicates that person 40 is currently logged out and not clocked in, then the corresponding clocking process can be easily processed and saved automatically. Thus, the attendance information for person 40 previously stored in storage management unit 20 is automatically overwritten and saved anew based solely on the identification information provided by identification engine 111 and the intent information received by intent engine 112.

[0112] The proposed attendance recording terminal 10 thus enables particularly simple operation and interaction between person 40 and the terminal. This allows both the basic presence of person 40, who wishes to interact, and the specific interaction itself—that is, person 40's intention to interact—to be recorded contactlessly. The booking processes at the attendance recording terminal 10 are greatly simplified.

[0113] The features and advantages described in connection with the proposed attendance recording terminal 10 are correspondingly transferable to the proposed computer-implemented procedure for operating an attendance recording terminal. Specifically, the computer-implemented procedure for operating the proposed attendance recording terminal 10 is configured. The proposed attendance recording terminal 10, described here, is in turn configured to execute the proposed computer-implemented procedure for operating an attendance recording terminal. Therefore, the features and specific advantages characterizing the attendance recording terminal 10 and the procedure for operating the attendance recording terminal 10 have been and will be described only briefly in the following sections.

[0114] As proposed, an additional control level can also be integrated into the attendance recording terminal 10. Person 40 will then receive feedback, i.e., confirmation, regarding the completed booking, i.e., the change made to the attendance information in the storage management unit 20, or that no change was made.

[0115] The storage management unit 20 is advantageously configured in such a way that, when the attendance information has been saved, the storage management unit 20 checks in the data of person 40 in its master record of person-specific data whether feedback on the interaction of person 40 with the attendance recording terminal 10 is desired.

[0116] The attendance recording terminal 10 or the control unit 11 can be used for this purpose, as in Figure 5The diagram shows that, in addition to the identification engine 111 and intent engine 112, a feedback engine 113 (feedback device) is also included. The feedback engine 113 is configured so that when person 40 interacts with the attendance recording terminal 10, feedback information can be output. This feedback information can be output at the attendance recording terminal 10, for example, on its display or via a speaker, or at person 40's mobile access device. The feedback information can be output as a voice signal, a graphic signal, and / or a haptic signal, such as a vibration signal on the mobile access device.

[0117] The feedback information can also include, for example, a request or user information with which an operator of the attendance terminal (e.g., an employer) requests or informs person 40, who interacts with attendance terminal 10, about something. A request to person 40 could be, for example: "report to HR," "please reduce overtime," etc. Simple information could be provided about the current time account balance.

[0118] It may be advantageous to provide that sensitive personal information is only displayed on the mobile device of person 40, while general and non-sensitive information is only displayed on the attendance recording terminal 10 or on the attendance recording terminal 10 as well as the mobile device.

[0119] The feedback engine 113 can be implemented, at least partially, as software in the attendance recording terminal 10 or in the control unit 11. This software can, firstly, use the memory management unit 20 to check whether person 40 wants feedback and, secondly, initiate the corresponding feedback. Accordingly, the feedback engine 113 or the control unit 11 can communicate with a speech output unit if, for example, a speech signal is desired as feedback information.

[0120] A particularly advantageous feature is the prior check in the master record of person-specific data to determine whether the specific person 40, who is performing the interaction and has been previously identified, actually desires feedback, and if so, in what form. The feedback engine 113 can therefore be configured to output person-specific feedback information. For example, a speech signal can be output in the respective language of person 40. Furthermore, for instance, in the case of person 40 with a hearing impairment, it could be provided that this person 40 receives a different signal as feedback information, such as the aforementioned graphic or haptic signal.

[0121] To increase the reliability of the interaction between person 40 and the attendance recording terminal 10, the following is implemented in the exemplary embodiment: Figure 5Furthermore, an interaction confirmation engine 114 (interaction confirmation device) is provided in the attendance recording terminal 10 or the control unit 11.

[0122] The interaction confirmation engine 114 can receive clarifying intent information. This clarifying intent information is intended to verify or falsify the already communicated and received intent of person 40 to interact with the attendance recording terminal 10. It is advantageous if this clarifying intent information also constitutes additional booking information for the control unit 11. This additional booking information, along with the identification and intent information, then determines whether or not the booking should be made in the storage management unit 20.

[0123] For this purpose, the interaction confirmation engine 114 can be implemented at least partially as software in the presence recording terminal 10 or in the control unit 11, via which software corresponding signals or actions of person 40 can be evaluated to confirm or deny the previously recorded intention.

[0124] The interaction confirmation engine 114 can be configured as a voice detection engine 114a (speech recognition device) for detecting speech input from person 40 and / or as a gesture detection engine 114b (gesture recognition device) for detecting gesture input from person 40. Reference can be made to the descriptions of voice detection engine 112a and gesture detection engine 112b above.

[0125] Specifically, clarifying intent information can consist of person 40 confirming, via a voice signal (such as a spoken "yes"), that they desire the recorded interaction and wish it to be carried out. Contact-based clarifying intent information is also conceivable, for example, if person 40 makes an entry at the attendance terminal 10 or on their mobile access medium. Furthermore, voice and contactless confirmations by person 40 are also possible, such as when person 40 performs a specific gesture, for example, with their mobile access medium. A specific movement of the mobile access medium can be recognized as clarifying intent information by the interaction confirmation engine 114, for example, via RFID or UWB technology.

[0126] The intent engine 112 is also advantageously configured to assign distance information to the received intent information. This allows the system to determine the distance from which the signal entered or initiated by person 40 originates. For example, if person 40 communicates the intent via a voice signal, the interaction detection engine 112 can determine the distance of person 40, perhaps based on the signal's volume. The booking process can then be made dependent on the distance information falling within a predefined range. Thus, a booking can be prevented if person 40 is still too far from the attendance recording terminal 10. The booking process and the necessary comparison of the detected or...Based on the received information and stored information, the interaction detection engine 112 can then be configured in such a way that the intent information is only processed or output if the distance information corresponds to the specified value range.

[0127] Advantageously, person 40 can also receive a notification from the attendance recording terminal 10 indicating when they are close enough to the terminal to be able to book an entry. According to this embodiment, the control unit 11 is configured such that when the detected presence information for person 40 corresponds to a predefined range of values, an initiation message is sent to person 40 informing them that interaction is possible.

[0128] The initiation information can be a voice signal, an acoustic signal, and / or a graphic signal, and / or a haptic signal, in particular a vibration signal. The initiation information can be output at the attendance recording terminal 10, for example via a speaker or display of the attendance recording terminal 10, or also on a mobile access medium of person 40, such as their mobile device.

[0129] If, preferably, the storage management unit 20 contains a master record of person-specific data, then the storage management unit 20 is preferably configured such that, when the initiation information is to be output to person 40, the storage management unit 20 checks the data of person 40 to determine which type of initiation information person 40 desires. This allows for a particularly advantageous response to the individual needs or requirements of person 40. For example, a person 40 with a visual impairment might preferentially receive an acoustic or speech signal as initiation information rather than a graphic signal, while the opposite would be true for a person 40 with a hearing impairment. Furthermore, speech or text-based signals can be individually adapted to person 40 and output as initiation information in their respective language.The same applies to any feedback information, which can also be issued in a person-specific manner, since person-specific information is stored in the master record of the data in the storage management unit 20.

Claims

1. An attendance recording terminal (10), namely a time recording terminal, for recording an item of attendance information of a person (40) on the basis of an action of the person (40), comprising: - a control unit (11), - at least one sensor unit (12), wherein the sensor unit (12) is configured to monitor a surrounding zone (30), and - an intent engine (112), wherein the intent engine (112) is configured to record an intention of an interaction of the person (40) with the attendance recording terminal (10) and to output an item of intention information, wherein the control unit (11) is configured to set the attendance recording terminal (10) at least to a first operating state and a second operating state, wherein, in the second operating state, the attendance recording terminal (10) is set to an energy-saving mode compared to the first operating state, wherein the control unit (11) is configured in such manner that the attendance recording terminal (10) switches from the second operating state to the first operating state as a function of the intention information, characterised in that the control unit (11) is configured to set the attendance recording terminal (10) at least to a third operating state, wherein, in the third operating state, the attendance recording terminal (10) is set to an energy-saving mode compared to the second operating state, further comprising a memory management unit (20), wherein the memory management unit (20) comprises working time data, wherein the attendance recording terminal (10) is configured in such manner that at least one of the following conditions is met: - the attendance recording terminal (10) can be set to the third operating state only outside of a regular working time, and / or - the attendance recording terminal (10) is set to the first operating state in a predefined period of a / the regular working time, in particular at the start and / or end of the regular working time, and cannot be set to the second operating state.

2. The attendance recording terminal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding zone (30) is divided into a plurality of sub-zones, wherein, preferably, the plurality of sub-zones comprises at least the following sub-zones: - a near zone (31), and - a far zone (32), wherein the near zone (31) is arranged closer to the attendance recording terminal (10) than the far zone (32), wherein, in particular, the control unit (11) is configured in such manner that the attendance recording terminal (10) can be set to the first operating state only when the person (40) is detected in the near zone (31).

3. The attendance recording terminal (10) according to claims 1 to 2, wherein the control unit (11) is configured in such manner that the attendance recording terminal (10) is automatically set to the second operating state when the person (40) is detected in the far zone (32) and, at the same time, no person is detected in the near zone (31).

4. The attendance recording terminal (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one first processor and one second processor, wherein the first processor is configured at least to carry out the setting of the attendance recording terminal (10) to the first operating state, and preferably also to the second operating state, and wherein the second processor is configured at least to operate the at least one sensor unit (12) and / or the intent engine (112), wherein, preferably, the second processor has lower processing power than the first processor.

5. The attendance recording terminal according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor unit (12) comprises at least one of the following units: - at least one camera (121), - at least one biometric sensor (122), - at least one proximity sensor (123), and / or - at least one mobile access engine (124), wherein the mobile access engine (124) of the sensor unit (12) is configured such that, in order to detect the person (40) in the surrounding zone (30), a communication exchange takes place between the mobile access engine (124) and a mobile access medium of the person (40).

6. A computer-implemented method for operating an attendance recording terminal (10), namely a time recording terminal, for recording an item of attendance information of a person (40) on the basis of an action of the person (40), comprising the steps: - Monitoring a surrounding zone (30) with at least one sensor unit (12), - Recording an intention of an interaction of the person (40) with the attendance recording terminal (10) by way of an intent engine (112), wherein an item of intention information is generated, and - Setting the attendance recording terminal (10) from a second operating state to a first operating state, wherein, in the second operating state, the attendance recording terminal (10) is operated in an energy-saving mode compared to the first operating state, wherein the intention of the interaction of the person (40) with the attendance recording terminal (10) is first recorded, and the attendance recording terminal (10) then switches from the second operating state to the first operating state as a function of the intention information, characterised in that the attendance recording terminal (10) can be set to a third operating state, wherein, in the third operating state, the attendance recording terminal (10) is operated in an energy-saving mode compared to the second operating state, wherein a regular working time is predefined or stored, and wherein: - the attendance recording terminal (10) can be set to the third operating state only outside of the regular working time, and / or - in a predefined period of the regular working time, in particular at the start and / or end of the regular working time, the attendance recording terminal (10) is set to the first operating state and the setting of the attendance recording terminal (10) to the second operating state is locked.

7. The computer-implemented method according to claim 6, wherein the surrounding zone (30) is divided into a plurality of sub-zones, wherein, preferably, the plurality of sub-zones comprises at least the following sub-zones: - a near zone (31), and - a far zone (32), wherein the near zone (31) is arranged closer to the attendance recording terminal (10) than the far zone (32), wherein, in particular, the step of setting the attendance recording terminal (10) from the second operating state to the first operating state can take place only when the person (40) is detected in the near zone (31).

8. The computer-implemented method according to claims 6 to 7, wherein the attendance recording terminal (10) is automatically set to the second operating state when the person (40) is detected in the far zone (32) and, at the same time, no person is detected in the near zone (31).

9. The computer-implemented method according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the step of setting the attendance recording terminal (10) from the second operating state to the first operating state, and preferably also the step of setting the attendance recording terminal (10) to the second operating state, is carried out by means of a first processor, and wherein the step of monitoring a surrounding zone (30) with the sensor unit (12) and / or the step of recording the intention of the interaction of the person (40) with the attendance recording terminal (10) by the intent engine (112) is carried out by means of a second processor, wherein, preferably, the second processor has lower processing power than the first processor.

10. The computer-implemented method according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the sensor unit (12) monitors the surrounding zone (30) by means of at least one of the following units: - at least one camera (121), - at least one biometric sensor (122), - at least one proximity sensor (123), and / or - at least one mobile access engine (124), wherein the mobile access engine (124) of the sensor unit (12) communicates with a mobile access medium of the person (40) in order to detect the person (40) in the surrounding zone (30).

11. A computer program comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a processor of an attendance recording terminal (10), namely a time recording terminal, causes the attendance recording terminal (10) to perform the steps of the method according to one of claims 6 to 10.