Employee Time Tracking via Mobile Location Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing employee time tracking systems in the construction industry are inadequate as they fail to account for location-specific overtime, remote management, and multiple job site reporting, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to lack of automation and oversight.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computer server connected to a database with an employee device equipped with a camera, capable of generating and sending time punch data including job site location verification through photos, allowing remote supervision and accurate overtime calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical time card system is used for employee time tracking, then employees can punch in and out at job sites, but the system does not allow for remote supervision and management of multiple job sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical time card system with an electronic mobile device-based system. Employees use mobile devices to clock in and out, and the system automatically transmits time data to a central server, eliminating the need for physical card handling while enabling remote supervision through automated data collection and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary between employees and supervisors. The server collects time punch data from multiple job sites, processes overtime calculations based on location-specific rules, and provides remote supervisors with access to consolidated time tracking information, enabling centralized management without physical presence at each site.
2Ease of operation
If traditional time clocks are used at remote job sites, then time punching can be performed locally, but automation is not feasible due to lack of computer network connectivity and electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables mobile devices to function as standalone time clocks by storing time punch data locally on the device. Employees can clock in and out without network connectivity, and the device automatically manages data storage and later synchronizes with the central server when connectivity is available, providing automated time tracking in remote locations without infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having mobile devices store time punch data locally before network connectivity is available. The device pre-processes and caches time data, then automatically transmits it to the server when connectivity is restored, ensuring continuous time tracking operation in remote areas without requiring immediate network access or electricity.
3Device complexity
If manual overtime calculation is performed without location-specific parameters, then time tracking is simpler, but overtime accuracy does not account for job site location, time of year, weather, and job parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used in overtime calculation by incorporating location-specific variables such as geographic location, time of year, weather conditions, and job-specific parameters. The system dynamically adjusts overtime thresholds and rules based on these varying parameters, enabling accurate overtime calculation that reflects real-world construction industry variations across different job sites and conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If employees report to multiple job sites under multiple job numbers, then comprehensive time tracking is possible, but the prior art cannot properly attribute hours to specific job sites and cost codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments time tracking data by job site, job number, and cost code using the mobile device's location data. Each time punch event is automatically associated with specific job site parameters, allowing the system to divide and attribute hours to multiple different jobs and cost centers. This segmentation enables accurate tracking of employee time across multiple job sites while maintaining clear attribution for billing and accounting purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to manage employee time at a set of job sites. A time management system comprises a server in communications with a database in which a set of job site data is stored. An employee device application is installed on a set of employee devices. The set of employee devices are in communication with the server through the employee device application. The set of employee devices collect a set of time punch data and a set of photos from the set of employees at check-in events and check-out events. The set of time punch data and the set of photos are sent to the server and stored in the database with the set of job site data. A supervisor management application is installed on a set of supervisor devices to monitor the set of job site data, validate photos and activate employee devices.