WO2005066910A1

WO2005066910A1 - Attendance monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2005066910A1
Application number: PCT/IL2005/000036
Authority: WO
Inventors: Avi Schechter; Ilan Lilien; Ilan Kander
Original assignee: Supercom Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-01-11
Filing date: 2005-01-11
Publication date: 2005-07-21
Also published as: IL159802A0

Abstract

People whose attendance is to be monitored are each provided with a smart card (16) which stores a unique ID code and possibly other personal data. Card readers (12) are installed at various attendance points for reading the smart cards (16) on arrival and at each of the attendance points and again when they leave. The card readers (12) are connected to a communication network implemented using an electricity supply infrastructure, to communicate with a data logging centre (14). Communication between the readers and the data logging centre is conducted using destination-specific data packets, e.g. TCP/IP protocol. Data repeaters (26) may be provided at suitable positions in the electricity supply infrastructure to receive and re-transmit data packets travelling between the readers and the data logging centre.

Description

ATTENDANCE MONITORING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to attendance monitoring systems which are used for automatically logging the times at which individuals attend various locations.

BACKGROUND

Attendance monitoring systems are already known for use with students or workers who attend various locations at different times. A number of card readers, installed at strategic locations, are connected to a common data logging centre operated on a host computer. The readers are connected to access controllers in a tree configuration, and the controllers normally communicate with the host computer through a data network such as Ethernet. Each attendee is provided with a data card which is read by the card reader on arrival at a particular location and again when they leave.

In the existing system the card readers communicate with the access controllers over data cables using a serial communications protocol such as RS232 or RS485. However, such protocols do not allow for sharing of communication cables, and the installation of the necessary cabling infrastructure is often inconvenient and expensive, particularly if there is no pre-existing data network which can be utilised. The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of attendance monitoring system which is cheaper, quicker and easier to install compared with existing systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an attendance monitoring system which includes:

- a supply of data carriers for allocation to people whose attendance is to be monitored;

- a plurality of readers installed at various attendance points for reading the data carriers of people on arrival and at each of the attendance points and again when they leave;

- a data logging centre; and

- a communication network by which each of the readers can communicate with the data logging centre; characterised in that the communication network comprises an electricity supply infrastructure and the communication between the readers and the data logging centre is conducted using destination-specific data packets.

The use of an existing electricity supply infrastructure obviates the need for a separate communications infrastructure and has the advantage that the system can easily be extended without disruption. In addition, the readers no longer need to be individually wired to access controllers, since they can be directly connected to the electricity supply infrastructure at any convenient point. It should be noted that the access controller serves as a real time backup when the host is not online due to loss of communication. It is possible to have an access controller connected inline with the reader and connect to the power line via power line modem as well but this solution costs more, though it is an off-line solution as well if the systems have backup batteries. More preferably, the system is implemented without dedicated hardware controllers, instead using suitable software operating on the non-dedicated host computer to handle also the realtime data input.

The communication network preferably includes data repeaters, which receive, and re-transmit data packets travelling between the readers and the data logging centre.

According to a further preferred feature of the present invention, each of the plurality of readers is implemented as a single housing which includes a format converter for generating the destination-specific data packets and a power-line modem for transmitting the destination-specific data packets over the electricity supply infrastructure. Preferably, the sole electrical connection of each of the readers is a plug for connection to the electricity supply infrastructure. According to a further preferred feature of the present invention, the format converter further serves as a hub providing network connectivity for at least one additional network device via the electricity supply infrastructure to a network including the data logging centre.

In an alternative implementation, a foπnat converter for generating the destination-specific data packets and a power-line modem for transmitting the destination-specific data packets over the electricity supply infrastructure are mounted separately from the reader. This implementation is useful where it is desired to minimize the visible components of the system, allowing a small reader to be mounted on a wall and the rest of the components, including the electrical connection to the electricity supply infrastructure, can be hidden from view, such as above a false ceiling or within a hollow partition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general schematic diagram of an attendance monitoring system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a more detailed schematic representation of one of the card readers, which is included in the system;

Figure 3 is a set-up panel which is displayed as part of the system set-up; and

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a modified form of the system shown in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, an attendance monitoring system will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. The system is intended for use in a building or complex of buildings such as a school and uses a communication network 10 which is provided by the existing electricity supply infrastructure of the building connected to an external electricity grid. Since electricity grid is primarily intended to supply electrical power and not carry data communications the conditions are far from ideal for reliable transfer of data. For example, there is often a high level of ambient noise produced by apparatus connected to the grid, electrical storms etc. Furthermore, the amount of noise varies widely depending upon the time of day.

A number of card readers 12 are connected to the network 10 together with a data logging centre 14 provided by a host computer running suitable software. The card readers may be installed at any convenient attendance points around the school or other premises. Installation is very simple since it just involves plugging the card reader to a convenient power line socket. Referring to Fig.2, each card reader 12 is capable of reading a smart card 16 which electronically stores an identification code in a chip 17 or other data storage means such as a bar code which is read in known manner. The reader 12 provides a data output in a standard serial communication format, e.g. RS232, which is sent to a format converter 18, which writes the data into a format such as TCP/IP for transmission over the communication network 10 via a power line modem 20. At the data logging centre 14 line data is extracted from the communication network by means of a power line modem 22 (Fig. 1).

TCP/IP and similar formats transmit data in packets. Each packet includes a defined header structure, which contains information such as the length of the packet, source address (in this case the address of the particular card reader) and destination address (e.g. the address of the host computer).

When the system is installed or modified by addition of a new card reader it is necessary to register the physical and electronic address, which is achieved using a software option on the host computer as shown in Fig. 3. Each student (student as an example) whose attendance is to be monitored is provided with a smart card 16. The code stored in the card uniquely identifies the student, whose personal details are held on the host computer 14. The ID code which has been allocated to the student is also entered into the student's record and stored. Upon arriving at one of the monitoring points the student presents his/her card to the reader which then generates a TCP/IP data packet containing the students ID code and transmits it over the communication network 10. On arrival at the host computer the student ID code and card reader address are logged into a Time and Attendance database together with a time stamp obtained from the computer's on-board real-time clock. Optionally the same process is repeated to "clock out" when the student leaves the monitoring point, e.g. at the end of a lesson.

It will be appreciated that the architecture of the system of the present invention further differs from conventional attendance monitoring systems in that the dedicated controller used in conventional systems for recording real-time clock- in/clock-out data is here preferably replaced by software running on general- purpose host computer 14 on the network. Thus, no dedicated controller hardware is required. Instead, both the real-time data collection and the subsequent processing and/or analysis of the data may be implemented on the same non- dedicated computer modified by installation of a suitable software computer product.

The host computer thus maintains a record of attendance times for all the students. The software may allow reports to be generated for each student or group of students. In addition, warnings for non-attendance or unexpected absences can automatically be sent to the students parents for example by means of an internet and/or SMS text messaging service indicated at 24 in Fig. 1. Alternatively, one can use an IVR system that can generate any type of messages to the parents of to any other authority).

According to a further preferred option, communication between the reader and the host computer may be bi-directional. In this case, format converter 18 converts data from the reader to packets for transmission via the electricity supply infrastructure to the PC/network, and converts appropriately addressed packets received from the electricity supply infrastructure to serial format signals for return communication to the reader. In this case, the reader may be implemented with recording/writing capabilities. This allows performance of an interactive read/write session with the card chip, for example, allowing e-money charging or addition, or adjustment of other data stored on the card. Additionally, or alternatively, the end unit ("reader") may be equipped with a display (LCD or the like) or other visual or audio output device which may serve as a count up/down or for providing user-specific messages to the user.

Where the system is required to operate over a large building complex or on a power system which is subject to a high level of electrical noise or for phase to phase bridging, data repeaters 26 can be located at various points as shown in Fig. 4. These receive incoming TCP/IP data packets and re-transmit them to ensure that the signal level and integrity is maintained. Wireless systems or other bridging devices common in communication may be used as well for bridging large distances between buildings.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas, which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An attendance monitoring system which includes:

- a plurality of readers installed at various attendance points for reading the data carriers of people at least on arrival and at each of the attendance points;

- a data logging centre; and

2. An attendance monitoring system according to Claim 1, in which the communication network includes data repeaters which receive and re-transmit data packets travelling between the readers and the data logging centre.

3. An attendance monitoring system according to Claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of readers is implemented as a single housing which includes a format converter for generating said destination-specific data packets and a power-line modem for transmitting said destination-specific data packets over said electricity supply infrastructure.

4. An attendance monitoring system according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein a sole electrical connection of each of said readers is a plug for connection to the electricity supply infrastructure.

5. An attendance monitoring system according to Claim 3, wherein said format converter further serves as a hub providing network connectivity for at least one additional network device via said electricity supply infrastructure to a network including said data logging centre.

6. An attendance monitoring system according to Claim 1, further comprising a format converter for generating said destination- specific data packets and a power- line modem for transmitting said destination-specific data packets over said electricity supply infrastructure, wherein said format converter and said power-line modem are mounted separately from said reader.

7. An attendance monitoring system according to Claim 6, wherein said format converter further serves as a hub providing network connectivity for at least one additional network device via said electricity supply infrastructure to a network including said data logging centre.

8. An attendance monitoring system according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein said data logging centre is implemented as a non- dedicated computer operating with suitable software.

9. An attendance monitoring system according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the communication between the readers and the data logging centre is bi-directional.