WO2014017982A1

WO2014017982A1 - Architecture, system, and method for dynamic location based matching of workers with work opportunities

Info

Publication number: WO2014017982A1
Application number: PCT/SG2013/000304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kian-Lee NG
Original assignee: Ng Kian-Lee
Priority date: 2012-07-23
Filing date: 2013-07-23
Publication date: 2014-01-30

Abstract

A computer-based process for matching potential workers with part-time work opportunities includes determining location (e.g., GPS) data corresponding to a potential worker; determining part-time work opportunities existing within a predetermined distance from the potential worker's location; and presenting part-time work opportunities within this predetermined distance on a visual display of a worker communication device (e.g., a smart phone). Presented work opportunities can be selected, and work details (e.g., work location, work date(s) / time(s), and compensation) can be presented on the visual display. A potential worker can accept a work opportunity to become an actual worker, and can clock-in and/or clock-out at an employer's work site by capturing a machine readable code (e.g., a QR code) using their worker communication device, and communicating this code to a remote system to establish clock-in/ clock-out times. The process can include generating and storing worker reviews of employers and/or employer reviews of workers.

Description

ARCHITECTURE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC LOCATION BASED MATCHING OF WORKERS WITH WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an architecture, system, devices, and method for presenting part-time workers with work opportunity information for work sites near or proximate to a current worker location such as current GPS coordinates corresponding to the worker; and automatically facilitating one more of (a) worker review and selection of a given work opportunity; (b) worker and organizational acceptance of a corresponding work assignment and associated terms / conditions (e.g., worker compensation terms); (c) provision of work assignment standard operating procedures to workers; (d) worker clock-in and clock-out procedures at a work site; (e) payment of workers upon completion of work assignments; and (f) rating or scoring of workers and/or employers.

Background

Currently, part-time workers who are interested in identifying part-time work opportunities that may be of interest to them typically peruse employers' advertisements or part-time employment listings on a website associated with an employer or a newspaper's employment section. It can be difficult for a potential part-time worker to reliably identify a comprehensive pool of part time work opportunities that may exist at any given time, and it can further be difficult for the potential part-time worker to reliably or easily identify part-time work opportunities that are likely to satisfy the part-time worker's schedule or convenience constraints. It is additionally difficult for potential part-time workers to reliably determine whether an employer with whom they have had no experience is worth contacting. Likewise, it is difficult for employers to reliably determine whether any given potential part-time worker is likely to be well-suited to a given part-time position. A need exists for systems and methods that overcome such shortcomings associated with matching part-time workers to part-time work opportunities, and which facilitate seamless or essentially seamless automatic matching of part-time workers with part-time employment opportunities in accordance with both employer and part-time worker requirements and constraints. Summary

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-based process for matching potential workers with part-time work opportunities includes: determining location data corresponding to a location of a potential worker, the location data including one of geolocation data, a postal code, an address, and a query location; automatically determining part-time work opportunities that exist within a predetermined distance from the potential worker's location; and presenting at least one part-time work opportunity that exists within the predetermined distance on a visual display of a first computing device (e.g, a smart phone, a tablet or note type computer, or a laptop computer) corresponding to the potential worker.

Determining the potential worker's location data includes establishing network communication between the first computing device corresponding to the potential worker and a computer-based work opportunity matching manager, for instance, to automatically determine the potential worker's current or most-recent geolocation.

Automatically determining part-time work opportunities that exist within a predetermined distance from the potential worker's location includes accessing a database that includes employer listings of current part-time work opportunities. Such a database can correspond to or form a portion of a database of subscribers, where each subscriber corresponds to an employer that pays a subscription fee such that current part-time work opportunities associated with the employer are presentable to potential workers. The subscription fee corresponding to each subscriber can be automatically deducted from a financial account corresponding to the subscriber. Presenting at least one part-time work opportunity on the visual display can include (a) presenting a map on the visual display and identifying each part-time work opportunity on the map by way of a visual work opportunity indicator selectable by the potential worker, or (b) presenting a list of part-time work opportunities on the visual display.

The process can further include receiving input from the potential worker indicating potential worker selection of a part-time work opportunity presented on the visual display; and providing the potential worker with details corresponding to the selected part-time work opportunity by way of the first computing device. Such details can include at least one of an employer identification, an employer rating, work date, work duration, work site location information, work site transportation information, compensation information, and background skills that a worker should possess. Additionally, such details can form portions of a work agreement that the potential worker can accept or reject by way of input directed to the first computing device. In some embodiments, the potential worker can conditionally accept a work agreement by way of input directed to the first computing device.

The process can include receiving input from the potential worker indicating acceptance of a part-time work opportunity presented on the visual display; and identifying the potential worker as an actual worker following acceptance of the part-time work opportunity.

The process can also include providing at a first time of day a machine readable code corresponding to the employer at a physical location or worksite corresponding to the accepted part-time work; capturing at the first time of day the machine readable code by way of one of the first computing device and a second computing device corresponding to the actual worker; and communicating the machine readable code corresponding to the first time of day to the work opportunity matching manager to thereby establish a clock- in time for the actual worker. Analogously, the process can include providing at a second time of day a machine readable code corresponding to the employer at a physical location or worksite corresponding to the accepted part-time work; capturing at the second time of day the machine readable code by way of one of the first computing device and the second computing device; and communicating the machine readable code corresponding to the second time of day to the work opportunity matching manager to thereby establish a clock-out time for the actual worker.

The process can further include automatically determining a number of hours the actual worker has worked; and automatically determining a compensation amount for the actual worked, for instance, based upon the actual worker's clock- in and clock-out times, and an agreed-upon or accepted compensation rate for the actual worker. The compensation amount can be automatically deducted from a worker compensation account corresponding to the employer.

The process can also include electronically communicating to the work opportunity matching manager at least one of a rating of the actual worker from the employer and a rating of the employer from the actual worker. In some embodiments, presenting at least one part-time work opportunity on a visual display of a first computing device corresponding to the potential worker includes selectively presenting a first part-time work opportunity on the visual display of a first computing device corresponding to a first potential worker before presenting the first part-time work opportunity on a visual display of another computing device corresponding to another potential worker. Such selective presentation of the first part- time work opportunity on the visual display of the first computing device corresponding to the first potential worker can be based upon or include automatically analyzing at least one of work history information and an employer rating of the first worker. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for matching workers with part-time work opportunities includes: a network configured for electronic communication; a work opportunity matching manager communicable with the network, the work opportunity matching manager having a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processing unit; and a set of worker communication devices communicable with the network, each worker communication device corresponding to a potential worker or actual worker, each worker communication device having a visual display, a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the worker communication device processing unit, wherein execution of program instructions corresponding to the work opportunity matching manager and execution of program instructions corresponding to each worker communication device enable communication between the work opportunity matching manager and each worker communication device, said communication including: determining location data corresponding to a location of each potential worker, the location data including one of geolocation data, a postal code, an address, and a query location; automatically determining part-time work opportunities that exist within a predetermined distance from each potential worker's location; and presenting part-time work opportunities on the visual display of each worker communication device.

Each worker communication device includes computing device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet or note type computer, or a laptop computer) by which a part-time work opportunity presented on its visual display is selectable by the potential worker to whom the worker communication device corresponds. The system can further include a computer based map service communicable with the network; and a map application executable by or executing on each worker communication device. _' The system can also include an employer database accessible to the work opportunity matching manager; a potential worker database accessible to the work opportunity matching manager; and possibly a categorical pay rate database storing information corresponding to pay rates for different types of part-time work. The employer database stores information identifying part-time work opportunities corresponding to at least one employer, wherein such information includes at least one of an employer identification, an employer rating, work date, work duration, work site location information, work site transportation information, compensation information, and background skills that a worker should possess. The potential worker database stores information corresponding to at least one potential worker, wherein such information includes at least one of potential worker skill information, potential worker work history information, potential worker compensation information, and potential worker rating information. The system can additionally include a set of clock-in / clock-out devices communicable with the network, each clock-in / clock-out device corresponding to an employer (e.g., disposed at a physical location or work site corresponding to an employer), each clock-in / clock-out device including a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions residing within the memory and executable by the processing unit for presenting a machine readable code on a visual display, wherein the machine readable code is capturable by a worker communication device and communicable thereby to the work opportunity matching manager to establish a clock-in or a clock-out time for an actual worker.

The system can also include a payment intermediary communicable with the network and communicable with the work opportunity matching manager, the payment intermediary including a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processing unit for processing a financial payment to the actual worker corresponding to work performed by the actual worker for an employer corresponding to a part-time work opportunity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of particular aspects of an architecture for dynamic location based matching of workers with work opportunities in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. IB is a schematic illustration of particular aspects of an architecture for dynamic location based matching of workers with work opportunities in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing portions of a representative work opportunity GUI or work opportunity map presentable or presented upon a display of a worker communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGs. 3 A and 3B are schematic illustrations of representative clock-in / clock-out systems or devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In the present disclosure, the depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular FIG. or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, a counterpart, a corresponding, or an analogous element or element number identified in another FIG. or descriptive material associated therewith. The use of "/" in a FIG. or associated text is understood to mean "and/or" unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of a particular numerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be a recitation of an approximate numerical value or value range.

As used herein, the term "set" corresponds to or is defined as a non-empty finite organization of elements that mathematically exhibits a cardinality of at least 1 (i.e., a set as defined herein can correspond to a unit, singlet, or single element set, or a multiple element set), in accordance with known mathematical definitions (for instance, in a manner corresponding to that described in An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning: Numbers, Sets, and Functions, "Chapter 1 1 : Properties of Finite Sets" (e.g., as indicated on p. 140), by Peter J. Eccles, Cambridge University Press (1998)). In general, an element of a set can include or be a system, an apparatus, a device, a structure, an object, a process, a physical parameter, or a value depending upon the type of set under consideration. Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to architectures, systems, devices, processes, and procedures that facilitate the automated or semi- automated selective matching of potential part-time, short-term, temporary, or contract workers with available or expected available part-time, short-term, temporary, or contract work opportunities. Such matching occurs in a dynamic or updateable manner based upon current or most recent physical or geographic locations (e.g., corresponding to global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates) associated with one or more potential workers relative to the physical or geographic locations at which one or more work opportunities exist. For purpose of brevity and to aid understanding, the term part-time as used herein can correspond or refer to work or a set of tasks / activities that is to be undertaken on a one-time, part-time, short-term, temporary, or contract basis.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the term potential worker can refer to an individual that is presented with information corresponding to an available or expected available work opportunity. In a number of embodiments, a potential worker can be presented with a proposed work agreement, which can correspond to, provide, or define information such as a work assignment indicating the type(s) of work or task(s) that the potential worker is expected or required to perform; and terms / conditions including work duration (e.g., a given number of hours) and/or compensation rate (e.g., a pay rate per hour). A proposed work agreement can also indicate a type or level or worker education or knowledge or a set of background skills or abilities / prerequisites that a worker should or must possess prior to undertaking the work assignment.

Once a potential worker accepts a proposed work agreement corresponding to a given work opportunity, the proposed work agreement can be categorized as a work agreement or actual work agreement, and the potential worker can be categorized as a worker with respect to that work agreement and work opportunity. Thus, the term worker can refer to an individual that has accepted a work agreement corresponding to a work opportunity, and who undertakes or has agreed to undertake an associated work assignment on a part- time, short-term, temporary, or contract basis, in accordance with work agreement terms / conditions.

A worker can be financially compensated for their work performed in association with completing or attempting to complete a work assignment, in which case the worker can typically be categorized as a part-time, short-term, temporary, or contract employee. Alternatively, a worker can voluntarily remain uncompensated for their work performed in association with completing or attempting to complete a work assignment, in which case the worker can be categorized as a volunteer. In view of the foregoing, work opportunities can be categorized as for-compensation / for-pay work opportunities, or uncompensated / volunteer work opportunities. A work agreement in accordance with which a worker is to receive financial compensation or pay can be referred to as a hiring agreement. Any given work opportunity can typically be associated with an organization, such as company (e.g., a corporation) in the case of a for-pay work opportunity, or a charitable organization in the case of a volunteer work opportunity. Some work opportunities, however, can be associated with individuals that are directly (e.g., on their own behalf) seeking the assistance of one or more workers.

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are configured for providing at least some of the following functionality:

Maintaining at least one database of subscribers (e.g., a subscriber registry), where a given subscriber corresponds to an entity, organization, or individual that has one or more part-time work opportunities available for which the subscriber is seeking at least one worker. In a number of embodiments, a subscriber's work opportunities can be presented to potential workers on the basis of or in exchange for a subscription or service fee associated with the subscriber's access to or use of services provided to subscribers by embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure.

Receiving, retrieving, acquiring, or maintaining information corresponding to current and/or future work opportunities offered by subscribers, where such information includes (a) work opportunity location(s); (b) work opportunity availability / validity period(s); (c) work assignment description / details; and (d) proposed work terms / conditions, such as work duration and pay rate.

In multiple instances, a work opportunity location includes a workplace or work site at which a worker is expected to actually carry out work, tasks, or activities corresponding to a work assignment for a subscriber work opportunity under consideration. Alternatively, a work opportunity location can be a geographic nexus, meeting point, or physical point of contact (e.g., a company's main or branch office) at which a worker is to interact with or meet a subscriber representative, where this point of contact serves as an origin from which the worker can travel or be transported to a workplace or work site (e.g., a nearby work site) at which the worker is to actually perform their work assignment. Work assignment details can specify the location of an actual work site, as well as the location of any associated meeting point. Maintaining at least one database of registered individuals / potential workers / workers (e.g., a potential / actual worker database, registry, or pool), which indicates or identifies a number of potential / actual workers having an interest in being matched with one or more subscriber work opportunities. Automatically or semi-automatically estimating, evaluating, determining, or scoring a potential worker's suitability for one or more work opportunities in view of work assignment information corresponding to such work opportunities. The estimation, evaluation, determination, or scoring can be based upon a^ set of worker criteria that can be analyzed or matched relative to work assignment details, where such worker criteria can include the potential worker's educational background, skill set, work history, and subscriber ratings of the potential workers work quality and professionalism (e.g., observed worker qualification or level or skill level relative to work assignment requirements, worker responsiveness to work demands, punctuality, attitude, and responsibility level) if the potential worker has previously worked for one or more subscribers. Automatically or semi-automatically estimating or determining a proposed pay rate (e.g., an hourly pay rate) for a potential worker with respect to a given work opportunity, for instance, based upon worker ratings and/or an analysis or determination of worker suitability for the work opportunity, as further detailed below. Presenting or providing registered individuals / potential workers with current, updated, or updateable work opportunity information that indicates or conveys subscriber work opportunities to potential workers. Work opportunity information can be pushed to potential workers and/or pulled by potential workers, depending upon embodiment details. In multiple embodiments, work opportunity information includes or conveys work locations / work location distance information relative to current, most-recent, recent, future, and/or expected future physical or geographic locations of potential workers.

In several embodiments, a registered individual / potential worker is presented with such subscriber work opportunity location information by way of or in response to interaction with a visual interface such as a graphical user interface (GUI), which can include or display work opportunity location information, for instance, (a) automatically in response to a potential worker log-in event; (b) on a dynamic or updated basis based upon a potential worker's current location; and/or (c) in response to worker specification, selection, or entry of location data, such as an address or postal code. A visual interface configured for presenting subscriber work opportunity location information can present portions of a work opportunity map that visually indicates the existence of subscriber work opportunity locations relative or referenced to a current, most-recent, recent, future, and/or expected future location or approximate location of the registered individual / potential worker. A work opportunity map can include or be a live, essentially live, nearly live, or updateable / updated map configured to convey current / existing / unfilled subscriber work opportunities to registered individuals / potential workers. Furthermore, such a map can correspond to a portion of a GUI that is providable or provided in association with a map application and/or map service.

Facilitating or enabling registered individual / potential worker identification or selection of a given work opportunity for consideration. For instance, a registered individual / potential worker can select a given subscriber work opportunity that is presented on the aforementioned work opportunity map, and obtain additional information or details corresponding to the work opportunity, as further described below. 8. Presenting or providing registered individuals / potential workers with proposed work agreement details, including work assignment information and proposed terms / conditions corresponding to a selected work opportunity.

9. Facilitating the acceptance of work agreements (e.g., by way of providing or acting as an automated or semi-automated acceptance service, negotiation service, or broker between a registered potential worker and a subscriber with respect to a proposed work agreement corresponding to a subscriber work opportunity).

10. Facilitating the communication of work procedures, preparatory information, or instructional materials (e.g., standard operating procedures) to workers prior to their initiation of a work assignment.

11. Facilitating worker clock-in and clock-out procedures at a work site. 12. Facilitating worker compensation or payment processes, procedures, or operations. In some embodiments, worker compensation for a worker's performance of a particular work assignment associated with a given subscriber is paid or deducted from an account balance corresponding to the subscriber. 13. Facilitating the appraisal, rating, scoring, or ranking of aspects of worker performance and/or professionalism by subscribers.

14. Facilitating the rating, scoring, or ranking of aspects of subscribers, subscriber work assignments, and/or associated work locations by workers. Such aspects can include working conditions, training provided, supervisor professionalism, pay rate, or other factors. Some embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are additionally be configured for providing some or each of the following functionality: 15. Accessing or maintaining at least one set of financial accounts (e.g., a set of subscription receivables accounts) into which subscription fees (e.g., annual, quarterly, or monthly subscription fees) charged or chargeable to subscribers can be received. 16. Accessing or maintaining at least one set of financial accounts (e.g., a set of worker payables accounts) from which compensation or payment to workers can be sourced, made, or transferred (e.g., daily or weekly payments to a given worker, based upon confirmation, verification, or calculation of the number of hours the worker has worked and/or satisfactory or successful work assignment completion).

17. Communicating with financial service providers, financial institutions, financial / payment intermediaries / providers / processors, and possibly governmental or other agencies with respect to subscriber subscription fees, worker payments, or other information (e.g., a total number of hours worked as a volunteer for one or more charitable organizations).

In some embodiments, a subscription receivables account and a worker compensation account is established, monitored, or maintained for each subscriber. For a given subscriber, subscription fees can be automatically deducted from their subscription receivables account at predetermined or regular time intervals (e.g., annually, quarterly, or monthly). At any given time, the balance of the subscription receivables account relative to an initial subscription funding level can reflect service fees charged for subscriber access to or use of particular services provided to subscribers by embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. Worker pay corresponding to worker completion of work assignments for the subscriber can be paid or deducted from the subscriber's worker compensation account. A subscription receivables account and/or a worker compensation account may be required to have a balance that remains at or above a minimum funding level to account for corresponding future (e.g., recurring) subscription fees and/or future worker payments.

Particular embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are additionally configured to provide one or each of the following functionalities:

18. Determination, receipt, identification, or selection of subscriber work opportunity location information or a specified subscriber work location, such as by way of determination of a subscriber's GPS coordinates, or receipt of subscriber input corresponding to a work opportunity address or postal code at which a work opportunity is or will be available; automated searching for registered potential workers that are currently located near or proximate to the specified subscriber work location, or who reside near or proximate to the specified work location; and automated or semi-automated issuance of work opportunity notifications to those workers who are near or proximate to the specified work location.

19. Social networking between potential workers / workers., by which registered individuals can communicate with each other; recommend work opportunities to each other; coordinate with each other relative to cooperative or collaborative performance of one or more work assignments (e.g., by arranging to work together); share information regarding subscribers, work opportunities, or work locations; and/or announce or engage in worker related activities.

While a number of embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are configured for providing some or all of the foregoing functionality, certain embodiments can additionally or alternatively be configured to provide additional or other types of functionality. Nonlimiting aspects of particular representative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are described in Appendix A hereto. Additionally, nonlimiting aspects of certain representative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are described in detail hereafter with reference to FIGs. 1A - 3B.

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of particular aspects an architecture or system 10a for dynamic location based matching of workers with work opportunities in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the architecture 10a includes at least one subscriber database 100 configured for storing information corresponding to subscribers 150 and subscriber work opportunities; at least one potential / actual worker database 200 configured for storing information corresponding to potential / actual workers 250; a categorical pay rate database 210 storing information corresponding to job types / functions and pay scales associated therewith (e.g., average hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly pay rate data, which can include, account for, or estimate pay rate variations based upon geographic location); a number of potential / actual worker communication devices 300; at least one work opportunity matching manager 400 configured for communicating or distributing work opportunity information to potential / actual worker communication devices 300; and at least one map or mapping manager, service, or server 500. Some embodiments additionally include one or more clock-in / clock-out systems or devices 600 that facilitate the establishment or recordation of worker clock-in / clock- out times at work sites or work assignments. Each element of the architecture 10a is configured for wire-based and/or wireless communication with a set of networks 20 or a network infrastucture, which can correspond to or include one or more local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), mobile telephone networks, and/or the Internet. FIG. IB is a schematic illustration of particular aspects an architecture or system 10b for dynamic location based matching of workers with work opportunities in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The architecture 10b shown in FIG. IB includes a number of representative financial entities that can be associated with or involved in facilitating or effectuating the architecture's management / accounting / tracking of the receipt of subscription fees from subscribers, and/or the transfer or issuance of financial compensation or payments to workers. Such financial entities can include a set of financial service providers / institutions (e.g., banks) 700 at which a number of subscriber receivables accounts and a number of worker payables accounts can be accessed, managed, or maintained by the work opportunity matching manager 400; a set of payment services / intermediaries / processors (e.g., PayPal™, or an electronic monetary instrument exchange, transfer, or wallet service) 710 that facilitates the receipt of subscription fees from subscribers, and the transfer or issuance of payments to workers; and a number of worker financial entities or institutions (e.g., banks) 720 that maintain worker related financial accounts into which worker payments can be transferred, issued, or conveyed.

While particular portions of the embodiments shown in FIGs. 1A and IB are depicted as separate or distinct elements having particular couplings to other elements, one or more of such elements can be combined together or coupled differently in an alternate embodiment. Similarly, a given individual or distinct element depicted in the embodiments shown in FIGs. 1A and IB can be segregated into multiple distinct or distinguishable elements in an alternate embodiment. One or more portions of an architecture 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured as a client - server architecture, or a cloud-based architecture. In general, an architecture 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes processing resources (e.g., a number of processing units or microprocessors); fixed and/or removable memory / information or data storage resources (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and a number of disk drives); information presentation / display resources (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD) or other types of display screens); information or data entry devices (e.g., keyboards or keypads); information selection devices (e.g., touch-sensitive displays and/or pointing devices); network communication resources (e.g., wireless and/or wire-based communication interfaces); and program instruction resources (e.g., software). One or more aspects of the aforementioned functionalities provided by an architecture 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented by way of the execution of program instructions (e.g., software), which can be stored on one or more computer or electronically readable media (e.g., fixed or removable memory, or optical or magnetic storage media / discs).

Depending upon embodiment and/or implementation details, an architecture 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can accommodate many subscribers 150 (e.g., tens or many tens of subscribers, or hundreds of subscribers, or even thousands of subscribers) and/or many workers 250 (e.g., dozens of workers, hundreds of workers, or thousands of workers) with respect to one or multiple geographic regions or areas (e.g., countries, states, provinces, counties, or cities / municipalities) under consideration.

The work opportunity matching manager 400 can manage or direct various operations or processes that facilitate or enable one or more functionalities indicated above. In some embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can manage access to, maintain, and/or update the contents of a set of subscriber databases 100 and a set of worker databases 200. The work opportunity matching manager 400 can additionally maintain and/or update the contents of a set of categorical pay rate databases 210. Particular aspects of a representative subscriber database 100, a representative 'worker database 200, and a categorical pay rate database 210 are described in detail hereafter.

A subscriber database 100 includes a number of database systems, databases, or data structures (e.g., tables) configured for storing and maintaining information or data corresponding to subscribers (i.e., entities, organizations, or individuals who desire to present part-time work opportunities to workers, and engage part-time workers in work assignments). - Such data is referred to hereafter as subscriber data. For a given subscriber, the subscriber data can include some or each of the following:

1. A subscriber identifier (ID) and password. 2. Subscriber profile information, which can include a subscriber name; subscriber industry / industry sector; a subscriber logo; a description or summary of the subscriber's business; contact information (e.g., e-mail addresses or telephone numbers) corresponding to one or more subscriber representatives; subscriber location / workplace / work site information; a number of part-time workers the subscriber expects to hire during a current, next, or typical subscription period. Subscription type information, which can include an indication of whether a subscription corresponds to a designation of basic, full, or premium subscription, each of which can be associated with a different subscription fee structure and distinct levels of functionality, services, or capabilities provided to the subscriber. Subscription information, including a subscription start date, a subscription end date, and subscriber subscription fee payment / financial account information (e.g., subscriber payment type(s) and details of one or more subscriber financial accounts that can be used to fund a subscription receivables account and worker compensation account corresponding to the subscriber); a current subscription account balance; a subscription account minimum threshold balance that must be maintained in order for subscriber access to services to continue; a current worker compensation account balance; a worker compensation account minimum threshold balance that must be maintained in Order for subscriber access to services to continue; and possibly a categorical type or number of work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications that the subscriber is entitled to submit during a current subscription period. The type or number of work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications can correspond to the subscriber's subscription type, and can include a number of standard- type work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications to which the subscriber is entitled and possibly a number of prioritized or premium-type work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications to which the subscriber is entitled during the current subscription period. Priority or premium- type work opportunity announcements or notifications can include work opportunity announcements or notifications that are preferentially communicated or directed to workers having high (e.g., consistently high) worker ratings or scores, and can further be preferentially or directly communicated (e.g., pushed by e-mail or a mobile messaging service / application) to highly rated workers that have previously worked for the subscriber. Work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications to be presented to workers on the subscriber's behalf, where a given work opportunity advertisement, announcement, or notification can include, reference, or correspond to work opportunity detail information. Work opportunity detail information corresponding to each work opportunity advertisement, announcement, or notification, or a link or reference to such work opportunity detail information. Work opportunity detail information can include work opportunity date(s) and times / hours; work assignment information, including worker job function(s) and a work description; recommended or required worker education / background knowledge, skills, or abilities / prerequisites; desired or acceptable worker compensation or pay rate information; a number of workers needed; a deadline by which worker vacancies corresponding to the work opportunity advertisement or announcement must be filled; work location information; and worker benefit information, such as whether transportation is provided or reimbursed.

Work location information can be indicated or specified in one or more manners, such as by way of a street address, and/or geographic (e.g., GPS) coordinates. In a number of embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager can convert a work location indicated by a street address to GPS coordinates by way of communication with a geolocation or geocoding service or server (e.g., the Google geocoding service, or a geolocation database), in a manner understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. A set of work procedures, preparatory information, or instructional materials (e.g., standard operating procedures) corresponding to each work assignment associated with a work opportunity, or a link or reference to such work procedures, preparatory information, or instructional material. A work opportunity presentation schedule in accordance with which a given work opportunity assignment, announcement, or notification is to be presented to workers. Such a presentation schedule can identify or specify a set of dates / times on which the work opportunity is to be presented, and whether the work opportunity advertisement or announcement is to be presented on a one-time, repeat, or recurring basis. A set of current preferences for the subscriber, which can include an indication of whether the subscriber agrees to an automatically determined proposed hourly rate, and/or whether the subscriber agrees to a fixed or a flexible, adjustable, tiered, or negotiable hourly rate, for instance, based upon one or more of worker ratings or scores and a current time relative to the aforementioned worker vacancy deadline. Subscriber appraisals, ratings or scorings of workers, which can include ¾ work quality rating and/or a worker professionalism rating for any given worker that the subscriber has previously engaged in a work assignment.

Several embodiments can provide a subscriber-side rating GUI that facilitates subscriber appraisal, ranking, rating, or scoring of worker performance or professionalism. A subscriber-side rating GUI can identify a number of criteria or categorical aspects corresponding to worker performance or professionalism, and can be configured to receive rating or scoring data (e.g., a 1 - 10 value, or selection of a number of graphical stars, or a thumbs up / thumbs down icon) corresponding to such criteria. In some embodiments, a subscriber must rate or score a worker within a given time period following the worker's completion of a work assignment, otherwise the worker will be given a satisfactory or average rating by default. 1 1. In some embodiments, subscriber data can additionally include or reference a machine readable code, icon, or image (e.g., a QR code) corresponding to the subscriber. Such a code can be provided, obtained, or generated by the work opportunity matching manager 400 in association with or following subscriber enrollment (e.g., the creation and storage of a subscriber ID or password and/or other subscriber data).

In a number of embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 provides a number of visual or graphical user interfaces such as a set of subscriber GUIs that facilitate or enable the entry, editing, review, and storage of subscriber data. Such GUIs can include user selectable (e.g., subscriber selectable) GUI elements, widgets, or objects such as text boxes, list boxes, menus, menu items, calendar objects, etc...In some embodiments, the subscriber GUIs are web-browser based GUIs that can be provided by way of subscriber access to a subscriber account signup / management website. Subscriber access to a subscriber account management website can involve subscriber entry of their subscriber ID and password. By way of subscriber access to the subscriber account signup / management website, a subscriber can (a) enroll with the work opportunity matching manager 400 to establish a subscriber ID and password, and define subscriber data; (b) fund or replenish a subscriber receivables account and/or a worker compensation account; and (c) enter, edit, delete, or otherwise manage subscriber data such as that described above, including the definition of work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications. A worker database 200 includes a number of database systems, databases, or data structures (e.g., tables) configured for storing and maintaining information or data corresponding to workers. Such data is referred to hereafter as worker data. For a given worker, corresponding worker data can include one or more of the following: 1. A worker ID and password. Worker name and contact information, such as worker e-mail address(es) or phone number(s), and emergency contact information. .

Initial worker registration date with the work opportunity matching manager 400 or worker database 200.

Work assignment history for the worker.

Worker background, which can include worker educational details, previous / historical work experience or employment history, and previous / historical pay rates or work assignment compensation history.

Worker payment or financial account information, identifying one or more worker payment modes and/or worker accounts (e.g., financial accounts) into which worker payments can be transferred.

A worker generated subscriber rating score or rating history, corresponding to ratings given by the worker to one or more subscribers for whom the worker has undertaken at least one work assignment. A subscriber rating history score or rating can correspond to aspects of a given subscriber or an associated work assignment or work location.

Several embodiments can provide a worker-side rating GUI that facilitates worker appraisal, ranking, rating, or scoring of aspects of their work experience during a subscriber work assignment. A worker-side rating GUI can identify a number of criteria or categorical aspects corresponding to such work experience (e.g., working conditions, extent or value of work training / preparatory materials, supervisor professionalism, and pay rate) and can be configured to receive rating or scoring data (e.g., a 1 - 10 value, or selection of a number of graphical stars) corresponding to such criteria. In some embodiments, a worker must rate or score a subscriber and/or their work experience for the subscriber within a given time period (e.g., the same day, or within a short time period such as 1 - 3 days) following the worker's completion of a work assignment, otherwise worker pay can be withheld. 8. A set of current preferences for the worker, which can indicate one or more of a preferred maximum distance between available work opportunities and a current or reference / default worker location; whether the worker presently only accepts work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications corresponding to work opportunities for which travel is provided or reimbursed; and whether the worker accepts work opportunity announcements or notifications at one or more e-mail addresses or a mobile telephone numbers (e.g., by way of a mobile messaging service / application).

In a number of embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 provides a number of visual or graphical user interfaces such as worker GUIs that facilitate or enable the entry, editing, review, management, and storage of worker data. Such GUIs can include user selectable (e.g., worker selectable) GUI elements, widgets, or objects such as text boxes, list boxes, menus, menu items, calendar objects, map objects, etc...In some embodiments, the worker GUIs are web-browser based GUIs that can be provided by way of worker access to a worker registration / worker account management website. Worker access to a worker account management website can involve worker entry of their worker ID and password. By way of worker access to the worker registration / worker account management website, a worker can (a) register for a worker account; (b) enter, edit, delete, or otherwise manage worker data such as that indicated above; and (c) selectively view work advertisements, announcements, and notifications, and corresponding proposed work agreements associated therewith; and (d) selectively accept work agreements.

A categorical pay rate database 210 can store pay rate information for various categorical types of workers or job functions or job descriptions. Such pay rate information can include an expected average or median pay level or pay rate, and possibly an expected minimum and an expected maximum pay level, for different categorical types or workers based upon worker education, skill level, experience, geographic location, and/or subscriber generated worker ratings. Depending upon embodiment details, categorical pay rate information can be manually provided, or automatically received or retrieved from public and/or private pay rate data sources (e.g., databases).

In various embodiments, a worker communication device 300 can be essentially any type of electronic or computing system, apparatus, or device corresponding to, associated with, belonging to, or usable by a worker, which can (a) provide the work opportunity matching manager 400 with location information such as (i) current, most-recent, or recent GPS coordinates corresponding to the worker communication device's current, most-recent, or recent location, and/or (ii) address or postal code information defining a query location that form a portion of a work opportunity query directed to identifying work opportunities near or proximate to the query location; and (b) present work opportunity information, which can include a work opportunity listing, a work opportunity map, and/or work opportunity advertisements, announcements, or notifications, based upon such location information. A worker communication device 300 can include or be, for instance, a portable, mobile, or handheld electronic or computing device, such as a mobile telephone or smart phone, a tablet or note-type computer or computing / communication device, or a laptop computer. A worker communication device 300 typically includes a processing unit, memory / data storage resources, an input device, a display device (where the input device and display device can be a unified or integral unit), and a GPS or geolocation unit. In some embodiments, a worker communication device 300 can be a desktop computer.

In a number of embodiments, a worker communication device 300 can present or display work opportunity information by way of a work opportunity GUI which is configured for receiving worker input / selections, and visually indicating user / worker selectable work opportunities such as by way of (a) presenting work opportunities and corresponding location information in list or tabular form; and/or (b) presenting on the work opportunity map those work opportunities which are near or proximate to the worker communication device 300's current location or a worker specified location (e.g:, a query location). The work opportunity GUI can include or operate in association with a local map application (e.g., software) configured for execution by the worker communication device 300. The work opportunity map corresponds to or visually identifies a geographical location, region, or area map, on which work current opportunities within a prescribed or predetermined distance from the worker communication device 300 are visually indicated or overlaid. The data defining the work opportunity map can be generated or updated in association with a remote map application (e.g., software) that executes upon a map service or server 500, which is configured for communication with the local map application executing on the worker communication device 300.

Work opportunity information that is communicable or communicated to any given worker communication device 300 can (a) be based upon, correlated with, or referenced to (i) a current, most-recent, or recent geographic location (e.g., GPS coordinates) or approximate location of the worker communication device 300, or (ii) a selected or specified query location, such as an address or postal code; and (b) reference or identify work opportunities near, proximate to, or within a maximum work opportunity distance (e.g., 0 - 10 km, or within 20 km) of a current geographic location or a query location. Depending upon embodiment details, the maximum work opportunity distance can be predetermined, or selectable / adjustable, for instance, in accordance with worker preferences, or on a real-time or near-real time basis by way of user / worker interaction with a work opportunity GUI.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a representative work opportunity map 310 presented by a worker communication device 300. In an embodiment, the work opportunity map 310 corresponds to a particular geographic region or area, for instance, a metropolitan area or a city. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the work opportunity map 310 corresponds to portions of Singapore. The work opportunity map 310 can be provided or generated by way of communication involving the worker communication device 300, the work opportunity matching manager 400, and a map service 500 such as OneMap (www.onemap.com.sg), Google maps, or another map service 500. By way of their worker communication device 300, a worker can access or log into a website linked to, corresponding to, or provided by the work opportunity matching manager 400. The worker communication device 300 can subsequently provide the work opportunity matching manager 400 with the worker communication device's current GPS coordinates, for instance, as part of a primary, default, automatic, or dynamic work opportunity query. The work opportunity matching manager 400 can retrieve GPS coordinates corresponding to current work opportunities that fall within the maximum work opportunity distance of the worker communication device's current GPS coordinates; and communicate the GPS coordinates of such work opportunities to the map service 500. The map service 500 can generate map data corresponding to the GPS coordinates of the work opportunities, where the map data is referenced or geospatially normalized to the worker communication device's current GPS coordinates. The map service 500 or the work opportunity matching manager 400 can transfer such map data to the worker communication device 300, and the map application executing on the worker communication device 300 can present a corresponding updated work opportunity map that includes a number of user / worker selectable visual work opportunity indicators 320a-e. Each visual work opportunity indicator 320a-e corresponds to a currently available work opportunity that is located a distance less than or equal to the maximum work opportunity distance away from the worker communication device's current GPS coordinates.

In addition or as an alternative to the foregoing, in some embodiments, a work opportunity GUI is configured to receive and processes user / worker input that includes a query location corresponding to a worker designated physical location such as an address or postal code. A worker communication device 300 can communicate a secondary or fallback work opportunity query to the work opportunity matching manager 400, which can search for work opportunities within the maximum work opportunity distance form the worker designated location, and communicate search results back to the worker communication device 300. In certain embodiments, the secondary work opportunity query can include worker defined criteria, such as date and time criteria, and possibly work assignment category / job function criteria. A worker can specify or enter worker defined criteria by way of the work opportunity GUI. In such embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can search for work opportunities that satisfy the worker defined criteria, such as date and time criteria (e.g., tomorrow after 1 :00 P.M.). The work opportunity matching manager 400 can filter search results accordingly prior to communicating search results to the worker communication device. 300.

In multiple embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can automatically or semi-automatically estimate or rate a given worker's suitability for one or more current work opportunities, such as work opportunities that currently fall within the maximum work opportunity distance away from the worker communication device's current GPS coordinates, for instance, based upon work opportunity requirements and worker skill set, education, or background. In a number of embodiments, such automatic estimation or rating of worker suitability to a given work opportunity or corresponding work assignment involves, is based upon, or is correlated with multiple rating criteria. In a representative embodiment, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can define or utilize two criteria for estimating or rating worker suitability to a work opportunity, where such criteria can be defined as worker intelligence quotient (IQ) and _'worker emotional quotient (EQ). Worker IQ or a worker IQ score or rating corresponds to or reflects an extent to which categorical types of skills a worker possesses match or align with a skill set required or recommended by a work opportunity. Worker EQ or a worker EQ score or rating corresponds to or reflects an extent to which the worker historically exhibits a high level of professionalism. In an embodiment, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can determine, calculate, or tabulate a worker IQ score of up to a predetermined number of points, such as 5 points or stars, or thumbs up / thumbs down, based upon a comparison of the worker's skill set, educational background, or work experience against the skill set, educational background, or work experience specified by a work opportunity or work assignment under consideration. If, for instance, a work opportunity requires 10 particular or distinct categorical types of skills, and a given worker possesses 5 of such skills, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can determine that the worker is 50% suited to the work opportunity, and relative to a five point scale, can assign the worker a suitability rating of 2.5 points. The work opportunity matching manager 400 can additionally determine, calculate, or tabulate an EQ worker score based upon a total or average number of professionalism points the worker has accumulated in association with work assignments corresponding to a subscriber offering a work opportunity under consideration, and possibly a historical deviation range (e.g., maximum professionalism point score minus minimum professionalism point score), for the worker. The work opportunity matching manager 400 can tag or otherwise identify particular work opportunities as highly suitable, suitable, neutral, or unsuitable for a worker under consideration. Furthermore, the work opportunity matching manager 400 or the work opportunity GUI can communicate or present such suitability-rated work opportunities upon the worker communication device 300 at different times and/or in different visual manners (e.g., by color coding work opportunities in accordance with expected work opportunity suitability for the worker's skill set or preferences). In certain embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can preferentially distribute work opportunity map data to highly suitable and/or highly rated workers, for instance-, based upon subscriber preferences or subscription type / level. In other words, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can 'pre-screen" the pool or workers to whom work opportunity map data is distributed, with respect to expected worker suitability for a work opportunity or historical worker ratings.

For a given presented or selected visual work opportunity identifier 320a-e, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can additionally or alternatively provide, determine, or generate a proposed or target compensation rate for the worker. The proposed or target compensation rate can be based upon or correlated with a match between particular subscriber work opportunity information; worker skill set, education, or background; and worker rankings, ratings, or scores generated by subscribers for whom the worker under consideration has previously undertaken work assignments. In a representative embodiment, a proposed or target compensation rate can be based upon a current worker IQ score. For instance, if an average worker's IQ score is defined as 2.5 / 5 points, then for a worker having a worker IQ score of 2.5 points the work opportunity matching manager 400 can offer the worker a standard or default hourly rate (e.g., obtained from a work opportunity detail information or a categorical pay rate database 210) corresponding to the work assignment as the proposed hourly rate. If the worker under consideration has a worker IQ score above or below 2.5 points, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can offer a higher or lower proposed hourly rate to the worker accordingly. In particular embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400' can automatically adjust (e.g., upwardly revise) a proposed or target compensation rate based upon an amount of time remaining before one or more work vacancies associated with a work opportunity under consideration must be filled. Such proposed or target compensation rate adjustment can be enabled in accordance with subscriber preferences and/or subscription type or level. In specific embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can initially offer a worker with an above-average worker IQ score a standard or default hourly rate, and subsequently offer a higher hourly rate in the event that an amount of time remaining before the aforementioned work vacancies is below a remaining time threshold value (e.g., 1 hour). In an embodiment work opportunity matching manager 400 can communicate with a subscriber system or subscriber representative (e.g., by way of e-mail generation and receipt) to confirm subscriber permission to offer an upwardly revised hourly rate.

In some embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can preferentially tag or further identify work opportunities based upon worker compensation. The work opportunity matching manager 400 or the work opportunity GUI can communicate or present compensation-ranked work opportunities upon the worker communication device 300 at different times and/or in different visual manners (e.g., by scaling the size of visual work opportunity identifiers 320a-e in accordance with compensation rate, for instance, larger size corresponds to higher compensation; or changing a visual or presentation property or characteristic of one or more visual work opportunity identifiers 320a-e based upon compensation rate, such as by way of flashing).

In response to user / worker selection of a given visual work opportunity identifier 320a- e, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can communicate particular work opportunity detail information to the worker communication device 300 for presentation to the worker. Such work opportunity detail information can include work opportunity date(s) and times / hours; work assignment information, including worker job function(s) and a work description; recommended or required worker education / background knowledge, skills, or abilities / prerequisites; a number of workers needed; work location information; worker benefit information; and a proposed, target, fixed, or negotiable compensation rate. Such work opportunity detail information forms portions of a proposed work agreement. The work opportunity GUI can receive user / worker input corresponding to acceptance or rejection (e.g., by way of worker selection of a visual "Accept" button or a "Skip" button) of a proposed work agreement. In certain embodiments, the work opportunity GUI can further receive user / worker input indicating conditional acceptance- of the proposed work agreement. Such conditional acceptance input can be provided by way of user / worker selection of a visual "Maybe" or "Will Consider" button, as well as user / worker input directed to one or more counter-proposed conditions such as a worker's desired compensation rate or desired percentage increase over the proposed or target compensation rate, or a different work start or end time. In embodiments that provide for conditional acceptance, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can reference subscriber data-corresponding to the work opportunity under consideration with respect to automatic acceptance or rejection of the counter-proposed conditions; and/or communicate counter-proposed condition data to the subscriber (e.g., by way of an automatically generated e-mail or mobile messaging service message) such that the subscriber can approve or reject the counter-proposed conditions. Acceptance of a proposed work agreement indicates that the worker has agreed to undertake the work assignment corresponding to the proposed work agreement. In some embodiments, a work opportunity GUI provides functionality that facilitates worker cancellation of an accepted work agreement, for instance, within a predetermined time period following prior acceptance of the work agreement.

In addition to the foregoing, in some embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can provide subscribers with one or more lists or maps indicating worker locations and/or worker contact information (e.g., worker IDs or e-mail addresses) in accordance with determination of worker suitability scores. In certain embodiments, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can receive subscriber input identifying one or more workers who are located near or proximate to a given subscriber work site, and who appear to be highly, sufficiently, or qualified for a subscriber work opportunity associated with the work site. The work opportunity matching manager 400 can subsequently communicate work opportunity announcements to workers (e.g., by way of automated e- mail or mobile message generation and issuance) who are highly or sufficiently suited for the subscriber work opportunity. Such work opportunity announcement communication to workers who appear to be well suited for a work opportunity can occur on a preferential basis (e.g., prior to general communication of the subscriber work opportunity to a broader pool of workers).

The work opportunity matching manager 400 can also be configured to communicate or transfer work procedures, preparatory information, or instructional materials to a worker following worker acceptance of a work agreement. Such information or data can be streamed to the-worker communication device 300, or communicated (e.g., pushed) to a worker communication device 300 or a worker e-mail address as a standard type of worker readable file (e.g., a .pdf file).

As indicated above, the work opportunity matching manager 400 can provide, obtain, or generate a set of machine readable codes, icons, or images such as a set of QR codes identifying or corresponding to a given subscriber and/or a set of subscriber work sites. The machine readable code can itself encode geospatial information corresponding to the subscriber or a subscriber work site. Such a machine readable or scannable code can facilitate worker authentication and/or worksite presence verification operations, as further described in detail hereafter.

FIGs. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of representative clock-in / clock-out systems or devices 600a,b in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, a clock-in / clock-out system or device 600a,b can be an electronic or computing device having a display that can present or output a machine readable code such as a QR code. Such an electronic or computing device can include or be, for instance, a mobile telephone, a tablet or not-type computing device, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer that is present at the subscriber work site at which the worker is to undertake or has undertaken their work assignment. Upon arrival at or prior to departure from a subscriber work site or workplace, a clock-in / clock-out system or device 600 can present or display a QR code corresponding to the subscriber or the subscriber work site. A worker can capture an image of the QR code by way of a worker communication device 300 such as a camera-equipped mobile telephone associated with the worker. The worker communication device 300 can subsequently communicate the captured QR code image and a corresponding time / date stamp to the work opportunity matching manager 400, which records the worker's clock-in or clock- out time. In some embodiments, the worker can additionally enter their worker ID and password by which they are identified in a worker database 200 to facilitate worker authentication in association with clock-in / clock-out procedures. Based upon receipt of captured or scanned QR codes, a work opportunity matching manager 400 can determine or verify a number of hours worked, and calculate worker compensation accordingly. In some embodiments, in order to receive compensation, a worker is required to clock-in and clock-out of work assignments by way of capturing a QR code presented by a clock- in / clock-out system 600. Aspects of particular embodiments of the present disclosure address at least one aspect, problem, limitation, and/or disadvantage associated with exiting systems and methods for providing or matching part-time workers with .work opportunities While features, aspects, and/or advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the disclosure, other embodiments may also exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that several of the above-disclosed systems, components, processes, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into other different systems, components, processes, and/or applications. In addition, various modifications, alterations, and/or improvements may be made to various embodiments that are disclosed by a person of ordinary skill in the art within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for matching potential workers with part-time work opportunities, comprising:

determining location data corresponding to a location of a potential worker, the location data comprising one of geolocation data, a postal code, an address, and a query location;

automatically determining part-time work opportunities that exist within a predetermined distance from the potential worker's location; and

presenting at least one part-time work opportunity that exists within the predetermined distance on a visual display of a first computing device corresponding to the potential worker.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining location data comprises establishing network communication between the first computing device corresponding to the potential worker and a computer-based work opportunity matching manager.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first computing device comprises one of a smart phone, a tablet or note type computer, and a laptop computer.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining location data comprises automatically determining the potential worker's current or most-recent geolocation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically determining part-time work opportunities that exist within a predetermined distance from the location of the potential worker comprises accessing a database that includes employer listings of current part- time work opportunities.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising maintaining a database of subscribers, each subscriber corresponding to an employer that pays a subscription fee such that current part-time work opportunities associated with the employer are presentable to potential workers.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising automatically deducting a subscription fee from a financial account corresponding to each subscriber.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting at least one part-time work opportunity on the visual display comprises one of (a) presenting a map on the visual display and identifying each part-time work opportunity on the map by way of a visual work opportunity indicator selectable by the potential worker, and (b) presenting a list of part- time work opportunities on the visual display.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving input from the potential worker indicating potential worker selection of a part-time work opportunity presented on the visual display; and

providing the potential worker with details corresponding to the selected part-time work opportunity by way of the first computing device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the details include at least one of an employer identification, an employer rating, work date, work duration, work site location information, work site transportation information, compensation information, and background skills that a worker should possess.

1 1. The method of claim 10, wherein the details corresponding to the selected part-time work opportunity comprise a work agreement that the potential worker can accept or reject by way of input directed to the first computing device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the details corresponding to the selected part-time work opportunity comprise a work agreement that the potential worker can conditionally accept by way of input directed to the first computing device.

13. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving input from the potential worker indicating acceptance of a part-time work opportunity presented on the visual display; and

identifying the potential worker as an actual worker following acceptance of the part- time work opportunity.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing at a first time of day a machine readable code corresponding to the employer at a physical location or worksite corresponding to the accepted part- time work;

capturing at the first time of day the machine readable code by way of one of the first computing device and a second computing device corresponding to the actual worker; and

communicating the machine readable code corresponding to the first time of day to the work opportunity matching manager to thereby establish a clock-in time for the actual worker.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing at a second time of day a machine readable code corresponding to the employer at a physical location or worksite corresponding to the accepted part- time work;

capturing at the second time of day the machine readable code by way of one of the first computing device and the second computing device; and

communicating the machine readable code corresponding to the second time of day to the work opportunity matching manager to thereby establish a clock-out time for the actual worker.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

automatically determining a number of hours the actual worker has worked; and automatically determining a compensation amount for the actual worker.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising automatically deducting the compensation amount from a worker compensation account corresponding to the employer.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising electronically communicating to the work opportunity matching manager at least one of a rating of the actual worker from the employer and a rating of the employer from the actual worker.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting at least one part-time work opportunity on a visual display of a first computing device corresponding to the potential worker comprises selectively presenting a first part-time work opportunity on the visual display of a first computing device corresponding to a first potential worker before presenting the first part-time work opportunity on a visual display of another computing device corresponding to another potential worker.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein selectively presenting the first part-time work opportunity on the visual display of the first computing device corresponding to the first potential worker comprises automatically analyzing at least one of work _'history information and an employer rating of the first worker.

21. A system for matching workers with part-time work opportunities, comprising:

a network configured for electronic communication;

a work opportunity matching manager communicable with the network, the work opportunity matching manager comprising a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processing unit; and

a set of worker communication devices communicable with the network, each worker communication device corresponding to a potential worker or actual worker, each worker communication device comprising a visual display, a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the worker communication device processing unit, wherein execution of program instructions corresponding to the work opportunity matching manager and execution of program instructions corresponding to each worker communication device enable communication between the work opportunity matching manager and each worker communication device, said communication comprising:

determining location data corresponding to a location of each potential worker, the location data comprising one of geolocation data, a postal code, an address, and a query location;

automatically determining part-time work opportunities that exist within a predetermined distance from each potential worker's location; and presenting part-time work opportunities on the visual display of each worker communication device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein each worker communication device comprises a computing device by which a part-time work opportunity presented on its visual display is selectable by the potential worker to whom the worker communication device corresponds.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein each worker communication device comprises one of a smart phone, a tablet or note type computer, and a laptop computer.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

a computer based map service communicable with the network; and

a map application executable by each worker communication device.

25. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

an employer database accessible to the work opportunity matching manager; and a potential worker database accessible to the work opportunity matching manager.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the employer database stores information identifying part-time work opportunities corresponding to at least one employer, wherein such information includes at least one of an employer identification, an employer rating, work date, work duration, work site location information, work site transportation information, compensation information, and background skills that a worker should possess.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the potential worker database stores information corresponding to at least one potential worker, wherein such information includes at least one of potential worker skill information, potential worker work history information, potential worker compensation information, and potential worker rating information .

28. The system of claim 25, further comprising a categorical pay rate database storing information corresponding to pay rates for different types of part-time work.

29. The system of claim 21, further comprising a set of clock- in / clock-out devices communicable with the network, each clock-in / clock-out device corresponding to an employer, each clock-in / clock-out device comprising a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions residing within the memory and executable by the processing unit for presenting a machine readable code on a visual display, wherein the machine readable code is capturable by a worker communication device and communicable thereby to the work opportunity matching manager to establish a clock-in or a clock-out time for an actual worker.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein each clock-in / clock-out device is disposed at a physical location or work site corresponding to an employer.

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31. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a payment intermediary communicable with the network and communicable with the work opportunity matching manager, the payment intermediary comprising a processing unit, a memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processing unit for processing a financial payment to the actual worker corresponding to work performed by the actual worker for an employer corresponding to a part-time work opportunity.