WO1996030875A1

WO1996030875A1 - Improvements in or relating to the control or monitoring of electrical equipment

Info

Publication number: WO1996030875A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/000793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheuk Fai Ho; Michael Ping Pui Chan; Kam Shing Kwok
Original assignee: Cheuk Fai Ho; Michael Ping Pui Chan; Kam Shing Kwok
Priority date: 1995-03-31
Filing date: 1996-04-01
Publication date: 1996-10-03
Also published as: AU5280096A; WO1996030876A1; BR9605950A; MX9605944A; AU5280196A

Abstract

A time clock apparatus has an IC card reader/writer (13) incorporated therein which has two slots (14) each arranged to receive an IC card. The time clock apparatus (10) incorporates a processor (20), associated memory (24) and a real time clock (22). IC cards (40, 42) carry information identifying persons who use the time clock. Each person requiring access to premises is required to insert their IC card into one slot (14) of the reader/writer (13) whilst a security supervisor's IC card is within the second slot (14). If both cards are validated, the time clock records the time and the identification of the person requiring access. Furthermore, the time clock may be arranged to actuate a door lock or other perimeter guard to enable physical access to the premises.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE CONTROL OR MONITORING OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

The present invention relates generally to the control or monitoring of electrical equipment. In one example, the invention relates to a method of recording attendance using a time clock apparatus, and to time clock apparatus.

There is often a need to control or monitor use of electrical equipment such as, computers, telephones, door access controls and time clocks. Often this need arises because it is required to monitor the use thereby by those who are authorised to use the equipment. Additionally and/or alternatively, the need may arise to control the use of the equipment by authorised personnel, for example, by providing a further level of authorisation.

One particular implementation of the overall control method is exemplified by the use of attendance time clock recorders. It may be wished, for example, to require two persons to use the time clock recorder simultaneously in order to enable one of those persons access to secure premises and/or to enable equipment for their use. It may additionally and/or alternatively be required to ensure that there is control of people entering or leaving a restricted area, particularly outside normal hours. It may also be required to monitor the performance of a security guard controlling a restricted area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus enabling control or monitoring of electrically actuated equipment, and/or to provide a method of recording attendance using a time clock apparatus, and a time clock apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of recording attendance using a time clock apparatus, the time clock apparatus comprising processor means, memory means, at least one IC card reader, and a clock, and the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said processor means to enable a record to be kept of the identification data and the time, said identification data being stored on at least one IC card.

The identification data stored on the IC card preferably includes information as to the identity of a person. Thus, any person requiring to use the time clock apparatus is provided with an IC card which carries information identifying that person. The IC card might also carry additional information, such as any restrictions on the activities of the person. Use of the time clock apparatus requires the insertion of at least one IC card.

In one embodiment, the or each IC card carries an authorisation or access code.

In an embodiment, the method of recording attendance further comprises the steps of recording to said memory means, and/or to at least one IC card, a record of the usage of the time clock apparatus, said record including the identification data and the time recorded from a series of IC cards inserted serially into said time clock apparatus.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of checking the validity of said identification data.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of enabling the control or monitoring of electrically actuated equipment in response to a determination that said identification data is valid. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of enabling the control or monitoring of electrically actuated equipment using control apparatus, said control apparatus having processor means, memory means, at least one IC card reader, and interface means, the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said processor means by way of an IC card and a said IC card reader, checking the validity of said identification data, and, in response to a determination that said identification data is valid, enabling the control or monitoring of said equipment by way of said interface means.

Preferably, use of the time clock apparatus and/or control of the electrically actuated equipment is enabled only upon the provision to the apparatus of the identifications of two persons, where one of those two persons has a particular identification. For example, it may be required that a person or member of staff requiring access or use of the time clock apparatus or the electrically actuated equipment has to insert his IC card into the apparatus simultaneously with a second IC card carrying information identifying a supervisor.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the necessity to provide two IC cards may arise only if use of the time clock apparatus or control of the equipment is required outside normal hours.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrically actuated equipment is, or is part of, equipment controlling access to a restricted area.

For example, the time clock apparatus may be enabled to control a door lock or other perimeter equipment. By this means, employees will be forced to record their attendance by inserting the IC card carrying their identification into the time clock apparatus in order to gain access to their employment.

The present invention extends to a time clock apparatus used in a method as defined above.

The invention also extends to control apparatus for use in a method as defined above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided control apparatus for controlling or monitoring electrically actuated equipment, said control apparatus comprising processor means, memory means, interface means arranged to communicate with said electrically actuated equipment, and a reading device for reading the data on IC cards, said reading device being in communication with said processor means.

The present invention also extends to time clock apparatus comprising processor means, memory means, a clock, and a reading device for reading the data on IC cards, said reading device being in communication with said processor means.

The IC card, for example, may carry information identifying a person and/or any other information about that person, for example the access that the person can have to the electrically actuated equipment or to an area controlled or guarded thereby. Thus, the processor means may use information read from the IC card to determine whether or not to enable a particular task to be performed.

It is possible for the reading device to be arranged as a read only device enabled to read data carried on IC cards. In a preferred embodiment, the reading device is arranged not only to read data from IC cards, but also to write data thereto.

In an embodiment, the reading device has a single slot so that it can receive, and read and/or write, data to only one IC card at a time. Preferably, however, the reading device has a number of slots so that a number of IC cards can be inserted therein and read from, or written to, simultaneously.

In a preferred embodiment, a second reading device is provided remote from said first reading device, each of said first and second reading devices having a single slot so that it can receive, and read and/or write, data to only one IC card at a time.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described by way of example, with a reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of time clock apparatus of the invention having an IC card reader/writer incorporated therein, Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a time clock apparatus electrically connected to a separate IC card reader/writer,

Figure 3 shows a block circuit diagram of the time clock apparatus of Figure 1 or of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a flow chart showing set up routines for time clock apparatus of the invention,

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a method of utilising time clock apparatus as a time attendance recorder, and

Figure 6 shows an operational flow chart of a time clock apparatus which also controls access to a secured area. Figure 1 shows a time clock apparatus which comprises a substantially conventional time clock recorder 10 having a key pad 11. As shown in Figure 3, a processor 20 arranged to respond to the operation of the key pad 11, and a real time clock 22, are incorporated within the time clock 10. In normal manner, the processor 20 is provided with internal memory, and an external memory 24, for example, a 32K byte static RAM is also provided. A display 12, for example, a dot matrix LCD, is provided for displaying the time and/or the identification number of a person, and/or any further information required. An IC card reader/writer 13 is incorporated within the time clock 10. The reader/writer 13 has two slots 14, each of which contains a respective IC card connector 26, 28 for receiving an IC card for reading information therefrom or writing information thereto. The card connectors 26, 28 of the reader/writer 13 are connected to communicate with the processor 20 provided within the time clock 10.

In the embodiment illustrated, the key pad 11 comprises a sixteen key keypad 30 and a four key keypad 32. Both of these keypads 30, 32 communicate with the processor 20. Electrical power is provided to the time clock 10 either from the mains or from a battery pack (not shown). In either case a battery back-up, as indicated at 34, is preferably provided. The time clock 10 is also provided with a serial communication link 36 enabling the processor 20 to receive information from outside sources and/or to communicate with peripheral devices.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a time clock apparatus 10. As with the apparatus of Figure 1, the apparatus of Figure 2 has an IC card reader/writer 13 incorporated therein. However, in the embodiment of Figure 2 only a single slot 14 is provided within the reader/writer 13. A first IC card connector 26 is provided within the slot 14. The embodiment of Figure 2 also has a second card connector 28 but this is provided in a slot 141 in a remote IC card reader/writer 131. The second IC card connector 28 is connected to the processor 20 of the time clock 10 by way of a shielded cable 38. As will become apparent, the provision of the second IC card connector 28 in a remote reader/writer 131 is particularly helpful where the time clock 10 is additionally to be used to control access to a secure area.

IC cards, as 40 and 42 (Figure 2), to be used with the time clock apparatus may each carry, for example, the identification of a respective person who is required use the time clock, and, in this instance, the processor 20 is programmed to read the necessary information from the IC cards by way of the IC card connectors 26, 28. Additionally and/or alternatively, each IC card 40, 42 may be programmed to carry instructions for the processor 20. The or each reader/writer 13, 131 may be provided with its own processor 20 in communication with the processor of the time clock 10.

The apparatus described above and illustrated may be used, for example, to control the movements of staff or visitors who require to enter or leave premises. In this case, each person requiring access is provided with an IC card carrying data identifying that person. Furthermore, a supervisor, for example a security guard, may also be provided with an IC card carrying identification information. The security guard's IC card may simply identify the security guard or may also identify the level of authorisation of the guard. In one method of controlling access to premises, both the person requiring access and the security guard have to insert a respective

IC card into the reader/writer 13, 131 substantially at the same time. The time clock will ensure that the insertions are in the same time scale, and may record the identifications. The information may be recorded to the memory of the processor 20 and/or to the security guard's IC card.

Where the time clock is to be used for recording the access of visitors to premises, it would be possible to provide each visitor with an IC card. Alternatively, access for a visitor may be allowed by the security guard by inserting his IC card alone but then inserting, by way of the key pad 11, or by external means connected by the serial link 36, the name, company name and/or any other identification of the visitor. Again, the person to whom access is to be allowed and the time of access is recorded.

It will be appreciated that a similar process is preferably undertaken when staff and/or visitors leave the premises. This means that a complete record can be built up of the time persons spend on the premises, and a record can also be made of persons who have not apparently left the premises. These records may be analysed and made available for use, for example, by recording them onto an IC card inserted into the reader/writer 13, 131 and then downloading the information into a computer for analysis and subsequent use.

It will be appreciated that the routines to be undertaken by time clock apparatus of the invention may be chosen as required, and in accordance with all the circumstances. Furthermore, the software to control any required routine is within the competence of anyone skilled in the art and, therefore, does not need to be described. However, to aid in the understanding of the invention, a number of possible routines of the time clock apparatus will now be described, by way of example only, to illustrate some, but not all, of the usages of a time clock of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a routine of a time clock apparatus as shown in Figure 3 which enables the settings, and hence the operation of the time clock, to be chosen as required. The routine of Figure 4 may be a default routine of the time clock in that it is commenced when power is applied to the time clock 10, and/or whenever any other routine comes to a termination. In this respect, and as is clear from Figure 4, the first function of the routine, at 50, is an initialisation function in which all the program settings are appropriately initialised in known manner.

The set up routine of Figure 4 commences upon the entry by a user of a password which is checked against a stored password as indicated at function box 52. At a decision box 54 the result of the comparison determines the next step. If the password is incorrect, the routine does not continue but requires the password to be re-entered. Of course, and as is well known, the password checking routine can be arranged to shut down the time clock apparatus or otherwise prevent access to the rest of the set up routine if an erroneous password is entered more than three times, for example. Furthermore, whilst it is presently envisaged that the password will be entered by way of the keypads 30/32, it would be possible for it to be entered from external means, for example, by way of the serial link 36 and/or by way of an IC card inserted into one of the IC card connectors 26, 28.

If the password is correct, the routine moves on to the function block 56 which displays the date and time in the display 12. At the next decision box 58, the key pads 30, 32 are inspected to identify if any keys have been pressed. Where it is detected that a key has been pressed the routine moves on to a first decision box 60 to determine if it is a set up key which has been pressed. if the set up key has been pressed the routine moves on to function 64. If the set up key 60 has not been pressed, the routine moves on to decision box 62 to determine if a function key has been pressed, with pressing of the function key moving the routine to function box 66. If neither the set up key or the function key has been pressed the routine cycles to function box 56 to display again the time and date. When it reaches decision box 58, the fact that no keys have been pressed causes the routine to cycle through the function box 58 whereby the correct date and time are continuously displayed. Of course, the set up routine can be commenced again by pressing the set up key or the function key. Furthermore, the routine may be expanded to review the state of keys other than the set up and function keys if required.

As described above, if the set up key has been pressed, the routine moves to the function box 64 which provides a set up menu. This will take the user through a number of options which can be accepted or changed as required. In this respect, the options available will appear in turn in the display 12 and the user will accept or change them by way of the key pads 30, 32. The options available may be chosen as required. By way of example only, one or more of the following options may be provided in the set up menu:

The time settings; namely the year, day, hour, minute.

The mode of operation; for example, single card or double card mode.

The language of the display; for example, English or Chinese. The details of communication with external devices and peripherals; for example, the bit rates used, and the nature of the link.

The first item appearing on the set up menu is displayed to the user, and after that item has been accepted or changed the user is asked at the decision box 68 if further changes are required. If further changes are required the routine cycles back to the function box 64 and the next item of the set up menu is displayed for acceptance or change. This procedure will display each item on the set up menu in sequence for acceptance or change until the user signals that no further changes are required. Once the user signals at decision box 68 that the operation has been completed the routine cycles back to function box 56 so that the date and time is displayed again. Then, by way of the decision box 58, the key pads are again inspected for depression of the same or other keys.

If the decision box 62 determines that the function key has been depressed, the routine moves on to the function box 66 which provides a function menu with items which can be changed or accepted. Again, the options and choices in the function menu can be chosen as required. By way of example only these may comprise:

Set the information to be recorded by the time clock.

Record identification numbers for the time clock and for any remote reader/writer as 131.

Set time periods during which access is strictly controlled or not authorised. Access the information previously recorded by the time clock.

As described above with reference to the set up menu, the function menu sequentially presents items to be accepted or changed, and the user is requested at decision box 70 to indicate if the actions are complete. Once the user has accepted or changed all the required items on the function menu, the routine returns to the function block 56 to cause the display 12 to display the time and date.

It will be appreciated that other keys may give access to other control menus in the same manner as illustrated in respect of decision boxes 60 and 62. When all of the required menus have been dealt with, the routine cycles as described above to display the date and time. Normal operation of the device, in response to the pressing of a key, or the insertion of an IC card, interrupts the routine.

In this respect, and as shown in Figure 5, the processor 20 periodically checks to see if any IC cards have been inserted into the card slot associated with either of the IC card connectors 26 or 28, as indicated at 74. Thus, the routine identifies if an IC card is in either of the slots 14 of the time clock of Figure 1 or in either of the slots 14 and 141 of the time clock of Figure 2. If the insertion of a card is detected at function block 74 the routine shown in Figure 5 is commenced. This routine is one possible routine only which may be performed by the time clock 10 and in this routine attendance information is recorded as is conventional with time clocks. At function block 76, therefore, it is checked that an IC card is inserted within a slot and that a readable connection has been made thereto. If the card can be read the routine moves on to function box 78 at which it is determined whether the apparatus has been set up to be in single card or double card mode. At decision box 80 the mode which has been chosen is determined. If it is single card mode, the routine moves on to function box 82 at which the appropriate information is taken from the inserted IC card and recorded. For example, the time clock will record, to its memory and/or to the inserted IC card, the time as set by the real time clock 22. The identification of the staff member concerned may also be recorded to the memory of the time clock. When the information gathering and recording has been completed, the routine ends at function box 84 which readies the processor to react to the insertion of further cards, for example.

If at decision block 80 it is determined that the time clock is set to the double card function, the routine moves to function block 86 which controls that function. In the embodiment illustrated by Figure 5 the double card function is provided simply to control entry into, or departure from, the premises outside normal times. Thus, the routine moves to decision block 88 which determines whether or not the time of the real time clock is within preset normal entry times. If the time is within the preset times, the routine moves to function block 82 at which required information is recorded as described above.

However, if the time is outside the normal limits, function box 90 requires further actions to be taken. It may be, for example, that a security guard is required to enter an authorisation code by way of the key pads and/or to enter an IC card in the second reader/writer 13, 131 before the routine can move on. At function block 90, time and ID information and any other information recorded by way of function box 82 is recorded, but in addition the security information entered is also recorded. For example, the identity of the supervisor providing the authorisation code and/or his IC card may be recorded. The routine then moves to the end function block 84 which resets the processor so that it is able to appropriately react to other prompts.

The time clock, when controlled to operate as set out in Figure 5, can act as a substantially conventional time clock in that it is controlled to record for each individual the time of entry or exit. In addition, and as described above, additional authorisation can be required by way of the double card function if it is required only to control access outside normal hours. Such a function is useful, for example, if it is required to allow employees to leave a company's premises during normal working hours if they have permission.

Figure 6 shows an example of a routine which may be optionally provided in a time clock of the invention which gives a much greater level of security and which controls physical access to the premises. In this respect, whilst the routine of Figure 6 can be used with the time clock illustrated in Figure 1, it εy be preferred to utilise the time clock shown in Figure 2 because of the remote nature of the reader/writer 131 in the latter embodiment. Thus, where access to premises is to be provided through a doorway, for example, the time clock 10 may be mounted inside of the doorway with the reader/writer 131 provided externally thereof.

The routine illustrated in Figure 6 commences at function block 100 with the insertion into the reader/writer 13 of a security authorisation card. In the routine of Figure 6 the insertion of such a security authorisation card is essential to enable the routine. Such a security authorisation card would be an IC card carried by a security officer or other authorised person and would preferably carry information identifying the authorised person. The authorised person would be within the premises, and his security authorisation card is inserted into the reader/writer 13 incorporated in the time clock 10 which is also within the premises.

At function block 102 the security authorisation card is checked for validity. For example, it could be required that such cards carry an expiry date. Additionally and/or alternatively the card may carry an authorisation code which is to be checked against stored allowable codes. If required, it could be an additional requirement that the authorised person has to key in a separate password or code. At decision block 104 it is determined whether or not the inserted security card meets the requirements. If it does not, a function block 106 causes an error message to be displayed in the display 12 and/or an alarm to be set off. Furthermore, the routine is terminated.

If the decision block 104 authenticates the security authorisation card, the routine moves to function block 108 at which someone requiring access to the premises, for example, is invited to insert an access IC card into the remote reader/writer 131 or into the other slot 14 of the reader/writer 13. The access card may carry information identifying the employee or simply identify the person as a visitor. The access card, as 42, may also carry information identifying the level of authorisation associated with the person identified by the card. That level of the authorisation is determined at function block 110.

In the embodiment illustrated, it is envisaged that the IC card 42 will have one of two authorisation types, the type being signalled by an appropriate code on the card 42. These authorisation types are that pre-authorisation is required or that pre-authorisation is not required. Where a decision block 112 determines that the access IC card 42 is of the type which does not require pre- authorisation, the routine moves to function block 114 where a check is made of the current time. If decision block 116 determines that access is required within normal entry time, the routine moves to function block 118 at which information as to the access is recorded. Thus, the time clock may store in memory, the time, the authorisation code on the security card, and selected information from the access card 42. For a visitor the information from the card may simply be an identity number of the card itself. For an employee, the IC card will identify that employee directly.

If access is required outside normal entry hours it may be required to provide additional authorisation. In the routine of Figure 6, the decision block 116 moves the routine to function block 120 where the security officer or other authorised person is prompted to enter a further authorisation code and/or a code identifying the reason why access is required out of hours. If the entries at function block 120 are satisfactory the routine moves to function block 122 where appropriate information is stored. Generally, the information stored at function block 122 will be the same as that required at function block 118.

If, at decision block 112, pre-authorisation was required, the routine would have moved to function block 124 instead of to block 114 as described above. At block 124, the inserted access card 42 is checked for validity, for example, to determine if it carries a valid access code and/or has not exceeded an expiry date. If a decision block 126 identifies the access card as invalid, function block 128 causes an error message to be displayed on display 12 and/or an audible alarm to be sounded and the access routine is terminated.

If the decision block 126 confirms that the access card is valid, the routine then moves through function blocks 120 and 122 to prompt the input of additional authorisation and to record the information required as described above.

Once the time clock has recorded the information about required, the routine, at function block 130, is be arranged to activate, by way of the serial link 36, an access gate, a security lock, or other physical gating means. Thereafter at function blocks 130, 132 the routine ejects the access card from the reader/writer 13, 131 to enable the employee or visitor to retrieve the card prior to entering the premises.

The invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments and with reference to three possible software routines. However, it will be appreciated that additional and/or alternative routines may be provided in dependence upon the circumstances and, in particular, upon the degree of security required. Other variations and modifications to the embodiments as described and illustrated may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of recording attendance using a time clock apparatus, the time clock apparatus comprising processor means, memory means, at least one IC card reader, and a clock, and the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said processor means to enable a record to be kept of the identification data and the time, said identification data being stored on at least one IC card.

2. A method of recording attendance as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the identification data stored on the IC card includes information as to the identity of a person.

3. A method of recording attendance as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the or each IC card carries an authorisation or access code.

4. A method of recording attendance as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising the steps of recording to said memory means, and/or to at least one IC card, a record of the usage of the time clock apparatus, said record including the identification data and the time recorded from a series of IC cards inserted serially into said time clock apparatus.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising the step of checking the validity of said identification data.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, further comprising the step of enabling the control or monitoring of electrically actuated equipment in response to a determination that said identification data is valid.

7. A method of enabling the control or monitoring of electrically actuated equipment using control apparatus, said control apparatus having processor means, memory means, at least one IC card reader, and interface means, the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said processor means by way of an IC card and a said IC card reader, checking the validity of said identification data, and, in response to a determination that said identification data is valid, enabling the control or monitoring of said equipment by way of said interface means.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the step of checking the validity of said identification data comprises the steps of checking identification data on each of at least two IC cards, the control or monitoring of said electrically actuated equipment being enabled only in response to a determination that the identification data on each of said two IC cards is valid.

9. A method as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 8, further comprising the step of checking the real time is within a preset period.

10 A method as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein said electrically actuated equipment is, or is a part of, equipment controlling access to a restricted area.

11. A method as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 10, further comprising the step of giving an alarm in a response to a determination that said identification data is invalid.

12. A time clock apparatus arranged to perform a method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11.

13. Control apparatus for controlling or monitoring electrically actuated equipment by a method as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 11.

14. Control apparatus for controlling or monitoring electrically actuated equipment, said control apparatus comprising processor means, memory means, interface means arranged to communicate with said electrically actuated equipment, and a reading device for reading the data on IC cards, said reading device being in communication with said processor means.

15. Control apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, further comprising a clock, and being arranged to operate as time clock apparatus.

16. Time clock apparatus comprising processor means, memory means, a clock, and a reading device for reading the data on IC cards, said reading device being in communication with said processor means.

17. Time clock apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, further comprising interface means arranged to communicate with electrically actuated equipment to enable the control or monitoring of said electrically actuated equipment.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 17, wherein said reading device is arranged not only to read data from IC cards, but also to write data thereto.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 18, further comprising a second IC card reading device arranged to read and/or write data to IC cards.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said first and second IC reading devices are remote from one another.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 20, further comprising user interface means.

22. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, wherein said user interface means is a keypad.

23. A method of recording attendance using a time clock apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A method of enabling the control or monitoring of electrically actuated equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. Time clock apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. Control apparatus for controlling or monitoring electrically actuated equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.