Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an attendence system and particularly to an electronic attendance system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Institutions and organizations worldwide face the perennial challenge of accurately recording attendance, often encountering issues related to proxy attendance fraud. Traditional methods, such as manual sign-ins or biometric scans, can be circumvented, leading to inaccurate attendance records. There exists a pressing need for an innovative solution that not only automates the attendance process but also employs secure measures to prevent unauthorized attendance on behalf of others.
[003] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced an electronic attendance system that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[004] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an electronic attendance system. The system comprising: a terminal with a receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip installed, wherein in the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip is adapted to be in communication with a transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip. The system further comprising: a user device with the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip installed, wherein the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip is adapted to transmit data packets to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip. The system further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip. The control unit is configured to: activate the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip installed in the terminal for receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip; enable a receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip of the user device to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip of the terminal; and mark an attendance of a user as present when the data packets are received from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip of the user device within a predefined time duration.
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for marking an attendance of a user using an electronic attendance system. The method comprising steps of: activating a receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip installed in a terminal for receipt of data packets from a transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip; enabling a receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip of a user device to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip installed in the terminal; and marking an attendance of the user as present when the data packets are received from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip of the user device within a predefined time duration.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an electronic attendance system.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an electronic attendance system that is easy and cost effective to install.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an electronic attendance system that removes discrepancies in roll call.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an electronic attendance system that prevents fake and proxy attendance.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0011] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic attendance system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for marking an attendance of a user using the electronic attendance system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0017] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0018] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic attendance system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted to mark a user as present and/or absent based on presence of the user in a premise. According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may be installed in location such as, but not limited to, a school, a classroom, a lecture hall, a college, an office, an auditorium, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for installation of the system 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0020] According to embodiments of the present invention, the user may be, but not limited to, a student, an employee, a visitor, an auxiliary staff force, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user who may use the system 100.
[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a terminal 102, and a user device 104. The terminal 102 may comprise a receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 and a control unit 108. The user device 104 may comprise the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal 102 may be mounted in the premise. In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal 102 may be installed with the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106. The receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 may be adapted to be in communication with the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 may be configured to operate on a frequency of 13.56 MegaHerts (MHz).
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be communicatively connected to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106. The control unit 108 may be configured to: activate the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 installed in the terminal 102 for receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110; enable a receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110 of the user device 104 to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 of the terminal 102; and mark an attendance of a user as present when the data packets are received from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110 of the user device 104 within a predefined time duration.
[0024] The control unit 108 may further be configured to mark the attendance of the user as absent when no data packets are received from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110 of the user device 104 within the predefined time duration. The control unit 108 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 108 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 104 may be a device used by the user. The user device 104 may be installed with the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110 may be adapted to transmit data packets to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106. The transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110 is configured to operate on a frequency of 13.56 MegaHerts (MHz), in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] According to embodiments of the present invention, the data packets comprise details related to the user such as, but not limited to, a name, a designation, a date of presence, a time of presence, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any details related to the user that may be encapsulated in the data packets, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 104 may be adapted to be brought in a range within of 20 centimeters from the terminal 102 for marking the attendance of the user as present. According to embodiments of the present invention, the user device 104 may be, but not limited to, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a tablet, a laptop, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for marking an attendance of the user using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] At step 202, the system 100 may activate the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 installed in the terminal 102 for receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110.
[0030] At step 204, the system 100 may enable the receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110 of the user device 104 to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 of the terminal 102.
[0031] At step 206, the system 100 check the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 110 of the user device 104 to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 106 of the terminal 102 within the predefined time. If the data packets are received to the Near Field Communication (NFC) chip of the terminal 102, then the method 200 may proceed to a step 208. Else, the method may proceed to a step 210.
[0032] At step 208, the system 100 may mark the attendance of the user as present.
[0033] At step 210, the system 100 may mark the attendance of the user as absent.
[0034] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0035] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An electronic attendance system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a terminal (102) with a receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106) installed, wherein in the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106) is adapted to be in communication with a transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110);
a user device (104) with the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) installed, wherein the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) is adapted to transmit data packets to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106); and
a control unit (108) communicatively connected to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106), characterized in that the control unit (108) is configured to:
activate the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106) installed in the terminal (102) for receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110);
enable a receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) of the user device (104) to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106) of the terminal (102); and
mark an attendance of a user as present when the data packets are received from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) of the user device (104) within a predefined time duration.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user device (104) is adapted to be brought in a range within 20 centimeters from the terminal (102) for marking the attendance of the user as present.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) is configured to mark the attendance of the user as absent when no data packets are received from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) of the user device (104) within the predefined time duration.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminal (102) is mounted in a premise.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user is selected from a student, an employee, a visitor, an auxiliary staff force, or a combination thereof.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data packets comprise details related to the user.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the details related to the user is selected from a name, a designation, a date of presence, a time of presence, or combination thereof.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106) is configured to operate on a frequency of 13.56 MegaHerts (MHz).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) is configured to operate on a frequency of 13.56 MegaHerts (MHz).
10. A method for marking an attendance of a user using an electronic attendance system (100), the method characterized in steps of:
activating a receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106) installed in a terminal (102) for receipt of data packets from a transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110);
enabling a receipt of the data packets from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) of a user device (104) to the receiving Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (106) installed in the terminal (102); and
marking an attendance of the user as present when the data packets are received from the transmitting Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (110) of the user device (104) within a predefined time duration.
Date: November 10, 2023
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)