Electronic system and method for claiming and reserving work areas

A computer implemented method, comprising:

• automatically initiating communication between a processing device and a first electronic device based on a user initiated connection of the processing device to the first electronic device, wherein, at the time the connection is formed, the user initiated formed connection causes a first set of user information to be transferred from the processing device to the first electronic device without additional user interaction;
• transmitting, by the first electronic device, the first set of user information to a host device;
• comparing the first set of user information to user identifying information that is stored in a repository;
• determining that the first electronic device is permitted to communicate with the processing device based on the comparison of the first set of user information to the user identifying information;
• receiving, by the first electronic device, authorization information provided from the host device;
• automatically assigning a work area to the user based on the connection formed between the first electronic device and the processing device;
• delivering, from the first electronic device to the host, an electronic signal indicating the work area is assigned;
• and
• adjusting, by the first electronic device, one or more characteristics of a first external device based on the receipt of the authorization information and the first set of user information.