Electronic timekeeping system and method of using same

A method of tracking time spent on a particular task for on behalf of an entity, the method comprising:

• obtaining (a) a plurality of tokens, each including a remotely readable electronic tag coded with predetermined information uniquely associated with a task, and (b) a sensing device including a sensor for detecting the electronic tag of a token when the token is placed on a surface of the sensing device, timing circuitry for generating a start signal when the sensor first detects the electronic tag and a stop signal when the sensor ceases detecting the electronic tag, and decoding circuitry for generating a data signal with content based on the task associated with the detected electronic tag;
• placing a token on the surface of the sensing device;
• thereafter performing the task associated with the token;
• and
• removing the token from the surface of the sensing device after completing the task.

A system for tracking the length of time spent by a user on each of a plurality of different tasks on behalf of a plurality of different entities, the system comprising:

• a plurality of tokens, each including a remotely readable electronic tag coded with predetermined information uniquely associated with at least one of (i) a task, and (ii) an entity;
• a sensing device including a sensor for detecting the electronic tag of a token when the token is placed at a predetermined position relative to the sensing device by the user, timing circuitry for generating a start signal when the sensor first detects the electronic tag and a stop signal when the sensor ceases detecting the electronic tag, and decoding circuitry for generating a data signal with content based on the predetermined information identified by the detected electronic tag;
• and
• an application software module for interfacing with time and billing software to generate billing information based on the start signal, the stop signal, the data signal and a billing rate of the user.