WO2004057436A2

WO2004057436A2 - System, method and computer readable medium for remote verification of the attendance of individuals at predefined locations

Info

Publication number: WO2004057436A2
Application number: PCT/IL2003/001101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sharon Zinman; Jonathan Twito
Original assignee: Sharon Zinman; Jonathan Twito
Priority date: 2002-12-23
Filing date: 2003-12-23
Publication date: 2004-07-08
Also published as: AU2003292504A8; WO2004057436A3; AU2003292504A1

Abstract

A system (100), computer readable medium and a method for remotely verifying an attendance of an individual at a predefined location. The method includes: (i) verifying the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques (14); (ii) scheduling a time frame for conducting a next verification session (18); and (iii) notifying the individual about the time frame (18). The system (100) includes: (i) a verification entity, adapted to verify the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques; and (ii) a scheduling entity, adapted to schedule a time frame for conducting a next verification session, and to notify the individual about the time frame.

Description

SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR REMOTE VERIFICATION OF THE ATTENDANCE OF INDIVIDUALS AT PREDEFINED LOCATIONS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S provisional patent application 06/436,309 titled "System, Method and Computer Readable Medium for Remote Verification of the Attendance of Individuals at Predefined Locations of Individuals", filed 23 December 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

[0002] The invention relates to a system, method and computer readable medium for remote verification of the attendance of individuals at predefined locations of individuals .

BACKGROUND

[0003] There is a need to remotely locate and verify the identity of individuals. U.S patents 5,170,426 of D'Alesso describes a method and system for home incarceration that utilizes voice verification techniques.

[0004] Unemployed individuals are required to periodically attend the Employment Services Office (^ΛΕS0") and to register, in order to receive various payments and to search for a job.

[0005] The current ESO aims to locate job to unemployed individuals and also keeps track of the unemployed individuals. The job location process may involve matching job offering requirements to information associated with the unemployed individuals. The tracking/monitoring process usually requires the individuals to attend the ESO and to record said attendance. In many cases only individuals who attend the ESO according to the ESO requirements may be entitled to various benefits.

[0006] Due to the large number of unemployed individuals, the tracking/monitoring process is time consuming and also resource consuming. In many cases an unemployed individual will have to wait for a prolonged time period before meeting an ESO representative that will not be able to offer the unemployed individual a suitable job.

[0007] The tracking/ monitoring process forces the ESO to allocate relatively few resources to the location process.

[0008] Furthermore, the physical attendance at the ESO can also be costly from the individual perspective, as he may be forced to pay for his transportation to the ESO office.

[0009] There is a need to provide a system and method for efficiently tracking after multiple individuals, such as but not limited to unemployed individuals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0011] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method for remote verification stage, according to an embodiment of the invention; [0012] Figure 2 is a flow chart of an enrollment stage, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0013] Figures 3a-3b are detailed flow charts of verification stage, according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a system for remote verification of the attendance of individuals at predefined locations of individuals, and of its surroundings, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0015] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary scheduling stage, according to an embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The invention provides a method for remotely verifying an attendance of an individual at a predefined location. The method includes: (i) verifying the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques; (ii) scheduling a time frame for conducting a next verification session; and (iii) notifying the individual about the time frame.

[0017] The invention provides a computer readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the stages of: verifying the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques; scheduling a time frame for conducting a next verification session; and notifying the individual about the time frame.

[0018] The time frame may be first suggested to the individual after verifying the attendance of the individual at the predefined location. The time frame may also be scheduled in response to input received from the individual, such as but not limited to a selection between one or more time frames, a reception of one or more parameters that affect the time frame. The time frame may also be responsive to systems limitations, verification capabilities, amount of verification sessions of an individual per period, allowed range between two consecutive time frames and the like. One characteristic of a current time frame may differ from those of a next time frame .

[0019] The method may also include a receipt of an acknowledgement from the individual.

[0020] The verification stage may include verifying a location of the individual, for example by determining a phone from which the call originated; by initiating a phone call to a phone located at a predefined location or even by receiving location information from a locating entity. This location entity can be provided from cellular phone vendors that may determine the location of a phone call that originates from a cellular phone.

[0021] The verification stage also includes verifying an identity of the individual. This may include receiving a vocal input and/or non-vocal input from the individual and processing the received vocal input; comparing at least a portion of the received input to a previously stored vocal input of the individual . The non-vocal input may include a Pin number assigned to the individual.

[0022] The method may also include initiating verification sessions outside the next time frame and/or performing a verification by another individual. [0023] Conveniently, the method includes generating a remote attendance list and filtering out phone calls from individuals in response to the remote attendance list. [0024] The invention provides a system for remotely verifying an attendance of an individual at a predefined location, the system includes: (i) a verification entity, adapted to verify the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques; and (ii) a scheduling entity, adapted to schedule a time frame for conducting a next verification session, and to notify the individual about the time frame .

[0025] The system may further include an automatic number identi ication entity.

[0026] The verification entity may be adapted to perform at least one of the following: (i) receive a vocal input from the individual and processing the received vocal input; (ii) compare at least a portion of the received input to a previously stored vocal input of the individual; (iii) receive non-vocal input from the individual; (iv) store at least a portion of a vocal response provided by the individual; (v) allow a verification by another individual, for example if an automated verification session failed. [0027] Conveniently, the system is further adapted to initiate verification sessions outside the scheduled time frame, to establish an on line telephone connection between the individual and a remote verification entity, to generate a remote attendance list, and/or to filter out phone calls from individuals in response to the remote attendance list. [0028] The invention provides a system that improves the control over multiple individuals, and is also cost effective. By remotely verifying the location of an individual at a certain location the monitoring after the individual, the speed of each verification session is increased, the amount of verification session can be increased (and thus provide better monitoring) , while the resources allocated for tracking/monitoring is reduced. [0029] By scheduling the next session, especially in view of system capabilities, a large amount of individuals can be serviced by a limited system. Furthermore, an individual that initiates a phone call during his scheduled time window will be serviced in a timely manner, as only a portion of the individuals are scheduled to receive service during said time frame .

[0030] In the context of unemployed individuals, the ESO can allocate more resources to the job location process while reducing the amount of resources (staff and the like) allocated for the tracking/monitoring process. Furthermore, an individual can be asked to attend the ESO only when a relevant job offering if found or in other cases which requires his personal attendance.

[0031] The ESO can improve its monitoring after individuals that falsely claim that they are unemployed by increasing the frequency of the verification sessions and/or by allocating other resources (such as ESO employees) to check the employment status of individuals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0032] In one embodiment, the present invention may be embodied in computer-readable instructions (software) for execution by one or more computer systems. As such, the invention may be embodied as a series of algorithms. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self- consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. [0033] Unless specifically stated otherwise, it will be appreciated that throughout the description of the present invention, use of terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "displaying" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. Moreover, as used herein, the term database refers to any data structure, including but not limited to an object- oriented database, a relational database or other form of data structure. A table can be any data structure within the database . [0034] The present method, computer readable medium and system enable the verification of the attendance of a certain individual at particular place and are characterized by a timing scheme that is partially unpredictable. Said verification is enabled by a remote managed queue (RQM) system (also referred as system 100 in Figure 5) described herein.

[0035] The system and method are described in the context of managing unemployed individuals by the employment service office (ESO) . Alternatively, the principles embodied in the system may be applied to tracking/monitoring various individuals by either a single entity or multiple entities . [0036] Figure 1 is a flow chart of method 10 for remote verification of the attendance of individuals at predefined locations of individuals. Method 10 includes stage 14 of verifying the attendance of a certain individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques. Stage 14 is followed by stage 18 of scheduling the next session - determining a time frame for the next verification session. [0037] Conveniently, stage 14 is preceded by a preliminary stage 12 of enrollment. This preliminary stage 12 may include generating a voice signature of the individual, recording multiple phrases, and determining non-vocal information to be later provided by the individual during the validation session.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the invention, stage 14 of verifying may include establishing a line telephone connection between a system such as system 100 and an certain individual, requesting that individual to provide vocal input and/or non-vocal input, and processing the received input.

[0039] Stage 18 of scheduling may include suggesting a time frame for the next verification session, whereas this next time frame is not known in advance to that individual. The individual may participate in the scheduling stage, either by selecting between possible next time frame values, by suggesting a next time frame or by providing at least one parameter that may affect the scheduling of the next time frame .

[0040] Figure 4 illustrates a system 100 for remote verification of the attendance of individuals at predefined locations of individuals, and of its surroundings, according to an embodiment of the invention. System 100 is capable of creating a remote queue and managing multiple individual attendance files. System 100 includes an automatic number identification ("ANT") entity 104, a voice verification entity 108 and an automatic scheduling entity 110. All said entities may include a system or a program. The role of each entity will be further illustrated in connection with the following figures.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the invention system 100 includes a controller, such as controller 111 that controls the various entities, but this is not necessarily so and system 100 can implement distributed control schemes that do not require a central controller 111.

[0042] Briefly, ANI entity 104 is capable of determining the phone from which a phone call originated. The controller 111 is capable of comparing the phone call and its timing to a remote attendance list and determine whether to reject the phone call or to accept it. If the phone call is accepted then system 100 may apply additional verification stages (for example voice recognition based verification session by entity 108) as well as to schedule a next time frame. According to another aspect of the invention said filtering may be implemented by ANT entity 104.

[0043] System 100 is connected over communication network 112 to multiple phones 114. Multiple individuals can establish a phone connection to the system 100 for performing verification sessions.

[0044] System 100 is also capable of placing a message to an individual, before or after rescheduling a new time frame, informing the individual as to relevant individual information.

[0045] Figure 3a illustrates an exemplary verification stage 14 as well as various manners to handle failed verification stages, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] Stage 14 starts by stage 30 of determining the phone number from which a received phone call originated. [0047] Stage 30 is followed by stage 32 of checking whether the received phone call was received within a previously scheduled time frame. If it is outside the predefined time frame scheduled to the individual the phone call can be terminated and stage 32 is followed by stage 60. [0048] Stage 32 may include checking whether a time call was received within according to timing limitations of the process (such as operative hours and the like) , thus a phone call can be rejected in some cases regardless of the identity of the phone call originator. [0049] Stage 32 may also involve recording the reception time of the received phone call and comparing it to a remote attendance list.

[0050] Stage 60 may include sending to the individual a vocal message indicative of the failure of the verification process and of certain consequences of said failure, as well as alternative manners to remedy the failure (initializing another session during the time frame, contacting another entity such as another individual, and the like) . [0051] Stage 30 and/or a successful stage 32 are followed by stage 34 of verifying a location of the individual. The location may be determined once the process determines that the phone call originated from a previously known ANT. It is noted that stages 32 and 34 may be executed in parallel. For example, if the process compares the received call to the remote attendance list it actually checks both the timing of the phone call as well as the phone (which is associated with a location) from which the call originated. A failed stage 34 may be followed by stage 60.

[0052] Stage 34 is followed by stage 36 of verifying the identity of the individual, conveniently by voice recognition technologies .

[0053] Figure 2 illustrates an enrollment stage 12, according to an embodiment of the invention. This stage usually requires the intervention of ESO representatives. [0054] It is assumed that stage 12 requires the individual to attend the ESO offices or to be at predefined location at the presence of an authorized individual that may confirm the identity and presence of the unemployed individual . [0055] Stage 12 starts by stage 20 of receiving and storing (for example at a data base that is accessible to system 100 or is even a part of said system) individual related information. The information may include the name of the individual, his address, date of birth, dismissal date, educational background, professional background and additional information that may assist to find a relevant job offering.

[0056] Stage 20 is followed by stage 22 of receiving and storing one or more authorized wired phone number ("AWP") that will be used by the individual when contacting system 100.

[0057] Stage 12 may also include stage 24 of defining (and storing) non vocal input to be provided by the individual during verification sessions. This non-vocal input may include a pin code that is associated to the unemployed individual .

[0058] Stage 24 (or stage 22) is followed by stage 26 of recording a vocal input of the individual, such as recording a voiceprint of the unemployed individual. [0059] Stage 26 is followed by stage 28 of assigning a time frame for a first verification session. This time frame may be scheduled in response to individual input (such as his preferences) and the limitations/constraints of system 100. System constraints may include, but are not limited to, verification capabilities (amount of verification session at a given period) , the system capability to receive multiple phone calls per period, as well as timing limitations such as working hours, allowed range between consecutive verification sessions and the like. Said limitation may be responsive to ESO regulation.

[0060] Even the assignment of the first time frame may be responsive to the individual input, as will be further described in relation to Figure 3b, or as previously described in relation to Figure 3a.

[0061] System 100 may create a remote attendance list by associating allocated time frames and AWPs. [0062] Figure 3b illustrates an exemplary verification stage 14 that is being implemented by system 100. Stage 14 includes multiple stages. If the result of one of these stages is negative the verification session may fail. [0063] Stage 14 is preceded by receiving a phone call from an individual. It is noted that if the phone call does not originate from a known AWI and not within the allocated time frame it is rejected.

[0064] Stage 14 includes stage 40 during which system 100 and especially ANI entity 104 checks if the phone call originated from a known AWI and during a scheduled time frame. This may involve checking the remote attendance list. [0065] Stage 40 may be followed by stage 42 of requesting and receiving from the individual to provide non-vocal input, such as a PIN number that was previously provided to the individual during the enrollment stage, and checking whether the non-vocal input matches an expected non-vocal input. If the non-vocal input does not match an expected non-vocal input then stage 42 may be followed by stage 60. It is noted that the individual can remedy this failure by re-entering the non-vocal input. The amount of failed verification stages can be limited, thus once a predefined amount of iterations failed the error cannot be remedied. Each failure may be recorded in an individual attendance file.

[0066] A successful stage 42 may be followed by stage 44 of requesting and receiving from the individual vocal input in order to apply voice recognition methods for verifying the identity of the individual. Referring to the system of Figure 5 this stage is performed by the voice verification entity 108. This stage may include requiring the individual to orally respond to a number of queries or/and requested the individual to repeat a number of sentences. System 100 may utilize voice verification technology to verify that a voiceprint, stored within a database accessed by system 100, is matched and corresponds to the individual's voice. A failed stage 44 may be followed by stage 60. [0067] Stage 14 may also include stages 46 and 48, following a successful stage 44, of notifying the individual that the verification session was successful, and of updating a log file, such as the individual attendance file, in response to the completion of the validation session. [0068] Stage 14 is followed by stage 18 of scheduling the next validation session. Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary scheduling stage 18 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0069] Stage 18 may start by stage 50 of determining a time frame for a next validation session and suggesting the time frame to an individual. The suggested time frame may be responsive to one or more parameters such as: the capacity of system 100 to receive phone calls during a given period, the number of validation sessions an individual is required to complete during a defined period, and various timing limitations and system constraints such as the working hours (for example 9:00-17:00) and days (Sunday - Thursday) of system 100 and a predefined set of ESO rules. [0070] System 100 may assign a different day or hour for the next validation session according to a set of rules and instructions previously stored in system 100 and even in response to the individual preferences. For example, assuming that the unemployed individual is requested to perform a validation session once a week, a current time period can be schedules to Monday between 9:00AM and 10:00 AM, while the time frame for completing a next validation session may be set by system 100 to Wednesday of the next week, between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. It is noted that system 100 allows to increase the validation session frequency.

[0071] According to various embodiments of the invention stage 50 may be replaced or preceded by a stage of allowing an individual to suggest a time frame or provide one or more parameters that can affect the determined time frame. According to an embodiment of the invention the first time frame is suggested by the system while only later iterations involve receiving time frames of parameters from the individual .

[0072] Stage 50 is followed by stage 52 of notifying the individual as to the determined next time frame. [0073] Stage 52 is followed by stage 54 of receiving the individual response. If the individual accepts the suggested time frame stage 18 ends. If the individual rejects the time frame stage 54 is followed by optional stages 56, 58 and 61. A single stage of said optional stages may be offered to a certain individual, but the process may include a stage of allowing the individual to select between said stages. [0074] Stage 56 includes suggesting the individual another time frame. Stage 56 may be followed by step 52 but the number of iterations may be limited. If a predefined amount of time frames were rejected by the individual the process can determine a time frame without' the individual approval or the process may allow the individual to select between two or more time frames that were previously suggested to him. [0075] Stage 58 includes receiving a suggested time frame from the individual and jumping to stage 62. The reception process may require the individual to press certain keys in order to suggest a preferred day and/or hour. Systems and method for receiving and processing information via phones are known in the art and do not require additional explanation.

[0076] Stage 62 includes determining whether to accept the suggested time frame (in which case stage 18 ends) or rejecting it and jumping to stage 50. It is noted that the amount of such iterations can be limited and if a predefined amount of iterations is reached the system can determine a time frame without the individual consent or may allow the individual to select between two or more time frames. [0077] Stage 61 includes receiving, from the individual, one or more parameter that may affect the timing of the next time frame. This may include receiving a parameter that directly affects the determination (such as a suggested day or hour, a suggested range) but this is not necessarily so and the parameter may be further processed by a scheduling process (even pseudo-random processes) in order to determine the time frame. Step 62 is followed by step 50. [0078] According to another aspect of the invention the individual may be permitted to request only one parameter of the time frame, such as a day or an hour, while the process selects the other parameter.

[0079] It is noted that system 100 may also notify the unemployed as to any massages directed to him by the ESO or alternatively may direct the call to the ESO's representatives. For example, the unemployed individual might be invited to attend the ESO for the purpose of receiving a job offer, updating individual related information, and the like.

[0080] According to various embodiments of the invention: (i) system 100 may record phone calls initiated by individuals, vocal input and/or non-vocal inputs provided by the individual; (ii) system 100 may allow the individual to call outside of allocated time frames in order to update the scheduled time frame; (iii) system 100 may call the individual during the time frame, using the individual's AWI, additionally or alternatively to the initiation of a phone call by the individual; (iv) system 100 may determine an alternative time frame for completing a verification session if the individual failed to complete a successful verification session during the allocated time frame, system 100 also informs the individual about this time frame; and/or (iv) system 100 may initiate validation sessions outside the defined time frames.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the invention the individual is not limited in the number of calls he/she may initiate during his/her designated time frame, but the number of confirmed attendance calls shall be limited to one. Once such confirmation has been obtained, the system will make a record of such confirmed attendance.

[0082] System 100 may stop managing an individual due to his failures or in response to his request to do so (if such a request is enough) . For example, an individual can be removed from the remote access list if he failed (once or more than once during a certain period) to complete verification sessions. An individual can request to be removed from the list if he found a job offering, immigrated, and the like.

[0083] Once the individual is removed from the remote attendance list the system may send him a message informing him of the removal and/or notify him that additional time frames will not be scheduled. The system can also offer him to remedy the removal, if the removal resulted from the individual failures to comply with the system demands. Once the individual is removed from the remote attendance list various benefits may be deprived.

[0084] According to another embodiment of the invention the system may schedule time frames for allowing individuals to request changes in the timing of the next verification session.

[0085] According to another embodiment of the invention once a certain individual completed a successful verification session additional phone calls from that individual during the time frame allocated for said completed verification session are filtered out. [0086] According to another embodiment of the invention the time frame is scheduled in response to individual related information such as age, education, skills and the like. [0087] According to another embodiment of the invention an individual is removed from the remote attendance list after he fails to successfully complete a predefined number of sessions .

[0088] According to another embodiment of the invention an individual can be included within the remote attendance list for a certain time period. This time period may be the same for all individuals, but this is not necessarily so and may, for example, be responsive to the individual related information. Once said time period ends the individual is removed from the list.

[0089] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and changes may be applied to the preferred embodiments of the invention as hereinbefore exemplified without departing from its scope as defined in and by the appended claims .

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. A method for remotely verifying an attendance of an individual at a predefined location, the method comprising: verifying the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques; scheduling a time frame for conducting a next verification session; and notifying the individual about the time frame .

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the time frame is first suggested to the individual after verifying the attendance of the individual at the predefined location.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the time frame is scheduled in response to input received from the individual.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein scheduling a time frame involves allowing the individual to select between two or more optional time frames .

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the scheduling is responsive to at least two parameters.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the method comprises receiving at least one parameter from the individual.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the scheduling is responsive to verification capabilities.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the method being executed by a system and wherein the scheduling is responsive to constraints of the system.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the scheduling is responsive to timing limitations.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one parameter of a next time frame differs from a corresponding at least one parameter of a previous time frame.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the scheduling is responsive to an amount of verification sessions per period.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the scheduling is responsive to an allowed range between two consecutive verification sessions.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an acknowledgement from the individual .

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the scheduling involves allowing an individual to suggest a time frame for the next verification session.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying comprises verifying a location of the individual.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the verifying comprises identifying a location of a phone from which the individual initiated a phone call.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the verifying comprises initiating a phone call to a phone located at a predefined location.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein verifying comprises receiving location information from a locating entity.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying comprises verifying an identity of the individual.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the verifying comprises receiving a vocal input from the individual and processing the received vocal input.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the processing involves comparing at least a portion of the received input to a previously stored vocal input of the individual.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the stored vocal input being stored during a preliminary enrollment stage.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the verifying comprises receiving non-vocal input from the individual.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving vocal input from the individual.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein allowing a reception of vocal input only if received non-vocal input matched a predefined criterion.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the non-vocal input comprises an identification number assigned to the individual during an enrollment step.

27. The method of claim 1 further comprising initiating verification sessions outside the next time frame.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing an on line telephone connection between the individual and a remote verification entity.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing a verification by another individual.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein performing a verification by another individual if an automated verification session failed.

31. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a remote attendance list.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising filtering out phone calls from individuals in response to the remote attendance list.

33. A system for remotely verifying an attendance of an individual at a predefined location, the system comprising: a verification entity, adapted to verify the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques; and a scheduling entity, adapted to schedule a time frame for conducting a next verification session; and to notify the individual about the time frame.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising an automatic number identification entity.

35. The system of claim 33 wherein the verification entity is adapted to receive a vocal input from the individual and processing the received vocal input.

36. The system of claim 33 wherein the verification entity is adapted to compare at least a portion of the received input to a previously stored vocal input of the individual.

37. The system of claim 33 wherein the verification entity is adapted to receive non-vocal input from the individual .

38. The system of claim 33 further adapted to store at least a portion of a vocal response provided by the individual.

39. The system of claim 33 further adapted to initiate verification sessions outside the next time frame.

40. The system of claim 33 wherein the system is adapted to establish an on line telephone connection between the individual and a remote verification entity.

41. The system of claim 33 wherein the verification entity is adapted to allow verification by another individual.

42. The system of claim 33 wherein a verification by another individual is allowed by the system if an automated verification session failed.

43. The system of claim 33 further adapted to generate a remote attendance list.

44. The system of claim 33 further adapted to filter out phone calls from individuals in response to the remote attendance list.

45. A computer readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the stages of: verifying the attendance of an individual at a predefined location using voice recognition techniques; scheduling a time frame for conducting a next verification session; and notifying the individual about the time frame.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 45 wherein the time frame is first suggested to the individual after verifying the attendance of the individual at the predefined location.

47. The computer readable medium of claim 45 wherein the time frame is scheduled in response to input received from the individual .

48. The computer readable medium of claim 45 wherein the scheduling is responsive to timing limitations.

49. The computer readable medium of claim 45 wherein the verifying comprises verifying a location of the individual.

50. The computer readable medium of claim 45 wherein the verifying comprises verifying an identity of the individual.

51. The computer readable medium of claim 45 wherein the verifying comprises receiving non-vocal input from the individual .

52. The computer readable medium of claim 45 further comprising performing a verification by another individual.

53. The computer readable medium of claim 45 further comprising initiating verification sessions outside the next time frame .