WO1997030408A1

WO1997030408A1 - Method and apparatus for recording billable time and services

Info

Publication number: WO1997030408A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/002329
Authority: WO
Inventors: Milton L. Cramer; Alfred J. Santos
Original assignee: Cramer Milton L; Santos Alfred J
Priority date: 1994-03-30
Filing date: 1996-02-16
Publication date: 1997-08-21
Also published as: US5606497A

Abstract

A portable timing device (10) stores selectable user, client and activity data. The device has a memory (14) which stores user selected information relating to a user, client and activity along with corresponding start and stop times. The system communicates with a central billing computer (33) over an appropriate two way port (30) which reads and writes to the memory (14) in the device (10). Also, disclosed is a method for recording provider, client and services in real time employing a streamlined and efficient sequencing of operation.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING BILLABLE TIME AND SERVICES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for data

logging. In particular, the invention relates to a hand held data logging

device which records in real time the elapsed time associated with

work or billable activities performed on behalf of a client or beneficiary

by a service provider or other professional. As will be readily apparent

to those skilled in the art, the invention also pertains to a method for

recording in real time billable time and services of providers on behalf

of clients.

Various data entry systems are available which are designed to

simplify the process of collecting time keeper or service provider data

associated with various activities. For example, computer systems

have been employed to track workers, worker activities and the time

spent in handling individual tasks associated with ongoing contracts

and the like. These devices often are complicated and require the

worker to enter codes or to connect an identification device to a

machine during the time of operation. Some devices are designed

specifically to provide time and billing information for doctors, lawyers

and other professional service providers. However, the systems are

difficult to implement and do not carry sufficient information in

memory so that user, client and activity information can be readily recorded. Further, such systems do not have the ability to receive

updated information or to communicate relevant information to a

centrally located time and billing computer.

There is thus a need for a portable data logging device which

can record in real time relevant information as to the user, the client, activity and storing elapsed time in a form useful for producing time

and billing information. Such a device should incorporate a

streamlined and efficient method for recording time, client and

provider data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based upon the discovery that a data

logging device for recording in real time the elapsed time spent on a

particular activity by a particular service provider for a particular client,

may be contained in a portable self-contained unit. The device has a

selectable data memory and a memory for storing selected client, user

and activity data along with start and stop times time for such

activity. The invention allows the user to toggle start and stop times

for particular activities, and to store the information in a nonvolatile

memory. Updates and corrections to the selectable data are provided

by a two way communication port to a separate billing computer. The

data logging function is separate from the computing function. Communication with other devices is unnecessary, except when it is

desired to read out the recorded data or to update the selectable data.

In one embodiment, the invention is a portable timing device that is designed to interface with the computer for two way

communication. The computer lists names, task descriptions, and any

other text or numerical entries as may be desired. The device

transmits user recorded data to the computer for producing bills and charges. The recorded data includes the user, the client, and start and

stop times, for various activities performed by the service provider.

In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed to a data

logger for recording, in real time, the time expended performing a particular task or activity by a particular user for a client. The

invention comprises a central processing unit for processing data, first

memory for storing selectable client, user and activity data, a second

memory for storing selected client, user and activity data along with

start and stop times for computing a corresponding time interval. A

data selector is provided for selecting from the first memory data

corresponding to a particular client, user and activity. A timer selector

provides start and stop times for the selected data into the second

memory. Two-way communication means is provided for entering the

selectable data into the first memory and for reading out data from the

second memory. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method for recording in real time billable time, service and provider information for various clients employing a central processing unit including a timer, a first memory, a second memory, a first data selector, a second data selector, each of which is coupled to the CPU. The method further comprises storing selectable data entries corresponding to providers, clients and services in each of a plurality of corresponding selectable

lists and selecting and storing an entry from each of said lists, along with corresponding time interval data into the second memory. Selecting the list in the first memory means occurring upon each actuation of the first data selector, and selecting data from each list entry occurring upon actuation of the second data selector for entry into the second memory. Entering start and stop times and the data and time into the second memory occurring upon sequential operations of the timer selector. The method further comprises providing a communication channel coupled to the CPU; entering the selectable data into the first memory and selectively reading out selected portions of the data stored in the second memory. The

method further comprises providing data entry blocking means responsive to the timer selector and blocking entry of any data from the first memory into the second memory between the start and stop times. The method further comprises providing a billing computer and

coupling the billing computer via the communications channel to the CPU; producing the selectable data in the computer and entering the

data into various lists of the first memory and receiving the selected

portions of the selectable data stored in the second memory.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a hand held data logging

device according to the invention with the billing computer shown;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the sequence of operations for

establishing each new data entry.

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a hand held data logging

device according to the present invention with the billing computer

connected to the device; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged block diagram illustrating the selectable

memory and timer start/stop elements of the system illustrated in

Fig. 1 .

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally illustrated in Fig. 1 and

comprises a hand held data logging device 10 which is more or less

the size of a typical hand held calculator. The data logging device 10

includes a housing 12, a control system 14 located in the housing,

which is described hereinafter, a plurality of switches 16 individually

labeled S, T, U and D, corresponding to select, time, up and down functions respectively, hereinafter referred to by function, and a

display such as a liquid crystal display 1 8. An on/off switch 20 which

may include an indicator 22 is also provided. The control system has

a battery 24, a low battery indicator 26 and a battery charging port

28. There is also provided a data port 30 which may be connected to

a standard RS232 cable 31 for communication with a billing computer

33. The control system 14 includes a real time clock, a memory for

storing selectable information which may be programmed into the device 10 by an input from the billing computer 31 or from another

appropriate source of data. The device 10 stores information relating

to, for example, the user or service provider, client or patient and the

activity or service provided.

In operation, the user calls up onto the display 1 8 the user

identification by depressing the select switch S. The activation of the

select switch S causes the control system 14 to access a list of users,

activities or clients. The selected list may be scrolled by pressing the

U - Up or D - Down switch in the upper line 32 of the display 18.

Alternatively, code numbers for users may be used if desired. The

user may scan the list of names accessed by simply depressing the up

button U or the down button D. Once the particular user is identified,

the activity may be selected by depressing the select switch S again.

The control system 14 also calls up the second list which may contain

client information. The user likewise selects a particular client by scrolling up or down through the list using the U and D switches

respectively. In the illustration of Fig. 1 , XYZ Corporation is displayed

on the upper line 32. Thereafter, the user enters and moves to the next list by depressing the select switch S thereby again entering that

client name and calling up the activity list which likewise may be

scrolled for the appropriate activity, for example, a court appearance

or the like. Once the activity is selected, the user starts the timing

function by depressing the time switch T, which records the selected

user, activity and client in the non-volatile memory along with the

current time obtained from the real time clock unit. The elapsed time

ET is displayed on the lower line 34. The lower line may also be

programmed to display a date current time of day, as illustrated.

When the task is complete, the user depresses the time switch T

again, stopping the elapsed time clock and causing the control system

to store the data. The next activity may be timed in the same way

with the same or a different client, simply by repeating the steps as

desired.

It should be understood that the user data may be prestored in

the device. For convenience, the prior data is called up each time the

select button is depressed so that all the user need do is reactivate the

switch to move to the next display. At some later time, device 10

may be coupled to the billing computer 33 by means of the RS232

cable 31 , which reads the stored and selected data via port 30. The client list, the time of day, the activities and the user information may also be changed by means of the billing computer 33. It should also

be understood that slots are available in each list for miscellaneous

items. For example, when a new client consults the service provider,

that information can be stored under a series of available unassigned

client numbers which later can be formally assigned and entered into

an updated list.

An embodiment of the method according to the invention is

illustrated in the flow chart of Fig. 2. The method comprises a

sequence of steps to efficiently move through the operation described

above. According to the invention, the sequence commences when the system powers up at block 40 and either automatically or upon prompting from the switch actuation S displays the first list, for

example, the user list, at block 42. Respective increment and

decrement blocks 44 and 46 allow the user to scroll the list using the

U and D switches. Again, upon actuation of the switch S, the second

list is displayed at 48 and which likewise may be incremented up or

down by means of the U and D switches at blocks 50 and 52.

Likewise, when the user activity is selected block 54 this may be

incremented and decremented up or down by means of respective

blocks 56 and 68. It should be understood that the activity selected

or scanned from any list does not affect the other list. The user may return to any previous box by sequentially actuating the select switch

S.

When it is desired to start the timing operation, the user actuates the timer switch T causing the timer to start at 60. If the

user desires to review the client activity or the user designation while

the timer is operating, sequential operation of the select switch S at

block 62 will display the current information on the upper line 32.

However, that information may not be changed until the timing stops.

This is accomplished at block 64 by actuating the timing switch T

which causes the system to stop timing and save the data.

A schematic block diagram of the invention is illustrated in Fig.

3, the switch is 1 6 and the liquid crystal display 1 8 are illustrated and

the billing computer 31 is also shown. The remaining portions of the

diagram represents the control system 14. The control system 14 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 70 which may be part of a

microprocessor chip. The CPU 70 has a system clock input 72 which

provides a high frequency reference clock signal. A real time clock 74

is also provided. The clock 74 provides the CPU 70 with information

as to the actual running time of the device. As indicated by the

connecting arrow, the real time clock may be programmed, as desired.

The CPU 70 is powered by the battery 24 or any other suitable

power supply. The battery 24 is coupled to the CPU 70 via on/off

switch 20. The power on light 22 in circuit with the switch 20 and battery 24 indicates when the switch 20 is closed. The light 22 may

be a light emitting diode (LED) as illustrated. When the battery

becomes low, a low battery sensor 76 is activated which illuminates

indicator 26, which also may be an LED.

The control system 14 includes a selectable memory 78 which

stores general information pertaining to user, the clients and the

activities. The control system 14 also includes a storage memory 80,

which stores information which has been selected during a particular interval for a particular client, activity and user. The selectable

memory 78 and the storage memory 80 are both read write devices.

Accordingly, when coupled to the billing computer 31 via the port 30,

the memories 78 and 80 may be written to, updated or erased. The

billing computer 31 and the CPU 30 are coupled by the RS232 cable

33 via the port 30 as noted above. The RS232 port 30 has a transmit

line TX and a receive line RX coupled to the CPU 70. Information can

thus be communicated to and from the CPU and the associated

memory cells in a known manner.

The selectable memory 78 and the storage memory 80 are

coupled to the CPU 70 by means of a chip select device 84 which

allows the CPU 70 to choose between the selectable memory 78 and

storage memory 78 and 80. The chip select 84 also allows

subdivisions of the various memories to be accessed. For example,

if additional memory cells are necessary for storing additional information, additional memory chips may be employed.

In operation, the user actuates the switches 16 to achieve the

select (S) function, the time (T) function, to scroll up (U) function and

the scroll down (D) function, as detailed above. Also, as illustrated,

one or more other functions (O) may be provided as desired.

A liquid crystal display brightener control 86 coupled to LCD 1 8

allows the user to select an appropriate or convenient visual intensity

of the LCD.

Fig. 4 illustrates in greater detail the selectable memory 78 for the user list, the client list and activities list which are labeled 78A,

78B and 78C respectively. Each is connected to the select switch S

and the up and down scrolling switches U and D. The real time clock

74 provides real time information to the storage memory and the display via the CPU, as noted.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 4, the user list 78 has been

selected for Mr. R, the client list has been selected Jones, R. and the

activity is a Trial. While the real timer clock 74 is in operation, those

selections are locked. However, when the real time clock 74 is

released, those selections may then be changed.

While there have been described what are at present considered

to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be

apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and

modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1 . A method for recording billable times and services of a

provider for a client comprising the steps of:

providing a central processing unit including timer, first memory,

second memory and a first data selector, a second data selector, and

a timer selector, each being operatively coupled to the CPU;

storing in the first memory selectable data entries corresponding

to the providers, the clients and the services in each of a plurality of

corresponding selectable lists;

storing in the second memory a portion of the selectable data

from each of said lists along with corresponding time interval data

therefor; selecting upon each sequential actuation of the first data

selector, data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular

list;

selecting upon each sequential actuation of the second data

selector, data from each list stored in the first memory corresponding

to a particular entry in each respective list to be selected; and

selecting upon sequential actuations of the timer selector start

and stop times from the timer for the selected data and entering the

selected start and stop times, the selected data and the selected time

into the second memory concurrently therewith.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising providing a communications channel coupled to the CPU; entering the selectable data into the first memory via said communications channel and reading out selected portions of the

selectable data from the second memory via said communications channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising

providing data entry locking means responsive to the timer selector and blocking entry of any data in the first memory into the second memory between the start and stop times.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein entering start and stop times upon actuation of the timer selector means comprises initiating a start time upon actuation of the timer selector means and initiating a stop time upon subsequent actuation of said timer selector.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting data stored in the first memory comprises scrolling each list.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second data selector comprises a pair of switches and selecting the data in the first memory comprises the steps of actuating the first switch for scrolling the list in a first direction and selecting the second switch for scrolling

the list in an opposite direction.

7. A method for operating an apparatus for recording in real

time billable time, services and providers for clients comprising:

displaying at least one provider from a stored list of providers

and incrementing the list until a desired provider is displayed;

displaying at least one client from a stored list of clients and

incrementing the list until a desired client is displayed;

displaying at least one service from a list of services and

incrementing the list until a desired service is displayed;

actuating a timing switch operative for recording a starting time

and for selecting the desired client, provider and service and

subsequently actuating the timer to record a stop time for the selected

provider, client and service; and

preventing any change in the selected client, provider and

service between the start and stop times.

8. An apparatus for recording in real time billable time and

services of providers for clients comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU) including a timer for producing

time interval data derived from selectable start and stop times; a first memory coupled to the CPU for storing selectable data

entries corresponding to the providers, the clients, and the services in each of a plurality of corresponding selectable lists;

a second memory coupled to the CPU for storing an entry of the

selectable data from each of said lists along with corresponding time

interval data;

a first data selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially

actuable and operative for selecting upon each sequential actuation

thereof data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular

list for entry into the second memory;

a second data selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially

actuable and operative for selecting upon sequential actuations thereof

data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular entry in

each corresponding list; and

a timer selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially actuable

and operative successively for entering upon sequential actuations

thereof, start and stop times from the timer for the selected data of the first and second data selector and for entering the start and stop

times, the selected data and the time into the second memory.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a

communications channel coupled to the CPU operative for carrying the selectable data for entry into the first memory and for carrying selected portions of the selectable data from the second memory.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each of said first and second data selector means comprises a sequentially actuable switch.

1 1. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the timer selector means comprises a sequentially actuable switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first memory means

comprises a read-write memory for storing the plurality of lists and the first data selector means is operatively coupled to the first memory means for scrolling the lists.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second memory means comprises a read-write memory for receiving the selected data along with the time interval data.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 further including a real time clock coupled to the CPU and wherein the timer selector means is responsive to the real-time clock for establishing a start time and a stop time corresponding to the timer interval data. 1 5. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the two-way

communications channel includes a communications port for access

to a remote processing means.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 5 wherein the communications

port comprises an RS232 port.

1 7. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the remote processing

means comprises a billing computer for writing data to the first

memory and reading data from the second memory and for calculating

billable time and services in accordance with the data from the second

memory.

1 8. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising data entry

blocking means responsive to the timer selector for blocking entry of

any data from the first memory into the second memory between the

start and stop time.

1 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second data selector

is operative for selecting a client, a user and an activity from each corresponding list. 20. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second sequentially actuable data selector comprises a first switch for selecting data from

the list in a first direction and a second switch for selecting data from

the list in an opposite direction.

21 . The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a display for

displaying the selected data.

22. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first and second

memory each comprise a read-write memory.

23. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a chip select

coupled to the CPU in the first and second memory for selecting therebetween.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 21 October 1996 (21.10.96); original claims 1,4,7,8,18 amended; new claims 24-28 added; remaining claims unchanged (11 pages)]

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for recording billable times and services of a provider for a client comprising the steps of:

providing a central processing unit including timer, first memory, second memory and a first data selector, a second data selector, and a timer selector, each being operatively coupled to the CPU;

storing in the first memory selectable data entries corresponding to the providers, the clients and the services in each of a plurality of corresponding selectable lists;

storing in the second memory a portion of the selectable data from

each of said lists along with corresponding time interval data therefor; selecting upon each sequential actuation of the first data selector, data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular list;

selecting upon each sequential actuation of the second data

selector, data from each list stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular entry in each respective list to be selected;

actuating the timer selector for starting the timer and then actuating the timer selector for stopping the timer; and

entering upon actuating the timer selector at least once the selected data and the time interval data corresponding to the elapsed time between said actuations into the second memory. 2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising providing a

communications channel coupled to the CPU; entering the selectable data into the first memory via said communications channel and reading out selected portions of the selectable data from the second memory via said communications

channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising providing data entry locking means responsive to the timer selector and blocking

entry of any data in the first memory into the second memory between the start and stop times.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising entering start and stop times

upon actuation of the timer selector means including initiating a start time upon actuation of the timer selector means and initiating a stop time upon subsequent actuation of said timer selector.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second data selector comprises a pair of switches and selecting the data in the first memory comprises the steps of actuating the first switch for scrolling the list in a

first direction and selecting the second switch for scrolling the list in an

opposite direction.

7. A method for operating an apparatus for recording in real time billable time, services and providers for clients comprising:

displaying at least one provider from a stored list of providers and incrementing the list until a desired provider is displayed; displaying at least one client from a stored list of clients and

incrementing the list until a desired client is displayed;

displaying at least one service from a list of services and incrementing the list until a desired service is displayed; actuating a timing switch to start a clock and actuating the timing

switch to stop the clock to thereby establish time interval data

corresponding to elapsed time between such actuations, and recording the elapsed time and the selected client, provider and service by at least

one of said actuations; and

preventing any change in the selected client, provider and service

between actuations.

8. An apparatus for recording in real time billable time and

services of providers for clients comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) including a timer for producing time

interval data; a first memory coupled to the CPU for storing selectable data entries corresponding to the providers, the clients, and the services in each of a plurality of corresponding selectable lists;

a second memory coupled to the CPU for storing an entry of the selectable data from each of said lists along with corresponding time interval data;

a first data selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially actuable

and operative for selecting upon each sequential actuation thereof data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular list for entry into the second memory;

a second data selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially

actuable and operative for selecting upon sequential actuations thereof data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular entry in each

corresponding list; and

a timer selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially actuable and operative successively for entering upon sequential actuations thereof, the time interval data from the timer for the selected data of the first and second data selector and for entering the selected data and the

time into the second memory. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a communications channel coupled to the CPU operative for carrying the selectable data for

entry into the first memory and for carrying selected portions of the selectable data from the second memory.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the timer selector means

comprises a sequentially actuable switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first memory means

comprises a read-write memory for storing the plurality of lists and the first

data selector means is operatively coupled to the first memory means for

scrolling the lists.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second memory means

comprises a read-write memory for receiving the selected data along with

the time interval data. 14. The apparatus of claim 8 further including a real time clock

coupled to the CPU and wherein the timer selector means is responsive to the real-time clock for establishing a start time and a stop time corresponding to the timer interval data.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the two-way communications channel includes a communications port for access to a remote processing means.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the communications port

comprises an RS232 port.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the remote processing

means comprises a billing computer for writing data to the first memory and reading data from the second memory and for calculating billable time

and services in accordance with the data from the second memory.

18. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising data entry blocking means responsive to the timer selector for blocking entry of any data from the first memory into the second memory between actuations

of the timer selector.

19. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second data selector is operative for selecting a client, a user and aπ activity from each corresponding list.

20. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second sequentially

actuable data selector comprises a first switch for selecting data from the

list in a first direction and a second switch for selecting data from the list in an opposite direction.

21. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a display for

displaying the selected data.

22. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first and second memory

each comprise a read-write memory.

23. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a chip select

coupled to the CPU in the first and second memory for selecting

therebetween.

24. A method for recording time and services of a provider for

a client comprising the steps of: providing a central processing unit including timer, first

memory, second memory, a first data selector, a second data

selector, and a timer selector, each being operatively coupled to the

CPU;

storing in the first memory selectable data entries

corresponding to the providers, the clients and the services in each

of a plurality of corresponding selectable lists;

storing in the second memory a portion of the selectable data

from each of said lists along with corresponding time interval data

therefor;

selecting upon each sequential actuation of the first data

selector, data stored in the first memory corresponding to a

particular list;

selecting upon each sequential actuation of the second data

selector, data from each list stored in the second memory

corresponding to a particular entry in each respective list to be

selected;

actuating the timer selector for starting the timer and then

actuating the timer selector for stopping the timer to thereby

establish time interval data corresponding to an elapsed time

between actuations; and

entering upon at least one of said actuations the selected

data and the time interval data into the second memory.

25. A method for operating an apparatus for recording time,

services and providers for clients comprising:

displaying at least one provider from a stored list of providers

and incrementing the list until a desired provider is displayed;

displaying at least one client from a stored list of clients and

incrementing the list until a desired client is displayed;

displaying at least one service from a list of services and

incrementing the list until a desired service is displayed;

actuating a sequentially operable timing switch, a first

actuation for starting a timer and a second subsequent actuation for

stopping the timer to thereby establish time interval data

corresponding to the elapsed time between said actuations; and

recording upon at least one of said actuations the selected

provider, client and service and time interval data.

26. The method according to claim 25, further including

preventing any change in selected client, provider and service

between the first and second actuations.

27. An apparatus for recording data in real time comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU) including a timer for

producing time interval data; a first memory coupled to the CPU for storing selectable data

entries corresponding to the providers, the clients, and the services

in each of a plurality of corresponding selectable lists;

a second memory coupled to the CPU for storing an entry of

the selectable data from each of said lists along with corresponding

time interval data;

a first data selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially

actuable and operative for selecting upon each sequential actuation

thereof data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular

list for entry into the second memory;

a second data selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially

actuable and operative for selecting upon sequential actuations

thereof data stored in the first memory corresponding to a particular

entry in each corresponding list; and

a timer selector coupled to the CPU being sequentially

actuable and operative successively for starting the timer and then

stopping the timer upon sequential actuations thereof to establish

the time interval data corresponding to the elapsed time between

starting the timer and stopping the timer and for entering the

selected data and the time interval data into the second memory.

28. A data logging system comprising:

a timer startable and stopable for producing time interval

data; first memory for storing selectable data entries in each of a

plurality of selectable lists;

second memory for storing selected portions of the

selectable data from each of said lists along with corresponding

time interval data therefor;

sequentially actuable first data selector means operatively

coupled to the first memory operative successively for selecting

upon sequential actuations thereof data stored in the first memory

corresponding to a particular list for entry into the second memory;

sequentially actuable second data selector means operatively

coupled to the first memory operative successively for selecting

upon sequential actuations thereof data stored in the first memory

corresponding to a particular entry in each respective list;

sequentially actuable timer selector means operatively

coupled to the timer and the second memory and operative

successively for starting and stopping the timer respectively upon

single sequential actuations thereof and for entering upon at least

one of said actuations the data selected by the second data selector

means into the second memory.