The ChipNet Time Control application facilitates charging for time spent using a PC.  The PC Time Control software is installed on each client workstation to be controlled, and a PC SmartCard reader is connected to a serial port on each PC.

A PC Time Control Administration Card is supplied with any order for PC Time Control.  This card carries information regarding the number of seats purchased and must be installed at each workstation at which the software is to be installed.  The same card is used to gain access to the Administration functions of the software.

This is how it works:

When the user logs on to the PC, a prompt will appear detailing the cost per period (both cost and period of time are configured by the administrator) and asks the user to insert their card.  The charge is then deducted from the user’s card.

When the specified time period has elapsed, the system can be configured either to prompt the user again, or the automatically deduct the required charge from the card.

If the system is configured to prompt the user when the time has run out, then he or she has three options:

1. Pay for the next time period
2. Log off from the PC
3. Opt for a grace period
   
    

The grace period, which is also configurable, allows the user enough time to either save their work before logging off, or to go and revalue their card, if necessary.

If required, PIN protection can be implemented for departmental usage.

The ChipNet PC Time Control Software will run under:

Window NT 4.0 and later

Windows 2000

The PC Time Control software must be installed on each client PC to be controlled.

If the Client PC’s are networked, the option exists to nominate a PC as an Admin PC.  This PC does not run the core application, but instead managers the setting, such as pricing, happy hours, etc to be applied to all the workstations at which the application is in use.  The Admin PC will apply the same settings to all workstations across the network.  If a separate configuration is required for a particular PC, the settings for that PC can be edited locally.

In the networked environment, the transactions generated at each of the workstations are collected by the Admin PC and stored at a specified location.  The transactions can then be imported into the ChipNet software for reporting purposes.

There are no limitations regarding the type of network in place, unless there is 3^rd Party Graphical Identification and Authentication (GINA) software running on the PCs, as may be a feature of some Novell networks.