Students at Wits University had been finding it difficult to gain access to a computer in order to get their assignments done because enthusiastic students were always hogging all the University PCs. The staff at the University decided that the best way to get around this problem was to give each student, enrolled in specific classes, a card that would contain a certain number of hours of credit. When inserted into a card-reader on the computer, this card would open up the computer for use by the student until such a time that he/she had used up all his/her hours. After this, the student would have to have more hours loaded onto the card before any more access would be allowed. Cards (and time) could be lost or stolen, but if reported, they could always be replaced.
The VELOCIT-e PC-LockPlus card-reader suited this application perfectly. One was installed into each of the required computers and a supervisor computer was set-up with a ReaderPlus card-reader that was capable of loading time onto cards for the students. The students did not have access to the supervisor computer so this made things easy total access time to the PCs could be split up into reasonable budgets for everyone, so that all students received the appropriate allocation of time.
PC-LockPlus usage
The PC-LockPlus chip card-reader is a small unit that either fits into a standard stiffie mounting bay in an IBM Compatible PC, or is connected externally to the PC as a desktop unit. It is intended for applications where access time to a PC has to be controlled, for example, selling access time to the Internet, video games or general PC usage as described here.
It inspects an inserted card for the correct security code and positive time balance, and if found, unlocks both the keyboard and mouse, allowing access to the authorised user. A small display on the card-reader shows the amount of time remaining on the card in hours and minutes and it can be seen to decrement at one-minute intervals while the card is inserted.
Access is allowed until time on the card runs out, or the card is removed, when the keyboard and mouse are again disabled. 'Supervisor' cards can also be used, which, when inserted into the PC-Lock, will allow permanent access while the card is in the reader, displaying the message 'SUP' on the display panel during this period. No software is required in order to use the PC-Lock card-reader, as the key-lock and mouse cables are physically connected and disconnected by a relay within the unit in order for it to perform its function.
Time rate configurable
The PC-Lock has time-divider jumpers, which can be set-up, so that different PCs can be configured to consume credits on the card at different rates. For example, a unit may be configured for a video games machine, which must be twice as expensive as an Internet access machine. If a card containing, lets say, 10 h when in the Internet machine, is placed in the games machine, it will be seen to have only 5 h of credit.
Normally, a client purchases time from a vendor’s cashier, who would use VELOCIT-e's TimeLimit software and a Reader-Plus card-reader/writer to convert the required cash amount into time on the card. The TimeLimit software provides login capabilities for each cashier and full audit trail functions which may be categorised into shifts per cashier. This eliminates the need for concern over cash being passed between client and staff without entering the financial process. Now the students have no excuse for either hogging the computers or getting their assignments done.
For details contact VELOCIT-e
tel: (011) 258-6900
fax: (011) 258-6939
e-mail: [email protected]
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