Patent ID: 7818789
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for selectively limiting a user's use of a computer in a local network wherein at least one computer in the local network has a group policy object for the user, comprising: receiving on the computer at least one group policy object containing user authorization settings for at least one user, the user authorization settings including one or more defined time periods during which the user is authorized to use the computer; transmitting a request to temporarily modify the user authorization settings by modifying at least one of the one or more defined time periods, wherein a temporary modification overrides at least one user authorization setting until a certain date or until a certain time has elapsed; receiving from the user a request to perform an action on the computer; determining based on the user authorization settings whether the user is authorized to perform the action on the computer, and, if so, performing the action, and terminating the user's use of the computer outside of the one or more defined time periods during which the user is authorized to use the computer.