Patent ID: 7356836
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for selectively limiting a user's use of a computer, comprising: receiving on the computer user authorization settings, including one or more defined time periods during which the user is authorized to use or restricted from use of the computer and one or more computer functions for which the user's use is authorized or restricted, for at least one user; receiving from the user a request to perform an action on the computer; and 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; 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; and saving a state of the computer when the user's use of the computer is terminated such that one or more computer applications open when the user's use of the computer is terminated are automatically restored at a later instance when the user completes a successful login.