Glossary

An alphabetical reference of domain terms used throughout HandyCafe documentation.

Admin Panel The main monitoring dashboard in HandyCafe Server. It displays all connected clients, their statuses, and active sessions. It also provides action buttons on each client card for session control and remote management operations.

Commission Rate A percentage used to express payment processing fees. For example, 1% or 5%. Used in payment method configuration to define the cost of accepting a particular payment method.

Binary Protocol A compact encoding format used for TCP communication between the HandyCafe Server and clients. Chosen for its speed and small message size compared to text-based formats.

Client A customer-facing PC running the HandyCafe Client software. Clients connect to the server over the local network, receive session commands, and report status and usage data. Each client is identified by its MAC address and hostname.

Connection Key A shared secret configured on both the server and each client during setup. It is used to generate cryptographic authentication tokens for TCP communication, ensuring that only authorized devices can exchange commands with the server.

Console A gaming device such as a PlayStation or Xbox that is managed by HandyCafe. Consoles support sessions, pricing, and member usage just like client PCs but do not run the HandyCafe Client software. They are tracked by MAC address.

Cybercafe / Cyber Cafe A business that provides public access to computers and internet connectivity, typically charging by the hour. Also referred to as an internet cafe. HandyCafe manages all aspects of cybercafe operations including sessions, billing, and memberships.

Device Restriction A setting that specifies which types of devices a wallet credit, time credit, or pricing rule applies to. Possible values are: client (PCs), console (gaming consoles), PCs only, consoles only, or both (any device).

Esports Arena A venue dedicated to competitive gaming and esports events, often featuring high-performance PCs, tournament staging areas, and spectator seating. HandyCafe supports esports arenas with session management, member tracking, and console billing.

Entitlement The value a member receives from purchasing a package. This may be a time credit (prepaid minutes of session usage), a monetary wallet balance, or a combination of both. Entitlements are recorded as credit entries in the member's wallet or time balance.

FX Rate Foreign exchange rate used for converting the base currency to a local display currency. This allows cafes in regions with different currencies to price in their local currency while maintaining a consistent internal accounting base.

Gaming Center A commercial venue where customers pay to use PCs or gaming consoles, typically offering high-performance hardware and a social gaming environment. HandyCafe is built to manage gaming center operations from session billing to membership programs.

Cryptographic Authentication A message verification mechanism used to ensure the integrity and authenticity of TCP messages between the server and clients. Both parties use the Connection Key to compute and validate authentication codes.

Internet Cafe A business providing customers with timed access to computers and internet services. Internet cafes are the primary use case for HandyCafe, which handles session management, pricing, membership programs, and point-of-sale operations.

Idle The client state when the PC is connected to the server but no session is active. In idle state, the client displays the lock screen (IdlePage) and awaits session start, member login, or administrative action.

Wallet Credit / Time Credit A discrete entry of wallet balance or prepaid minutes created by a top-up or package purchase. Each credit entry records its origin (cash top-up, package entitlement, campaign bonus), remaining value, and applicable device restriction. Credits are consumed in order during session settlement.

MAC Address A hardware identifier assigned to a network interface. HandyCafe uses MAC addresses to uniquely identify clients and consoles, ensuring that devices are recognized even if their IP addresses change.

mDNS (Multicast DNS) A protocol for automatic service discovery on local networks. HandyCafe clients announce their presence via mDNS, allowing the server to detect them without manual IP configuration.

Member A registered customer with a profile in the HandyCafe system. Members have a wallet, tier level, and transaction history. They can log in at client PCs for personalized sessions. Members may also have OAuth-linked accounts.

Minor Units The smallest denomination of a currency, used internally for all financial calculations to avoid floating-point rounding errors. For example, USD uses cents (1 dollar = 100 minor units), while JPY uses yen directly (1 yen = 1 minor unit).

Multiplier A factor applied to the base hourly rate within a pricing schedule slot. A multiplier of 1.0 means the standard rate applies. A multiplier of 1.5 means the rate is 50% higher (e.g., peak hours), while 0.5 means half price (e.g., off-peak discounts).

PC Bang A Korean-style internet cafe and gaming center where customers pay for hourly PC access. PC bangs are known for high-end gaming hardware and competitive gaming culture. HandyCafe supports PC bang operations with flexible pricing schedules and session management.

Online The client state during an active session. When online, the client displays the desktop interface (OnlinePage), allowing the customer to use applications, browse, and interact with the client menu.

Postpaid A session billing mode where the customer uses the PC freely and pays at the end based on actual usage duration. The final cost is calculated at session close using the pricing schedule segments that apply.

Prepaid A session billing mode where the customer pays upfront for a fixed duration. The session ends automatically when the purchased time expires, unless extended.

Pricing Segment A portion of a session during which a single pricing multiplier applies. Segment boundaries are created by events such as session start, pause, resume, or a pricing slot transition in the schedule.

Pricing Slot A color-coded zone in the weekly pricing schedule grid. Each slot defines a time range and a multiplier that modifies the base hourly rate. Slots can cover specific hours on specific days, enabling different pricing for peak vs. off-peak periods.

Role A named set of permissions assigned to a cashier account. Roles define what actions a cashier can perform (e.g., start sessions, manage members, view reports). Multiple cashiers can share the same role and permissions are enforced throughout the interface.

Segment Boundary An event that triggers the creation of a new pricing segment within a session. Boundaries include: session start, session stop, session pause, session resume, and pricing slot change (when the clock crosses from one pricing slot to another).

Session A timed period of PC or console usage by a customer. Sessions track start time, end time, pauses, pricing segments, and the total amount charged. They can be prepaid or postpaid.

Settlement The calculation performed when a session ends to determine the final cost. Settlement processes all pricing segments, applies the relevant multipliers, adds startup fees and VAT, deducts any member discounts, and produces the total amount due.

Shift A cashier's work period from login to logout. All transactions, session operations, and administrative actions performed during a shift are attributed to the logged-in cashier. Shift data is used for accountability and performance analysis.

Startup Fee A minimum charge applied per session regardless of duration. If a session's calculated cost (based on time and pricing) is less than the startup fee, the startup fee is charged instead. This ensures a baseline revenue per session.

Sync The process of file synchronization from the HandyCafe Server to client PCs. Uses manifest-based comparison and chunk-based transfer to efficiently distribute files across the network.

Tier A loyalty level in the member tier system. Tiers are defined by point thresholds and provide discount rates on sessions and orders. As members accumulate points through spending, they advance to higher tiers with better benefits.

Transaction A financial record of a payment for a session, order, wallet top-up, or other billable event. Transactions record the amount, payment method, associated member or cashier, and timestamp.

VAT (Value Added Tax) A percentage tax applied to session charges and order amounts. The VAT rate is configured in the pricing settings and is factored into the settlement calculation. VAT amounts are tracked separately for tax reporting purposes.

Wallet A member's prepaid monetary balance stored in the HandyCafe system. The wallet is composed of one or more credit entries and can be used to pay for sessions, orders, and other services. Top-ups can be made via cash, packages, or campaigns.