Patent ID: 7904728

Claim:
An image-forming system comprising: an image-forming device; a first consumable resource configured to be consumed by the device in forming a printed image; an authorization granting interface coupled to the resource and configured based upon authorized users of the resource; a user interface configured to receive authorization input from a prospective user; and a processor in communication with the user interface, wherein the processor is configured to determine if a prospective user is authorized to use the resource based upon the authorization input and interaction with the granting interface, wherein the authorization granting interface is configured to remain coupled to unused portions of the consumable resource upon withdrawal of the unused portions of the consumable resource from the image forming device, wherein the authorization granting interface is configured to grant a first authorization level in which use of the resource by a first user is denied, a second authorization level in which a second user is granted a first extent of rights to use the resource and a third authorization level in which a third user is granted a second extent of rights, different than the first extent of rights, to use the resource.