Patent ID: 7831665

Claim:
A multifunction communication system, comprising: a scanner that scans and receives data scanned from one or more images on a medium; a multifunction device that processes data received from the scanner, comprising: a user interface that allows a user to enter commands to configure at least one functional aspect of the multifunction device, wherein the user is presented with a logical progression of prompts that inquire of user information that is needed to complete an email function, said user interface further including a customizable special key for accessing a list of at least one of commonly used email addresses, portions of email addresses, and user-specific email addresses; an authentication component that communicates with the user interface that requires the user to enter a valid username and password associated with a particular user account via the user interface to access the specific functionality of the multifunction device, wherein said particular user account has a particular security level designating at least one of email and functionality capabilities; and an email component that facilitates sending one or more email messages that contain data received from the scanner, said email component having an auto-send to self feature, automatically sending a copy of each email message to the sender along with the selected recipients, wherein said logical progression of prompts is dependent on the enablement or disablement of authentication, said enablement or disablement disposed to determine the particular progression of prompts displayed to the user, and wherein upon enablement of authentication, said username and password are associated with said particular user account including a particular set of data specific to the particular user account, including at least one of user-specific address book, a user-specific group list and a user-specific default subject line; a timing device that designates a period of time before the user is automatically logged off the account, said timing device capable of utilizing messaging prompts that require the user to make an active decision to log off or remain authenticated, wherein said timing device is configured to interface with said authentication component to establish said designated periods of time; a processing component that is separate from and communicates with the multifunction device, interfaces with one or more peripheral devices and runs one or more applications employed to communicate with the multifunction device; and a receiving component that receives at least one email message from the multifunction device, wherein said particular set of data is stored on at least one of said processing component and said multifunction device.