Patent ID: 7492472

Claim:
A public access multifunction device comprising: a marking engine; a scanning engine; a controller controlling the marking and scanning, engines; a printing service module in communication with the marking engine and a controller, the printing service module, in response to instructions from the controller, receiving print data from the controller and employing the marking engine to produce hard copy of print data; a scanning service module in communication with the scanning engine and the controller, the scanning service module, in response to instructions from the controller, receiving scanned data from the scanning engine and transmitting it to the controller; a copying service module in communication with the scanning engine and the marking engine, the copying service module accepting input from the scanning engine and reproducing the scanning engine input with the marking engine to produce a hard copy of the scanning engine input; at least one data port responsive to the controller through which the device can accept and transmit data; a storage medium responsive to the controller on which the device can store print and scanning data, as well as other files required for its operation; a payment acceptance; and an authorization system which senses an approaching user and sends inquiries via wireless communications protocols to determine whether the user is carrying an electronic device that can provide identification and a password to the user's account.