System and method for providing alternative authentication modes in multifunction peripherals

A method comprising:

• storing a pluggable authentication module in a memory;
• displaying a login prompt on a user interface in accordance with operation of the pluggable authentication module;
• receiving, from a user, user login information responsive to the displayed login prompt via the user interface;
• sending the user login information to an associated authentication server via a network interface;
• receiving a credentialed username and its associated device permission for the user from the associated authentication server via the network interface;
• creating a temporary device user based on the credentialed username and device permission;
• logging the temporary device user into a multifunction peripheral;
• and
• enabling services in the multifunction peripheral in accordance with the device permission.

A method comprising:

• placing a multifunction peripheral in idle mode;
• showing a login prompt on a touchscreen display of the multifunction peripheral during the idle mode;
• receiving user login information from a user responsive to the login prompt via the touchscreen display;
• sending received user login information to an authentication server via a network interface;
• receiving a username and device permission associated with the user from the authentication server;
• and
• creating a temporary user in accordance with the received username and device permission;
• logging the temporary user into the multifunction peripheral;
• controlling access to one or more features of the multifunction peripheral in accordance with the device permission.