Patent ID: 8582144

Claim:
An information processing device which is connectable to at least one multifunction printer via a communication network, carries out user authentication based on user information read by a user information reading device that is locally connected to a multifunction printer, and controls, according to a result of the user authentication, the multifunction printer to which the user information reading device is locally connected, the information processing device comprising: a user information reading device management portion for (i) requesting the multifunction printer to allow the information processing device to be connected to the user information reading device which is locally connected to the multifunction printer and (ii) carrying out a virtualization process for virtually connecting the user information reading device to the information processing device, and (iii) controlling a status of the connection between the information processing device and the user information reading device which is virtually connected to the information processing device; and a multifunction printer association management section for associating the multifunction printer controlled by the information processing device with the user information reading device that is locally connected to the multifunction printer.