Abstract: An information providing apparatus is disclosed that integrally provides information that may be shared by plural applications and information that is dedicated to a particular application. The information providing apparatus includes a merge unit that merges a first information providing unit and a second information providing unit. The merge unit includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information pertaining to a user in response to a request from a predetermined application of plural applications, the information acquisition unit acquiring information shared by the applications from the first information providing unit and information dedicated to the predetermined application from the second information providing unit. The merge unit also includes an information integrating unit that integrates the information acquired from the first information providing unit and the information acquired from the second information providing unit.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed that uses a function of an external apparatus using certificate information from an authentication apparatus for authenticating a user. The information processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives authentication information for causing the authentication apparatus to authenticate the user; a first acquiring unit that acquires first certification information indicating that the user has been authenticated by sending the authentication information to the authentication apparatus; and a second acquiring unit that acquires second certification information for using a function of the external apparatus from the authentication apparatus based on the first certification information. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that, even if a certificate for using a service expires, can continue using the service without having the user notice the expiration.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing user information regarding a plurality of users includes a source determining unit configured to receive from a client a request for obtaining first user information and to determine, based on user identifying information contained in the request, a source from which the first user information is obtained, and two or more user information obtaining units each configured to serve as the source determined by the source determining unit to obtain the first user information, wherein at least one of the two or more user information obtaining units configured to transmit the request for obtaining first user information to another apparatus for managing user information via a network.

Abstract: An information providing apparatus is disclosed that integrally provides information that may be shared by plural applications and information that is dedicated to a particular application. The information providing apparatus includes a merge unit that merges a first information providing unit and a second information providing unit. The merge unit includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information pertaining to a user in response to a request from a predetermined application of plural applications, the information acquisition unit acquiring information shared by the applications from the first information providing unit and information dedicated to the predetermined application from the second information providing unit. The merge unit also includes an information integrating unit that integrates the information acquired from the first information providing unit and the information acquired from the second information providing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing user information regarding a plurality of users includes a source determining unit configured to receive from a client a request for obtaining first user information and to determine, based on user identifying information contained in the request, a source from which the first user information is obtained, and two or more user information obtaining units each configured to serve as the source determined by the source determining unit to obtain the first user information, wherein at least one of the two or more user information obtaining units configured to transmit the request for obtaining first user information to another apparatus for managing user information via a network.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed that uses a function of an external apparatus using certificate information from an authentication apparatus for authenticating a user. The information processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives authentication information for causing the authentication apparatus to authenticate the user; a first acquiring unit that acquires first certification information indicating that the user has been authenticated by sending the authentication information to the authentication apparatus; and a second acquiring unit that acquires second certification information for using a function of the external apparatus from the authentication apparatus based on the first certification information. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that, even if a certificate for using a service expires, can continue using the service without having the user notice the expiration.