Apparatus, authentication system, and authentication method

An authentication system for coupling through a network to an external authentication system that allows use of an external service, the authentication system comprising:

• an apparatus;
• and
• a server apparatus configured to provide a given service through authentication performed by the external authentication system,
• wherein the apparatus includes:
• a web browser;
• and
• a storing unit configured to store a cookie that is managed through the web browser and that is deletable;
• wherein
• the web browser is configured to
• transmit to the external authentication system authentication credentials to be used for the authentication performed by the external authentication system in response to an input of the authentication credentials to request the authentication to be performed by the external authentication system,
• acquire from the external authentication system a first cookie indicating that the authentication credentials have been authenticated by the external authentication system in accordance with a successful result of the authentication that has been requested, and
• cause the storing unit to store the first cookie,
• wherein the server apparatus includes a generating unit configured to generate a second cookie indicating that the use of the given service has been allowed, after the web browser causes the storing unit to store the first cookie, and
• wherein the web browser is configured to
• after the storing unit stores the first cookie, acquire the second cookie from the generating unit of the server apparatus, cause the storing unit to store the second cookie,
• after the storing unit stores the second cookie, transmit to the external service a request for ending the use of the external service in accordance with an operation for ending the use of the external service on a given screen,
• receive a response to the request from the external service, and
• cause the storing unit to delete the first cookie.

An authentication method used in an apparatus for coupling through a network to an external authentication system that allows use of an external service and to a service providing system that provides a given service through authentication performed by the external authentication system, the authentication method comprising:

• storing in a storing unit a cookie that is managed through the web browser and that is deletable;
• transmitting to the external authentication system authentication credentials to be used for the authentication performed by the external authentication system in response to an input of the authentication credentials to request the authentication to be performed by the external authentication system;
• acquiring from the external authentication system a first cookie indicating that the authentication credentials have been authenticated by the external authentication system in accordance with a successful result of the authentication that has been requested, to store the first cookie in the storing unit;
• acquiring from the service providing system a second cookie indicating that the use of the given service has been allowed, after the first cookie is stored in the storing unit, to store the second cookie in the storing unit;
• and
• transmitting to the external service a request for ending the use of the external service in accordance with an operation for ending the use of the external service on a given screen, after the second cookie is stored in the storing unit, to receive a response to the request from the external service and to delete the first cookie from the storing unit.