Print control apparatus and method, and print system

A print control method of performing user authentication processing in print processing, comprising:

• an authentication request step, of transmitting, to an authentication server, authentication information held by a holding unit for holding authentication information input from software for generating print data, and requesting authentication;
• and
• an output step, of transmitting the authentication information held by the holding unit to the authentication server and if authentication succeeds, outputting print data to a printer.

A computer-readable medium which stores a computer program for performing user authentication processing in print processing, the program comprising:

• an authentication request step, of transmitting, to an authentication server, authentication information held by a holding unit for holding authentication information input from software for generating print data, and requesting authentication;
• and
• an output step, of transmitting the authentication information held by the holding unit to the authentication server and if authentication succeeds, outputting print data to a printer.

A print system for performing user authentication processing in print processing, comprising:

• a print control apparatus having a holding unit for holding authentication information input from software for generating print data, an authentication request unit for transmitting the authentication information held by said holding unit to an authentication server and requesting authentication, and an output unit for transmitting the authentication information held by said holding unit to the authentication server and if authentication succeeds, outputting print data to a printer;
• and
• an authentication server connected to said print control apparatus.