Patent ID: 8064789

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a processor configured to execute system side software that provides system side services to application software; an authentication module setting unit configured to add an authentication module and set the authentication module to perform use restriction of the application software in conjunction with the processor; an authentication information obtaining unit configured to obtain, in conjunction with the processor, authentication information used to determine whether the use restriction of the application software may be released; and a display unit, wherein the authentication module, when executed by the processor, is configured to cause the display unit to display an authentication screen at a predetermined timing, the authentication module, when executed by the processor, is configured to permit the application software to display a screen for using the application software instead of the authentication screen, and the application software, when executed by the processor, is configured to perform processing based on an operation from a user in response to the authentication information obtained by the authentication information obtaining unit satisfying an authentication condition.