Data storage device and control method therefor

A data storage device for reading data from and/or writing data to a memory medium having a user access area for recording the data and a management information area for recording a management information in a predetermined form, access to said user access area being enabled by acquiring said management information in said predetermined form, comprising:

• an acquisition unit for acquiring said management information to access said user access area;
• and
• a controller for moving said management information from said management information area to another area, and recording the management information on said another area so that said acquisition unit cannot acquire said management information in the predetermined form from said management information area,
• wherein said acquisition unit acquires said management information from said another area on a predetermined condition.

A method for controlling a data storage device for reading data from and/or writing data to a memory medium having a user access area for recording the data and a management information area for recording a management information in a predetermined form, access to said user access area being enabled by acquiring said management information in said predetermined form, comprising the steps of:

• converting said management information recorded in the predetermined form into another form;
• recording the converted management information on said management information area so that said management information in said predetermined form cannot be acquired from said management information area;
• and
• restoring said converted management information to said predetermined form on a predetermined condition so that said management information in the predetermined form can be acquired from said management information area to access said user access area.

A method for controlling a data storage device for reading data from and/or writing data to a memory medium having a user access area for recording the data and a management information area for recording a management information in a predetermined form, access to said user access area being enabled by acquiring said management information in said predetermined form, comprising the steps of:

• moving said management information from said management information area to another area;
• recording said management information on said another area so that said management information in the predetermined form cannot be acquired from said management information area;
• and
• acquiring said management information from said another area on a predetermined condition to access said user access area.