Methods and apparatus for facilitating data communications between a data storage device and an information-processing apparatus

A method, comprising:

• storing first data, which includes second data, and first authentication information with respect to the first data, in a first memory of a data storage device, the first memory having a first storing area and a second storing area;
• storing third data, which includes fourth data, the fourth data being associated with the second data, and second authentication information with respect to the third data, in the second storing area of the first memory;
• controlling (i) data communication between the data storage device and an information-processing apparatus, and (ii) manipulation of at least one of the first data and the thiro data by the information-processing apparatus, based on authentication information from the information-processing apparatus, and at least one of the first and second authentication information;
• and
• processing the fourth data based on the associated second data when the information-processing apparatus has manipulated the second data.

A storage medium including a software program stored thereon that is capable of controlling a processor of a data storage device to perform steps, comprising:

• storing first data, which includes second data, and first authentication information with respect to the first data, in a first memory of the data storage device, the first memory having a first storing area and a second storing area;
• storing third data, which includes fourth data, the fourth data being associated with the second data, and second authentication information with respect to the third data, in the second storing area of the first memory;
• controlling (i) data communication between the data storage device and an information-processing apparatus, and (ii) manipulation of at least one of the first data and the third data by the information-processing apparatus, based on authentication information from the information-processing apparatus, and at least one of the first and second authentication information;
• and
• processing the fourth data based on the associated second data when the information-processing apparatus has manipulated the second data.

An information-processing apparatus operable to perform data communication with a data storage device, comprising:

• a data input/output control operable to control data communication with the data storage device;
• a first memory operable to store respective authentication information, which may be used for enabling communication of data corresponding to the respective authentication information from among data stored in the data storage device;
• a second memory operable to store information indicative of the data communication-between the information-processing apparatus and the data storage device, the information being organized in association with the respective authentication information;
• a selector operable to select certain of the information stored in the second memory based on a particular one of the respective authentication information;
• and
• an output control operable to control the output of the selected information to one or more other information-processing apparatus.

A method, comprising:

• controlling data communication between an information-processing apparatus and a data storage device;
• using respective-authentication information stored in a first memory of the information-processing apparatus to enable communication of data corresponding to the respective authentication information from among data stored in the data storage device;
• storing information indicative of the data communication between the information-processing apparatus and the data storage device in a second memory of the information-processing apparatus, the information being organized in association with the respective authentication information;
• selecting certain of the information stored in the second memory based on a particular one of the respective authentication information;
• and
• outputting the selected information to one or more other information-processing apparatus.

A storage medium including a software program stored thereon that is capable of controlling a processor of an information-processing apparatus to perform steps, comprising:

• controlling data communication between the information-processing apparatus and a data storage device;
• using respective authentication information stored in a first memory of the information-processing apparatus to enable communication of data corresponding to the respective authentication information from among data stored in the data storage device;
• storing information indicative of the data communication between the information-processing apparatus and the data storage device in a second memory of the information-processing apparatus, the information being organized in association with the respective authentication information;
• selecting certain of the information stored in the second memory based on a particular one of the respective authentication information;
• and outputting the selected information to another information-processing apparatus.