Patent ID: 8122513

Claim:
A data storage device that is accessible by a specific user, the data storage device comprising: an issuing unit configured to issue authentication information to confirm that a second user other than the specific user has a right to use a predetermined storage area; a registering unit configured to register the authentication information and a folder path as a pair after authentication information is issued by the issuing unit, wherein a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) including the authentication information is sent to a terminal operated by the second user from a terminal of the specific user; an obtaining unit configured to obtain a request to store data sent from the terminal operated by the second user and the authentication information issued by the issuing unit, wherein the obtaining unit extracts the authentication information from the URL included in the request to store data, and wherein an authentication unit performs authentication based on the extracted authentication information without requiring input of the authentication information by the second user; a sending unit configured to specify a folder path registered with the authentication information in pairs in accordance with a success of the authentication by the authentication unit and send a registration screen for uploading data to the specified folder path to the terminal operated by the second user, wherein the registration screen is not sent to the terminal operated by the second user when authentication is not successful; and a storage unit configured to store data which is selected by the second user via the registration screen sent by the sending unit and which is to be input, wherein the specific user requests the issuing unit to issue the authentication information for the second user.