Data conversion method and apparatus

A data relaying apparatus connected to a client device through a first network and to a server device through a second network, comprising:

• means for analyzing a command inputted from said client device;
• means for checking whether or not a conversion instruction information is included in said command, the conversion instruction information instructing a conversion processing to said command, and reading out and storing said conversion instruction information from said command when said information is contained in said command;
• means for transmitting said command from which said conversion instruction information is removed, to said server device;
• means for receiving a response command responding to said command after removal of said conversion instruction information, from said server device;
• means for generating a conversion command by converting said response command on the basis of said conversion instruction information;
• and
• means for transmitting said conversion command with said conversion instruction information to said client device.

A data transmission method of a network system having a data relay apparatus connected to a client device through a first network and to a server device through a second network, comprising the steps of:

• analyzing, in said data relay apparatus, a command inputted from said client device, deleting conversion instruction information from said command when said conversion instruction information instructing conversion processing is contained in said command, and transmitting the result to said server device;
• transmitting, in said server device receiving said command after removal of said conversion instruction information, a response command responding to said command after removal of said conversion instruction information to said data relay apparatus;
• and
• converting, in said data relay apparatus receiving said response command, said response command and generating a conversion command on the basis of said conversion instruction information, and transmitting said conversion command with said conversion instruction information to said client device.

An information storage medium for storing a data conversion function for data relay, for use in a data relay apparatus connected to a client device through a first network and to a server device through a second network, wherein said information storage medium has a program code that can be read and executed by a computer in such a manner as to be loaded into said data relay apparatus, and said code has a function of analyzing a command inputted from said client device;

• a function of deleting conversion instruction information from a command when said command contains said conversion instruction information instructing the conversion processing, and transmitting said command to said server device;
• a function of receiving a response command responding to said command after removal of said conversion instruction information, from said server device;
• a function of generating a conversion command by converting said response command on the basis of said conversion instruction information;
• and a function of transmitting said conversion command with said conversion instruction information to said client device.