Data storage system

Abstract

A data storage system including data sending/receiving nodes and a relay node, which is provided between the data sending/receiving nodes and a network, for relaying data between said data sending/receiving nodes and said network. The relay node has a meta-data memory for registering data processes which should be conducted in the relay node as meta-data, and a data processor for conducting data process in accordance with the processes defined by the meta-data registered in said meta-data registering memory. In the relay node, meta-data designated by said data sending/receiving node is selected from the meta-data registering memory, and data sent from said data sending/receiving node or data received by said data sending/receiving node is processed in accordance with the processes defined by the selected meta-data.

1 . A data storage system comprising: 
 at least one data sending/receiving node; and    a relay node provided between said data sending/receiving node and at least one second node, wherein the relay node is for relaying data between said data sending/receiving node and said second node and comprises: 
 a meta-data registering means for registering data processes which should be conducted in said relay node as meta-data; and  
 a data processing means for conducting data processing in accordance with the processes defined by the meta-data registered in said meta-data registering means,  
 wherein the data processing means is for receiving request data sent by the data sending/receiving node or the second node, wherein the request data includes sending data and destination data,  
 wherein the data processing means is for processing the sending data in accordance with processes defined by the meta-data stored in said data registering means and designated by the request data, and  
 wherein the destination data identifies a destination node for transmission of the processed sending data from the relay node, and wherein the destination node is the data sending/receiving node or the second node.  
   
   
   
       2 . A data storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the relay node further comprises a data service server that provides for transmission of the processed sending data to the destination node.  
   
   
       3 . A data storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein said relay node comprises a sending/receiving data memory means for storing data sent/received by said data sending/receiving node via said relay node, wherein said meta-data registering means registers meta-data, which define processes for automatically storing data sent/received from/by said data sending/receiving node, in said sending/receiving data memory means, and wherein data sent/received from/by said data sending/receiving node via said relay node is automatically stored in said sending/receiving data memory means.  
   
   
       4 . A data storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein meta-data defining processes for converting the data format of the sending data received at the relay node to a data format required by the destination node is registered in said meta-data registering means, and 
 wherein, when said relay node receives the sending data, the relay node converts the data format of said sending data to a format required by the destination node.    
   
   
       5 . A data storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein meta-data, which define processes for converting the data format of the sending data from an original format to a data format used in the destination node, are registered in said meta-data registering means, and 
 wherein, when said relay node receives the sending data, the relay node converts the data format of said sending data to a data format used in the destination node.    
   
   
       6 . A data storage system according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a charge calculating means for calculating a charge for using the system for each data sending/receiving node, wherein the charge for using the system is calculated on the basis of the number of times which the data processing means in the relay node conducts data processing and/or the type of the processing that the data processing means conducts.    
   
   
       7 . A data storage system according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a charge calculating means for calculating a charge for using the system for each data sending/receiving node, wherein the charge for using the system is calculated on the basis of the amount of computer resources used in the relay node.    
   
   
       8 . The data storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the relay node is for relaying data between said data sending/receiving node and a network, and via said network, to the second node, wherein the second node is an outer node distinct from the data sending/receiving node.  
   
   
       9 . The data storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the relay node is for relaying data between said data sending/receiving node and a network, and via said network, to the second node, wherein the second node is an outer node distinct from the data sending/receiving node, and wherein said destination node is the second node.  
   
   
       10 . The data storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said meta-data comprises data relative to providing output in a visually readable format.  
   
   
       11 . The data storage system of  claim 10 , wherein said output in a visually readable format is a debit note form.