Abstract:
A relay apparatus configured to communicate with a server which transmits contents corresponding to identification information received by the server, and a terminal which acquires the contents corresponding to the identification information, the relay apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to communicate with the server and the terminal; and a processor configured to: receive first identification information from the server through the communication unit; determine whether first contents corresponding to the received first identification information complies with a first format or a second format; transmit the first identification information to the terminal through the communication unit if the processor determines that the first contents complies with the first format; and transmits, to the terminal through the communication unit, second identification information corresponding to second contents which is acquired by converting the first contents if the processor determines that the first contents complies with the second format.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-074582 filed on Mar. 30, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a relay apparatus, a recording medium storing a program for a relay apparatus, an information processing method and an information processing system 
     Generally, a communication apparatus that uploads an electronic file of a read image to a server or a communication apparatus that prints an electronic file downloaded from a server has been known. 
     Meanwhile, in recent years, an electronic file storing service has been spread which can store an electronic file in a data server on a network prepared by a service provider. For example, Picasa (registered trademark) web album, flickr (registered trademark) may be exemplified. A user may upload a desired electronic file to the electronic file storing server or download a desired electronic file from the electronic file storing server with a personal computer having a web browser. When downloading image data from the electronic file storing server to the personal computer, the user can select a size of an image to be formed by the image data and then download the image data. Most of the electronic file storing services release independent APIs (Application Program Interfaces). The other providers can use the same to provide users with a new service in cooperation with the electronic file storing services. 
     SUMMARY 
     Under such circumstances, such a service can be considered which downloads a desired electronic file to the communication apparatus from the electronic file storing server provided by the service provider. 
     However, an electronic file having a format that cannot be processed in the communication apparatus may be stored in the electronic file storing server that is provided by the service provider. Therefore, the electronic file having a format that cannot be processed in the communication apparatus may be downloaded to the communication apparatus. 
     There is a demand to provide a relay apparatus enabling a terminal to acquire contents of a predetermined format, irrespective of formats of contents to be transmitted from a server, a recording medium storing a program for a relay apparatus, an information processing method and an information processing system. 
     According to the aspect of the present disclosure, a relay apparatus configured to communicate with a server which transmits a content corresponding to identification information received by the server, and with a terminal which acquires the content corresponding to the identification information, comprises: 
     a communication unit configured to communicate with the server and the terminal; and 
     a processor configured to:
         receive first identification information from the server through the communication unit;   determine whether a first content corresponding to the received first identification information complies with a first format or a second format;   transmit the first identification information to the terminal through the communication unit if the processor determines that the first content complies with the first format; and   transmits, to the terminal through the communication unit, second identification information corresponding to a second content which can be acquired by converting the first content if the processor determines that the first content complies with the second format.       

     According to the aspect of the present disclosure, a relay apparatus configured to communicate with a server which transmits a content corresponding to identification information received from the server, and with a terminal which acquires the content corresponding to the identification information, comprises: 
     a communication unit configured to communicate with the server and the terminal; and 
     a processor configured to:
         receive a second identification information, which includes at least a first identification and type information indicative of a conversion type, through the communication unit;   acquire a first content corresponding to the first identification information from the server through the communication unit;   convert the acquired first content into a second content according to the type information included in the received second identification information, the first content complying with a format which is different from a form with which the second content complies;   transmit the converted second content to the terminal through the communication unit.       

     According to the aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium stores a program for controlling a relay apparatus configured to communicate with a server which transmits a content corresponding to identification information received from the server, and with a terminal which acquires the content corresponding to the identification information, the relay apparatus including a memory, a communication unit configured to communicate with the server and with the terminal and a processor being configured to execute the program, the program, when being executed by the processor, causing the relay apparatus to perform steps of: 
     receiving first identification information from the server through the communication unit; 
     determining whether a first content corresponding to the received first identification information complies with a first format or a second format; 
     transmitting the first identification information to the terminal through the communication unit if it is determined that the first content complies with the first format; and 
     transmitting, to the terminal through the communication unit, second identification information corresponding to second content which can be acquired by converting the first content if it is determined that the first content complies with the second format. 
     According to the aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method for a relay apparatus configured to communicate with a server which transmits content corresponding to identification information received by the server, and a terminal which acquires the content corresponding to the identification information, the relay apparatus including a memory, a communication unit configured to communicate with the server and the terminal and a processor, comprises: 
     receiving first identification information from the server through the communication unit; 
     determining whether first content corresponding to the received first identification information complies with a first format or a second format; 
     transmitting the first identification information to the terminal through the communication unit if it is determined that the first content complies with the first format; and 
     transmitting, to the terminal through the communication unit, second identification information corresponding to second content which is acquired by converting the first content if it is determined that the first content complies with the second format. 
     According to the aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing system comprises: 
     a terminal configured to acquire content corresponding to identification information; 
     a relay apparatus configured to communicate with a server which transmits content corresponding to identification information received by the server, and the terminal, 
     wherein the relay apparatus includes:
         a first communication unit configured to communicate with the server and the terminal; and   a first processor configured to:   receive first identification information from the server through the first communication unit;   determine whether first content corresponding to the received first identification information complies with a first format or a second format;   transmit the first identification information to the terminal through the first communication unit if the first processor determines that the first content complies with the first format; and   transmits, to the terminal through the first communication unit, second identification information corresponding to second content which is acquired by converting the first content if the first processor determines that the first content complies with the second format, and       

     wherein the terminal includes:
         a second communication unit configured to communicate with the server and the relay apparatus; and   a second processor configured to:   receive the first identification information from the relay apparatus through the second communication unit;   receive the second identification information from the relay apparatus through the second communication unit;   acquire the first content corresponding to the first identification information from the server through the second communication unit; and
           acquire the second content corresponding to the second identification information from the server through the second communication unit.   
               

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a service cooperating system including a relay apparatus according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the service cooperating system. 
         FIG. 3  is a sequence view showing a flow of information among an MFP, a relay apparatus and a service provision apparatus. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  show examples of a file selection screen request,  FIG. 4C  is an example of a file list,  FIG. 4D  is an example of converted thumbnail specifying information and  FIGS. 4E and 4F  show examples of electronic file information. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing relay processing that is executed in the relay apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing file selection screen preparation processing that is executed in the relay apparatus. 
         FIG. 7A  is a flowchart showing image acquisition/conversion processing that is executed in the relay apparatus and  FIG. 7B  is a flowchart showing conversion execution processing that is executed in the relay apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing download processing that is executed in the MFP. 
         FIG. 9A  is a view pictorially showing a service cooperating system according to a modified embodiment,  FIG. 9B  is a view showing an example of thumbnail specifying information in the service cooperating system according to a modified embodiment and  FIG. 9C  is a view showing an example of converted thumbnail specifying information in the service cooperating system according to a modified embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing an example of a file list in a service cooperating system according to a modified embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing relay processing that is executed in a relay apparatus according to a modified embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     &lt;Outline of Service Cooperating System  10 &gt; 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a service cooperating system  10  includes a multi function peripheral (hereinafter, referred to as ‘MFP’)  100  and a relay apparatus  200  and downloads an electronic file from an electronic file storing service that is provided by a service provider. 
     The MFP  100  is a digital complex machine having printing, scanner, FAX and copying functions. The relay apparatus  200  is a server that is established by a manufacturer of the MFP  100  and mounts program that is necessary to use an API released by the service provider. A service provision apparatus  300  is a well-known Web server that is established on the Internet by the service provider. 
     The relay apparatus  200  of this illustrative embodiment is configured to enable the MFP  100  to acquire contents of a format that can be processed by the MFP  100 , irrespective of formats of contents to be transmitted from the service provision apparatus  300 . In the below, the configuration is specifically described. 
     Here, the ‘service provider’ that is described in this illustrative embodiment provides a service of managing electronic files and releases an API for saving the electronic files in the service provision apparatus  300 , an API for acquiring the electronic files managed by the service provision apparatus  300  and thumbnails of the electronic files, and the like. In the meantime, actually, there is a plurality of MPFs  100  using the service via the relay apparatus  200 . However, in the below, the illustrative embodiment is described, based on one MFP  100 . In this illustrative embodiment, it is assumed that the relay apparatus  200  performs communication with the MFP  100  and communication with the service provision apparatus  300  in accordance with the http. 
     &lt;Hardware Configuration of Service Cooperating System&gt; 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the service cooperating system  10  and the service provision apparatus  300  are connected through a network  400  and transmit and receive data each other. The network  400  is configured by an internet network, for example. In this illustrative embodiment, it is assumed that two service provision apparatuses  300  providing services of two types different from each other (service A, service B) exist on the network  400 . In the below descriptions, when it is necessary to distinguish the two service provision apparatuses  300 , an apparatus that provides the service A is referred to as a service provision apparatus  300 A and an apparatus that provides the service B is referred to as a service provision apparatus  300 B. 
     The MFP  100  mainly has a CPU  101 , a ROM  102 , a RAM  103 , a flash memory  104 , a network interface (I/F)  105 , a printer  106 , a scanner  107 , an input unit  108  and a liquid crystal display apparatus (LCD)  109 , which are connected to each other via a bus line  110 . 
     The CPU  101  executes processing in accordance with programs that are stored in the ROM  102  and flash memory  104 . The ROM  102  is a memory that stores program for controlling operations of the MFP  100 , fixed values and the like. The RAM  103  temporarily stores information that is necessary for the processing of the CPU  101 . The flash memory  104  is an updatable non-volatile memory and stores parameters for communication, phonebook data and the like. In the meantime, the flash memory  104  also stores the other programs such as rendering driver for preparing a screen, based on a text described with a markup language such as XML, and the like, which are not shown and described. 
     The network I/F  105  is a device for performing communication with the other apparatuses via the network  400  and the well-known network hardware may be adopted. The printer  106  is an apparatus that prints an image. The MFP  100  develops (processes) an image file of a JPEG format (hereinafter, referred to as ‘JPEG file’) and prints an image corresponding to the JPEG file by the printer  106 . The scanner  107  is an apparatus that reads out an image. The input unit  108  includes a touch panel for inputting an instruction or information to the MFP  100  and is arranged to overlap with a display surface of the LCD  109 . The MFP  100  develops the JPEG file input through the network I/F  105  and displays the image corresponding to the JPEG file on the LCD  109 . 
     The relay apparatus  200  is an apparatus having the well-known Web server functions and mainly has a CPU  201 , a ROM  202 , a RAM  203 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  204  and a network I/F  207 , which are connected to each other via a bus line  208 . 
     The CPU  201  executes processing in accordance with programs stored in the ROM  202  or HDD  204 . The ROM  202  stores therein programs for controlling the relay apparatus  200 , and the like. The RAM  203  temporarily stores data that is necessary for the processing of the CPU  201 . A correspondence format storage area  203   a  that will be described later is an area that is provided in the RAM  203 . 
     The HDD  204  stores therein communication program  204   a , communication program  204   b  for service A, communication program  204   c  for service B, data conversion program  204   d , conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f  and server program  204   g . The communication program  204   a  is program for relaying the communication between the MFP  100  and the service provision apparatus  300 . 
     The communication program  204   b  for service A and the communication program  204   b  for service B are programs for performing communication with the service provision apparatus  300 , respectively. An HTTP message using the API provided by the service A is prepared in accordance with the communication program  204   b  for service A. An HTTP message using the API provided by the service B is prepared in accordance with the communication program  204   c  for service B. The data conversion program  204   d  is program for converting an electronic file, which is downloaded from the service provision apparatus  300 , into data of a format that can be used in the MFP  100 , together with the conversion module  204   e  or  204   f . The server program  204   g  is program for providing basic functions that are commonly used in most of programs such as relay of transmission and reception of values between a plurality of programs and memory management. The network I/F  207  is a device for performing communication with the other apparatuses connected to the network  400 . 
     &lt;Operations of Service Cooperating System  10 &gt; 
     An example of the operation of the service cooperating system  10  is described with reference to  FIG. 3 . The example of  FIG. 3  shows a flow of data when a user of the MFP  100  downloads an electronic file from the service and selects a printing of the electronic file. 
     First, when the user operates the input unit  108  of the MFP  100  to select a service for downloading an electronic file, the MFP  100  transmits a file selection screen request to the relay apparatus  200  (D 001 ). The file selection screen request is an HTTP message and contains format information indicating a format of data (which can be displayed and printed) that can be processed by the MFP  100 . 
     The file selection screen request shown in  FIG. 4A  includes service specifying information  401  that is information for specifying the service selected by the user, relay apparatus specifying information  402  that designates the relay apparatus  200  and first type format information  404  that designates a format of contents that can be processed by the MFP  100  (which is a source of the request). The first type format information  404  shown in  FIG. 4A  indicates that a JPEG format and a TIFF format are available for the MFP  100  of a transmission source of the file selection screen request. 
     In the meantime, the file selection screen request shown in  FIG. 4B  includes the service specifying information  401 , the relay apparatus specifying information  402  and second type format information  406  indicating a model name (type) of the MFP  100  that is a source of the request. The second type format information  406  shown in  FIG. 4B  indicates that the model name and a firmware version of the MFP  100 , which is the transmission source of the file selection screen request, are B/MFC-999 and 1.0, respectively. 
     Each terminal (including the MFP  100 ) that uses the service through the relay apparatus  200  transmits the file selection screen request including one of the first type format information  404  and the second type format information  406  or both of them to the relay apparatus  200 . In the meantime, when the relay apparatus  200  receives the first type format information  404 , the relay apparatus stores a format designated by the first type format information  404  in the correspondence format storage area  203   a , as ‘correspondence format.’ When the relay apparatus receives the second type format information  406 , the relay apparatus refers to a correspondence database, which is beforehand stored in the HDD  204  and indicates a correspondence relation between a type of each terminal and a format of contents that can be processed by the terminal of the corresponding type, and stores a format of contents that can be processed by a terminal having a model name indicated by the second type format information  406  in the correspondence format storage area  203   a , as a correspondence format. In the below, the format that is stored in the correspondence format storage area  203   a  is simply referred to as the correspondence format of the MFP  100 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , when the relay apparatus  200  receives the file selection screen request, the relay apparatus transmits a file list request to the service provision apparatus  300  of the service (which is selected by the user) (D 002 ). Here, since the API for acquiring the file list from the service is different for each of the services, the relay apparatus  200  prepares the file list request in accordance with the program corresponding to the service designated by the user. Specifically, when the user designates the service A, the relay apparatus  200  prepares the file list request using the API, which is released by the service A, in accordance with the communication program  204   b  for service A stored in the HDD  204  and transmits the same to the service provision apparatus  300 A. In the meantime, the service provision apparatus  300  having received the file list request sends back a file list to the relay apparatus (D 003 ). 
       FIG. 4C  shows an example of the file list. As shown in  FIG. 4C , the file list is information consisting of a text and includes a plurality of individual file information  407 . The one individual file information  407  corresponds to one electronic file that is managed by the service provision apparatus  300 . Each of the individual file information  407  includes thumbnail specifying information  408  and file specifying information  410 . 
     The thumbnail specifying information  408  is information for specifying thumbnail data that is reduced image data of the electronic file, and includes, as attribute values, type information  408   a  and thumbnail URL (Uniform Resource Locator)  408   b . The type information  408   a  indicates a format of the thumbnail data. The thumbnail URL  408   b  is a URL that designates the service provision apparatus  300  as a transmission destination, and is information indicating a location of the thumbnail data. By transmitting a request based on the thumbnail URL  408   b  included in the file list to the service provision apparatus  300 , it is possible to acquire the thumbnail data having a format indicated by the type information  408   a  from the service provision apparatus  300 . The file specifying information  410  is information that indicates a contents ID allotted to each electronic file in the service provision apparatus  300 . 
     Here, when the format of the thumbnail data provided by the service provision apparatus  300  is different from the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , the MFP  100  that is a source of the file list request cannot process the thumbnail data even though the MFP has acquired the thumbnail data. Accordingly, the relay apparatus  200  of this illustrative embodiment checks up, for each of the thumbnail specifying information  408  included in the file list received from the service provision apparatus  300 , the format of the corresponding thumbnail data. Specifically, the relay apparatus acquires a format of the thumbnail data, based on the type information  408   a  included in the thumbnail specifying information  408  or extension included in the thumbnail URL  408   b . When it is determined that a format of the thumbnail data is the correspondence format (for example, when it is determined that a format of the thumbnail data is a JPEG format), the relay apparatus does not change the thumbnail specifying information  408 . On the other hand, when it is determined that a format of the thumbnail data is a non-correspondence format (for example, when it is determined that a format of the thumbnail data is a PNG format), the relay apparatus changes the thumbnail specifying information  408  into converted thumbnail specifying information. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4D , the converted thumbnail specifying information  412  includes type information  412   a  and converted thumbnail URL  412   b . The type information  412   a  is information that indicates a format of the converted thumbnail data (which will be described later), and indicates the correspondence format. The converted thumbnail URL  412   b  is a URL that is used so as to acquire the converted thumbnail data (which will be described later). The converted thumbnail URL  412   b  includes a server name  413   a  that designates the relay apparatus  200  as a transmission destination, module information  413   b  indicating a conversion module that should be used to create converted thumbnail data in the relay apparatus  200  and an org parameter  413   c  that designates the thumbnail URL  408   b , which will be described later. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , in D 004 , when the relay apparatus  200  extracts the thumbnail specifying information  408 , the relay apparatus records the thumbnail specifying information  408  corresponding to the thumbnail data having the correspondence format in an XML text, as it is, and for the thumbnail specifying information  408  corresponding to the thumbnail data having the non-correspondence format, changes the same into the converted thumbnail specifying information  412  and records it in an MXL text (D 004 ). Then, the relay apparatus  200  transmits a message including the MXL text prepared in D 004  to the MFP  100  (D 005 ). 
     In the meantime, when the MFP  100  receives the MXL text of the file selection screen, the MFP extracts the thumbnail URL  408   b  and converted thumbnail URL  412   b  included in the XML text and prepares a thumbnail request. The thumbnail request is an HTTP message using a GET method and includes a URL of thumbnail data that the MFP desires to acquire. Here, the MXL text of the file selection screen includes three patterns, i.e., a pattern in which both the thumbnail URL  408   b  and the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  are included, a pattern in which only the thumbnail URL  408   b  is included and a pattern in which only the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  is included. The MFP  100  prepares one thumbnail request for one URL and transmits the same to the network  400 , sequentially, without distinguishing whether each URL is the thumbnail URL  408   b  or converted thumbnail URL  412   b.    
     First, a case where the MFP  100  prepares the thumbnail request including the thumbnail URL  408   b  is described. As described above, the thumbnail URL  408   b  is a URL that designates the service provision apparatus  300  as a transmission destination. Therefore, the thumbnail request transmitted to the network  400  from the MFP  100  is transmitted to the service provision apparatus  300  (D 006 ). 
     In the meantime, when the service provision apparatus  300  receives the thumbnail request from the network  400 , the service provision apparatus transmits the thumbnail data, which corresponds to the thumbnail URL  408   b  included in the thumbnail request, to the MFP  100  that is the transmission source of the thumbnail URL  408   b  (D 007 ). Therefore, the MFP  100  can acquire the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail URL  408   b  through the network  400 . 
     Here, a server that performs communication based on the HTTP typically supports the GET method. Hence, the MFP  100  can execute the GET method, based on the thumbnail URL  408   b  and converted thumbnail URL  412   b  included in the MXL text, and thus download the thumbnail data from each service, even though the MFP does not have a processing capability capable of using the API of each service. 
     In the below, a case where the MFP prepares the thumbnail request including the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  is described. As described above, the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  is a URL that designates the relay apparatus  200  as a transmission destination. Accordingly, the thumbnail request transmitted to the network  400  from the MFP  100  is transmitted to the relay apparatus  200  (D 008 ). 
     In the meantime, the relay apparatus  200  acquires the converted thumbnail data, based on the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  included in the received thumbnail request. Specifically, the relay apparatus extracts the thumbnail URL  408   b  included in the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  and transmits the thumbnail request including the thumbnail URL  408   b  to the service provision apparatus  300  (D 009 ), thereby acquiring the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail URL  408   b  from the service provision apparatus  300  (D 010 ). Then, the relay apparatus converts a format of the acquired thumbnail data to create converted thumbnail data having the correspondence format (D 011 ) and transmits the created thumbnail data to the MFP  100  that is a source of the thumbnail request (D 012 ). 
     Like this, the MFP  100  having received the thumbnail data from the service provision apparatus  300  or relay apparatus  200  displays the electronic file selection screen on the LCD  109  and arranges thumbnails, which are drawn based on the received thumbnail data, on the electronic file selection screen (D 013 ). Accordingly, the user can find out a desired electronic file while reading the thumbnails and operate the input unit  108  to designate the thumbnail of the desired electronic file. 
     When the MFP  100  receives the selection of the electronic file by the user (D 014 ), the MFP transmits an electronic file information acquisition request to the relay apparatus  200  (D 015 ). The electronic file information acquisition request includes the file specifying information  410  of the selected electronic file. The request includes one of the first type format information  404  ( FIG. 4A ) and the second type format information  406  ( FIG. 4B ). Since the first type format information  404  and the second type format information  406  have been described with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the further descriptions are omitted. The relay apparatus  200  stores the format (correspondence format), which can be processed in the MFP  100  that is the request source of the electronic file URL, in the correspondence format storage area  203   a , based on any one of the format information  404 ,  406  included in the electronic file information acquisition request. 
     Then, the relay apparatus  200  transmits the electronic file information acquisition request to the service provision apparatus  300  of the service that is specified by the service specifying information  401  (D 016 ). The electronic file information acquisition request includes the file specifying information  410  received from the MFP  100 . In the meantime, the relay apparatus  200  prepares the electronic file information acquisition request in accordance with the program corresponding to the service. 
     In the meantime, the service provision apparatus  300  having received the electronic file information acquisition request transmits the electronic file information including the URL of the electronic file, which corresponds to the file specifying information  410  included in the electronic file information acquisition request, to the relay apparatus  200  (D 017 ).  FIG. 4E  shows an example of the file information that is transmitted to the relay apparatus  200  in D 017 . The electronic file information  414  includes at least the electronic file URL  414   b . The electronic file URL  414   b  is a URL that designates the service provision apparatus  300  as a transmission destination. Here, the relay apparatus  200  acquires a format of the electronic file, based on the extension of the electronic file URL  414   b.    
     In the meantime, when the electronic file information  414  received from the service provision apparatus  300  includes type information  414   a  indicating the format of the electronic file, the relay apparatus may acquire the format of the electronic file, based on the type information. 
     When it is determined that the electronic file corresponding to the electronic file URL  414   b  is the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , the relay apparatus  200  transmits the electronic file information  414  to the MFP  100 , as it is. On the other hand, when the electronic file corresponding to the electronic file URL  414   b  is not the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , the relay apparatus  200  changes the electronic file URL  414   b  included in the electronic file information  414  into a converted electronic file URL  415   b  (D 018 ). Then, the relay apparatus transmits the electronic file information  414  including the converted electronic file URL  415   b  to the MFP  100  (D 019 ). As shown in  FIG. 4F , the converted electronic file URL  415   b  includes a server name  413   a  that designates the relay apparatus  200  as a transmission destination, module information  413   b  and an org parameter  415   c  that designates the electronic file URL  414   b  before the change (i.e., the original URL). 
     When the MFP  100  receives the electronic file URL  414   b  from the relay apparatus  200 , the MFP  100  prepares and transmits an electronic file request to the network  400 . Here, the electronic file request is an HTTP message using the GET method and includes the electronic file URL  414   b  received from the relay apparatus  200 . Since the electronic file URL  414   b  is a URL that designates the service provision apparatus  300  as a transmission destination, the electronic file request transmitted from the MFP  100  to the network  400  is transmitted to the service provision apparatus  300  (D 020 ). 
     In the meantime, the service provision apparatus  300  transmits an electronic file, which corresponds to the electronic file URL  414   b  included in the received electronic file request, to the MFP  100  (D 021 ). The electronic file is data having the correspondence format that can be processed in the MFP  100 . Therefore, the MFP  100  can print the electronic file received from the service provision apparatus  300  by the printer  106  (D 027 ). 
     In the below, a case where the converted electronic file URL  415   b  is received from the relay apparatus  200  is described. In this case, the MFP  100  prepares and transmits an electronic file request including the converted electronic file URL  415   b  to the network  400 . As described above, the converted electronic file URL  415   b  is a URL that designates the relay apparatus  200  as a transmission destination. Therefore, the electronic file request transmitted from the MFP  100  to the network  400  is transmitted to the replay apparatus  200  (D 022 ). 
     In the meantime, the relay apparatus  200  creates a conversion electronic file, based on the converted electronic file URL  415   b  included in the received electronic file request. Specifically, the relay apparatus extracts the electronic file URL  414   b  (i.e., the original electronic file URL) included in the converted electronic file URL  415   b , transmits the electronic file request including the electronic file URL  414   b  to the service provision apparatus  300  (D 023 ) and acquires an electronic file corresponding to the electronic file URL  414   b  from the service provision apparatus  300  (D 024 ). Then, the relay apparatus converts the format of the acquired electronic file into the correspondence format of the MFP  100  to create a converted electronic file having the correspondence format of the MFP  100  (D 025 ) and transmits the same to the MFP  100  that is a source of the electronic file request (D 026 ). The electronic file is data having the correspondence format that can be processed in the MFP  100 . Accordingly, the MFP  100  having received the conversion electronic file from the service provision apparatus  300  can print the received converted electronic file by the printer  106  (D 027 ). 
     According to the relay apparatus  200  of this illustrative embodiment, even the MFP  100 , which does not include the program for using the API released by the service provision apparatus  300 , can acquire the thumbnail data or electronic file that is provided by the service provision apparatus  300 . 
     When the format of the contents (thumbnail data, electronic file) transmitted from the service provision apparatus  300  is the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , the relay apparatus  200  transmits the thumbnail URL  408   b  or electronic file URL  414   b  to the MFP  100 , as it is. In this case, the MFP  100  can receive the data from the service provision apparatus  300  without through the relay apparatus  200 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress an amount of data via the relay apparatus  200  and to thus suppress the load that is generated in the relay apparatus  200 . 
     When the format of the contents transmitted from the service provision apparatus  300  is not the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , the relay apparatus  200  transmits the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  corresponding to the converted contents or converted electronic file URL  415   b  to the MFP  100 . In this case, the MFP  100  can acquire the converted contents having the correspondence format of the MFP  100 . Thus, it is possible to enable the MFP  100  to acquire the contents having the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , irrespective of the formats of the contents transmitted from the service provision apparatus  300 . 
     The relay apparatus  200  acquires the format of the contents that are provided by the service provision apparatus  300 , based on the thumbnail specifying information  408  or electronic file information  414 . Therefore, it is not necessary for the relay apparatus  200  to beforehand recognize the types of the contents that are transmitted by the service provision apparatus  300 . Hence, even when the contents are changed into a format of an electronic file that is handled by the service provision apparatus  300 , it is possible to flexibly cope with the change. 
     Even when the service provision apparatus  300  changes the API, a provider who provides the MFP  100  to the user can enable the MFP  100  to keep the cooperation with the respective services, simply by updating the program of using the API of the relay apparatus  200 . 
     The relay apparatus  200  can acquire the format that can be processed by the MFP  100 , based on any one of the format information  404 ,  406  received from the MFP  100 . Thus, even when the various MFPs  100  use the relay apparatus  200 , it is possible to enable the respective MFPs  100  to acquire the contents having a format that can be processed in the MFPs  100 . 
     &lt;Operations of Relay Apparatus  200 &gt; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing relay processing that the CPU  201  of the relay apparatus  200  executes in accordance with the communication program  204   a . The relay processing is repeatedly executed during the operation of the relay apparatus  200 . 
     First, the CPU  201  determines whether the file selection screen request is received from the MFP  100  through the network I/F  207  (S 510 ). When the file selection screen request is received from the MFP  100  (S 510 : Yes), the CPU proceeds to S 511 . In S 511 , the CPU  201  reads out the first type format information  404  or second type format information  406  from the file selection screen request received in S 510 . When the read information is the first type format information  404 , the CPU  201  stores the first type format information  404  in the correspondence format storage area  203   a . On the other hand, when the read information is the second type format information  406 , the CPU  201  reads out the format of contents that a terminal of a model name indicated by the second type format information  406  can process from the correspondence database and stores the read format of contents in the correspondence format storage area  203   a  (S 511 ). 
     Then, the CPU  201  controls the network I/F  207  to transmit the file list request to the service provision apparatus  300 . The CPU  201  stores the file list (refer to  FIG. 4C ), which is received through the network I/F  207  as a reply from the service provision apparatus  300 , in the RAM  203 . As described above with reference to  FIG. 4C , the file list includes the thumbnail specifying information  408  and the file specifying information  410  (S 512 ). Then, the CPU  201  executes file selection screen preparation processing (S 514 ). 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the file selection screen preparation processing (S 514 ). This processing is processing of preparing an XML text of the file selection screen by using the thumbnail specifying information  408  and the file specifying information  410 . 
     First, the CPU  201  determines whether the determination is made for all the thumbnail specifying information  408  included in the file list stored in the RAM  203  (S 602 ). When a result of the determination in S 602  is negative (S 602 : No), the CPU  201  determines whether the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail specifying information  408 , which is a determination object, is the correspondence format stored in the correspondence format storage area  203   a , based on the type information  408   a  or thumbnail URL  408   b  included in the thumbnail specifying information  408  (S 604 ). 
     When it is determined that the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail specifying information  408 , which is a determination object, is the correspondence format (S 604 : Yes), the CPU  201  records the thumbnail specifying information  408  in the MXL text of the file selection screen, as it is (S 606 ). That is, the CPU records the thumbnail URL  408   b  in the MXL text and returns to S 602 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail specifying information  408 , which is a determination object, is the non-correspondence format (S 604 : No), the CPU  201  prepares the converted thumbnail specifying information  412  and records the same in the MXL text of the file selection screen (S 608 ). As described above with reference to  FIG. 4D , the converted thumbnail specifying information  412  that is prepared at this time includes the server name  413   a , the module information  413   b  and the org parameter  413   c  in the converted thumbnail URL  412   b . Here, when transmitting a request based on the converted thumbnail URL  412   b , the relay apparatus  200  is designated in the server name  413   a  that designates a reception source of the request. A conversion module for converting a format of the thumbnail data, which is transmitted by the service provision apparatus  300 , into the correspondence format is designated in the module information  413   b . The original thumbnail URL  408   b  included in the thumbnail specifying information  408  is designated in the org parameter  413   c.    
     Then, the CPU returns to S 602 , repeats the processing for next thumbnail specifying information  408  that is a determination object and ends the file selection screen preparation processing when the determination is completed for all the thumbnail specifying information  408  (S 602 : Yes). 
     Again referring to  FIG. 5 , the CPU  201  controls the network I/F  207  to transmit the MXL text of the file selection screen to the MFP  100  (S 516 ) and returns to S 510 . 
     On the other hand, when the file selection screen request is not received (S 510 : No), the CPU  201  determines whether the electronic file information acquisition request is received from the MFP  100  through the network I/F  207  (S 518 ). In the meantime, as described above, the electronic file information acquisition request includes one of the format information  404 ,  406  indicating the format that can be processed in the MFP  100 . Therefore, when it is determined that the electronic file information acquisition request is received from the MFP  100  (S 518 : Yes), the CPU  201  stores the format that can be processed in the MFP  100  in the correspondence format storage area  203   a , based on one of the format information  404 ,  406  (S 519 ). 
     Then, the CPU  201  controls the network I/F  207  to transmit the electronic file information acquisition request corresponding to the file specifying information  410  to the service provision apparatus  300 . The CPU  201  stores the electronic file information  414 , which is received through the network I/F  207  as a reply from the service provision apparatus  300  and includes at least the electronic file URL  414   b , in the RAM  203  (S 520 ). Then, the CPU determines whether the format of the electronic file corresponding to the electronic file URL  414   b , which is included in the electronic file information  414  stored in the RAM  203 , is the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , based on the extension of the electronic file included in the electronic file URL  414   b  or type information  414   a  (S 522 ). When it is not determined that the electronic file corresponding to the electronic file URL  414   b  is the correspondence format of the MFP  100  (S 522 : No), the CPU  201  prepares the converted electronic file URL  415   b  (S 524 ). Then, the CPU transmits the electronic file information  414  including at least the converted electronic file URL  415   b  to the MFP  100  that is a source of the electronic file information acquisition request (S 526 ) and returns to S 510 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the format of the electronic file corresponding to the electronic file URL  414   b  is the correspondence format of the MFP  100  (S 522 : Yes), the CPU  201  transmits the electronic file information  414  including the electronic file URL  414   b  to the MFP  100  that is a source of the electronic file information acquisition request (S 526 ) and returns to S 510 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined in S 518  that the electronic file information acquisition request is not received (S 518 : No), the CPU  201  determines whether the thumbnail request or electronic file request based on the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  or converted electronic file URL  415   b  (hereinafter, the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  and the converted electronic file URL  415   b  are collectively referred to as converted URL) is received (S 528 ). When a result of the determination in S 528  is negative (S 528 : No), the CPU  201  executes the other processing (S 530 ) and returns to S 510 . The other processing may include processing of relaying the communication between the MFP  100  and the service provision apparatus  300  when the MFP  100  uploads a desired electronic file. 
     When the thumbnail request or electronic file request is received (S 528 : Yes), the CPU  201  calls out the data conversion program  204   d  (S 532 ). Then, the CPU determines whether the converted contents are received, as a reply value, from the data conversion program  204   d  (S 534 ). When it is determined that the converted contents are not received (S 534 : No), the CPU repeats the corresponding determination. When it is determined that the converted contents are received (S 534 : Yes), the CPU proceeds to S 536 . 
     Image acquisition/conversion processing is described with reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . This processing is executed in accordance with the data conversion program  204   d  called out in S 532  and the png2jpg module  203   e  or bmp2jpg module  204   f  called out in the data conversion program  204   d . In this illustrative embodiment, a conversion module that converts data of a PNG format into data of a JPEG format is referred to as the png2jpg module  204   e  and a conversion module that converts data of a BMP format into data of a JPEG format is referred to as the bmp2jpg module  204   f . In the meantime, conversion modules handling the other formats may be further provided, in addition to the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f.    
     First, the CPU  201  analyzes the converted URL included in the thumbnail request or electronic file request and thus extracts the module information  413   b  (refer to  FIG. 4D ) (S 702 ). Then, the CPU  201  starts up a conversion module of the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f , which is designated by the module information  413   b , as the conversion module for converting the format of the thumbnail data or electronic file provided by the service provision apparatus  300  into the correspondence format (S 704 ). In the meantime, for convenience sake of explanations, it is assumed that the conversion module  204   e  starts up. Processing that is executed in accordance with the conversion module  204   e  is described later with reference to  FIG. 7B . 
     Then, the CPU  201  determines whether the request for org parameters  413   c ,  415   c  is received from the conversion module  204   e  having started up (S 706 ). When a result of the determination in S 706  is negative (S 706 : No), the CPU  201  stands by for the processing. On the other hand, when a result of the determination in S 706  is positive (S 706 : Yes), the CPU  201  transmits the org parameters  413   c ,  415   c  included in the converted URL to the conversion module  204   e  (S 708 ). Then, the CPU determines whether the converted thumbnail data or conversion electronic file (hereinafter, referred to as converted contents) is received from the conversion module  204   e  (S 710 ). When a result of the determination in S 710  is negative (S 710 : No), the CPU  201  stands by for the processing. On the other hand, when a result of the determination in S 710  is positive (S 710 : Yes), the CPU  201  returns, as a return value, the converted contents received from the conversion module  204   e  to the communication program  204   a  that is a startup source of the data conversion program  204   d  and ends the processing (S 712 ). 
       FIG. 7B  is a flowchart showing conversion execution processing that is executed in accordance with the conversion module  204   e  having started up, as it is called out in the data conversion program  204   d  (S 704 ). In the meantime, the CPU  201  executes this processing in parallel with the image acquisition/conversion processing by multi-tasking. 
     First, the CPU  201  requests the org parameters  413   c ,  415   c  from the data conversion program  204   d  (S 722 ). Then, the CPU determines whether the org parameters  413   c ,  415   c  are received from the data conversion program  204   d  (S 724 ). When a result of the determination in S 724  is negative (S 724 : No), the CPU stands by for the processing. 
     On the other hand, when a result of the determination in S 724  is positive (S 724 : Yes), the CPU  201  controls the network I/F  207  to transmit the HTTP message using the GET method, which includes the URL (original thumbnail URL  408   b  or electronic file URL  414   b ) designated by the org parameters  413   c ,  415   c , to the network  400 . When a reply to the HTTP message is received from the service provision apparatus  300  to the network I/F  207 , the CPU reads out the contents that are included in the received reply (S 726 ). 
     Then, the CPU  201  converts the data format of the read contents (S 728 ). The CPU  201  converts the contents of the PNG format into the JPEG format. Since the conversion method is well-known, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     Then, the CPU  201  returns the created converted contents to the data conversion program  204   d  (S 730 ) and ends the conversion execution processing of the conversion module  204   e.    
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , in S 536 , the CPU  201  controls the network I/F  207  to transmit the converted contents, which are received from the data conversion program  204   d  as a return value, to the MFP  100  (S 536 ). Then, the CPU returns to S 510 . 
     According to the image acquisition/conversion processing, it is possible to create and to transmit the contents of the correspondence format to the MFP  100 . Meanwhile, instead of the method of the above illustrative embodiment, a method may be considered in which the correspondence formats of the respective MFPs  100  are stored in the database and when the contents request (thumbnail data request or electronic file request) is received from the MFP  100 , the correspondence format of the MFP  100  is read out from the database and the converted contents are then created. However, according to this method, when the accesses from the MFPs  100  are concentrated, the correspondence formats should be read out for each of the MFPs  100 , so that the processing in the relay apparatus  200  may be delayed. Contrary to this, according to the image acquisition/conversion processing of this illustrative embodiment, since the converted URL included in the contents request contains the module information  413   b , the relay apparatus  200  can rapidly create the converted contents of a format that can be processed in the MFP  100 , which is the source of the contents request, by using the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f  designated by the module information  413   b.    
     It is possible to cope with more formats by increasing the formats that can be converted in the relay apparatus  200 . Therefore, it is possible to ostensibly increase the contents that can be used in the MFP  100 , without changing the program or firmware of the MFP  100 . 
     &lt;Operations of MFP  100 &gt; 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing download processing that is executed by the CPU  101  of the MFP  100 . The download processing starts up when execution of the download processing is instructed on a menu screen (not shown) of the MFP  100 . When the download processing starts up, the CPU  101  displays a service selection screen on the LCD  109  and receives selection of a service that the user wants to use, from the input unit  108  (S 810 ). When the selection of any one service is input from the input unit  108 , the CPU  101  stores the service specifying information for specifying the service selected by the user in the RAM  103 . 
     Then, the CPU  101  display a print/media selection screen on the LCD  109  and receives selection of a using method of the electronic file that the user will download, from the input unit  108  (S 811 ). The print/media selection screen displays items of ‘print’ and ‘media’, as selection items of the using method of the electronic file to be downloaded from now. The ‘print’ item is an item enabling the electronic file, which will be downloaded, to be printed by the printer  106 . The ‘media’ item is an item enabling the electronic file, which will be downloaded, to be stored. When the selection of the using method is input from the input unit  108 , the CPU  101  stores the using method input in S 811  in the RAM  103  (S 812 ). 
     Then, the CPU  101  controls the network I/F  207  to transmit the file selection screen request to the relay apparatus  200  (S 813 ). Here, the file selection screen request to be transmitted may be any one of the request including the first type format information  404  (refer to  FIG. 4A ) and the second type format information  406  (refer to  FIG. 4B ). 
     Then, the CPU  101  determines whether the MXL text of the file selection screen is received from the relay apparatus  200  through the network I/F  105  (S 814 ). When the MXL text of the file selection screen is not received from the relay apparatus  200  (S 814 : No), the CPU  101  stands by until the MXL text of the file selection screen is received. On the other hand, when the MXL text of the file selection screen is received from the relay apparatus  200  (S 814 : Yes), the CPU  101  displays and configures an image, based on the XML text of the file selection screen. At this time, the CPU  101  reads out the URLs included in the MXL text one by one and transmits the thumbnail requests including the URLs to the network  400  through the network I/F  105 . When a reply to the thumbnail request is received from the service provision apparatus  300  or relay apparatus  200  through the network I/F  105 , the CPU  101  reads out a thumbnail from the received reply (S 815 ). 
     Here, the URL included in the XML text is actually one of the thumbnail URL  408   b  and the converted thumbnail URL  412   b . However, the MFP  100  prepares and transmits the thumbnail requests uniformly without distinguishing the thumbnail URL and the converted thumbnail URL. The thumbnail data that the MFP  100  downloads is one of the thumbnail data transmitted by the service provision apparatus  300  and the converted thumbnail data transmitted by the relay apparatus  200 . However, the MFP  100  uniformly treats the thumbnail data and the converted thumbnail data as thumbnail data, without distinguishing the thumbnail data and the converted thumbnail data. Accordingly, in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 , the thumbnail data and the converted thumbnail data are collectively referred to as the thumbnail data. 
     Then, the CPU  101  determines whether the thumbnail data is downloaded or not, based on all the URLs included in the MXL text (S 816 ). When a result of the determination in S 816  is negative (S 816 : No), the CPU repeats the processing from S 815 . When the thumbnail data is downloaded based on all the URLs while the processing is repeated (S 816 : Yes), the CPU  101  displays the file selection screen having the thumbnails arranged thereon on the LCD  109  (S 817 ). Then, when the user inputs the selection of the electronic file to be downloaded from the input unit  108 , an input signal is input to the CPU  101  (S 818 ). 
     When the input signal corresponding to the electronic file to be downloaded, which is selected by the user, is input from the input unit  108 , the CPU  101  transmits the electronic file information acquisition request to the relay apparatus  200  (S 819 ). The electronic file information acquisition request that is transmitted at this time includes the file specifying information  410  that specifies the electronic file selected by the user. 
     Then, the CPU  101  determines whether the electronic file URL is received from the relay apparatus  200  through the network I/F  105  (S 820 ). Here, actually, the electronic file URL that is received by the MFP  100  is any one of the electronic file URL created in the service provision apparatus  300  and the electronic file URL created in the relay apparatus  200 . However, since the MFP  100  does not discriminate both the electronic file URLs, the electronic file URL and the converted electronic file URL are collectively referred to as the electronic file URL in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 . 
     When the electronic file URL is not received (S 820 : No), the CPU  101  stands by until the electronic file URL is received from the relay apparatus  200  through the network I/F. On the other hand, when the electronic file URL is received from the relay apparatus  200  (S 820 : Yes), the CPU  101  controls the network I/F  105  to transmit a request based on the received electronic file URL to the network  400 . When a reply to the transmitted request is received through the network I/F  105 , the CPU reads out an electronic file (S 821 ). Here, the electronic file that is received by the MFP  100  is actually one of the electronic file transmitted from the service provision apparatus  300  and the converted electronic file transmitted from the relay apparatus  200 . However, since the MFP  100  does not discriminate both the electronic files, the electronic file URL and the converted electronic file are collectively referred to as the electronic file in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 . 
     After downloading the electronic file is downloaded as described above, the CPU  101  determines whether the using method stored in the RAM  103  in S 812  is the ‘print’ (S 822 ). When the using method selected by the user is the ‘print’ (S 822 : Yes), the CPU  101  enables the printer  106  to print the downloaded electronic file (S 823 ) and ends the download processing. On the other hand, when the using method selected by the user is the ‘media’ (S 822 : No), the CPU  101  stores the downloaded electronic file in a media card mounted to the MFP  100  (S 824 ) and ends the download processing. 
     According to this illustrative embodiment, the user can download the contents of the format that can be processed in the MFP  100  from the service provision apparatus  300  or relay apparatus  200  and display the thumbnails or print the electronic file. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the service cooperating system  10  is an example of the communication system and the MFP  100  is an example of the terminal. The CPU  201  that executes the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f  is an example of the conversion means. The first type format information  404  is an example of the designation information and the second type format information  406  is an example of the terminal information. The URL is an example of the identification information, the thumbnail URL  408   b  and the electronic file URL  414   b  are an example of the first identification information and the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  and the converted electronic file URL  415   b  are an example of the second identification information. The module information  413   b  is an example of the conversion means correspondence information. The thumbnail data and the electronic file are an example of the contents and the converted thumbnail and the converted electronic file are an example of the converted contents. The type information  408   a ,  414   a  are an example of the additional information. The HDD  204  is an example of the storage unit. 
     The CPU  201  that executes S 512  and S 520  is an example of the first reception means. The CPU  201  that executes S 522 , S 604  is an example of the determination means. The CPU  201  that executes S 510  and S 518  is an example of the designation information reception means and the terminal information reception means. The CPU  201  that executes S 511  and S 519  is an example of the format acquisition means. The CPU  201  that executes S 516  and S 526  is an example of the first transmission means and the second transmission means. The CPU  201  that executes S 528  is an example of the second reception means. The CPU  201  that executes S 704  is an example of the conversion control means. The CPU  201  that executes S 536  is an example of the converted contents transmission means. The CPU  201  that executes S 726  is an example of the acquisition means. The CPU  101  that executes S 815  and S 821  is an example of the contents acquisition means. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to the illustrative embodiment, the invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment. It is possible to easily suppose that a variety of modifications and changes can be made within the range without departing from the gist of the invention. 
     For example, in the above illustrative embodiment, the MFP  100  is an example of the terminal. However, a variety of apparatuses such as portable telephone and digital camera may be an example of the terminal. In the above illustrative embodiment, the relay apparatus  200  is one server that is physically provided. However, a virtual machine in which a plurality of physical apparatuses cooperates with each other and thus functions as one server may be also possible. The relay apparatus  200  of the above illustrative embodiment is provided by the manufacturer of the MFP  100 . However, a well-known rental server may be also used. 
       FIG. 9A  is a view schematically showing communication flow between the MFP  100  and the relay apparatus  200  configuring the service cooperating system  10  according to a modified embodiment. In the meantime, the MFP  100 , the relay apparatus  200 , the service provision apparatus  300  and a conversion server  600  shown in  FIG. 9A  are connected to each other through the network (refer to  FIG. 1 ). In the modified embodiment, a server name of the relay apparatus  200  is ‘service1.bro.com’, a server name of the conversion server  600  is ‘service2.bro.com’ and a server name of the service provision apparatus  300  is ‘serviceX.com.’ Meanwhile, the electrical configuration of the relay apparatus  200  of this modified embodiment is the same as the relay apparatus  200  of the above illustrative embodiment, except that it does not have the data conversion program  204   d  and the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f.    
     In this modified embodiment, the file selection screen request is transmitted from the MFP  100  to the relay apparatus ( 1 ) and the relay apparatus  200  transmits the file list request to the service provision apparatus  300  ( 2 ). Then, the service provision apparatus  300  transmits the file list including the thumbnail specifying information  408  and the file specifying information  410  to the relay apparatus  200  ( 3 ). The data flow shown in the above ( 1 ) to ( 3 ) is the same as the above illustrative embodiment. 
     Then, the relay apparatus  200  of the modified embodiment determines whether the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail specifying information  408  is the correspondence format of the MFP  100  by the same method as the above illustrative embodiment. When it is determined that the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail specifying information  408  is the correspondence format of the MFP  100 , the relay apparatus transmits the MXL text of the file selection screen including the thumbnail specifying information  408  to the MFP  100 , in the same manner as the above illustrative embodiment. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail specifying information  408  is the non-correspondence format, the relay apparatus  200  performs processing of changing the thumbnail specifying information  408  included in the file list into the converted thumbnail specifying information  412  ( 4 ).  FIG. 9B  is a view showing an example of the thumbnail specifying information  408  that the relay apparatus  200  of the modified embodiment receives from the service provision apparatus  300  and  FIG. 9C  is a view showing an example of the converted thumbnail specifying information  412  that is created from the thumbnail specifying information  408  shown in  FIG. 9B . As shown in  FIG. 9C , the converted thumbnail specifying information  412  of the modified embodiment designates the conversion server  600 , as the server name  413   a . A module name of a conversion module provided to the conversion server  600  is designated as the module information  413   b . As the org parameter  413   c , the thumbnail URL  408   b  included in the thumbnail specifying information  408  is designated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , the relay apparatus  200  transmits the MXL text of the file selection screen including the created converted thumbnail specifying information  412  (refer to  FIG. 9C ) to the MFP  100  ( 5 ). In the meantime, the MFP  100  transmits the thumbnail request including the received converted thumbnail URL  412   b  to the network ( 6 ). As described above, since the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  designates the conversion server  600  as the server name  413   a , the thumbnail request is transmitted to the conversion server  600 . 
     The conversion server  600  having received the thumbnail request analyzes the converted thumbnail URL  412   b  and creates the thumbnail request including the thumbnail URL  408   b  set in the org parameter  413   c , transmits the same to the service provision apparatus  300  ( 7 ) and acquires the thumbnail data from the service provision apparatus  300  ( 8 ). That is, although the relay apparatus  200  first receives the thumbnail URL  408   b  from the service provision apparatus  300 , since the thumbnail URL  408   b  is set in the org parameter  408   b  of the converted thumbnail URL  412   b , it is possible to enable the conversion server  600  to acquire the thumbnail URL  408   b  acquired by the relay apparatus  200 , through the MFP  100 . 
     Then, the conversion server  600  converts the format of the received thumbnail data into the correspondence format to create the converted thumbnail data by using the conversion module of the data conversion program, which is designated by the module information  413   b  included in the converted thumbnail URL  412   b , and transmits the created thumbnail data to the MFP  100  ( 10 ). That is, when it is determined in the relay apparatus  200  having first acquired the thumbnail URL  408   b  that the format of the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail URL  408   b  is not the correspondence format that can be processed in the MFP  100 , the relay apparatus  200  determines a conversion module for converting the thumbnail data into the correspondence format and sets the same as the module information  413   b . Accordingly, even when the conversion server  600  does not know the correspondence format that can be processed in the MFP  100 , the conversion server can create the thumbnail data in the designated conversion module and transmit the thumbnail data of an appropriate format to each MFP  100 . 
     The aspect of the present disclosure can be configured to create the converted contents in a physically separate apparatus from the relay apparatus  200  and to transmit the same to the terminal, like the modified embodiment. Since the operational cost of the relay apparatus  200  is changed depending on an amount of the information via the relay apparatus  200  and the processing load in the relay apparatus  200 , the modified embodiment can reduce the load caused in the relay apparatus  200 , thereby suppressing the operational cost. 
     In the meantime, a plurality of conversion servers  600  may be provided. Thereby, the above modification may be further modified so that each conversion server  600  performs dedicated conversion. 
     The respective units provided to the relay apparatus may be dispersedly arranged in a plurality of apparatuses. For example, a separate apparatus may be enabled to perform only the processing of creating the converted URL. Like this, when a plurality of apparatuses interlockingly operates to function as the relay apparatus, a system including the plurality of apparatuses corresponds to an example of the relay apparatus. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the service provision apparatus  300  transmits the file list (refer to  FIG. 4C ) including the thumbnail specifying information  408  and the file specifying information  410  to the relay apparatus  200 . However, the invention is not applied to only the service provision apparatus  300  of the above illustrative embodiment and can be applied to a variety of service provision apparatuses. 
       FIG. 10  is a view showing an example of the file list that is transmitted to the relay apparatus  200  in D 003  of  FIG. 3  from a service provision apparatus other than the service provision apparatus  300  of the above illustrative embodiment. In D 003  of the above illustrative embodiment, the file list including the thumbnail specifying information  408  and the file specifying information  410  is replied to the relay apparatus  200  from the service provision apparatus  300 . The file specifying information  410  specifically indicates the contents ID of the electronic file. In contrast, the file specifying information  410  included in the file list may include type information  410   b  indicating the format of the electronic file and an electronic file URL  410   c  in addition to a contents ID  410   a , as shown in  FIG. 10 . When the file list shown in  FIG. 10  is received, the relay apparatus  200  determines whether an electronic file corresponding to the file specifying information  410  is the correspondence format stored in the correspondence format storage area  203   a , based on the type information  410   b  or extension included in the electronic file URL  410   c , like the thumbnail specifying information  408 . Then, the relay apparatus changes the file specifying information  410 , which corresponds to the electronic file for which it is determined that the format thereof is the non-correspondence format, into converted file specifying information including a converted electronic file URL corresponding to a converted electronic file and transmits the MXL text of the file selection screen including the converted file specifying information to the MFP  100 . 
     In this case, since the MFP  100  can acquire the converted electronic file URL from the XML text of the file selection screen, the MFP can transmit the electronic file request without the communication in D 015  to D 019  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The invention can be applied to a case where the service provision apparatus  300 , which does not provide the thumbnail data, is used. In this case, the relay apparatus  200  may convert the electronic file received from the service provision apparatus  300  into thumbnail data and transmit the thumbnail data to the MFP  100 . In this case, the data of a format reduced from the original data corresponds to an example of the ‘predetermined format.’ 
     A variety of data such as document file, voice file and moving picture file may correspond to an example of the contents. In this case, the relay apparatus  200  may transmit text data, which is created by converting voice included in the voice file into characters, to the MFP  100  as the converted contents. Alternatively, the relay apparatus may transmit a still image file, which is extracted from the moving picture file, to the MFP  100  as the converted contents. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the relay apparatus  200  receives the thumbnail request or electronic file request from the MFP  100  and then creates and transmits the converted contents to the MFP  100 . Instead of this configuration, the relay apparatus may create and store the converted contents in advance before receiving the thumbnail request or electronic file request. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing relay processing that is executed in the relay apparatus  200  according to a modified embodiment. Meanwhile, the same steps of the relay processing of the modified embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  as the relay processing of the above illustrative embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 5  are indicated with the same reference numerals and the descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     In the relay processing of the modified embodiment, when the electronic file information is acquired from the service provision apparatus  300  (S 520 ), the CPU  201  of the relay apparatus  200  determines whether an electronic file, which corresponds to the electronic file URL included in the electronic file information, is the correspondence format (S 522 ). When it is determined that the electronic file is not the correspondence format (S 522 : No), the CPU  201  acquires the electronic file corresponding to the electronic file URL from the service provision apparatus  300  (S 1102 ). Then, the CPU  201  calls out the data conversion program  204   d , enables the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f  to create a converted electronic file by using the acquired electronic file (S 1104 ) and stores the created converted electronic file in the HDD  204  and the like of the relay apparatus  200  (S 1106 ). In the meantime, the processing that is executed in S 1104  is processing of calling out the data conversion program  204   d  and creating the converted electronic file, like S 532  of  FIG. 5  described in the above illustrative embodiment. However, the detailed descriptions thereof are here omitted. Then, the CPU creates a converted URL corresponding to the converted contents stored in the HDD  204  and the like (S 1108 ) and transmits the electronic file information including at least the created converted URL to the MFP  100  (S 526 ). Meanwhile, in this modified embodiment, in the file selection screen preparation processing (S 514 ), when it is determined that the thumbnail data corresponding to the thumbnail URL  408   b  is not the correspondence format, the relay apparatus receives the thumbnail data from the service provision apparatus  300  and creates and stores the converted thumbnail data in the HDD  204  and the like, like the electronic file. However, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     Then, when the converted URL included in the thumbnail request or electronic file request is received from the MFP  100  (S 1110 : Yes), the CPU  201  reads out the converted contents corresponding to the converted URL from the HDD  204  and transmits the same to the MFP  100  (S 1111 ). 
     In this case, since the converted contents created and stored in advance are transmitted to the MFP  100 , it is possible to rapidly transmit the converted contents, compared to the configuration in which the thumbnail request or electronic file request is received and then the converted contents are created. Meanwhile, in this modified embodiment, the CPU  201  that executes S 1106  corresponds to an example of the storage means. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the JPEG has been exemplified as an example of the predetermined format that can be processed in the MFP  100 . However, the invention is not limited to the JPEG format. For example, a variety of formats such as PNG format, GIF format, BMP format and TIFF format may correspond to an example of the predetermined format. 
     One MFP  100  may process data of a plurality of formats. In this case, one format may be selected based on an output condition and converted contents of the selected format may be transmitted to the MFP  100  from the relay apparatus  200 . 
     Specifically, the relay apparatus  200  beforehand stores the formats corresponding to the respective output conditions of the converted contents in the HDD  204  and the like. The relay apparatus receives the output conditions of the contents with being included in the file selection screen request or electronic file information acquisition request from the MFP  100  and selects the format corresponding to the received output condition of the contents. Then, the relay apparatus creates and transmits the converted contents of the selected format to the MFP  100 . 
     For example, for a case where the JPEG format and the RAW format are available for the MFP  100 , when a printing condition designates a high image quality printing, the relay apparatus creates the converted contents of the RAW format that has a large amount of data but is suitable for the high image quality printing and transmits the same to the terminal. In the meantime, when the printing condition designates a printing that puts a high priority on the high-speed processing, the relay apparatus may create the converted contents of the JPEG format having the smaller amount of data than the RAW format and transmit the same to the terminal. Based on the printing condition received from the terminal, it may be possible to change the number of pixels and the compression ratio of the converted contents. 
     By doing so, it is possible to enable the MFP  100  to acquire the contents of a format corresponding to the output condition. In this case, the CPU  201  that executes the processing of S 510  and S 518  corresponds to an example of the terminal output condition reception means and the CPU  201  that selects the format corresponding to the output condition in S 511  and S 519  corresponds to an example of the selection means. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the module information  413   b  included in the converted URL (converted thumbnail URL and converted electronic file URL) is the name of the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f . However, instead of this, the module information  413   b  may be configured with any character string corresponding to one of the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f . In this case, when the relay apparatus  200  receives the converted URL from the terminal, the relay apparatus may create the converted contents by using the conversion modules  204   e ,  204   f  corresponding to any character string. 
     The relay apparatus  200  of the above illustrative embodiment performs the communication with the terminal and the communication with the service provision apparatus  300  in accordance with the http. In this case, there is an advantage that the system can be established by using the general Web service infrastructure. Instead of this, the relay apparatus may perform the communication in accordance with the https or xmpp. When the xmpp is used, it is possible to implement the system by using an interactive communication procedure. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the relay apparatus  200  acquires the format (predetermined format) of the contents that is available for the MFP  100 , based on the information transmitted from the MFP  100 . However, the above illustrative embodiment may be modified in such a manner that formats such as JPEG format, which can be used in all terminals using the relay apparatus  200 , are preset in advance and the relay apparatus determines the format of the contents. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the URL is an example of the identification information. However, the identification information is not limited thereto. For example, any information that can specify the data may be possible. 
     In the above illustrative embodiment, the format that is available for the MFP  100  is a format that can be display-output and printing-output. However, instead of this, a format that can be display-output but cannot be printing-output and a format that can be printing-output but cannot be display-output may be also an example of the ‘processible format.’ In this case, for example, the file selection screen request (D 001  in  FIG. 3 ) may include the first type format information  404  indicating the displayable format and may be transmitted to the relay apparatus  200  from the MFP  100 . By doing so, it is possible to enable the MFP  100  to acquire the thumbnail data of the format that can be display-output in the MFP  100 . In the meantime, for example, the electronic file information acquisition request (D 015  in  FIG. 3 ) may include the first type format information  404  indicating the printable format and may be transmitted to the relay apparatus  200  from the MFP  100 . By doing so, it is possible to enable the MFP  100  to acquire the electronic file of the format that can be printing-output in the MFP  100 . That is, the processible format that is notified to the relay apparatus  200  from one terminal may be different for a case of requesting data for display and for a case of requesting data for printing.