Virtual printer interface node

摘要

A virtual printer interface node enables a non-cloud-ready printer to communicate with a cloud-based service, residing on an internet. The virtual printer interface node includes a housing; a communication interface to provide communication directly to the network router; and a microcontroller operatively connected to the communication interface. The microcontroller converts commands, received through the communication interface, from the cloud-based service, residing on the internet, to native protocols of the non-cloud-ready networked printer and communicates the converted native protocols to the non-cloud-ready networked printer.

主权项

1. A network virtual printer interface device for providing communication between a cloud-based service, residing on an internet, and a non-cloud-ready networked printer through to a network router, the non-cloud-ready networked printer having a printer housing and a network communication interface, the network router having a router housing, an internet communication interface, and a network communication interface, the network virtual printer interface device consisting essentially of:
a housing, said housing being distinct from said printer housing and said router housing; a communication interface to provide communication to the network router through the communication interface of the network router and to provide communication to the network communication interface of the non-cloud-ready networked printer through the network communication interface of the network router; and a microcontroller located in said housing and operatively connected to said communication interface; said microcontroller converting commands associated with a first application programming interface language, received through said communication interface, from the cloud-based service, residing on the internet, to commands associated with a native application programming interface language of the non-cloud-ready networked printer, the first application programming interface language being different from the native application programming interface language of the non-cloud-ready networked printer; said microcontroller communicating, through said communication interface, the converted commands associated with the native application programming interface language of the non-cloud-ready networked printer to the non-cloud-ready networked printer.