Virtual Printer Interface Node for Cloud Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing architectures and protocols are complex and proprietary, making it difficult to implement cloud-based printing services, especially for non-cloud-ready printers that require a personal computer to be running and connected to function with cloud services.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an inline virtual printer interface node and a network virtual printer interface node, which convert native printer protocols to unified protocols for cloud services and vice versa, allowing non-cloud-ready printers to communicate directly with cloud services without the need for a personal computer, using wired or wireless communication interfaces and microcontrollers to manage protocol translation and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional non-cloud-ready network printer is used, then the printer can be directly connected to a network, but the printer cannot communicate with cloud-based services due to proprietary printing protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual printer interface node as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between conventional printers and cloud services. This node translates proprietary printer protocols into unified cloud protocols and vice versa, enabling compatibility without modifying the printer itself. The intermediary handles protocol conversion, authentication, and communication management, allowing printers to access cloud services through a standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual printer interface node provides universal connectivity by supporting multiple printing protocols simultaneously. It can communicate with various printer types (LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth, USB) and cloud services (Google Cloud Print, Microsoft Print, Apple AirPrint) through a single unified interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple dedicated devices or complex configuration for different printer-cloud combinations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a personal computer is used to enable cloud connectivity for a conventional printer, then the printer can access cloud services, but the solution requires the PC to remain powered on and connected continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cloud connectivity function from the personal computer and relocates it to a dedicated virtual printer interface node. This separation allows the printer to access cloud services independently without requiring a PC to be running. The interface node handles all communication tasks, authentication, and protocol translation autonomously, eliminating the dependency on PC availability while maintaining continuous cloud service access.
3Ease of operation
If cloud-ready printers with built-in cloud connection systems are used, then the printer can connect directly to cloud services without a personal computer, but the solution is not backward compatible with existing conventional network printers
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual printer interface node serves as a bridge that enables conventional printers to achieve standalone cloud connectivity. It translates the printer's native protocols into cloud-service compatible formats and handles authentication and communication management. This intermediary approach allows existing printers to gain cloud readiness without requiring hardware modifications or losing their original functionality, thus maintaining backward compatibility while enabling new capabilities.
4Reliability
If conventional printing architectures and protocols are used, then printers can function with existing operating systems, but the complexity and proprietary nature negatively impact cloud-based printing service implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual printer interface node acts as a protocol translation layer that sits between conventional printing architectures and cloud services. It maintains compatibility with existing operating systems and printer protocols while simultaneously communicating with cloud services using standardized interfaces. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of protocol conversion from both the printer and the cloud service, allowing reliable printing functionality to coexist with simplified cloud integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing system into distinct functional components: the conventional printer, the virtual printer interface node, and the cloud service. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with its own optimized protocols and architectures. The interface node handles protocol translation between segments, reducing the overall system complexity by isolating proprietary elements within the node rather than distributing them across the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
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.