Virtual Printer Interface Node for Cloud Connectivity
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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-based services without the need for a personal computer, using wired or wireless connections and microcontrollers to manage protocol conversions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional printing architectures and protocols are used, then existing printers can maintain backward compatibility, but cloud-based printing service implementation becomes complex and proprietary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud print service gateway as an intermediary component that sits between the cloud print service and conventional printers. This gateway handles protocol translation and communication bridging, allowing conventional printers to work with cloud services without modifying their existing architectures. The gateway acts as a mediator that converts cloud-based print jobs into formats compatible with traditional printing protocols, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining backward compatibility and enabling cloud-based services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software connector on personal computer is used to enable cloud readiness, then non-cloud-ready printers can connect to cloud services, but personal computer must remain powered ON and connected to network
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud print service gateway serves as a standalone intermediary device that replaces the need for software connectors running on personal computers. The gateway is a dedicated hardware appliance that maintains continuous network connectivity and handles all cloud print service communications independently. This eliminates the requirement for a personal computer to remain powered ON and connected to the network, as the gateway itself performs the intermediary function continuously without relying on host computer availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud print service gateway is designed as a self-contained device that autonomously manages cloud connectivity and print job routing. It performs self-registration with cloud services, maintains persistent network connections, and automatically translates and forwards print jobs without requiring user intervention or dependency on personal computer operations. This self-service capability removes the operational burden of keeping a personal computer running to maintain cloud connectivity.
3Extent of automation
If cloud-ready printers with built-in systems are deployed, then direct network connection and cloud service registration is possible, but compatibility with existing conventional network printers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud print service gateway acts as an external intermediary that enables conventional printers to achieve cloud-ready functionality without internal modifications. The gateway handles all cloud service integration tasks including authentication, job submission, and status monitoring, while the conventional printer continues to operate with its existing protocols and interfaces. This intermediary approach allows organizations to deploy cloud services with existing printer infrastructure, maintaining compatibility while achieving automated cloud integration.
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.