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 for non-cloud-ready printers, which require a personal computer to be powered on and connected to a network to function as cloud-ready printers.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an inline virtual printer interface node or network virtual printer interface node that converts native printer protocols to unified protocols for cloud-based services, allowing direct communication between non-cloud-ready printers and cloud-based services without the need for a personal computer, using a microcontroller and memory to handle protocol conversions and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a personal computer is used to enable non-cloud-ready printers to connect to cloud services, then cloud connectivity is achieved, but system complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between non-cloud-ready printers and cloud-based printing services. The gateway includes a virtual printer interface that emulates a cloud-ready printer, allowing the legacy printer to communicate with cloud services without requiring a personal computer. The gateway translates and forwards print jobs between the printer and cloud infrastructure, resolving the technical incompatibility while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual printer interface creates a virtual copy of a cloud-ready printer's communication interface. This virtual interface replicates the expected communication protocols and data formats, enabling the gateway to masquerade as a cloud-ready device to the cloud service while actually connecting to the legacy printer. This copying approach allows legacy printers to access cloud services without modification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a personal computer is required to run connector software, then printer registration with cloud service is enabled, but operational convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs self-service by automatically registering with cloud-based printing services using its virtual printer interface. The device autonomously establishes connections, authenticates, and configures communication parameters without requiring a personal computer to run connector software or user intervention. This eliminates the operational burden while maintaining registration capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional printing protocols are used, then compatibility with legacy printers is maintained, but integration with cloud-based services becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a protocol intermediary, translating between conventional printing protocols used by legacy printers and the protocols required by cloud-based services. The virtual printer interface layer handles protocol conversion, allowing seamless communication between incompatible systems without modifying the legacy printer or cloud service.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device provides universal compatibility by supporting multiple printing protocols and communication standards simultaneously. It can interface with various types of legacy printers using different conventional protocols while maintaining a single standardized interface to cloud services, eliminating the need for printer-specific integration complexity.
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.