Virtual printer interface node

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 local area network communication interface, the network router having a router housing, the network router having an internet communication interface, the network router having a local area network communication interface, the network virtual printer interface device consisting essentially of:

a device housing, said device housing being distinct from said printer housing and said router housing;

a device communication interface to provide communication to the network router through the local area network communication interface of the network router and to provide communication to the local area network communication interface of the non-cloud-ready networked printer through the local area network communication interface of the network router; and

a microcontroller located in said device housing and operatively connected to said device communication interface;

said microcontroller converting commands, received through said device communication interface, from the cloud-based service, residing on the internet, to native protocols of the non-cloud-ready networked printer;

said microcontroller communicating, through said device communication interface via the network router, the converted native protocols to the non-cloud-ready networked printer.

2. The network virtual printer interface device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said device communication interface is a physical port to receive a first cable connected to a physical port of the local area network communication interface of the network router.

3. The network virtual printer interface device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said device communication interface is a jack for plugging into a physical port of the local area network communication interface of the network router.

4. The network virtual printer interface device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said device communication interface is a transmitter/receiver to create a wireless communication channel with the network router.

5. The network virtual printer interface device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said microcontroller executes a web server application to provide administration, interaction, reporting, and control from a browser which is proxied through the cloud-based service for remote device interaction.

6. The network virtual printer interface device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said microcontroller gates services provided by the non-cloud-ready networked printer in response to restrictions communicated from the cloud-based service to the non-cloud-ready networked printer.

7. A system for providing communication between a cloud-based service, residing on an internet, and a non-cloud-ready networked printer, comprising:

a non-cloud-ready networked printer having a first housing and a local area network communication interface;

a network router having a second housing, an internet communication interface, and a local area network communication interface; and

a network virtual printer interface device;

said network virtual printer interface device consisting essentially of,

a third housing, said third housing being distinct from said first housing and said second housing,

a device communication interface to provide communication to said network router through said local area network communication interface of said network router and to provide communication to said local area network communication interface of said non-cloud-ready networked printer through said local area network communication interface of said network router, and

a microcontroller located in said third housing and operatively connected to said device communication interface;

said microcontroller converting commands, received through said device communication interface, from the cloud-based service, residing on the internet, to native protocols of said non-cloud-ready networked printer;

said microcontroller communicating, through said device communication interface via the network router, the converted native protocols to said non-cloud-ready networked printer.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said device communication interface is a physical port to receive a first cable connected to a physical port of said local area network communication interface of said network router.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said device communication interface is a jack for plugging into a physical port of said local area network communication interface of said network router.

10. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said device communication interface is a transmitter/receiver to create a wireless communication channel with said network router.

11. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said non-cloud-ready networked printer includes scanning, copying, and printing functionality.

12. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said microcontroller executes a web server application to provide administration, interaction, reporting, and control from a browser which is proxied through the cloud-based service for remote device interaction.

13. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said microcontroller gates services provided by the non-cloud-ready networked printer in response to restrictions communicated from the cloud-based service to the non-cloud-ready networked printer.