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 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.

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

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

4. The network virtual printer interface device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said 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 network communication interface;

a network router having a second housing, an internet communication interface, and a 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 distinct from said first housing and said second housing,

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

a microcontroller located in said third 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.

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

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

10. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said 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.