Virtual printer interface node
View Patent ↗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.
1. A network virtual printer interface node for providing communication between a cloud-based service, residing on an internet, and a non-cloud-ready networked printer, residing on a local area network, through to a network router, the network virtual printer interface node residing as a distinct device on the local area network, the network router controlling communications between the local area network and the internet, the network router having a local area network communication interface and an internet communication interface, comprising:
a housing;
a communication interface to provide communication directly to the local area network communication interface of the network router; and
a microcontroller, located within said housing, operatively connected to said communication interface;
said communication interface providing communication between said microcontroller and the local area network communication interface of the network router, the network router providing a communication path between said microcontroller and the non-cloud-ready networked printer;
said microcontroller converting local area network based protocols received, through said communication interface, from the non-cloud-ready networked printer to firewall friendly wide area network based protocols, the firewall friendly wide area network based protocols enabling the non-cloud-ready networked printer to be able to connect to the cloud-based service;
said microcontroller transmitting, through said communication interface via the network router, the firewall friendly wide area network based protocols to the cloud-based service.
2. The network virtual printer interface node as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said communication interface is a port to receive a first cable connected to the local area network communication interface of the network router.
3. The network virtual printer interface node as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said communication interface is a jack for plugging into the local area network communication interface of the network router.
4. The network virtual printer interface node as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said communication interface is a transmitter/receiver to create a wireless communication channel with the local area network communication interface of the network router.
5. The network virtual printer interface node 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 node 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 residing on a local area network;
a network router for controlling communications between the local area network and the internet;
said network router having a local area network communication interface port and an internet communication interface port; and
a network virtual printer interface node residing as a distinct device on the local area network;
said non-cloud-ready networked printer being communicatively connected to a local area network communication interface port of said network router;
said network virtual printer interface node being communicatively connected to a local area network communication interface port of said network router;
said network virtual printer interface node including,
a housing,
a communication interface to provide communication with said local area network communication interface port of said network router, and
a microcontroller, located within said housing, operatively connected to said communication interface;
said communication interface providing communication between said microcontroller and said local area network communication interface port of said network router;
said network router providing a communication path between said microcontroller and said non-cloud-ready networked printer;
said microcontroller converting local area network based protocols received, through said communication interface, from said non-cloud-ready networked printer to firewall friendly wide area network based protocols, the firewall friendly wide area network based protocols enabling said non-cloud-ready networked printer to be able to connect to the cloud-based service;
said microcontroller transmitting, through said communication interface via said network router, the firewall friendly wide area network based protocols to the cloud-based service.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said communication interface is a port to receive a first cable connected to said local area network communication interface port of said network router.
9. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said first communication interface is a jack for plugging into said local area network communication interface port of said network router.
10. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said non-cloud-ready networked printer includes scanning, copying, and printing functionality.
11. 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.
12. The system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said microcontroller gates services provided by said non-cloud-ready networked printer in response to restrictions communicated from the cloud-based service to said non-cloud-ready networked printer.
13. 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 residing on a local area network;
a network router for controlling communications between the local area network and the internet;
said network router having a local area network wireless communication interface and an internet communication interface port; and
a network virtual printer interface node residing as a distinct device on the local area network;
said non-cloud-ready networked printer being wirelessly communicatively connected to a local area network communication interface port of said network router;
said network virtual printer interface node being wirelessly communicatively connected to a local area network communication interface port of said network router;
said network virtual printer interface node including,
a housing,
a wireless communication interface to provide wireless communication, and
a microcontroller, located within said housing, operatively connected to said wireless communication interface;
said wireless communication interface providing wireless communication between said microcontroller and said local area network communication interface of said network router;
said network router providing a communication path between said microcontroller and said non-cloud-ready networked printer;
said microcontroller converting local area network based protocols received, through said communication interface, from said non-cloud-ready networked printer to firewall friendly wide area network based protocols, the firewall friendly wide area network based protocols enabling said non-cloud-ready networked printer to be able to connect to the cloud-based service;
said microcontroller transmitting, through said wireless communication interface via said network router, the firewall friendly wide area network based protocols to the cloud-based service.
14. The system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said non-cloud-ready networked printer includes scanning, copying, and printing functionality.
15. The system as claimed in claim 13 , 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.
16. The system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said microcontroller gates services provided by said non-cloud-ready networked printer in response to restrictions communicated from the cloud-based service to said non-cloud-ready networked printer.