Device for the passive monitoring and reporting of printer-related data on USB cables
Provided is a device for monitoring printer-related data on USB cables. The USB-compatible device comprises a first USB connector, a second USB connector, a processor, and a non-volatile memory. The device stores printer-related data, reports stored printer-related data to a server, and removes the stored printer-related data from the non-volatile memory.
1. A device for passively monitoring non-networked-printer data, the device comprising:
a first USB connector, a second USB connector, a processor, and a non-volatile memory, the device configured to connect between a computer and a non-networked printer via the USB connectors, the processor configured to:
analyze USB data packets having a pre-determined packet id;
determine printer-related data from an analyzed USB data packet;
store the printer-related data in the non-volatile memory;
analyze the non-volatile memory for any non-reported printer-related data;
report printer-related data stored in the non-volatile memory to a base station;
flag in the non-volatile memory the reported printer-related data as reported; and
remove all printer-related data that has been flagged as reported from the non-volatile memory.
2. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein the first USB connector comprises a male USB connector.
3. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein the second USB connector comprises a female USB connector.
4. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined packet id is a Token IN.
5. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein determining printer-related data comprises analyzing a payload of the USB data packet for Printer Job Language commands.
6. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined packet id is a Token OUT.
7. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein determining printer-related data comprises analyzing a payload of the USB data packet for Printer Control Language commands.
8. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the printer-related data is a page count.
9. A device for monitoring non-networked printer data, the device comprising:
a first USB connector;
a second USB connector, wherein the device is configured to connect between a computer and the non-networked printer;
a communication interface;
a processor; and
a non-volatile memory, wherein the processor is configured to:
analyze USB data;
store printer-related data in the non-volatile memory;
report stored printer-related data to a server using the communication interface;
flag in the non-volatile memory the reported printer-related data as reported; and
remove stored printer-related data that has been flagged.
10. The device as described in claim 9 wherein the communication interface is a radio interface.
11. The device as described in claim 9 wherein the communication interface is a mesh network interface.