Patent ID: 8908213
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An inline virtual printer interface device 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 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 to provide communication between the cloud-based service and the network router, and the network router having a local area network communication interface, the inline virtual printer interface device consisting essentially of: a device housing, said device housing being distinct from the printer housing and the router housing; a first communication interface to provide communication to the network router through the local area network communication interface of the network router; a second communication interface to provide communication to the local area network communication interface of the non-cloud-ready networked printer; and a microcontroller located in said device housing and operatively connected between said first communication interface and said second communication interface; said microcontroller converting commands, received through said first 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 second communication interface, the converted native protocols of the non-cloud-ready networked printer to the non-cloud-ready networked printer.