Print from PC to Kindle

[DarkTrick]

Hi,

I customized a java printserver to run on the kindle and print text documents.

shown here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tupMrGrcgEk

I'm using a Kindle Touch, but I'm sure it would run on other ones as well.

The server can't end gracefully at the moment. So there is a 'please restart' message shown.
The goal is to even support image-prints and an airprint-server

In case you want to try it yourself, you can download the attached kindlet. It should run with the usual developer keystore provided here.
The Printer on the computer should be
- Text printer
- LPR
- Queue Name: "RAW"


Would be nice to get some feedback

regards

[knc1]

Do you make the source available or did you setup a public repository?

This site discourages closed source software, Amazon provides us with enough of that.

[brianinmaine]

This is an unusual idea. What do you envision this used for? I have a Touch, and might try it, but can't think of any reason?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by brianinmaine

This is an unusual idea.
What do you envision this used for?
I have a Touch, and might try it, but can't think of any reason?

Thinking of a reason is the hard part of this suggestion.
Thinking of a reason that couldn't be accomplished with a simple file transfer is even harder.

- - - - -

Question:
What use-case would require that the originating device **not** create a file?

Ans:
Both devices (the Kindle's flash and the other device's something) using semipermanent memory.
Say, maybe flash or SSD drives.
PLUS:
The Kindle is physically secure and the other device is not physically secure.

Then you would not want to write (or print spool) the output of a program to the storage memory of the un-secure device.

Because it could be physically stolen, the memory chip(s) removed, peeled, the micro-controller hacked, and the erase blocks not in use read.
(A really big technical challenge, but a serious concern among manufacturers and users of big SSD drives.)

Hmm...
Still pretty far out -
And I still don't see why this use-case could not be answered by running a TrueCrypt (or the ms equivalent) storage partition on the originating device, and writing a file to it for later transfer to the Kindle.

- - - - -

No one ever asked for a secure storage facility on their Kindle that I can recall.
So we (twobob and I) never did try creating a LUKS partition (or a file-as-a-device) on the Kindle.
(We did discuss it, as part of a non-public project.)
But I am pretty sure that the kernel version(s) used in any of the touch screen Kindles is new enough to support it.

- - - - -

Perhaps this suggestion was just to answer the technical challange and does not have a (practical) use-case.

[DarkTrick]

@knc1:
Actually I did not expect anyone would be interested in the source. I will add it to my first post.

@Use case
My first one was in my university, when I often did not have the cable or my pc with me. Alot of the computers had a USB-lock.
Also, I wanted to transfer files directly from my ipad to my kindle.
Another very big one was, that I want to easily read long texts on my kindle without the filetransfer-stuff. I want to open wikipedia, mark, what I want to read and read exactly that (without getting processed by amazon first).
So I thought of an universal interface. One, that almost every device supports. It turns out to be the printer.
So the goal could be to put various kinds of printer-encodings on the kindle, so you could use various kinds of generic printer drivers or even AirPrint

cheers

[knc1]

Well, for those use-cases where you want to immediately see the output . . . .
The current system makes a person handle the Kindle to select the just printed document.

- - - - -

Instead, why not add a HPGL driver to your javaprinter, dig around here in the graphics posts about how to front a selected window, then "print" directly to the screen.

- - - - -

From you comments, I get the impression that you are accessing the Kindle over Wifi.
That is, the mention of not having a USB cable or having all of the USB ports locked on the PC that is in use.

- - - - -

In other words ...
The Kindle as a "network attached printer, that understands HPGL"

Now that might well be useful to the people who are using Kindles as an "annunciator type" display device (like displaying weather conditions).

[brianinmaine]

Originally Posted by DarkTrick

@Use case
I want to open wikipedia, mark, what I want to read and read exactly that (without getting processed by amazon first).

I like that part - maybe I'll give it a try.

Also I like the whole concept of hacking to make the device do what you want, so kudos to you for doing it! Thank you.

There haven't been many projects on here since Amazon closed all the holes on the newer devices....

[PoP]

Sometimes an idea « let's make the Kindle a printer » seemingly pointless, can deceptively be used in a new, simple and surprising way. I call these gems.

Respect @DarkTrick

Too bad my K3 v3.4 software is too old to try further :


... Nah no point to call Cutomer Service.

[knc1]

Do you mean that is 3.4.2 ?
There have been two revisions to 3.4 since it was released, 3.4.2 is current.

[PoP]

Ah really! I am on just on v3.4.1. I'll check for a 3.4.2 upgrade and update my post.

EDIT: 22h
I just manually upgraded (interesting that I never received an OTA update) to 3.4.2



Alas same message : it is too old.

[knc1]

It was just a guess.
Sometimes, I guess wrong.

[DarkTrick]

wow! thank you, guys for even trying it . First project ever, that went public

@older version
Is there a chance of making it run even on older devices like PoP's?
What would be necessary for that?

@knc1
Thanks for the idea! It seems, that this is exaclty, what I was looking for! The text-based printing at the moment is not, what I intendet to be the last.
Direct display or document saving is both possible in regards to my concept.
I just got really busy, so it might take me a while to implement, but I definitly go after that!

@kindle connection
In my home I usually use USB-wifi. But for real life, you don't want to plug your kindle in all the time

In other words ...
The Kindle as a "network attached printer, that understands HPGL"

[NiLuJe]

@DarkTrick: I'm guessing it's the same old KDK1 vs. KDK2 thingy. Take a look at KUAL's sources to see how we're handling that. (Basically, the annoying part will be the GUI).