Let’s get started with learning about development using the Epson Connect API.

• What is Epson Connect API?
• Benefits of using Epson Connect API
• Use Cases
• How to use the APIs

 

What is Epson Connect API?

The Epson Connect API provides ways of controlling and executing printing to the Epson device (such a printer) connected to Epson’s cloud service “Epson Connect”. It offers the capability to print files to a remote printer easily.

Benefits of using Epson Connect API

Print remotely from anywhere	User privacy is protected by deleting the files uploaded to Epson Connect immediately after printing	Easy linking with many cloud services

Use Cases

Epson offers the following applications using the Epson Connect API.

• Epson Print Bot for Slack

Use case 1: Connecting with communication tools

Linking with API for such as Slack allows users to print the files shared in a Slack channel. One way to do it is create a BOT that prints the most recently shared PDF or photo by typing a command “/print”

Use case 2: Selling art online

The Epson Connect API offers print capability without having to worry about user’s data retention. For example, the web application that sells arts online can be connected to the specific printers, which allows the art providers to sell only the hard copies. This way prevents users from saving electric data on their devices.

Use case 3: Printing attendee badges

The integration of printers with a web application that generates images provides a comprehensive solution. For example, attendees can print their badges simultaneously at an event check-in.

How to use the APIs

~ Print ~

The printing flow is summarized in the following steps.

1. Authentication
2. Create print job
3. Upload print file
4. Execute print

1. Authentication

This is the first step that authorizes you are an official user. Specify the correct ID (Client ID) and password (Client secret). Also specify which device you want to use by email address. If you are confirmed as the correct user, you will receive a string as Key string (Access token) and a device identification number (Device ID).

2. Create print job

This is the step that requests a device to prepare printing. Specify your access token and device identification number (Device ID) received in Step 1 and get your device ready to print. If your access token and Device ID are verified, you will receive a serial number for printing (print job ID) and URI to upload print data.

3. Upload print file

The is the step to upload print file. Upload file(s) to URI you received in Step 2. Please check the specification details for additional requirements such as having a file name with a number “1”.pdf, etc.
No response is returned even if upload is successful.

4. Execute print

The last step is print execution. Execute print by specifying your access token and Device ID received in Step 1 and print job ID received in Step 2.

~ Scan ~

The scanning flow is summarized in the following steps.
1. Authentcation
2. Register scan destination
3. Execute scan

1. Authentication

This is the first step that authorizes you are an official user. Specify the correct ID (Client ID) and password (Client secret). Also specify by email address which device you want to use.
If you are confirmed as the correct user, you will receive a string as Key string (Access token) and a device identification number (Device ID).

2. Register scan destination

This is the step that registers a scan destination. Specify your access token and device identification number (Device ID) received in Step 1 and register a scan destination to the target device. If your access token and Device ID are verified, the information will be registered as a scan destination.

3. Execute scan

The last step is execute scan. Select Home → Scan → Scan to cloud on the target device.
Verify a scan destination registered in Step 2 is displayed in the scan destination list.
Execute scan by selecting a scan destination registered in Step 2.