HP Open Extensibility Platform
| Company type | Software development framework |
|---|---|
| Industry | Enterprise software, Printing |
| Founder | Hewlett-Packard Co. |
| Products | HP OXPd, HP OXPm, HP OXPw SDKs |
| Parent | Hewlett-Packard Co. |
HP Open Extensibility Platform (HP OXP), created by Hewlett-Packard Co., is a comprehensive enterprise software development framework composed of three distinct layers: 1) HP OXPd, the device layer that facilitates document workflow applications; 2) HP OXPm, the management layer that supports administrative tools such as HP Web Jetadmin; and 3) HP OXPw, the workflow layer that integrates web services into software including the HP Universal Printer Driver (HP UPD). The device layer, known as HP OXPd, provides a SDK designed for developing document workflow solutions using standard web service protocols, aimed at boosting efficiency when working with multifunction printers ("MFPs").
Version 1.6 of HP OXPd enables web-based applications to optimize document workflows by running on remote servers and being accessed through control panels on HP LaserJet MFPs. This architecture, based on service-oriented principles, centralizes application administration, decreases firmware complexity embedded in devices, and improves compatibility across software.
HP OXPd is integrated by default into HP LaserJet printers and MFPs manufactured from 2010 onward and can be installed as a firmware update on certain older models. The SDK is provided to authorized third-party developers via the HP OXP Developer Program.
Description
The HP OXPd SDK offers developers a uniform set of device service APIs across an entire device fleet for building workflow applications that handle printing, scanning, and document management. It supports a genuine web application paradigm where application logic executes remotely on servers while interactive user interfaces are presented on device control panels through embedded web browsers utilizing standard technologies such as XHTML, JavaScript, and AJAX. This approach streamlines the creation of web-based document workflow applications and reduces the need for device-specific programming.
Device Service APIs
In version 1.6 of HP OXPd, device web service APIs encompass UI configuration, scanning operations, USB accessory handling, and security functions. Applications leveraging these APIs behave uniformly across various HP devices, simplifying the processes of development, deployment, and maintenance of workflow solutions.
From a developer’s perspective, an HP OXPd-enabled device functions as a server exposing functionality via the SOAP protocol; conversely, users experience it as a client accessing remote web applications through an embedded browser interface. Both perspectives are crucial for comprehensive understanding of the platform.
Setting up an HP OXPd application involves defining elements such as a menu icon or button, title, description, and the URL pointing to the web application. Upon user selection of the menu item, the device launches its embedded browser to display the remote app on the control panel with an interactive touch interface. Configuration services enable developers to tailor this interface to specific needs.
Scan services provide remote control over scanning features on HP LaserJet MFPs by allowing retrieval of scanner capabilities, adjustment of settings, and creation of scan job tickets that specify destinations and transmission modes—either job mode with image previews or immediate image mode. These services also facilitate initiation, monitoring, and cancellation of scan jobs.
The USB accessory services in HP OXPd 1.6 permit web applications to interact with USB devices connected to MFPs. They support registration and data exchange while allowing multiple applications to simultaneously share access to USB accessories.
Security
In HP OXPd, user information is safeguarded through channel encryption, utilizing SSL protocols whenever HTTP is in operation, thereby supporting HTTPS. Before establishing a connection, the HP OXPd device requests and authenticates the server’s identity certificate.
When user authentication is activated, login details are input directly on the device interface, then embedded within an HTTP header and sent to the HP OXPd web application for verification. Since network credentials are transmitted via HTTP headers, HP strongly advises employing SSL or HTTPS to encrypt these credentials and protect sensitive information from unauthorized exposure.