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MEAP FAQ's * To download a MEAP presentation, CLICK HERE. What does MEAP stand for?
MEAP is the acronym for Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform. MEAP is an application development platform that allows the creation of embedded applications for Canon multifunctional peripheral devices. Custom applications can be created to execute on the device itself. What is a Multifunctional Peripheral Device? A multifunctional peripheral device (MFP) is a networked device that prints, copies, scans, and faxes. In addition, Canon MFPs have “mailboxes” on the device in which users can store document images for later retrieval and printing. What programming language is used to develop MEAP applications? MEAP applications are written in Java. MEAP is based on the J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) environment using the Connected Device Configuration (CDC), Foundation Profile (FP), Personal Profile (PP), and Personal Basis Profile (PBF). How do Java applications get executed on a MEAP device? Java applications are executed software called a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). A JVM for Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) with the Connected Device Configuration (CDC) is embedded on the device. Java applications need to be translated (compiled) into a form called byte code in order to be executed by a JVM. How are MEAP applications developed? A MEAP developer codes and compiles (translates the Java code into byte code) a MEAP application using any Java development tool. The compiled application (called a Jar file) is then installed on the MEAP device using an installation tool provided with the MEAP platform called the Service Management Service (SMS). The emulator in the SDK can also be used for testing applications. Return to Top of Page A service is an application. MEAP has System Services and custom services. Custom services are also called custom applications. MEAP services may be classified into three types from the standpoint of user interfaces:
A MEAP application can contain one or more of these three types of service. Return to Top of Page What can a MEAP application do? MEAP applications can do very many things, such as:
What does the MEAP architecture look like? The diagram below shows an MFP with the MEAP platform, System Services, and custom applications. The Device Native Applications, Controller and Real-Time Operating System are standard in the multifunctional peripheral device, with or without MEAP. The MEAP platform is layered on top of the operating system and consists of the JVM, OSGI Framework, and Canon Class Libraries. System Services and custom applications are layered on top of the MEAP Platform.
System services are software modules that provide functionality that enables MEAP applications to be installed and executed on a MEAP device. The MEAP platform comes with system services installed on the device. These include the Service Management Service (SMS), Local and Remote Login Services, the Applet Viewer Service, License Management Service, and an HTTP Service. What is the Service Management Service(SMS)? SMS is a System Service that allows MEAP applications to be managed on a MEAP device using a remote Web Browser. SMS can be used to install/uninstall and start/stop MEAP applications. It can also be used to obtain information about MEAP applications installed on a device and license updates. What are the MEAP Login Services? MEAP provides a Local Login Service (LLS) and a Remote Login Service (RLS). The LLS enables login at the device console using a User ID and Password or other authentication methods, such as card or biometric. The RLS enables login through a remote Web browser. What is the Applet Viewer Service? The Applet Viewer Service (AVS) manages the display of a MEAP applications to display a user interface on the device LCD console. The HTTP server provides the interface to servlet-type services. The HTTP server supports HTTP (port number: 8000). A Servlet-type service has a relative URL associated with it. The service name is defined when the service is developed, and an end user cannot change the URL. The HTTP server manages the service name and makes a request to the URL that is forwarded to the service. Do MEAP devices have a Web Browser? No. MEAP devices have an HTTP Server that serves up web pages that can be viewed on a remote browser. However, there is no Web browser for MEAP devices that would allow the viewing of Web pages as part of a MEAP application. What Canon Class Libraries does MEAP support? MEAP supports the standard J2ME/CDC (Java 2 Micro Edition with Connected Device Configuration) libraries found in the Foundation Profile and Personal Profile. In addition, MEAP has proprietary libraries that enable additional functionality. One such library is the CPCA Class Library, which can be used to control native device functions. Another library is the Common Toolkit Library (CTK), which provides special user interface capabilities. In addition, MEAP provides libraries for image format conversions, image display, a USB interface, MIB access, encryption, and security CPCA stands for Common Peripheral Controlling Architecture. CPCA is a proprietary communication protocol developed by Canon to communicate with MFPs. CPCA controls all MFP functionality including printing, copying, scanning, and mailbox management. What does the CPCA Class Library do? The CPCA Class Library encapsulates CPCA functionality in Java. It allows a MEAP application to control and monitor all device functionality including printing, copying, scanning, and mailboxes. What is included in the MEAP SDK? The MEAP SDK contains documentation (PDF manuals and JavaDocs), Sample Applications, Use Cases, and an emulator for testing MEAP user interfaces on a PC. Additionally, the SDK includes tools for testing an application’s resource usage. What Canon devices are MEAP-enabled? The imageRUNNER 5020/6020, 2220/3320,C3220 series devices are MEAP-enabled. MEAP SDK V1.3 is available for development on these devices. Can an existing device have MEAP installed? No. Existing devices cannot be retrofitted with MEAP. What costs are associated with MEAP? The MEAP SDK costs $5,000. The fee includes one year of technical support by Canon’s Software Engineering Group. Support for subsequent years can be purchased for $2,500 per year. Additionally, there may be a royalty for each Canon device on which the MEAP application is installed. Are there safeguards to assure application integrity? Applications must be code-signed by Canon in order to be installed on end-user devices. An application is digitally signed after it passes Canon verification, assuring that the guidelines described in the MEAP SDK are followed. Additionally, the applications are encrypted to protect intellectual property. I would like to develop applications for MEAP devices. What do I need to do next? 1. Register with the Developer Support Program as an Essential member. Essential membership is automatically granted upon registration and is free of charge. How do I request a Switch File? Switch Files are restricted to MEAP Developers that are licensed with Canon U.S.A., Inc. If you are a MEAP Developer from another region, please contact your area’s Developer Support. |
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