Patent ID: 7821664

Claim:
A single continuous cable comprising: a first connector of the single continuous cable having a print controller ready data interface for receiving print controller ready data from a host device; a second connector of the single continuous cable having a print engine ready data interface for providing print engine ready data to a printing device; and a printer controller in communication with both the host device by way of the first connector and the printing device by way of the second connector, the printer controller configured to receive the print controller ready data from the host device by way of the print controller ready data interface and to generate the print engine ready data for transmission to the printing device by way of the print engine ready data interface; and a multiple target device support mechanism configured to support at least two different types of printing devices, the multiple target device support mechanism being disposed entirely within the single continuous cable, wherein the multiple target device support mechanism further comprises: a laser printer interface for providing an interface to a laser printer; a non-impact printer interface for providing an interface to a non-impact ink printer; and a common formatting circuit in communication with the laser printer interface and the non-impact printer interface for providing functions to the laser printer interface and the non-impact printer interface; wherein all circuitry integrated with the single continuous cable, including the printer controller, is disposed entirely within the single continuous cable and the cable is configured to be simultaneously coupled to the printer and the host device.