Printer formatter in a cable

摘要

A printer cable that is configured for coupling to a printer having an enclosure and a printer port. The printer cable includes a first connector for connecting to the printer port and a second connector for coupling to a host device (e.g., a personal computer (PC)). The printer cable includes a printer formatter for providing formatting services to the printer via the first connector. Since the printer formatter is integrated into the printer cable, the printer formatter is external to the printer enclosure and is easily removable and configurable by a user.

主权项

1. A printer controller embedded in a removable cable, the printer controller comprising:
a first interface configured to be coupled to a host and receive print controller ready data from the host; a formatter configured to format the print controller ready data to print engine read data for at least two types of printers, wherein the formatter comprises target independent circuitry configured to perform common formatting for the at least two types of printers; a second interface configured to be coupled to and removable from a printer and configured to transmit the print engine ready data to the printer; wherein the printer controller is in communication with a storage unit storing a printer controller program, and the printer controller is configured to:
determine whether the printer controller program is valid based on at least one aspect of the printer or the host; andcontrol storage of an updated printer controller program in the storage unit in response to determining that the printer controller program is not valid.