Printer having universal image port and related system and method

A printer comprising:

• a universal serial bus import;
• (30)
• a universal serial bus transfer port;
• (28, 24)
• a universal serial bus control circuit (38) coupled between said universal serial bus input port (30) and said universal serial bus transfer port (28, 24);
• a parallel port;
• (22)
• a print element driver circuit;
• (48)
• a printer control logic circuit (44) coupled between said print element driver circuit 48 and said parallel port (22).

An imaging system for processing imaging data, including video frame data, and for printing images corresponding to print image data, comprising:

• a computer having software for receiving and processing video frame data and for generating print image data and having a computer port;
• a selection circuit;
• and
• a grab printer including an integrated video capture unit for creating video frame data from a video input, a printer unit for printing images corresponding to print image data, and a grab printer port,
• wherein the computer port and the grab printer port are coupled to transfer video frame data created by the video capture unit between the video capture unit and the computer for processing by the computer when said selection circuit is in a first operating state;
• and
• wherein the computer port and the grab printer port are coupled to transfer print image data between the computer and the printer unit for printing images using the printer unit when said selection circuit is in a second operating state.

A grab printer for creating video frame data and for printing images corresponding to print image data, comprising:

• an integrated video capture unit for creating video frame data from a video input;
• a printer unit for printing images corresponding to print image data;
• a grab printer port operatively connected to the integrated video capture unit and the printer unit;
• and
• a selection circuit,
• wherein the selection circuit, in a first operating state, facilitates transfer of video frame data between the grab printer port and the integrated video capture unit;
• and
• wherein the selection circuit, in a second operating state, facilitates transfer of print image data between the grab printer port and the printer unit.

An imaging system for processing imaging data, including video frame data, and for printing images corresponding to print image data, comprising:

• a computer having software for receiving and processing video frame data and for generating print image data and having a first computer port and a second computer port;
• a selection circuit;
• and
• a grab printer with an integrated video capture unit for creating video frame data from a video input and receiving image data in universal serial bus form, a printer unit for printing images corresponding to print image data, and a first grab printer port and a second grab printer port,
• wherein the first computer port and the first grab printer port are coupled together to transfer video frame data created by the video capture unit between the video capture unit and the computer for processing by the computer when said selection circuit is in a first operating state;
• wherein the first computer port and the first grab printer port are coupled to transfer print image data between the computer and the printer unit for printing images using the printer unit when the selection circuit is in a second operating state;
• and
• wherein the second computer port and the second grab printer port are coupled together to transfer image data in universal serial bus form between the integrated video capture unit and the computer for processing by the computer.

A grab printer for receiving and generating image data, including by creating video frame data, and for printing images corresponding to print image data, comprising:

• an integrated video capture unit for receiving image data in universal serial bus form, and for creating video frame data from a video input;
• a printer unit for printing images corresponding to print image data;
• a first grab printer port operatively connected to the integrated video capture unit and the printer unit;
• a selection circuit;
• and
• a second grab printer port operatively connected to the integrated video capture unit,
• wherein the first grab printer port is responsive to the selection circuit to make video frame data transferable between the first grab printer port and the integrated video capture unit during a first mode of operation,
• wherein the first grab printer port is responsive to the selection circuit to make print image data transferable between the first grab printer port and the printer unit during a second mode of operation, and
• wherein the image data in universal serial form is transferable between the integrated video capture unit and the second grab printer port.

A method for imaging, including for video frame imaging, and printing with using a grab printer having an integrated video capture unit, a printer unit and a grab printer port operatively connected to the video capture unit and the printer unit, and an arbitration control circuit, comprising the steps of:

• creating video frame data from a video input;
• providing control of the grab printer port to the video capture unit to make video frame data transferable between the integrated video capture unit and the grab printer port during a first mode of operation;
• and
• providing control of the grab printer port to the printer unit to make print image data transferable to the grab printer parallel port from a print image data input and between the grab printer port and the printer unit during a second mode of operation.

A method for imaging, including for video frame imaging, and printing using a grab printer having an integrated video capture unit, a printer unit, a first grab printer port operatively connected to the video capture unit and the printer unit, an arbitration control circuit, and a second grab printer port comprising the steps of:

• creating video frame data from a video input;
• providing control of the first grab printer port to the video capture unit to make video frame data transferable between the integrated video capture unit and the first grab printer port during a first mode of operation;
• providing control of the first grab printer port to the printer unit to make print image data transferable to the first grab printer parallel port from a print image data input and between the first grab printer port and the printer unit during a second mode of operation;
• and
• transferring data in universal serial form between the integrated video capture unit and the second grab printer port.