Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output

An electronic still image camera comprising:

• an optical lens,
• a shutter mechanism operably associated with said lens,
• an array of discrete light sensing pixel elements, each pixel element being responsive when said shutter mechanism is operated to incident illumination from a subject image radiating through said lens to generate an analog picture information signal corresponding to said subject image,
• pixel multiplexing means responsive to said array of pixel elements for separating an output from each pixel element into its primary color components,
• analog to digital converter means responsive to the output of said pixel multiplexing means for converting said analog picture information signal into corresponding digital data information signals,
• removably mounted memory means for temporarily storing said digital data information signals,
• output data format control means for storing in said camera at least one of a plurality of different output data format codes where each of said plurality of output data format codes corresponds respectively to one of a like plurality of different data formats for different types of computer apparatus, and
• logic means responsive to said format control means for selectively controlling the formatting of said digital data information signals in accordance with a selected one of said plurality of different output data codes.

A process for storing an electronically sensed video image comprising the steps of:

• generating an analog image signal corresponding to the imagewise pattern of radiant light incident on a plurality of light sensing pixel elements,
• converting the analog image signals into digital electronic information signals wherein a distinct digital electronic signal corresponds to the analog image signals corresponding to the intensity of radiant light falling on the light sensing pixel elements,
• temporarily storing the digital electronic information signals,
• recording in selectable addressible memory means at least one of a plurality of different digital output data format codes where each of said plurality of output data format codes corresponds respectively to one of a like plurality of different data formats for different types of computer apparatus,
• selecting from said selectable addressible memory means one of said different digital output data format codes to be associated with each said digital electronic information signals, and
• storing said digital electronic information signals in a digital memory in accordance with said selected output data format code.

An electronic video image signal output data format translator comprising:

• input means for receiving image signals corresponding to sensed picture information,
• converter means for converting said image signals to digital image signals,
• buffer storage means for temporarily storing said digital image signals,
• output data format selection means for selecting one of a plurality of different data format codes stored in the translator to be associated with each said digital image signals where each of said plurality of different data format codes corresponds respectively to one of a like plurality of different data formats for different types of computer apparatus, and
• output memory means for storing said digital image signals formatted in accordance with said selected data format code.