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Methods and apparatus for image acquisition utilize a charge coupled device having a photosensitive region that responds to an applied transfer signal by transferring charge accumulated on the collection sites to the corresponding readout sites. The non-photosensitive region responds to a read signa

Methods and apparatus for image acquisition utilize a charge coupled device having a photosensitive region that responds to an applied transfer signal by transferring charge accumulated on the collection sites to the corresponding readout sites. The non-photosensitive region responds to a read signal, applied independently of the transfer signal, by outputting (e.g., to the host camera or image acquisition system) charges on the readout sites. The methods and apparatus take advantage of the inherent storage capability of the non-photosensitive sites by using them to hold image information pending application of the readout signal, thereby, conserving host resources.

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Methods and apparatus for image acquisition utilize a charge coupled device having a photosensitive region that responds to an applied transfer signal by transferring charge accumulated on the collection sites to the corresponding readout sites. The non-photosensitive region responds to a read signa

Methods and apparatus for image acquisition utilize a charge coupled device having a photosensitive region that responds to an applied transfer signal by transferring charge accumulated on the collection sites to the corresponding readout sites. The non-photosensitive region responds to a read signal, applied independently of the transfer signal, by outputting (e.g., to the host camera or image acquisition system) charges on the readout sites. The methods and apparatus take advantage of the inherent storage capability of the non-photosensitive sites by using them to hold image information pending application of the readout signal, thereby, conserving host resources. measure resistivity? Rev. Sci. Instrum, Jan. 1992, pp. 207-210 v. 63(1) American Institute of Physics, USA. Cho, et al. AC bridge for high-temperature magnetic thermometry Rev. Sci. Instrum. Aug., 1990 pp. 2232-2235 v. 61(8) American Institute of Physics, USA. Bruschi, et al. New high-precision bridge for low-resistance thermometry Rev. Sci. Instrum, Sep., 1986 pp. 2361-2362, v. 57 (9) Amer. Inst. Physics, USA. Corson, Computer-compatible, self-contained, prescision ac resistance bridge suitable for thermometry Rev. Sci. Instrum. Dec., 1985 pp. 2310-2311 v. 56(12) Amer. Inst. Physics, USA. Narci, Low-noise four-terminal ac resistance bridge Rev. Sci. Instrum. May, 1985 pp. 773-774 v. 56(5) American Institute of Physics, USA. Bruschi, et al. Precise temperature controller for resistance thermometers Rev. Sci. Instrum. Mar., 1985 pp. 427-429 v. 56(3) American Institute of Physics, USA. Gearhart, et al. Simple high-stability potentiometric ac bridge circuits for high-resolution low-temperature resistance thermometry Rev. Sci. Instrum., Nov., 1975 pp. 1493-1499 v. 46(11) Amer. Inst. Physics, USA. Anderson, Low-Noise ac Bridge for Resistance Thermometry at Low Temperatures Rev. Sci. Instrum. Oct., 1973 pp. 1475-1477, v. 44(10) Amer. Inst. Physics, USA. Low Noise Precision Difet Operational Amplifier, Burr-Brown IC Data Book-Linear Products pp. 1.27-2.37 and Figs. 17 & 18, 1994, Burr-Brown Corporation, USA. wherein the output of the follower communicates with a common connection between the resistive networks. 4. The bridge according to claim 1 further comprising: (a) a reference potential communicating with an end of the unknown impedance remote from the transformer secondary, (b) a direct current blocking capacitor interposed between the secondary's terminal of the series connection and its respective amplifier input, (c) a current shunt communicating with the blocking capacitor on the capacitor's amplifier side, and (d) a voltage follower whose input communicates with the unknown impedance's terminal of the series connection, and whose output communicates with the blocking capacitor through the capacitor's current shunt, the input impedance of the follower being high enough and the bias current being low enough to avoid significantly loading and heating the unknown impedance. 5. The bridge according to claim 4 wherein the current shunt comprises a resistive network, and wherein the output of the follower communicates with the resistive network at an end remote from its communication point with the capacitor. 6. The bridge according to claim 1 further comprising: (a) a reference potential communicating with the junction of the unknown impedance and the transformer secondary, (b) a direct current blocking capacitor interposed between the unknown impedance's terminal of the series connection and its respective amplifier input, (c) a current shunt communicating with the blocking capacitor on the capacitor's amplifier side, and (d) a voltage follower whose input communicates with the unknown impedance's terminal of the series connection, and whose output communicates with the blocking capacitor through the capacitor's current shunt, the input impedance of the follower being high enough and the bias current being low enough to avoid significantly loading and heating the unknown impedance. 7. The bridge according to claim 6 wherein the current shunt comprises a resistive network, and wherein the output of the follower communicates with the resistive network at an end remote from its communication point with the capacitor. after start-up is provided, whereby the majority of current is shunted through the field effect transistors.