Abstract: The invention is directed to an interface circuit for bridging voltage domains. The interface circuit receives an input signal, having a larger voltage domain, and safely provides the signal to an electronic device which has a smaller voltage domain. The interface circuit may include a transistor configured as a source follow so that an output of the transistor follows the input of the transistor. A blocking voltage may be provided at the input of the transistor to provide a voltage bias, blocking a range of input voltages to the transistor. The transistor may also have a blocking voltage at a drain terminal of the transistor, to block any output voltage above the blocking voltage.

Abstract: A method of transferring charge from a photosensitive array using a plurality of vertical shift registers, each having a plurality of vertical elements including first and last vertical element is disclosed The vertical shift registers are capable of transferring charge in a first direction from the first to the last vertical element The method also includes using at least one horizontal shift register having a plurality of horizontal elements. Each of the horizontal elements is arranged to receive charge transferred from the last vertical element of a respective one of the plurality of vertical shift registers, and shift the charge in a horizontal direction. The method includes operating the horizontal shift register during a plurality of horizontal operating intervals and operating the plurality of vertical shift registers during at least a portion of the plurality of horizontal operating intervals.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an interface circuit for bridging voltage domains. The interface circuit receives an input signal, having a larger voltage domain, and safely provides the signal to an electronic device which has a smaller voltage domain. The interface circuit may include a transistor configured as a source follow so that an output of the transistor follows the input of the transistor. A blocking voltage may be provided at the input of the transistor to provide a voltage bias, blocking a range of input voltages to the transistor. The transistor may also have a blocking voltage at a drain terminal of the transistor, to block any output voltage above the blocking voltage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of transferring charge from a photosensitive array using a plurality of vertical shift registers each having a plurality of vertical elements including a first vertical element and a last vertical element, each of the plurality of vertical elements capable of storing charge, the plurality of vertical shifter registers, when operated, are capable of transferring charge from each of the plurality of vertical elements to a respective adjacent one of the plurality of vertical elements in a first direction from the first vertical element to the last vertical element, and using at least one horizontal shift register having a plurality of horizontal elements, each of the plurality of horizontal elements of the at least one horizontal shift register arranged to receive charge transferred from the last vertical element of a respective one of the plurality of vertical shift registers, the at least one horizontal shift register, when operated, capable of transferring charge from each of the plura