Optical converter and method therefor

PURPOSE: To provide a compact optical converter with which the maximum resolution can be obtained by using the interpolation of high accuracy, by projection a pattern of light and shade having a correlation with the geometric structure, onto at least one photosensitive array surface of the shape of an integrated circuit. CONSTITUTION: An integrated circuit 1 comprises a photosensitive increment- measuring range 1A and a photosensitive absolute measuring range 1B. An absolute measuring system of low resolution and that of high resolution have a common luminescent means. They receive radiation of light from a common light source 3 and have a common optical image of both of a code track B to the absolute position of a scale 5, and a code track A to the increment shift, on a common photosensitive detector. When the light and shade pattern having the geometric correlation to the geometric structure of the surface is projected onto at least one photosensitive array surface of the shape of the integrated circuit 1, the interpolation can be performed with the accuracy of the integrated circuit 1 or an outline of the photosensitive surface of the same, as the result of the photosensitivity thereof. COPYRIGHT: (C)1995,JPO