Photoelectric conversion method and apparatus thereof

A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:

• n light-receiving elements arranged in a predetermined direction, where n>2;
• a current-division section having n current dividers which divide each photoelectric current I1, I2, . . . , In of each of said light-receiving elements in predetermined ratios k1 to 1-k1, k2 to 1-k2, . . . , kn to 1-kn, and lead each part of each said divided photoelectric current to a first and a second photoelectric current output terminal respectively;
• and
• a current-division-controlling section for controlling the predetermined ratios to satisfy relationships k1>0.5>kn and km.ltoreq.kp, where p=m-1;
• m=2 to n.

A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising;

• a light-irradiating section for forming a bright spot on an object to be sensed by irradiating light from its irradiating axis;
• a light-receiving section for forming the bright spot image on said objection a light-receiving surface through a lens system, wherein the light-receiving section comprises
• n light-receiving elements arranged in a direction combining the light-irradiating axis and a light-receiving axis on said light-receiving surface, where n>2;
• a current-division section having n current dividers which divide each photoelectric current I1, I2, . . . , In of each of said light-receiving elements in predetermined ratios k1 to 1-k1, k2 to 1-k2, . . . , kn to 1-kn, and lead each divided current to a first and a second photoelectric current output terminal respectively;
• an operation section inputted said first and second photoelectric current output and outputting a sensed signal;
• and
• a current-division-controlling section for controlling said predetermined ratios to satisfy relationships k1>0.5>kn and km.ltoreq.kp, where p=m-1 and m=2 to n.

The photoelectric conversion method comprising the steps of:

• arranging n light-receiving elements {j}, where j=1.about.n and n>2 in a predetermined direction;
• dividing each photoelectric current I{j} of each of said light-receiving elements {j} in four parts I1{j}, I2{j}, I3{j} and I4{j} in ratios of k1{j}, k2{j}, k3{j} and k4{j} respectively;
• leading the four parts of each said photoelectric current to a first, a second, a third and a fourth photoelectric current output terminal respectively;
• and
• making said ratios k1{j}, k2{j}, k3{j} and k4{j} meet the equation of k1{j}+k2{j}+k3{j}+k4{j}=1, and making k3{j}/k1{j}, k1{j}/k2{j} and k2{j}/k4{j} decrease as j increases, further making them meet expressions of k1{1}>k2{1} and k1{n}<k2{n}.

A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:

• a light-receiving section including n light-receiving elements {j} arranged in a predetermined direction, where j=1, 2, . . . , or n, and n>2;
• a reference-voltage setting section for setting a variable reference voltage;
• a current-division-controlling section, connected to said reference voltage setting section, for setting, based on said variable reference voltage, current-division ratios k1{j}, k2{j}, k3{j}, and k4{j} in such a manner that said current-division ratios k1{j}, k2{j}, k3{j} and k4{j} satisfy equation k1{j}+k2{j}+k3{j}+k4{j}=1, and k3{j}/k1{j}, k1{j}/k2{j} and k2{j}/k4{j} decrease in accordance with an increase of j, further said ratios k1{1}, k2{1}, k1{n} and k2{n} satisfy conditions of k1{1}>k2{1} and k1{n} <k2{n};
• and
• a current-division section having n input ends and two output ends, and including n current dividers respectively connected to said n light-receiving elements;
• wherein each of said n current dividers receiving a photoelectric current from a corresponding one of said light-receiving elements through a corresponding one of said n input ends to divide said photoelectric current into four output currents I1{j}, I2{j}, I3{j} and I4{j} with said current-division ratios of k1{j}, k2{j}, k3{j} and k4{j} respectively, and to output first two I1{j} and I2{j} of said four output currents to said two output ends of said current division section;
• and
• the first two output currents I1{j} and I2{j} from said n current dividers are respectively added and output from said two output ends of said current-division section.