encoders and switches?

[Josh Brandt]

Forgive me for what is a bit off-topic, but I figured people here would
know. If it's going to digress too much, can you please respond via private
email, to keep from cluttering the list? Thanks much...

I have an application that needs me to use a rotary encoder as a controller.
I seem to remember someone here mentioning that there is some IC that will
take a pulse and, effectively, open and close a switch. I suppose this is
something like a relay, but I think that would be too slow... I seem to
remember it being electronic, not mechanical... 

Am I completely confused, or is there something like this out there? 

Thanks much...
Josh