Abstract: A cantilever force sensor with relatively lower On-Force is disclosed, which comprises a top stack, a bottom stack, and a spacer. The first spacer is configured between the top stack and the bottom stack and configured in a first side of the force sensor. A second side, opposite to the first side, of the top stack, is cantilevered from the bottom stack. When the force sensor is depressed from the top side, the second side of the top stack moves down using the first spacer as a fulcrum. Since the cantilevered side can be easily depressed down so that the On-Force for the force sensor is reduced and hence a force sensor with a relatively higher sensitivity is created.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder comprising an encoder element having at least two tracks of encoder regions, each region comprising a magnetic pole, the poles along each track being arranged as an alternating pattern of North and South poles, and one or more sensors, each sensor comprising one or more sensing elements associated with a respective track and generating an output that is indicative of the magnetic field associated with that track in the vicinity of the sensor, in which at least one track has a differing number of poles to at least one of the other tracks, and in which the properties of the poles of a first one of the tracks differ along the track such that there is a periodic variation along the first track of the magnetic field emitted by the first track that is detected by the sensing elements associated with the first track which at least partially cancels out a corresponding periodic variation in field from the other tracks that is also detected by the sensing elements associated with the first track.

Abstract: A device includes an analog main signal path and a digital control circuit. The digital control circuit determines and provides a digital control signal to the analog main signal path to reduce a gain error of the analog main signal path.

Abstract: A load pulled oscillator circuit. The load pulled oscillator circuit comprises: i) an active circuit comprising a load pulled oscillator transistor, the active circuit having an optimal operational bias point; ii) an impedance matching circuit coupled to the active circuit; and iii) a temperature compensation circuit coupled to the active circuit and configured to compensate a bias voltage to the active circuit to thereby maintain the optimal operational bias point. The temperature compensation circuit comprises a thermistor that provides a variable resistance according to an ambient temperature in which the active circuit operates. The variable resistance of the thermistor compensates for changes in the ambient temperature to thereby maintain the optimal operational bias point.

Abstract: A method for increasing the power transfer efficiency of a wireless induction power and/or data transfer system comprising a magnetic field transmitter which is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a magnetic field receiver which is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side comprises the steps of disposing at least one flux flow member in or adjacent the barrier at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver. The flux flow member comprises a magnetic permeability different from the magnetic permeability of the barrier. As a result, the flux flow member increases the amount of magnetic flux generated by the transmitter which is coupled through the barrier and into the receiver.

Abstract: There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, a vertical Hall effect sensor includes a semiconductor wafer having a first conductivity type and a plurality of semiconductive electrodes disposed on the semiconductor wafer. The plurality of semiconductive electrodes have the first conductivity type and include a source electrode, a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode, arranged such that the source electrode is between the first sensing electrode and the sensing electrode and a first drain electrode and a second drain electrode, arranged such that the first sensing electrode, second sensing electrode, and source electrode are between the first drain electrode and the second drain electrode. The vertical Hall effect sensor also includes a plurality of semiconductor fingers disposed on the semiconductor wafer and interdigitated with the plurality of semiconductive electrodes, the semiconductor fingers having a second conductivity type.

Abstract: A Hall effect device includes a Hall element and a voltage regulator. The Hall element has first and second bias terminals, or nodes. The Hall effect device maintains, or regulates, a voltage at a point within the Hall element between the first and second bias terminals at about a constant voltage level, while generating a Hall effect voltage. In particular embodiments, the Hall effect voltage is, thus, prevented from substantially varying with the temperature of the Hall element.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated electronic compass and circuit system. The fabrication method begins with providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a surface region. One or more CMOS integrated circuits are then formed on one or more portions of the semiconductor substrate. Once the CMOS circuits are formed, a thickness of dielectric material is formed overlying the one or more CMOS integrated circuits. A substrate is then joined overlying the thickness of the dielectric material. Once joined, the substrate is thinned to a predetermined thickness. Following the thinning process, an electric compass device is formed within one or more regions of the predetermined thickness of the substrate. Other mechanical devices or MEMS devices can also be formed within one or more regions of the thinned substrate.

Abstract: A Hall effect device includes a Hall element and a voltage regulator. The Hall element has first and second bias terminals, or nodes. The Hall effect device maintains, or regulates, a voltage at a point within the Hall element between the first and second bias terminals at about a constant voltage level, while generating a Hall effect voltage. In particular embodiments, the Hall effect voltage is, thus, prevented from substantially varying with the temperature of the Hall element.

Abstract: Circuits and methods to achieve a regulated analog switch being capable to provide an output-voltage not exceeding a defined limit are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment a car battery provides a supply voltage up to 40 Volts, wherein a load must not have an output voltage higher than 22 Volts. The drain-source ON-resistance of the switch, realized by a high-voltage MOSFET, is kept to a minimum. The voltage regulation of the preferred embodiment is performed by a single stage operational amplifier and a two-stage amplifier having Miller compensation.

Abstract: A compensation signal, which derives the mechanical stress, which acts on an integrated semiconductor circuit, from two partial compensation signals, which are generated by semiconductor elements with different stress characteristics, can be determined in more detail when the temperature dependence of a ratio of the partial compensation signals is also considered, wherein particularly a deviation of the ratio of the partial compensation signal to an ideal ratio is considered. Thereby, the rise in accuracy of the stress determination results from determining a deviation of the partial compensation signals, on which the stress determination is based, from a nominal behavior in a stress-free state, so that the deviation of the nominal behavior, which can be based, for example, on a variation of the process parameters in a production process of a semiconductor circuit, can also be considered, in addition to the known temperature behavior.

Abstract: This invention pertains to more sensitive and more stable electronic devices which can sense electrical and magnetic fields. The devices are characterized by InAs channels confined on both sides thereof by a wide band gap AlSb material; protective layers above the AlSb material; modulation doping above the AlSb material; and layers of the InAs channel material containing 1 to 99 mol percent antimony, with the channel material being deposited in the form of alternating monolayers of InSb and InAs, of a ternary mixture of InAsSb.

Abstract: An isolator having a driver circuit which responsive to an input signal drives appropriate signals into one or more coils which are magnetically coupled to one or more corresponding MR or GMR elements whose resistance is variable in response to the magnetic field applied by the coil(s), and an output circuit that converts the resistance changes to an output signal corresponding to the input signal. A Faraday shield is interposed between the coil(s) and the MR or GMR elements. Common mode transients applied to the driver are capacitively coupled from the coil(s) into the Faraday shield and therethrough to ground, instead of into the MR elements. A second Faraday shield may be disposed in spaced relationship with the first Faraday shield and referenced to the potential of the MR elements for even greater common mode rejection. The entire structure may be formed monolithically as an integrated circuit on a single substrate, for low cost, small size, and low power consumption.

Abstract: A headlight warning system incorporates an engine running sensor and a headlight sensor coupled to a control circuit for activating a warning device, such as a buzzer, when the headlights have been left on for a first period of time after the engine has stopped running, and for deactivating the warning device either after a second period of time, if the engine is started, or if the headlights are shut off. The engine running sensor inductively senses a vehicle ignition signal. The headlight sensor magnetically senses the current in one of the battery cables using a Hall effect sensor in series with a magnetic flux collector encircling the battery cable. If the battery current exceeds an adjustable threshold, the headlights are assumed to be on. Following the deactivation of the warning device after the second period of time, the headlight warning system is reset by either starting the engine or by shutting off the headlights.

Abstract: The current flow from a temperature-variable current source to a Hall-effect element is adjusted according to sensed temperature conditions of the element to compensate for temperature-dependent changes in the magnetic-field sensitivity of the Hall-effect element and in the magnitude of the permanent magnetic fields of magnetic components sensed by the element. A trimmable resistor is connected between two external terminals of a Monolithically integrated circuit to provide external control over the sensitivity of the temperature variable current source to changing temperature conditions. The device also alternately switches the quadrature states of output and bias supply contacts of the Hall-effect element to compensate for the offset and drift thereof.

Abstract: An isolator having a driver circuit which responsive to an input signal drives appropriate signals into one or more coils which are magnetically coupled to one or more corresponding MR or GMR elements whose resistance is variable in response to the magnetic field applied by the coil(s), and an output circuit that converts the resistance changes to an output signal corresponding to the input signal. A Faraday shield is interposed between the coil(s) and the MR or GMR elements. Common mode transients applied to the driver are capacitively coupled from the coil(s) into the Faraday shield and therethrough to ground, instead of into the MR elements. A second Faraday shield may be disposed in spaced relationship with the first Faraday shield and referenced to the potential of the MR elements for even greater common mode rejection. The entire structure may be formed monolithically as an integrated circuit on a single substrate, for low cost, small size, and low power consumption.

Abstract: A current supply device for supplying a direct current, a sinusoidal current or a pulsed current to a load, the device having a conductor portion arranged for being connected in series with the load, the conductor portion being coupled with a magnetic circuit having at least one air-gap, a magnetic field detector device being arranged in the air-gap and being connected to a measuring or control circuit for producing an output signal representing the current supplied by the current supply device.

Abstract: A multi-function switch includes a casing, a key top member, two magnets, two magnetic detectors and a micro-computer. The key top member is mounted on the casing to permit both liner movement and rotational movement in a plane parallel with a bottom face of the casing. The two magnets are arranged on the key top member to be apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The two magnetic detectors are arranged on the casing to face the magnets' respectively, at respective neutral positions in the liner movement and rotational movement. The micro-computer detects a ratio of respective voltages generated from the magnetic detectors and further processes the obtained ratio as a desired operational signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a Hall effect device which generates an electrical output signal upon exposure to a magnetic field. An operating current for the Hall effect device is varied by input circuitry to maintain the output signal from the Hall effect device constant with variations in temperature of the Hall effect device while the magnetic field to which the Hall effect device is exposed remains constant. The input circuitry includes a temperature responsive element which is maintained at a temperature which varies as a function of variations in the temperature of the Hall effect device. The temperature responsive element is a silicon diode.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a voltage proportional replication device comprises an input electromagnet responsive to an input voltage for producing a magnetic field in proportion to the input voltage; and a first magnetoresistive sensing element disposed within the field of the input electromagnet. The device further includes an adjustable source of output voltage; an output electromagnet responsive to the output voltage for producing a magnetic field in proportion to the output voltage; and a second magnetoresistive sensing element disposed within the field of the output electromagnet. A control circuit for controlling the adjustable output voltage maintains a constant ratio between the resistances of the first and second magnetoresistive elements, thereby maintaining a constant ratio between the input voltage and the output voltage.

Abstract: A magnetoresistor is monolithically integrated with an active circuit by growing a thin film magnetoresistor on a semiconductor substrate after the substrate has been doped and annealed for the active devices. The magnetoresistor is grown through a window in a mask, with the mask and magnetoresistor materials selected such that the magnetoresistor is substantially non-adherent to the mask. InSb is preferred for the magnetoresistor, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 for the mask and GaAs for the substrate. The non-adherence allows the mask to be substantially thinner than the magnetoresistor without impairing the removal of the mask after the magnetoresistor has been established.

Abstract: An electrical power controller includes an integrated circuit having a Hall element, a Hall voltage amplifier, a ramp signal generator, and a voltage comparator. The output of the ramp generator is connected to one input of the voltage comparator and the output of the Hall voltage amplifier is connected to the outer comparator input. During intervals when the amplified Hall voltage exceeds the ramp voltage, the output of the comparator changes from one binary state to the other such that a stream of pulses is generated at the output of the comparator. Thus as a magnetic field at the Hall element increases, the Hall voltage increases and the width of each pulse in the stream of pulses grows proportionally. Mechanical means is provided for manually moving and guiding the pole of a magnet along a path toward the integrated circuit. Constructions of such controllers adapted for use as lamp dimmers and DC motor speed controllers are described.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor includes a rotor having an iron core affixed to a motor shaft. Permanent magnets are affixed to the core and separated by aluminum inserts which are keyed to the core. An annular groove in one end of the rotor core is dimensioned so that its outer diameter coincides with the inner tips of the aluminum inserts. The inner diameter of the groove and its depth provide only minimal clearance around commutation transistors which occupy the space within the groove. The commutation transistors are affixed and electrically connected to a circuit board which, in turn, is secured to the motor body by attachment to a removable motor end plate. With this structure, the commutation transistors are surrounded on three sides by the rotor and are triggered by its drive magnets. This structure permits the commutation transistor to be triggered by a strong magnetic flux which is more accurately directed through the transistor at its switch plane.

Abstract: A resistor formed in the same epitaxial layer of semiconductor material in which a Hall element is formed is used to provide a temperature dependent voltage source which is inversely proportional to the resistance of a temperature sensitive load resistor on the Hall element output. A current mirror circuit is used to apply a current proportional to the current through the epitaxial layer resistor to the load resistor so that the voltage across through the load resistor varies in a direct relationship with the sensitivity of the Hall element.

Abstract: A device for sensing the speed of a rotating element in a vehicle replaces the practice of using magnetic wire coil pickup devices placed in close proximity to a rotating element, such as a gear. The main speed sensing component is a conventional three lead Hall effect device which produces a voltage each time it is exposed to the presence of a magnetic force which exceeds a predetermined value. The adoption of a device which produces the Hall effect introduces the complication of harmonizing the connection of the three leads of the standard Hall effect device with the connections conventionally found in existing installation of only two leads between the sensing unit and the controlled element. Transistor diode and resistive components mounted in the same housing as the Hall effect device provide a configuration entirely compatible with existing two lead systems.

Abstract: A Hall-effect magnetic sensor arrangement comprises a sensor element utilizing the Hall-effect and disposed in a magnetic circuit including a magnetic pole unit in an opposing relationship with respect to the magnetic pole unit with a predetermined distance therebetween, a sensor frame surrounding the sensor element and having a cave defined at the opposite side of the magnetic pole unit with respect to the sensor element and at a side perpendicular to a magnetic path and a soft filler material filled in the cave for protecting the sensor element. The sensor arrangement comprises a nonmagnetic thin plate member disposed at the side of the sensor element opposite to the magnetic pole unit and supported at its outer edge by the sensor frame for preventing the filler material to flow out from the cave.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an actuation device for an electrical appliance, in particular for small electrical appliances such as tooth-brushes, oral jet devices, hair dryers, curling irons, shavers and food processors, for the open- or closed-loop control of at least one operating quantity, including a primary detector for generating controlled variables and a circuit arrangement. The actuation device is characterized in that the primary detector includes a movable element which is arranged at the electrical appliance and produces magnetic or electric fields of varying field strengths in dependence on its position, and further includes an element fixedly disposed on the electrical appliance and sensitive to magnetic or electric fields.

Abstract: A Hall effect device with offset compensation in which the output terminals of a Hall effect element formed in an epitaxial layer are connected to a differential current source. The sum of first and second currents produced by the source is determined by a resistor formed in the epitaxial layer in which the Hall effect element is formed and which is powered by the same electrical source as the Hall effect element so as to produce a current which tracks the current through the Hall effect element with temperature. The current through the resistor is split by a pair of trimmable temperature insensitive resistors and supplied to a pair of cross-coupled current mirrors which supply the currents to the output terminals of the Hall effect element.

Abstract: A Hall device is formed from a generally rectangular body of material exhibiting the Hall effect, with two excitation electrodes disposed along opposite edges of the device. Two Hall output voltage electrodes are disposed along one of the remaining edges of the main body and at least one additional output electrode is disposed on the edge of the main body opposite the first pair of electrodes. At least two of the output electrodes are offset from a centerline drawn through the electrical midpoint of the main body. By deliberately offsetting the Hall voltage output electrodes from the centerline the first and second order voltage offsets due to inhomogeneities of the Hall material and mask misalignment are eliminated or easily compensated.

Abstract: A circuit for providing temperature compensation to a Hall element is disclosed. The temperature compensation circuit is used to generate control signals which act on the effective thickness of the current channel of the Hall element in a manner so as to oppose changes in the effective thickness of the current channel produced by temperature variations.

Abstract: A temperature compensating circuit for a Hall generator with a positive temperature coefficient of the resistance of the drive circuit path utilizes summation of a voltage representing the drive current as detected across a substantially temperature-independent compensating resistance in the drive current path, with a constant voltage component to provide one output to an operational amplifier whose other output is connected to this operational amplifier which produces the output signal of the circuit.

Abstract: A temperature compensation method and circuit for a Hall element or other element with similar characteristics comprising a pair of current carrying branches, one of which includes a resistor. A pair of transistors in the branches are controlled in unison to control the sum of the currents in the branches in response to current through the element, and controlled differentially to control the relative magnitudes of the currents in the branches in response to the voltage generated by the element. A comparator circuit including an active load in the branches compares the branch currents and provides a switched output signal upon a predetermined relationship between the currents. Switching hysteresis is provided by changing the sum of the currents depending on the state of the output signal.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive current detector, which includes a conductor carrying a current to be measured, which in turn generates an external magnetic field, four bridge elements are connected to one another so as to constitute a Wheatstone bridge. The Wheatstone bridge is adapted to be fed by a supply current from a current- or voltage-source and includes two pairs of ferromagnetic and magnetoresistive thin films which have hard and easy axes, respectively, and each thin film constitutes a respective bridge element. The thin films of each pair are magnetostatically coupled to one another, so that the portion of the supply current flowing in each thin film of each pair generates an auxiliary magnetic field, which has a direction along the hard magnetic axis of the other thin film of the same pair.

Abstract: A magnet is bonded to a skewed-hysteresis Hall switch in such a position that the magnetic flux, normal to the Hall element, is equal to the average of the magnetic flux required to operate and the magnetic flux required to release the Hall switch. This magnet-Hall-switch assembly is made by initially employing a magnet of much greater strength than needed. The Hall switch is energized and subjected to an oscillating field of zero average value. The on-time to off-time ratio of the magnet-Hall-switch assembly is measured. A demagnetizing field is adjusted to a strength that is directly related to the difference between unity and the Hall switch on-to-off time, and the magnet is then subjected to the adjusted demagnetizing field. These steps are repeated several times. The magnet is thus partially demagnetized to import to the magnet-biased Hall switch a symmetrical hysteresis characteristic.

Abstract: A plurality of electrical isolation devices are provided on a monolithic integrated circuit. Each of the isolation devices includes a current strap and a magnetic field sensor. The current strap is adapted to carry an electrical current representative of a signal to be transferred through that isolation device. The strength of the magnetic field produced by that current is measured by the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A Hall effect device comprises a thin substrate free epitaxially grown semiconductor body mounted in a magnetically permeable, e.g. ferrite, housing. The layer, which is preferably gallium arsenide or gallium indium arsenide, is grown on a substrate which, after device processing is complete, is removed by a selective etching process. In view of the relatively high sensitivity and good noise characteristics such a device with its flux concentrator is small, since the flux concentrators are themselves much smaller than with conventional Hall effect systems. Other semiconductor materials from which the novel thin Hall effect devices can be made include silicon.

Abstract: A device for measuring the current amplitude in busbars and other current feeders to the electrodes of a cell for the electrorefining of copper, comprises a Hall generator which can be set with a yoke upon the conductor or bar and which is provided with an amplifier or discriminator circuit operating a display preferably in the form of a linear array of light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a Hall-element, a voltage regulator, and a threshold detector. DC power is supplied through a pair of terminals that may be connected to a remote DC voltage source. A switchable constant current sink circuit connected across these terminals is turned on and off in response to the two output states of the threshold detector that in turn is responsive to the Hall-element output voltage. Thus the DC current flowing in the two DC supply lines is a predictable large value or small value corresponding to a low and a high magnitude magnetic field at the sensor, even when the supply DC voltage changes over a wide range.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device utilizing a pair of Hall effect switches for detecting the presence or absence of an electrical current of a first and a second value. The device includes a flux generator for generating a field of magnetic flux and a magnetic circuit including a pair of adjustable cores for varying the amount of flux delivered to the Hall switches. A first Hall switch outputs a signal responsive to the presence or absence of a current of a first value and the second a signal representative of a current of a second value.

Abstract: An adjustable flux generator used in conjunction with a Hall effect switch, comprising a coil and a magnetic circuit including an adjustable core. The coil produces a field of magnetic flux in response to the presence of an electrical current which is transmitted via the magnetic circuit to the Hall effect switch. The adjustable core is disposed to be manually adjusted to control the amount of magnetic flux delivered to the Hall effect switch. When the flux exceeds the Hall switch operate point the switch produces an output signal.

Abstract: A contactless electromagnetic relay employing at least two magnetically activated electronic switches comprising a coil for generating a field of magnetic flux in response to an electrical current and a pair of magnetic circuits for conveying the flux to the switches. A first switch is "normally on" and a second "normally off" when no flux is generated by the coil, providing a first switching state. A second switching state is achieved by the relay when the coil generates a magnetic flux sufficient to turn off the first switch and turn on the second switch. Each magnetic circuit includes an adjustable core for increasing or decreasing the amount of flux delivered to each switch.

Abstract: An electric switch magnetically activatable including a Hall Effect sensor with a permanent magnet fixed on one side of the sensor and magnetic shielding interposed between the sensor and fixed magnet to direct flux away from the sensor, such that an operating magnet upon movement toward and away from the other side of the sensor cooperates with fixed magnet to produce an increased magnetic field through the sensor to activate the latter.

Abstract: An indicating and control apparatus uses Hall effect elements arranged on one side of a non-magnetic wall separating the elements from selectively positionable respective magnets. The magnets are selectively positioned adjacent to the non-magnetic wall to energize respective ones of the Hall effect elements by a code disc which is selectively positionable and displaceable with respect to the wall. The code disc is attached to a manually rotatable knob projecting from a housing enclosing the selectively positionable magnets and having a dial face on the exterior surface of the housing to cooperate with an indicator on the knob. The Hall effect elements, in turn, are located on a printed circuit board and are connected to associated circuitry to bias the Hall effect elements and to utilize output signals from the Hall effect elements.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a Hall element and a threshold detector is encased in a plastic housing with the plane of the Hall element parallel with a face of the housing, providing a two-state Hall element proximity sensor. A light emitting diode (L.E.D.) is mounted in the housing and is connected to the output of the detector, providing visual indication of the state of the sensor. A kit includes the sensor and a compatible magnet to provide to users of little skill, proximity sensor parts that are easily assembled and made immediately effective in use.

Abstract: A Hall effect sensor is disposed between two magnets having their fields in quadrature and in association with a movable specially formed ferromagnetic part which is used to control flux in the sensor in such a way as to cause the sensor to produce a linearly varying output voltage dependent upon the position of the part.

Abstract: A Hall sensing apparatus having a large dynamic range is adapted for generating a current signal substantially in phase with the current in a conductor. The Hall sensing apparatus has a magnetic field concentrator assembly with oppositely disposed pick-up plates, each with a centrally attached concentrator rod for being symmetrically positioned on either side of the conductor. A Hall sensor element is wholly positioned in the space between the ends of the rods remote from the plates. A current circuit, having an externally controlled current varying device and temperature drift control device in series with a current source, provides a Hall current through the sensor element. A detection circuit, coupled across the width of the sensor element, provides an inverted and non-inverted signal in phase with the conductor current which are coupled to the inverting input of a summing amplifier.

Abstract: A Hall effect package structure is provided with a cap which carries integral reference plane establishing members for establishing the gap between the facing ends of two elongated flux concentrator members in which a semiconductor chip having at least one Hall effect region is located. A pair of demountable C-shaped flux concentrator members engage therebetween the remote ends of the elongated flux concentrator members.

Abstract: A semiconductor magnetoresistive element with at least one intermediate terminal comprises first and second electrodes formed at opposite ends of a magnetosensitive portion of the semiconductor magnetoresistive element, a third electrode interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a plurality of shorting bars disposed, with electrical isolation from each other, on at least one of respective sections of the magnetosensitive portion between the first and third electrodes and between the second and third electrodes, whereby the magnetic sensitivity characteristic of the magnetosensitive section between the first and third electrodes is rendered different from that of the magnetosensitive section between the second and third electrodes.