Abstract: An offset estimation unit determines an estimate of an offset of a detection value to be output from a magnetic sensor. The offset estimation unit includes an initial function storing unit, a function settlement unit, and an estimate determination unit. The initial function storing unit stores an initial function for determining the estimate according to a first variable and a second variable, with a reference offset as the first variable and temperature as the second variable, the reference offset being the offset at a reference temperature. The function settlement unit settles a value of the first variable of the initial function by the reference offset, and turns the initial function into an estimate determination function for determining the estimate according to a value of the second variable. The estimate determination unit determines the estimate by settling the value of the second variable of the estimate determination function by temperature information.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a first magnetic sensor, a second magnetic sensor, and a soft magnetic structure. The first magnetic sensor generates a detection value corresponding to a component in a direction parallel to an X direction of an external magnetic field. The second magnetic sensor generates a detection value corresponding to a component in a direction parallel to a Y direction of the external magnetic field. In the presence of a residual magnetization in the X direction in the soft magnetic structure, a magnetic field that is based on the residual magnetization and contains a component in the ?X direction is applied to the first magnetic sensor. In the presence of a residual magnetization in the Y direction in the soft magnetic structure, a magnetic field that is based on the residual magnetization and contains a component in the ?Y direction is applied to the second magnetic sensor.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes a detection signal generation unit for generating detection signals, an angle detection unit for generating a detected angle value on the basis of the detection signals, and a condition determination apparatus. The condition determination apparatus includes a determination value generation unit for generating a determination value to be used for determining the condition of the angle sensor, and a determination unit for determining the condition of the angle sensor. The angle detection unit includes a common correction processing unit for performing common correction processing for converting uncorrected signals, which have correspondence with the detection signals, into common corrected signals to be used for the generation of the detected angle value and the generation of the determination value. The common correction processing reduces an angular error occurring in the detected angle value, and narrows the variation range of the determination value.

Abstract: An object is to provide a magnetic sensor module reducing influence of heat generated from a coil on a magnetic sensor. A conventional method requires, on a magnetic sensor chip, multiple temperature measuring circuits corresponding to multiple magnetic sensors, and many pads for connection to an IC chip. Therefore, the problem is increase in size of the sensor chip mounting the sensors and in manufacturing cost. Provided is a magnetic sensor module comprising an IC chip including a first coil, a first pad connected to one end of the coil, and a second pad to the other end; a magnetic sensor chip disposed on the IC chip's surface, including a first magnetic sensor detecting first axial magnetism; a first external output terminal; a first conductive wire for connecting the first pad and terminal; a second external output terminal; and a second conductive wire for connecting the second pad and terminal.

Abstract: An object is to provide a magnetic sensor module that suppresses a size of a magnetic sensor chip while applying a uniform calibration magnetic field to a magneto-resistive element. Provided is a magnetic sensor module comprising an IC chip having a first coil; and a magnetic sensor chip that is disposed on a surface of the IC chip and includes a first magnetic sensor that detects magnetism in a direction of first axis, wherein a planar shape of the IC chip encompasses a planar shape of the magnetic sensor chip, and the first coil has a planar shape including three or more sides, and is, when seen in a cross section along at least one side of the planar shape, is formed so as to cover a region, in a direction of the one side, of the first magnetic sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field detection device that includes a first soft magnetic body and a magnetic detector. The first soft magnetic body includes a first plate and a first protrusion. The first plate includes a first surface including a first outer edge. The first protrusion is provided at a first arrangement position in the first surface and includes a first tip on opposite side to the first surface. The first arrangement position is set back from the first outer edge. The magnetic detector is provided in the vicinity of the first tip.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes first and second detection units and an angle detection unit. Each of the first and second detection units generates two detection signals. The first and second detection units are arranged in a positional relationship that establishes predetermined phase relationships among the detection signals they generate. The angle detection unit includes first and second computing circuits and an angle computing unit. The first and second computing circuits generate first and second signals in each of which an error component corresponding to a fifth harmonic contained in the detection signals is reduced. The angle computing unit calculates a detected angle value on the basis of the first and second signals. The angle computing unit performs correction processing for reducing an error occurring in the detected angle value due to an error component corresponding to a third harmonic contained in the detection signals.

Abstract: Magnetic sensor 1 has MR elements 11A to 14A that are connected to each other. MR elements 11A to 14A belongs either to group G1 in which electric resistance increases when the magnetization direction of each free layer 26 is rotated a predetermined angle in a same direction, or to group G2 in which the electric resistance decreases when the magnetization direction of each free layer 26 is rotated the predetermined angle in the same direction. A variation of an output of magnetic sensor 1 due to an increase of the electric resistance of the electric resistance elements of one group and a variation of the output of magnetic sensor 1 due to a decrease of the electric resistance of the electric resistance elements of another group are cancelled out.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first magnetic field generation unit for generating a first magnetic field, a second magnetic field generation unit for generating a second magnetic field, and a magnetic sensor. The position of the second magnetic field generation unit relative to the first magnetic field generation unit is variable. The magnetic sensor detects the direction of a target magnetic field at a detection position in a reference plane. The target magnetic field is a composite magnetic field of first and second magnetic field components which are respective components of the first and second magnetic fields parallel to the reference plane. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive element including a free layer and a magnetization pinned layer. In the reference plane, two directions orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer are each different from both of directions of the first and second magnetic field components.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field detection device that includes a first and second soft magnetic bodies, and a magnetic detector. The first and second soft magnetic bodies extend along a first plane and are disposed in confronted relation in a third direction. The first plane includes both a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The third direction is orthogonal to both the first and second directions. The magnetic detector is provided between the first and second soft magnetic bodies in the third direction.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first position detector, a second position detector, and a signal generator. The first position detector includes a first magnetic field generation unit, a second magnetic field generation unit, and a first magnetic sensor. The second position detector includes a third magnetic field generation unit, a fourth magnetic field generation unit, and a second magnetic sensor. The positions of the second and fourth magnetic field generation units vary in response to variations in a detection-target position. The signal generator generates a position detection signal, which is the sum of a first detection signal generated by the first magnetic sensor and a second detection signal generated by the second magnetic sensor. Each of the first and second position detectors includes a bias magnetic field generation unit.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection device includes a first soft magnetic body, a second soft magnetic body, and a magnetism detection element. The first soft magnetic body extends to have a first length in a first direction, and has a first width, smaller than the first length, in a second direction. The second direction is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The second soft magnetic body is disposed to be spaced apart from and face the first soft magnetic body in the first direction, extends to have a second length in the first direction, and has a second width, smaller than the second length, in the second direction. The magnetism detection element is disposed, in the first direction, between the first and second soft magnetic bodies, and extends to have a third length in the first direction and a third width, larger than the third length, in the second direction.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes a detection signal generation unit, an angle detection unit for generating a detected angle value by performing an operation using detection signals, and a condition determination apparatus. The condition determination apparatus includes an initial determination value generation unit, correction processing unit and determination unit. The initial determination value generation unit performs an operation using the detection signals to generate an initial determination value corresponding to the angle sensor condition. The correction processing unit performs correction processing on the initial determination value to generate a corrected determination value. The determination unit determines whether the angle sensor is in a normal condition on the corrected determination value basis. The initial determination value contains a variation component which varies depending on an angle to be detected.

Abstract: A rotation angle sensing device is provided with a magnet that is placed to be integrally rotatable with a rotary shaft of a rotating body in association with a rotating body, where the shape of the magnet as viewed along the rotary shaft is substantially circular; a magnetic sensor part that outputs a sensor signal based upon a change in a direction of a magnetic field in association with the rotation of the magnet; and a rotation angle detecting part that detects a rotation angle of the rotating body based upon the sensor signal output by the magnetic sensor part. The magnet has a component of a magnetization vector in a direction that is orthogonal to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A rotational angle detection apparatus is provided with a magnet disposed so as to be rotatable integrally with an axis of rotation, having a substantially circular shape when viewed along the axis of rotation, and including a magnetization vector component in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation; a magnetic sensor that outputs a sensor signal on the basis of change in a magnetic field accompanying rotation of the magnet; and a rotational angle detector that detects a rotational angle of the rotating body on the basis of the sensor signal output by the magnetic sensor; wherein the magnet has a curved inclined surface with a concave shape along the axis of rotation from a prescribed position on the outer side in a radial direction toward the axis of rotation, and when a circular virtual plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation and centered at the axis of rotation is established at a position opposed to the curved inclined surface, the magnetic sensor is disposed at a position at which the amplitudes

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field detection device that includes a first and second soft magnetic bodies, and a magnetic detector. The first and second soft magnetic bodies extend along a first plane and are disposed in confronted relation in a third direction. The first plane includes both a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The third direction is orthogonal to both the first and second directions. The magnetic detector is provided between the first and second soft magnetic bodies in the third direction.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes a detection signal generation unit for generating a plurality of detection signals, an angle detection unit for generating a detected angle value by performing an operation using the plural of detection signals, and a condition determination apparatus. The condition determination apparatus includes a determination value generation unit and a determination unit. The determination value generation unit performs an operation using the plurality of detection signals to generate a determination value corresponding to the condition of the angle sensor. The determination value varies depending on an angle to be detected. The determination unit determines whether the angle sensor is in a predetermined condition by determining whether the determination value falls within a determination range. The determination unit varies at least one threshold value that represents at least one end of the determination range.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field detection device that includes a first soft magnetic body and a magnetic detector. The first soft magnetic body includes a first plate and a first protrusion. The first plate includes a first surface including a first outer edge. The first protrusion is provided at a first arrangement position in the first surface and includes a first tip on opposite side to the first surface. The first arrangement position is set back from the first outer edge. The magnetic detector is provided in the vicinity of the first tip.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes first and second detection units and an angle detection unit. Each of the first and second detection units generates two detection signals. The first and second detection units are arranged in a positional relationship that establishes predetermined phase relationships among the detection signals they generate. The angle detection unit includes first and second computing circuits and an angle computing unit. The first and second computing circuits generate first and second signals in each of which an error component corresponding to a fifth harmonic contained in the detection signals is reduced. The angle computing unit calculates a detected angle value on the basis of the first and second signals. The angle computing unit performs correction processing for reducing an error occurring in the detected angle value due to an error component corresponding to a third harmonic contained in the detection signals.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first magnetic field generation unit for generating a first magnetic field, a second magnetic field generation unit for generating a second magnetic field, and a magnetic sensor. The position of the second magnetic field generation unit relative to the first magnetic field generation unit is variable. The magnetic sensor detects the direction of a target magnetic field at a detection position in a reference plane. The target magnetic field is a composite magnetic field of first and second magnetic field components which are respective components of the first and second magnetic fields parallel to the reference plane. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive element including a free layer and a magnetization pinned layer. In the reference plane, two directions orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer are each different from both of directions of the first and second magnetic field components.