Abstract: A magnetic sensor element includes a pinned layer, a first non-magnetic layer, a first magnetic layer, and a free layer. The pinned layer has a fixed magnetization direction. The first non-magnetic layer is laminated on the pinned layer. The first magnetic layer holds the first non-magnetic layer with the pinned layer. The free layer is disposed along a lamination direction in which the first non-magnetic layer is laminated on the pinned layer. Each of the first magnetic layer and the free layer has a magnetization direction more easily changed by an external magnetic field than that of the pinned layer. The pinned layer and the first magnetic layer are coupled by indirect exchange interaction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus (1) includes image sensors (20A, 20B). The image sensor (20A) includes light guides (21A, 22A) guiding light to a reading target (M), a lens body (8A) forming an image of reflected light derived from the light guided by the light guides (21A, 22A) and reflected from the reading target (M), light receiving elements (11A) converting the image of reflected light formed by the lens body (8A) into electrical signals, and a controller (14A) controlling exposure times of the light receiving elements (11A). The image sensor (20B) includes a lens body (8B) forming an image of transmitted light derived from the light guided by the light guide (22A) and transmitted through the reading target (M), light receiving elements (11B) converting the image of transmitted light formed by the lens body (8B) into electrical signals, and a controller (14B) controlling exposure times of the light receiving elements (11B).

Abstract: A first magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field intersecting a detection object being transported along a transport path. A second magnetic field generator opposite to the first magnetic field generator with respect to the transport path generates a magnetic field intersecting the detection object. A first magnetoresistive element between the first magnetic field generator and the transport path outputs, as a change in resistance, a change in magnetic flux density produced by transport of the detection object. The first and second magnetic field generators are different in a magnetic pole facing the transport path and are arranged with a center of the first magnetic field generator in a transport direction of the detection object and a center of the second magnetic field generator in the transport direction are located at mutually different positions. The first magnetoresistive element includes a first resistor and a second resistor arranged with spacing therebetween.

Abstract: A first magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field intersecting a detection object being transported along a transport path. A second magnetic field generator opposite to the first magnetic field generator with respect to the transport path generates a magnetic field intersecting the detection object. A first magnetoresistive element between the first magnetic field generator and the transport path outputs, as a change in resistance, a change in magnetic flux density produced by transport of the detection object. The first and second magnetic field generators are different in a magnetic pole facing the transport path and are arranged with a center of the first magnetic field generator in a transport direction of the detection object and a center of the second magnetic field generator in the transport direction are located at mutually different positions. The first magnetoresistive element includes a first resistor and a second resistor arranged with spacing therebetween.

Abstract: A capacitance detection device includes a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2) at least partially facing each other with a conveyance path (5) therebetween, the conveyance path extending along a conveyance direction in which a sheet-like detection object (3) is conveyed, an oscillating circuit to form an electric field (9) between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2), a detection circuit to detect a change in capacitance between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2), a first board (11) and a second board (12) including at least one of the oscillating circuit or the detection circuit, an insulative first plate (6) arranged between the first electrode (1) and the conveyance path (5), and an insulative second plate (7) arranged between the second electrode (2) and the conveyance path (5).

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a magnet that generates a magnetic field and sets of magnetoresistive elements arranged in a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to a transport direction. Each of the sets of magnetoresistive elements includes a first and a second resistor. A midpoint of the first and the second resistor is matched with a center axis of the magnet in the transport direction. The first and the second resistor are arranged such that the distance therebetween increases from a distance between first ends of the first and the second resistor in the longitudinal direction to a distance between second ends of the first and the second resistor in the longitudinal direction. At least two sets of the first and the second resistor are arranged so as to be axisymmetric with respect to an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the magnet.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus (1) includes image sensors (20A, 20B). The image sensor (20A) includes light guides (21A, 22A) guiding light to a reading target (M), a lens body (8A) forming an image of reflected light derived from the light guided by the light guides (21A, 22A) and reflected from the reading target (M), light receiving elements (11A) converting the image of reflected light formed by the lens body (8A) into electrical signals, and a controller (14A) controlling exposure times of the light receiving elements (11A). The image sensor (20B) includes a lens body (8B) forming an image of transmitted light derived from the light guided by the light guide (22A) and transmitted through the reading target (M), light receiving elements (11B) converting the image of transmitted light formed by the lens body (8B) into electrical signals, and a controller (14B) controlling exposure times of the light receiving elements (11B).

Abstract: Even in a case in which a comb-teeth shape is provided at an end portion of a cover covering an opening in a magnetic shield case that accommodates a magnetic sensor, the present disclosure obtains a magnetic sensor device and a housing therefor capable of maintaining the strength of a comb-teeth portion. The magnetic sensor device and the housing therefor include: a comb-teeth portion in which protrusions are formed in the shape of comb teeth along an intersecting direction intersecting a conveying direction, the comb-teeth portion being formed at an end portion of a cover with respect to the conveying direction, the cover covering an opening in a magnetic shield case that accommodates a magnetic sensor; and support members formed on a lateral face of the magnetic shield case, the support members supporting the protrusions on the side opposite to the conveying path.

Abstract: In a magnetic sensor device, a sheet-tike detection object transported along a transport plane is magnetized by a magnetizing magnet that forms a magnetization magnetic field in which magnitude of a magnetic field component parallel to the transport plane is larger than or equal to a saturation magnetic field of a second magnetic body having a second coercivity larger than a first coercivity. The magnetic sensor device includes: a bias magnet that forms a bias magnetic field in which magnitude of a magnetic field component parallel to the plane of the detection object is larger than the first coercivity and less than the second coercivity in the bias magnetic field at the plane of the detection object; and a magnetoresistive effect element chip disposed at the bias magnet and facing the plane of the detection object.

Abstract: A capacitance detection device includes a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2) at least partially facing each other with a conveyance path (5) therebetween, the conveyance path extending along a conveyance direction in which a sheet-like detection object (3) is conveyed, an oscillating circuit to form an electric field (9) between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2), a detection circuit to detect a change in capacitance between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2), a first board (11) and a second board (12) including at least one of the oscillating circuit or the detection circuit, an insulative first plate (6) arranged between the first electrode (1) and the conveyance path (5), and an insulative second plate (7) arranged between the second electrode (2) and the conveyance path (5).

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a magnet to form a magnetic field in a conveyance path of a detection target, a magnetoresistance effect element to output a change in the magnetic field as a change in a resistance value, a casing to enclose or hold the magnet and the magnetoresistance effect element, a cover to cover the magnetoresistance effect element and form a conveyance path surface that is a surface along the conveyance path, and a signal amplification board having a signal amplification IC disposed on an intersection surface that intersects the conveyance path surface. The signal amplification IC amplifies the change in the resistance value that is output by the magnetoresistance effect element. The change in the resistance value depends on the change in the magnetic field caused due to conveyance of the detection target on the conveyance path surface.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device (10) includes a magnetic sensor unit including a magnetoresistive element mounted on a sensor board extending in a longitudinal direction and a magnet (3) located on a surface of the sensor board opposite to a surface on which the magnetoresistive element is mounted, a housing supporting the magnetic sensor unit, a magnetic shield unit (4) covering side surfaces and a bottom surface of the housing, and a cover covering an upper portion of the housing. The magnetic shield unit (4) has an opening (4o) facing in Z-axis direction from the magnetoresistive element toward a transport path of a sensing target. The opening (4o) is defined by two long sides in the longitudinal direction and two short sides in a lateral direction. The two long sides of the magnetic shield unit (4) are nearer to the sensing target in Z-axis direction than the two short sides.

Abstract: A bias current circuit includes: an N-type MOSFET in which a gate terminal and a drain terminal are connected to a current source, and N-type MOSFETs in which respective drain terminals are connected to respective bias current output terminals and source terminals are grounded. The bias current circuit further includes: an N-type MOSFET in which one terminal type, either a drain terminal or a source terminal, is connected to the gate terminal of the N-type MOSFET, and the other terminal type is connected to the gate terminals of the N-type MOSFETs, and an N-type MOSFET in which a drain terminal is connected to the gate terminals of the N-type MOSFETs and a source terminal is grounded. A control signal, that is LOW when the bias current is supplied and is HIGH when the bias current is not supplied, is input to the gate terminal of the N-type MOSFET, and an inverse signal of the control signal is input to the gate terminal of the N-type MOSFET.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes: a magnetic circuit for forming a magnetic field, a magnetoresistance effect element, and a heat dissipater. The magnetoresistance effect element outputs changes in the magnetic field as changes in a resistance value, and is arranged on a surface (of a +Z side) of the magnetic circuit at a conveyance path side thereof. The heat dissipater is arranged in close contact with the magnetic circuit at the opposite side thereof (?Z side) from the conveyance path.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes: a magnet; a magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted substrate on which a magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted body is mounted on a surface thereof opposite to a surface thereof facing the magnet, the magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted body extending in the longitudinal direction of the magnet; a case that accommodates or retains the magnet and the magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted substrate; and a magnetic shield that covers the case except for the surface of the magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted substrate on which is mounted the magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted body. The magnetic shield covers the case at a position corresponding to the surface of the magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted substrate facing the magnet, or from the position corresponding to the surface of the magnetic-resistance-effect-element mounted substrate facing the magnet to a side of the case opposite to the magnet.

Abstract: The magnetoresistive effect element unit includes an anisotropic magnetoresistive effect element and a conductive reset line that, as viewed in a direction orthogonal to both a magnetic sensing direction x? and an easy magnetization direction y? of the anisotropic magnetoresistive effect element, passes through a center of the anisotropic magnetoresistive effect element, extends in a direction inclined from the easy magnetization direction y? so as to form an angle of 45° or less with the easy magnetization direction y?, and is parallel to a plane including the magnetic sensing direction x? and the easy magnetization direction y?. As viewed in the direction orthogonal to both the magnetic sensing direction x? and the easy magnetization direction y?, the reset line has a width that covers an entirety of the anisotropic magnetoresistive effect element.