Patent ID: 6891367
Filing Date: 2005-05-10
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A magnetic sensor comprising: a plurality of rows including a plurality of magnetoresistive elements, in each of the plurality of rows the plurality of magnetoresistive elements are aligned in a direction which intersects at a predetermined angle a passing direction of an object including magnetic patterns to be detected, said plurality of rows of the magnetoresistive elements being staggered in the passing direction of the object to be detected; wherein each of the magnetoresistive elements includes a magnetic sensitive region, and each of the magnetoresistive elements in one of the rows of elements is aligned so that the magnetic sensitive region overlaps the magnetic sensitive region of the magnetoresistive element in another row in the passing direction of the object to be detected such that there is no space between each of the magnetic sensitive regions of said one of the rows of elements and an adjacent magnetic sensitive region of the magnetoresistive element in said another row in the passing direction of the object to be detected.