Magnetic detection device and electronic apparatus equipped with the same

1. A magnetic detection device comprising:

a magnetoresistance effect element having a multilayer structure and utilizing a magnetoresistive effect in which an electric resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element changes with respect to an external magnetic field;

an integrated circuit connected to the magnetoresistance effect element and outputting a magnetic-field detection signal on the basis of a change in the electric resistance; and

a magnet for generating the external magnetic field,

wherein the magnetoresistance effect element and the magnet are disposed facing each other with a certain distance therebetween, and wherein at least one of the magnetoresistance effect element and the magnet is supported in a reciprocable fashion towards a front side or rear side of the other one of the magnetoresistance effect element and the magnet or in a rotatable fashion with respect to said other one so as to allow an external magnetic field in a positive direction and an external magnetic field in a negative direction opposite to the positive direction to enter the magnetoresistance effect element from the magnet at different timings in a planar direction parallel to a multilayer interface of the multilayer structure, and

wherein, in response to reciprocation or rotation of said at least one of the magnetoresistance effect element and the magnet, the integrated circuit outputs a positive-magnetic-field detection signal on the basis of a change in the electric resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element caused by the external magnetic field in the positive direction, and outputs a negative-magnetic-field detection signal on the basis of a change in the electric resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element caused by the external magnetic field in the negative direction.

2. The magnetic detection device according to claim 1 , wherein a center of the magnetoresistance effect element and a center of the magnet are positioned on a same central axis, and wherein said at least one of the magnetoresistance effect element and the magnet is supported rotatably about the central axis serving as a rotation axis.

3. An electronic apparatus comprising:

the magnetic detection device according to claim 1 ; and

a reciprocatingly manipulable or rotationally manipulable operating member on a surface of the electronic apparatus,

wherein the operating member supports the magnetoresistance effect element or the magnet, and

wherein the electronic apparatus is switchable between predetermined modes on the basis of the positive-magnetic-field detection signal and the negative-magnetic-field detection signal output at the integrated circuit when the operating member is operated.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a first component and a second component that are supported in an openable and closable fashion, wherein the operating member is provided on a surface of one of the first component and the second component when the first component and the second component are closed.

5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the magnetoresistance effect element and the integrated circuit are contained in one of the first component and the second component, and the magnet is contained in the other one of the first component and the second component, and

wherein opening and closing of the first component and the second component are detectable on the basis of a change in the electric resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element occurring in response to a change in magnetic intensity of the external magnetic field from the magnet, the change in magnetic intensity being caused by the opening and closing of the first component and the second component.