Displacement sensing device with two magnetoresistance element sections used independently

Claim 1

A displacement sensing device, comprising: a magnetic scale with a magnetic pattern of a first pitch of (nλ) wherein n is a selected positive integer; and a sensor located opposite to the magnetic scale and including two magnetoresistance element sections each comprised of a pair of magnetoresistance elements, wherein one of said element sections is formed at a pitch which operatively interacts with the first pitch so that an electric signal corresponding to a relative amount of movement between the magnetic scale and the sensor is generated by said one of said element sections according to a variation in a resistive value of each magnetoresistance element of said one of said element sections in response to the magnetic pattern on the magnetic scale; the pair of magnetoresistance elements forming the remaining one of said element sections being arranged at a pitch which operatively interacts with a magnetic pattern of a second pitch different from the first pitch; said magnetoresistance element sections being arranged so that said one of said element sections which operatively interacts with the first pitch can be selected for use independently of the other element section.