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Optical mice feature LED lights. Explore more images of computer accessories.
MytourIt seems that the classic wheeled mouse may soon be obsolete. The new favorite tool for pointing and clicking is the optical mouse.
Created by Agilent Technologies and launched in late 1999, the optical mouse utilizes a miniature camera that captures 1,500 images per second. Capable of operating on nearly any surface, it has a small red LED (light-emitting diode) that reflects light off the surface onto a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor.
The CMOS sensor sends each captured image to a digital signal processor (DSP) for analysis. Operating at 18 MIPS (million instructions per second), the DSP identifies patterns in the images and tracks their movement since the last picture. By analyzing the shift in patterns over several frames, the DSP calculates the distance the mouse has traveled and transmits the coordinates to the computer. The computer then adjusts the cursor's position based on these coordinates. This process occurs hundreds of times per second, creating the smooth movement of the cursor on screen.
Optical mice offer several advantages over traditional wheeled mice:
- No moving parts, leading to reduced wear and a decreased likelihood of malfunction.
- Dirt cannot enter the mouse, ensuring uninterrupted tracking by the sensors.
- Improved tracking resolution provides a smoother response.
- No special surface, like a mouse pad, is required for use.
Although LED-based optical mice are relatively new, another variant of optical mice has been in existence for over ten years. The original technology used a focused beam of light that reflected off a highly-reflective mouse pad onto a sensor. The mouse pad featured a grid of dark lines. Each time the mouse moved, the light beam was interrupted by the grid. When the light was interrupted, the sensor signaled the computer, causing the cursor to move accordingly. This type of optical mouse was challenging to use, requiring precise alignment of the light beam and sensor. Furthermore, if the mouse pad was damaged or lost, the mouse would become useless until a replacement pad was purchased. Today’s LED-based optical mice are far more convenient and dependable.
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