The "mouse" manipulator is an input device. Computer mice and their types

Perhaps, everyone saw a computer mouse. This is a necessary device for working with a computer. With the help of it click, switch between objects, control the movements in the games, etc. So, the "mouse" manipulator is an input device. At the moment there are many different types. In the article, each of them will be considered in detail.

Mouse with direct drive

It was in this form manipulator was invented initially: from the body acted 2 wheels, which were directed perpendicular to each other. One was responsible for the horizontal movement, the other for the vertical. When they moved, they both turned. Of course, the movement was not very accurate, and the rotation was often difficult. The very first manipulator of the "mouse" type was created in 1963 by Douglas Engelbart.

Optomechanical mouse

The next stage of the development of the device is a ball-point manipulator "mouse". This device is well remembered by those who began to "make friends" with computer equipment in the 90's. In the lower part of the body there was a hole through which a rubberized ball looked out. Inside the mouse there were sensors that were taking data about the movements of the ball. She worked without problems only on special mats, tk. On smooth surfaces the ball did not rotate.

In addition, through the hole in the body inside always fell rubbish and the fur of domestic animals, so the roller periodically had to be cleaned, otherwise it "jammed" and did not rotate. However, for a long time it was the ball-point computer mouse "mouse" that was considered the best until it was replaced by more advanced optical devices.

Optical mouse of the first generation

The first competitor is ball. It was not able to supersede it due to some shortcomings, which will be discussed below.

Inside the mouse there was a special diode that tracked the movements of the manipulator over the surface. Thanks to this, the cursor movements on the monitor became more accurate. However, the graphical manipulator "mouse" worked only when there was a special rug on which the alignment strips were applied. On other surfaces the device did not react. For each model of the mouse there was a rug. When replacing it with another device did not read the landmarks. The manipulator was very sensitive to contamination. It was also necessary to orient the substrate and the mouse in a certain way, otherwise the latter worked incorrectly. All this kit was quite expensive, so ordinary users preferred the ballpoint manipulator.

Optical LED mouse

This device no longer depended on the rug and could work even without it. Best of all, the LED perceived solid surfaces. Therefore, the second generation optical mouse easily replaced all of its predecessors. At the same stage began to appear specialized computer mice - game.

The principle of operation here is completely different: inside the case nothing is spinning, and the LED and camera are installed. The first illuminates the rug or any other surface, and the second one makes micrographs at a high speed (up to 1000 per second). Photographs are processed by the microprocessor, which converts them into displacements in space.

Laser mouse

A modern, well-known manipulator. It does not differ from the LED in appearance , but the laser is used for illumination. Thanks to this, the camera makes clearer pictures. As a consequence, the accuracy of displacements increases. The laser mouse can work on any surface, including the mirror one. Carpet for comfortable work is not required. Computer mouse games are mostly related to this type.

Trackball

Apparently, the creators of this mouse remembered that the movements of the ball-point manipulator were much more accurate if you twist the roller with your fingers. Therefore, they developed a device where you can rotate the trackball manually. Looks like a ball mouse on the contrary: a convex ball is on the outside of the case, and you can rotate it with your fingers or palm. You do not need to move the manipulator.

Of course, trackball mice are created using more advanced technologies, in particular, they are much lighter than ball-type ones, the roller itself rotates easily, but sits in a nest more densely and no longer collects so much rubbish. Again, it uses not only mechanical, but also optical motion sensors .

Induction mouse

The main difference is that it does not need a separate power source (batteries or wire). The manipulator works at the expense of the inductive energy received from the rug. The latter connects to the computer. Works on the principle of a graphic tablet. This method of connection provides greater accuracy of movement, which is especially important when working with graphics. However, induction mice have a big drawback: an induction manipulator "mouse" is a device tied to a certain rug. Elements of the kit can not be replaced. This manipulator can only work on the rug, on other surfaces - no.

Gyroscopic mouse

One of the novelties of the modern market. Equipped with a gyro, which allows you to navigate in three-dimensional space. In other words, the mouse no longer binds to any surface to correctly read information about its movements. It can be picked up and, without using the table, rug, etc., to control the cursor, simply by moving the brush in the air. Such a mouse can even be compared in part with a conductor's baton.

While this type has not yet entered the broad sale and does not occur in every electronics store.

The "mouse" manipulator is a device that has many perspectives and hidden possibilities. Most likely, in 10-15 years their appearance will change beyond recognition. And those mice, to which the majority are accustomed, will go to the archives along with floppy disks and cassettes.