Hello, dear readers of the Pc-information-guide.ru blog. Computer mice or mice, they are called differently, exist great amount. According to their functional purpose, they can be divided into classes: some are designed for games, others are for ordinary work, and others are for drawing in graphic editors. In this article I will try to talk about the types and design of computer mice.

But for starters, I propose to go back a few decades, just at the time when they came up with this complex device. The first computer mouse appeared back in 1968, and was invented by an American scientist named Douglas Engelbart. The mouse was developed by the American Space Research Agency (NASA), which granted a patent for the invention to Douglas, but at one point lost any interest in developing it. Why - read on.

The world's first mouse was a heavy wooden box with a wire, which, in addition to its weight, was also extremely inconvenient to use. For obvious reasons, they decided to call it "mouse", and a little later they artificially came up with a decoding of this kind of abbreviation. Yep, now the mouse is nothing more than a "Manually Operated User Signal Encoder", that is, a device with which the user can manually encode a signal.

Without exception, all computer mice include a number of components: a case, a printed circuit board with contacts, mics (buttons), a scroll wheel (s) - all of them are present in one form or another in any modern mouse. But you are probably tormented by the question - what then distinguishes them from each other (besides the fact that there are gaming, non-gaming, office, etc.), why did they come up with so many different types, see for yourself:

  1. Mechanical
  2. Optical
  3. Laser
  4. Trackball mice
  5. induction
  6. Gyroscopic

The fact is that each of the above types of computer mice appeared in different time and uses different laws of physics. Accordingly, each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages, which will certainly be discussed later in the text. It should be noted that only the first three types will be considered in most detail, the rest will not be so detailed, in view of the fact that they are less popular.

Mechanical mice

Mechanical mice are traditional ball models, relatively large in size, requiring constant cleaning of the ball for effective operation. Dirt and small particles can get between the rotating ball and the body and need to be cleaned. It won't work without a mat. About 15 years ago it was the only one in the world. I will write about it in the past tense, because it is already a rarity.

At the bottom of the mechanical mouse there was a hole that covered a swivel plastic ring. Under it was a heavy ball. This ball was made of metal and covered with rubber. Under the ball were two plastic rollers and a roller, which pressed the ball against the rollers. When moving the mouse, the ball rotated the roller. Up or down - one roller rotated, to the right or left - the other. Since gravity played a decisive role in such models, such a device did not work in zero gravity, so NASA abandoned it.

If the movement was difficult, both rollers rotated. At the end of each plastic roller, an impeller was installed, like in a mill, only many times smaller. On one side of the impeller was a light source (LED), on the other - a photocell. When moving the mouse, the impeller was spinning, the photocell read the number of light pulses that hit it, and then transmitted this information to the computer.

Since the impeller had many blades, the movement of the pointer on the screen was perceived as smooth. Optical-mechanical mice (they are simply "mechanical") suffered from great inconvenience, the fact is that they had to be disassembled and cleaned periodically. The ball in the process of work dragged any debris into the case, often the rubber surface of the ball became so dirty that the movement rollers simply slipped and the mouse was buggy.

For the same reason, such a mouse simply needed a pad for correct operation, otherwise the ball would slip and get dirty faster.

Optical and laser mice

In optical mice, nothing needs to be disassembled and cleaned, since they do not have a rotating ball, they work on a different principle. An optical mouse uses an LED sensor. Such a mouse works like a small camera that scans the surface of the table and "takes pictures" of it, the camera manages to take about a thousand of such photos per second, and some models even more.

The data of these images is processed by a special microprocessor on the mouse itself and sends a signal to the computer. The advantages are obvious - such a mouse does not need a pad, it is light in weight and can scan almost any surface. Nearly? Yes, everything except glass and a mirror surface, as well as velvet (velvet absorbs light very strongly).

A laser mouse is very similar to an optical mouse, but its principle of operation differs in that a laser is used instead of an LED. This is a more advanced model of an optical mouse, it requires much less power to work, the accuracy of reading data from the working surface is much higher than that of an optical mouse. Here it can work even on glass and mirror surfaces.

In fact, a laser mouse is a kind of optical mouse, since in both cases an LED is used, just in the second case it emits a spectrum invisible to the eye.

So, the principle of operation of an optical mouse differs from that of a ball mouse. A small camera is used to scan the surface, which includes: a laser diode, focus lenses, a lens, an image sensor.

The process starts with a laser or optical (in the case of an optical mouse) diode. The diode emits invisible light, the lens focuses it to a point equal in thickness to a human hair, the beam is reflected from the surface, then the sensor catches this light. The sensor is so precise that it can pick up even small surface irregularities.

The secret is that it is the irregularities that allow the mouse to notice even the slightest movements. The pictures taken by the camera are compared, the microprocessor compares each subsequent picture with the previous one. If the mouse has moved, the difference between the pictures will be marked.

Analyzing these differences, the mouse determines the direction and speed of any movement. If the difference between shots is significant, the cursor moves quickly. But even when stationary, the mouse continues to take pictures.

So, if your mouse is glowing red or blue on the bottom, then it is optical. And if there is no light - laser.

Trackball mice

Trackball mouse - a device that uses a convex ball - "Trackball". The trackball device is very similar to the device of a mechanical mouse, only the ball in it is on top or on the side. The ball can be rotated, and the device itself remains in place. The ball causes a pair of rollers to rotate. The new trackballs use optical motion sensors.

Not everyone may need a device called "Trackball", in addition, its cost cannot be called low, it seems that the minimum starts from 1400 rubles.

induction mice

Induction models use a special mat that works on the principle of a graphics tablet. Induction mice have good accuracy and do not need to be properly oriented. An induction mouse can be wireless or inductively powered, in which case it does not require a battery like a conventional wireless mouse.

I have no idea who would need such devices that are expensive and hard to find on the open market. And why, who knows? Maybe there are some advantages over conventional "rodents"?

Gyro mice

Well, we quietly approached the final form of computer mice - gyroscopic mice. Gyroscopic mice with the help of a gyroscope recognize movement not only on the surface, but also in space. It can be taken from the table and controlled by the movements of the hand. The gyroscopic mouse can be used as a pointer to big screen. However, if you put it on the table, it will work like a regular optical one.

But this type of mouse can really be useful and popular in certain situations. For example, at some presentation, it will be very useful.

And finally: for normal work with the mouse, it is very important that the surface on which it moves is even. Usually, special mats are used for this. Optical mouse more demanding on the surface, you can use it without a rug, but on surfaces with ruts or on glass it will fail. A laser mouse can work even on a knee, even on a mirror.

I think this article has helped you better understand the design of a computer mouse, as well as find out what types of computer mice exist.

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Types of computer mice and how to choose the best one?

26.04.2014 10979

In order to fully cover the issue of the types of computer mice, as well as give you advice on how to choose the best one for yourself, you must first tell about the history of the creation of the first computer mouse, show how it looked, who and when was its inventor

The history of the creation of the first computer mouse and who is its inventor?

Douglas Engelbar is considered the inventor of the first computer mouse, he began work on it in 1964. It got its name from the wire, which, according to the inventor, looked like a mouse tail. The computer mouse was first introduced to the public on December 9, 1968 in California at a demonstration of interactive devices. The body of the first computer mouse was handmade and made from wood. There was one single button on top, and two disks on the bottom, one moved when the mouse moved vertically, the other, respectively, horizontally.

In 1970, Douglas Engelbar received a patent for his invention.

In 1981, Xerox, which currently specializes in the production of printers and cartridges, introduced computer mouse as part personal computer Xerox 8010 Star Information System. The manipulator already had three buttons, and the disks were also replaced with a ball and rollers. The cost reached this device reached $500.

In 1983, Apple introduced their own version of a computer mouse for their Lisa computer. They managed to create a convenient and cheap device costing $20. In many ways, this determined such a stunning success.

In the USSR, a computer mouse Manipulator Kolobok was produced, which had a heavy metal ball.

Types of computer mice

There are the following types of computer mice:

  • mechanical
  • optical
  • laser
  • trackball
  • induction
  • hydroscopically
  • sensory

Mechanical computer mice or ball mice are practically not used anymore. Their distinguishing characteristic is the size and the presence of a heavy rubber ball, as well as the obligatory presence of a mousepad, which is designed to improve positioning, which leaves much to be desired in mechanical mice, especially in fast computer games. Another disadvantage of them is the need for constant cleaning of the ball from dirt and small particles.

Optical mice use an LED and a sensor instead of a spinning ball to improve positioning and reduce the size of the device. Such manipulators work like cameras, scanning the surface on which they move. Some models take several thousand shots per second, which are processed by the mouse microprocessor and sent to the computer. This mouse can work without a mat, but not as well as a laser mouse.

A laser computer mouse does not look different from an optical one, but instead of an LED and a sensor, it uses a laser. This allows you to significantly increase its accuracy and reduce power consumption. In addition, it can work on almost any surface (glass, carpet, etc.)

The trackball has a convex ball and resembles an inverted mechanical computer mouse. By rotating this ball, you move the cursor around the screen, while the mouse itself does not need to be moved. From this follows its advantage, for its operation it takes less space than a classic computer mouse. In addition, it has significantly higher ergonomic indicators, as studies have shown that after 4 hours of active use of a computer mouse, the hand becomes 60% weaker due to fatigue, while the use of a trackball does not have such a negative effect.

Induction mice work by using induction energy. For their functioning, a special mat is required, which works on the principle of a graphic tablet. These mice have good accuracy, but they are very impractical and expensive. Gyroscopic mice are a new generation of devices that recognize movement not only in a plane, but also in space, i.e. it can be completely removed from the table.


Touch mice. Latest Models these manipulators have neither buttons nor a wheel, and support touchpad technology. We allow this with various gestures click, scroll in any direction, zoom, customize the execution of the commands you need. They are amazing looking and compact.

How to choose the best computer mouse for yourself?

  • buy touch (see description above) or laser optical models
  • Wireless mice are much more convenient than wired ones.
  • ergonomics, a computer mouse should sit comfortably in your hand
  • battery life in operation and standby mode
  • dpi indicator (the higher, the more accurate the mouse will be)
  • pay attention to the company most in demand now Razer, Microsoft, A4Tech, Genius, Logitech, Defender
  • if it's a button mouse, look out for mice that don't hear button clicks, handy if you're using your computer at home at night
  • additional software, which allows you to set programmable buttons and gestures

P.S. Honest computer service in Rostov-on-Don

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Classification of types of computer mice

A manipulator called "Mouse" has already entered our lives so tightly that we do not even notice how often we use this device. The mouse allows you to control your computer with maximum comfort. Remove it, and the speed of working with a PC will decrease several times. But the main thing is to choose the right mouse, based on the types of tasks that will need to be solved with its help. Some situations will require special types of mice.

Types of computer mice

According to their design features, several types of computer mice are distinguished: mechanical, optical, laser, trackball, induction, gyroscopic and sensory. Each type has its own unique characteristics that allow you to successfully use the mouse in a given situation. So what are the best mice for a computer? Let's try to understand this issue, having examined in detail each type separately.

Mechanical mice

This is the same type with which the history of computer mice began. The design of such a mouse assumes the presence of a rubberized ball that glides over the surface. He, in turn, makes special rollers move, which transmit the result of the movement of the ball to special sensors. The sensors send the processed signal to the computer itself, as a result of which the cursor moves on the screen. This is how a mechanical mouse works. This outdated device had two or three buttons and did not differ in any features. Connection to a computer was carried out using a COM port (in earlier versions) and a PS / 2 connector (in later models).

The weakest point of a mechanical mouse was exactly the same ball that “crawled” along the surface. It became very dirty very quickly, as a result of which the accuracy of the movement fell. I had to clean it often with alcohol. In addition, mechanical ball mice categorically refused to slide normally on a bare table. They always needed a special mat. IN currently such mice are obsolete and are not used anywhere. The most popular manufacturers of mechanical mice at the time were Genius and Microsoft.

Optical mice

The next stage in the evolution of computer mice was the emergence of optical models. The principle of operation is fundamentally different from mice equipped with balls. The basis of the optical mouse is a sensor that registers the movements of the mouse by photographing with high speed(about 1000 pictures per second). Then the sensor sends information to the sensors and after appropriate processing, the information enters the computer, causing the cursor to move. Optical mice can contain any number of buttons. From two in ordinary office models to 14 in serious gaming solutions. Thanks to their technology, optical mice are able to provide high precision cursor movement. In addition, they can glide perfectly on any flat surface (except for a mirror).

Now optical mice are the most popular among most users. They combine high DPI and an adequate price. Simple optical models are the cheapest mice for a computer. In form, they can be very different. By the number of buttons too. There are also wired and wireless options. If you need high accuracy and reliability, then your choice is a wired optical mouse. The fact is that wireless technologies make the user dependent on batteries and wireless communication, which is not always up to par.

Laser mice

These mice are evolutionary continuation of optical mice. The difference is that a laser is used instead of an LED. On the present stage development laser mice are the most accurate and provide the highest DPI. That is why they are so loved by many gamers. Laser mice don't care what surface they "crawl" on. They work well even on rough surfaces.

With the highest DPI of any mouse, laser models are widely used by gamers. That is why laser manipulators have a wide range of models aimed at game fans. Distinctive feature such a mouse is the presence of a large number of additional programmable buttons. A prerequisite for a good gaming mouse is only a wired connection via USB. Since wireless technology cannot provide the proper accuracy of work. Gaming laser mice are usually not cheap. The most expensive mice for a computer based on a laser element are produced by Logitech and A4Tech.

trackball

This device does not look like a standard computer mouse at all. At its core, a trackball is a mechanical mouse in reverse. The cursor is controlled by a ball on the top side of the device. But the sensors of the device are still optical. In its form, the trackball does not resemble a classic mouse at all. And it does not need to be moved anywhere in order to achieve the movement of the cursor. The trackball is connected to the computer via USB.

The advantages and disadvantages of the trackball have been arguing for quite some time. On the one hand, it reduces the load on the hand and ensures the accuracy of cursor movement. On the other hand, it is a bit inconvenient to use the trackball buttons. Such devices are still rare and unfinished.

induction mice

Induction mice are a logical continuation of wireless devices. However, they are devoid of some properties characteristic of "tailless" models. For example, induction mice can only work on a special mat connected to a computer. Carrying the mouse away from the rug will not work. However, there are also pluses. High accuracy and no need to change batteries, since there are no batteries in such mice at all. Induction mice get their energy from the mat.

Such mice are not very common, as they have a high price and are not very mobile. On the other hand, these are the most original mice for a computer. Their originality lies in the absence of batteries.

Gyro mice

These mice do not need to slide on the surface at all. The gyroscopic sensor, which is the basis of such a mouse, responds to changes in the position of the device in space. Of course it's convenient. But this method of management requires a fair amount of skill. Naturally, such mice are distinguished by the absence of wires, because with their presence it would be inconvenient to control the mouse.

Like induction models, gyroscopic devices are not widely used due to their high cost.

Touch mouse

Touch mice - the diocese of Apple. It was they who deprived their Magic Mouse of all sorts of buttons and wheels. The basis of such a mouse is a touch coating. The mouse is controlled by gestures. The reading element of the mouse position is an optical sensor.

Touch mice are mainly found in Apple products (iMac). You can also purchase a Magic Mouse separately and try connecting it to a regular computer. However, it is not clear how convenient it will be to use such a mouse under Windows, given that it is "sharpened" for MacOS.

Conclusion

It remains only to choose the option that is right for you.

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What is a computer mouse and its types?

Most computer users are unlikely to be able to use the capabilities of their computer without a device such as a computer mouse, because it is much easier to do work and play computer games with it. Of course, not many people care about the question of what a computer mouse is, because everything is clear anyway, but not everyone knows about the types of computer mice and their differences.

A computer mouse is a mechanical device, a manipulator that transforms movement into a control signal.

The mouse was first introduced in 1968 in the United States of America at a display of interactive devices. And already in 1970 a patent was issued for it. The very first computer to include a mouse, the Xerox-8010 Star Information, was introduced in 1981. Due to its functionality, the computer mouse was classified as an input device.

What is a computer mouse made of?

The mouse consists of a movement sensor, buttons and additional control parts (scroll wheel, joystick, potentiometer, trackball, keys).

Types of computer mice

Displacement sensors have evolved the most over time, structurally representing:

  • Direct drive - two perpendicular wheels protruding from the body, when moving the mouse, the wheels rotated each in their own plane.
  • A ball drive is a rubberized steel ball protruding from the body, which, when moving, transmits movement to two rollers pressed against it, located in two planes, which transmit information to angle sensors that transform these movements into electrical signals.
  • Optical drive:
  1. 1st generation optical mouse - a mouse in which optical sensors directly track the movement of the working area relative to the mouse. They required special rugs, a certain orientation relative to the rug.
  2. The 2nd generation optical mouse is a mouse with a matrix sensor, with a special video camera in the lower part, which constantly takes pictures of the working surface and, by comparing them, sets the mouse's course and displacement parameters. Sensitive to surface texture.
  3. An optical laser mouse is a mouse with a more advanced version of the optical sensor using a semiconductor laser.
  • Gyroscopic mice - equipped with a gyroscope that recognizes movement not only on a plane, but also in space.
  • Induction mice - use a special pad that acts like a graphics tablet, or are included in a graphics tablet.

The mouse buttons are used to perform the following manipulations: object selection, moving. Mice are single-button (Apple), two-button and three-button. Some models contain additional buttons that are used to configure the mouse, double-triple clicks (for programs and games), other purposes - individual system functions, such as launching applications, are registered in the driver; double click; horizontal scrolling; volume control and playback of video clips and audio tracks; navigation in file managers and browsers.

At the end of 2009, Apple introduced a mouse with the first touch control, instead of buttons and wheels, a touchpad is used here, which allows you to implement scrolling, zooming, and transitions using various gestures.

Pairing and Connecting a Mouse to a Computer

Computer mice, like keyboards, are wired, connected via USB or PS / 2 port and wireless. By the type of connection with a computer, wireless mice are:

  1. With infrared communication - between the mouse and a special receiving node connected to the computer. A significant disadvantage is the need for no obstacle between the mouse and the base.
  2. With radio communication - this species communication made it possible to get rid of the shortcomings of infrared and completely replaced it.
  3. Induction - powered by a special work mat or graphics tablet. Thus, the mouse is wire-free, but does not work without an induction pad.
  4. Bluetooth - such mice do not need a receiving unit and additional drivers, but they are characterized by high power consumption.

There are far fewer types of computer mice compared to their variety of end-user options, when choosing, you should understand which mouse suits you best and, for example, whether you should spend your money on a wireless one if you don’t need it.

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Computer mouse: the history of creation. What did the first computer mouse look like?

Today, the mouse is an essential input device for all modern computers. But quite recently things were different. Computers did not have a graphical user interface; commands and data could only be entered using the keyboard. And when did the very first computer mouse appear? You will be surprised to see what kind of evolution this familiar object has gone through.

Who invented the first computer mouse?

Douglas Engelbart is considered the father of this instrument. He was one of those scientists who try to bring science even to ordinary people and make progress accessible to everyone. He invented the first computer mice in the early 1960s in his laboratory at Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International). The first prototype was created in 1964, in the patent application for this invention, filed in 1967, it was called "XY Position Indicator for Display System". But official document under the number 3541541 was received only in 1970.

But is everything so simple?

It would seem that everyone knows who created the first computer mouse. But trackball (ball drive) technology was first used much earlier by the Canadian Navy. Back then, in 1952, the mouse was just a bowling ball attached to a complex hardware system that could sense the movement of the ball and mimic its movement on a screen. But the world did not know about it until years later - after all, it was a secret military invention that was never patented or mass-produced. After 11 years, it was already known, but D. Engelbart recognized it as ineffective. At that moment, he did not yet know how to connect his vision of the mouse and this device.

How did the idea come about?

The main ideas about the invention first came to D. Engelbart in 1961, when he was at a conference on computer graphics and pondered the problem of increasing the efficiency of interactive computing. It occurred to him that by using two small wheels that move across the tabletop (one wheel rotates horizontally and the other vertically), the computer can track combinations of their rotation and move the cursor on the display accordingly. To some extent, the principle of operation is similar to a planimeter - a tool used by engineers and geographers to measure distances on a map or drawing, etc. Then the scientist wrote down this idea in his notebook for future reference.

Step into the Future

A little over a year later, D. Engelbart received a grant from the institute to launch his research initiative called "Improving the Human Mind". Under it, he imagined a system where people of mental labor, working at high-performance computer stations with interactive displays, have access to a vast online information space. With its help, they can cooperate, solving specifically important issues. But this system sorely lacked a modern input device. After all, in order to comfortably interact with objects on the screen, you need to be able to quickly select them. NASA became interested in the project and provided a grant to build a computer mouse. The first version of this device is similar to the modern one except in size. In parallel, a team of researchers came up with other devices that allowed you to control the cursor by pressing the foot on the pedal or moving the knee of a special clip under the table. These inventions never caught on, but the joystick, invented at the same time, was later improved and is still used today.

In 1965, D. Engelbart's team published the final report on their research and evaluation of the effectiveness of various methods for selecting objects on the screen. There were even volunteers who participated in testing. It went something like this: the program showed objects in different parts of the screen and the volunteers tried to click on them as quickly as possible with different devices. According to the test results, the first computer mice clearly outperformed all other devices and were included as standard equipment for further research.

What did the first computer mouse look like?

It was made of wood and was the first input device to fit in the user's hand. Knowing the principle of its action, you should no longer be surprised at what the first computer mouse looked like. Under the case there were two metal disk-wheels, a diagram. There was only one button, and the wire went under the wrist of the person holding the device. The prototype was assembled by one of the members of D. Engelbart's team, his assistant William (Bill) English. Initially, he worked in another laboratory, but soon joined the project to create input devices, developed and brought to life the design of a new device.

By tilting and swinging the mouse, you can draw perfectly smooth vertical and horizontal lines.

In 1967, the case became plastic.

Where did the name come from?

No one really remembers who first called this device a mouse. It was tested by 5-6 people, it is possible that one of them voiced the similarity. Moreover, the world's first computer mouse was with a wire-tail at the back.

Further improvements

Of course, the prototypes were far from ideal.

In 1968, at a computer conference in San Francisco, D. Engelbart presented improved first computer mice. They had three buttons, in addition to them, the keyboard was understaffed with a device for the left hand.
The idea was this: the right hand works with the mouse, selecting and activating objects. And the left one conveniently calls the necessary commands using a small keyboard with five long keys, like a piano. At the same time, it became clear that the wire at hand at the operator's hand gets confused when using the device, and that it needs to be brought to opposite side. Of course, the prefix left hand did not catch on, but Douglas Engelbart used it on his computers until the last days.

Continued improvement work

In the later stages of mouse development, other scientists entered the scene. The most interesting thing is that D. Engelbart never received royalties from his invention. Since he patented it as a specialist of the Stanford Institute, it was the Institute that disposed of the rights to the device.

So, in 1972, Bill English replaced the wheels with a trackball, which made it possible to recognize mouse movement in any direction. Since he was then working at Xerox PARC, this innovation became part of the then advanced Xerox Alto system. It was a minicomputer with a graphical interface. Therefore, many mistakenly believe that the first computer mice were invented by Xerox.

The next round of development occurred with the mouse in 1983, when Apple entered the game. Enterprising Steve Jobs calculated the cost of mass production of the device, which amounted to approximately $ 300. It was too expensive for the average consumer, so the decision was made to simplify the design of the mouse and replace the three buttons with one. The price dropped to $15. And although this decision is still considered controversial, Apple is in no hurry to change its iconic design.

The first computer mice were rectangular or square in shape, the anatomical rounded design appeared only in 1991. It was introduced by Logitech. Apart from interesting shape the novelty was wireless: communication with a computer was provided using radio waves.

The first optical mouse appeared in 1982. It needed a special pad with a printed grid to work. And while the ball in the trackball quickly became dirty and was an inconvenience that it had to be cleaned regularly, the optical mouse was commercially unprofitable until 1998.

What's next?

As you already know, "tailed" trackballs are practically not used anymore. Technology, appearance and the ergonomics of computer mice are constantly being improved. And even today, when touchscreen devices are becoming more and more popular, their sales do not fall.

Good afternoon friends!

Today we will talk about one very convenient device that we are so used to and without which we can no longer imagine working on a computer.

What is a "mouse"?

"Mouse" is a button manipulator, designed together with the keyboard to enter information into .

Indeed, he looks like a mouse with a tail. A modern computer is already unthinkable without this contraption.

The "mouse" is much more convenient to use than, for example, the built-in laptop manipulator.

Therefore, users often turn off this laptop “mat” and connect a “mouse”.

How does this handy thing work?

The first designs of manipulators

The first manipulators included a ball that touched two disc rollers.

The outer rim of each disc had perforation. The shafts were located perpendicular to each other.

One shaft was responsible for the X coordinate (horizontal movement), the other for the Y coordinate (vertical movement).

When moving the manipulator on the table, the ball rotated, transferring torque to the shafts.

If the manipulator was moved in the “right-left” direction, then the shaft responsible for the X coordinate rotated mainly. The cursor on the monitor screen also moved to the right-left. If the mouse moved in the direction “toward-away from itself”, the shaft responsible for the Y coordinate rotated mainly. The cursor on the monitor screen moved up and down.

If the manipulator was moved in an arbitrary direction, both shafts rotated, and the cursor moved accordingly.

Optical sensors in old mice

Such devices contained two optical sensors - optocouplers. The optocoupler includes an emitter (LED emitting in the IR range) and a receiver - (photodiode or phototransistor). The emitter and receiver are located at a close distance from each other.

When the manipulator moves, the shafts with discs rigidly fixed to them rotate. The perforated edge of the disc periodically crosses the radiation flux from the emitter to the receiver. As a result, a series of pulses is obtained at the output of the receiver, which is fed to the controller chip. The faster the mouse moves, the faster the shafts will rotate. There will be a higher frequency of pulses, and the cursor will move faster on the monitor screen.

Buttons and scroll wheel

Any manipulator has at least two buttons.

Double “clicking” (pressing) on ​​one of them (usually the left one) starts the execution of a program or file, clicking on the other one launches a context menu for the corresponding situation.

Devices designed for computer games may have 5-8 buttons.

By clicking on one of them, you can shoot at the monster from a grenade launcher, on the other - to launch a rocket, on the third - to discharge a good old hard drive into it.

Modern mice also have scroll - a scroll wheel, which is very convenient when viewing a large document. You can view such a document only by turning the wheel and not using the buttons. Some models have two wheels scrolling, while you can view text or a graphic image by moving both up and down, and left and right.

There is usually another button below the scroll wheel. If you view the document by rotating the wheel and simultaneously press it, the manipulator driver activates such a mode that the document itself begins to move up the screen. The speed of movement depends on the speed with which the user rotated the wheel before pressing it.

In this mode, the cursor changes its style. This further increases the convenience ... In short, they got it, cooked it, chewed it, it remains only to swallow it. Pressing the wheel again switches from "auto view" to normal mode.

Optical mice

In the future, the manipulator was improved.

So-called optical "mice" appeared.

Such devices contain emitting Light-emitting diode(usually red), a transparent reflective plastic prism, a light sensor and a control controller.

The LED emits rays that are reflected from the surface and captured by the sensor.

When the manipulator moves, the received radiation flux changes, which is captured by the sensor and transmitted to the controller, which generates standard signals for a specific interface. Optical mouse more sensitive to movement and does not require a mat for itself, like the old ball manipulator.

In an optical mouse, there are no rubbing parts (with the exception of the potentiometer, the rotation of which is transmitted from the scroll wheel), which wear out or become dirty. This is also an advantage.

Possible problems with manipulators

The mouse, like any technique, has a limited lifespan. It's no secret that the bulk of computer technology is made in China. The goal of any business is profit, so the Chinese comrades save even on cables for mice, making them as thin as possible.

Therefore, the first weakness manipulators have a cable.

More often internal cliff one or more cores happens at the point where the cable enters the mouse.

The cable has 4 wires, two of them are power, the third is the clock frequency, the fourth is information.

If the mouse is not seen by the computer, the first step is to "call" the cable.

If a break is detected, cut off a part of the cable with a connector (behind the cable entry point into the mouse case closer to the connector) and the remaining piece to printed circuit board manipulator, observing, of course, the colors.

PS/2 mice can't switch on the go .

Otherwise, her controller (her tiny "brain") may fail. And it's good if it's limited to just that. The PS / 2 interface controller on the motherboard may also fail, which is much worse.

If the cable is intact, and the mouse is not recognized by the controller, then, most likely, its controller has failed, and it must be replaced. Cable break at optical mice you can also suspect by the absence of the glow of the LED (which is located near the surface that rides on the table). In other cases, the glow may not be due to a malfunction of the LED or controller, but this is rare.

Manipulators with COM or USB interface can switch on the go. However, at present, devices with a COM interface are practically not found.

You have to “click” the mouse many thousands of times, and the buttons may fail after a long time. To replace the button, you need to disassemble the manipulator and solder another one. It is not necessary to use the same one as it was. The main thing here is to respect the height in order to maintain the length of the key travel. However, manipulators have long been very affordable, and most users do not bother with their repair.

Let's say "thank you" to the good old "mice" with a ball in their belly - they have served us well ...

Finishing the article, we note that there are varieties of manipulators with laser emitter instead of an LED, which provide more accurate and faster cursor positioning. This speed and accuracy is especially demanded in games.

There are also wireless (radio) "mice", in which the exchange of information with the computer is carried out not by wire, but by radio channel. Therefore, they contain their own power source - a pair of finger-type galvanic cells of AA or AAA size. Recall once again that the manipulator connector is inserted into one of the ports.

That's all for today.

Victor Geronda was with you.

See you on the blog!

Today I want to tell you, my dear readers, how I chose a computer mouse for my beloved wife. I hope the course of my thoughts will be interesting to you, and everything that I learned about these "rodents" during my research is useful.

So, computer mouse- what are they, how are they different and which one is better to choose. As always - in detail and in human language ...

I'll start with the interface, or, more simply, the way to connect a mouse to a computer ...

Wired or wireless mouse?

It is very important to decide for what purposes the mouse is chosen, how it will be used. If you like to play computer games (drive a car, shoot, run in the jungle...) and will do it every day, buy a wired mouse.

During dynamic scenes in a wireless manipulator, cursor slowdowns (reflection of a radio signal, various interference ...) may occur, which will make you very nervous. And in games, you need to work very intensively with the mouse, which will greatly affect the energy consumption in batteries or accumulators - you will get tired of changing (buying) or charging them.

If you are not interested in games and you prefer quiet surfing the Internet or just work in office applications, then your choice is a wireless computer mouse, definitely! This interface is much more convenient, mobile and comfortable than wired. What is the very feeling of "non-attachment" worth. You can also use it as a remote remote control when watching a movie or photos (lying on the couch). Say no to extra wires in the workplace.

Let's sum up the first result. A wired mouse is faster and more reliable in games, and also does not require maintenance (changing batteries or charging batteries) and further investments (purchasing batteries or accumulators). The wireless mouse is convenient for its mobility and practicality.

At the price of these two interfaces today, there is practically no difference - you can find a wireless or wired mouse for $10, or even for $200.



In turn, wireless mice are divided by the type of connection - radio frequency, infrared, induction, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The most optimal in terms of price, practicality and quality is radio frequency.

My wife does not play "Crisis" and "Stalker", we have an excellent Charger and two sets of batteries, so I chose the wireless interface for her future mouse.

Optical or laser?

These two technologies are very often confused or even combined, but in vain. An optical mouse is a manipulator equipped with a very small video camera that takes about a thousand pictures per second, they are processed by the processor and sent to the computer. Such a mouse uses a light diode that produces a beam of light in the visible range. These mice are also called LED mice.

Optical mice work worse on glossy or mirrored surfaces, and they are also less sensitive to movement, but more on that below. The optical sensor technology is older and the price is lower.

The laser mouse is similar, the only difference being the use of a semiconductor laser instead of a diode. When working with a laser mouse, there is no visible glow of the sensor, it does not have a visible backlight ...

Laser mice have a higher sensor resolution and, accordingly, the accuracy of cursor movement (players, this is your choice). In the case of using a wireless mouse, laser ones are more economical in terms of energy consumption (they work noticeably longer without replacing batteries).

Computer mouse resolution

The higher the resolution, the more sensitive the mouse is to movement. Less table movement more movement on the screen. The maximum resolution of an optical mouse today is 1800 dpi, and for a laser mouse the maximum resolution is 5700 dpi.

Why do you need a large mouse resolution? For computer games. The high dpi makes it possible to aim with high accuracy, turn faster and make precise jumps. Make up your mind, gamers.

At the same time, in order for a computer mouse not to cause delays and difficulties in control, 800 dpi is already enough (this is exactly what ball mice had). In most modern mice, this setting can be toggled.

Mouse resolution is often confused with the mouse sensitivity parameter in the operating system toolbar. In the mouse settings through the control panel, you artificially change the scale of the surface under the sensor, and the mouse resolution is a real, physical value.

The shape and design of the mouse

Once upon a time I read about the special shape and coating of the handles of weapons, which are given on demand to bandits who have taken hostages. So, they are made uncomfortable, causing inconvenience, due to which the reaction of criminals slows down right up to two seconds!

This I mean that you should not neglect the design of the mouse, the build quality and materials covering it. It is highly desirable to feel the mouse before buying - you will immediately feel your mouse, I assure you.

Additional criteria for choosing a computer mouse

Often, high-quality, branded mice can be adjusted in weight by selecting weights inside the case - some like light mice, while others like heavy mice. I personally like the second one.

More recently, a new type of computer mouse has appeared - touch ...

Their working surface is touch-sensitive and completely smooth (there is no wheel, buttons). Such mice understand certain gestures with which you can flip through photos in the graphics viewer or surf in the browser (back and forth through the pages). And you can also assign any action in the system or program to a specific gesture.

The mouse is one of the tools that can be connected to a computer to manipulate the cursor. The cursor, a flickering rectangle of light on the screen, indicates where the operator's next action will be located. When a letter is typed, it appears on the screen at the location marked by the cursor. The cursor control keys allow the operator to move the cursor across the screen, up and down.

But the rotating mouse on the operator's desk (below) can move the cursor around the screen in any direction at the speed of a hand. Buttons on the mouse allow the operator to select options from the OSD or draw lines on the screen.

There are two types of mice - mechanical and optical; any easily fits in the human palm. When a mechanical mouse (right) moves across a surface, its internal mechanism measures the distance, direction of movement, and tells the computer to repeat that movement on the monitor. The optical mouse (bottom left) performs this task using light rays to determine the direction of the mouse on the grid. The joystick (bottom right) serves as a control mechanism in many video games.

Mouse movement and cursor

Connected to the keyboard by electrical wires, the mouse causes the cursor to imitate its movements on the screen at any distance and direction. Therefore, when moving the mouse, the operator must look at the screen. Since the mouse can move in any direction, forming curved and diagonal lines, it is an excellent drawing tool.

How an optical mouse "sees"

The optical mouse is arranged on a special grid. As the mouse moves over the grid, light from the LED, a Light Emitting Diode, enters the grid. The lenses and mirror send beams to a sensor, or photodetector, which marks the coordinates of the lines passed.

How a mechanical mouse works

On the inside A mechanical mouse has a brake ball associated with slotted discs (brown) that rotates as the mouse is moved. An LED on each disk emits light, while a photodiode, on the other hand, counts the pulses of light passing through the slots in the rotating disk. These pulses are converted into cursor movement on the screen.

Inside the joystick

Like a mouse, a joystick detects movements in two directions and coordinates signals. The handle passes through the movable axle (center) and enters the right hand corner of the lever (bottom). Two electronic devices, called variable resistors, send signals that change the position of the axis and lever and make the cursor move.

When buying a computer, many users pay attention only to the choice of the main and most expensive components - processor, motherboard, video card, etc.

As for the choice of peripheral devices (, mouse), many characteristics are overlooked here. Often, the user takes what is included with the system unit, and then wonders why the mouse quickly fails (or it is simply inconvenient to hold it in hand).

In this article, we will look at the main characteristics of a computer mouse that you should consider when buying.

1 Size and shape

Most of all computer operations are performed using the mouse. Consequently, the user almost constantly holds the mouse in his hand and moves it on the table or on the rug. This explains the need to choose exactly the device that, in its shape and size, is ideal for the shape and size of the palm. Otherwise, holding the mouse will not be very comfortable, you will get tired faster and get less pleasure from work.

I even know people whose hand hurt so much when working with an uncomfortable mouse for a long time, that for a while they involuntarily became left-handed. When the hand began to break, as they say, the mouse moved to the left, to the left hand, the mouse buttons were rearranged for the left hand, and thus it was possible to calm the right hand. This is very inconvenient, unless you are a real left-hander, and work on the computer slows down a lot.

Therefore, before buying, be sure to hold the mouse in your hand and estimate how convenient it is to work with it, how comfortable it is to hold it in your hand (in right hand for right-handers and in the left hand for left-handers).

2 Type (type) of a computer mouse

According to their type, mice are divided into

  • mechanical,
  • optical and
  • remote.

Depending on the type, let's see what a computer mouse looks like.

Mechanical manipulators use a special ball that rotates as the device moves across a flat surface.

Rice. 1 mechanical mouse

Optical mouse manipulators use an optical pointer that reads changes in the position of the mouse relative to the plane along which the mouse is moving.

Rice. 2 optical mouse computer USB connection

Remote mice work on the same principle as optical mice, but they do not have a wired connection to the computer.

Rice. 3 Remote mouse

For remote mice, the signal from the manipulator is transmitted wirelessly remotely, while the mice themselves are powered by a battery or from an accumulator.

mechanical mice on this moment are obsolete. Almost no one uses them because of the relatively low sensitivity and frequent failures. They quickly accumulate dust and dirt, which interfere with the normal operation of the rotating ball and reading sensors. It makes no sense to buy such manipulators, even if they are attractive in price.

Optical mice are the most common (due to ease of use, reliability and durability).

Remote mice are also used quite often, but have a number of disadvantages. For instance,

  • possible problems with sensitivity (including due to the lack of wires),
  • the need for periodic replacement of batteries,
  • battery charge control, if used.

However, such remote mice can be useful for those who work at a distance from the computer. For example, in the case of using a computer as a TV, it is more convenient to switch TV channels remotely, being at a distance, sitting, as they say, on the couch, for which a remote mouse can be oh so useful!

Remote mice are also convenient for those who make presentations using a computer, but do not have the opportunity to work with professional equipment. Then a computer (more often not even a computer, but a laptop) is used as a screen for demonstration, and a remote mouse allows you to switch presentation slides remotely (for example, while standing during a speech).

3 Connector for connection

Any mice, even remote ones, must be connected to the computer through ports. Wired mice have a corresponding connector at the end of the wire. Wireless mice have a special device like a small flash drive, which is also connected to the PC port and serves as a receiver for signals from the remote mouse.

Rice. 4 PC/2 ports

The mouse can be connected to the computer

  • to the PC/2 port (fig. 4 – round port),
  • as well as to the USB port (Fig. 2).

At the same time, USB mice are rapidly replacing mice with a PC / 2 cable from the market. There are several reasons for this:

  • firstly, a better connection;
  • secondly, the prevalence of USB connectors on almost all modern PCs.

It also happens that there are not so many USB ports on the computer, and they may not be enough to connect a mouse. Rarely, but this can happen. Then they come to the rescue - these are devices that allow you to make 2, 4 or more USB ports from one USB port. This increases the cost of buying a mouse, since you have to buy a splitter in addition to it, but it solves the problem of a lack of ports. Fortunately, the lack of USB is an extremely rare situation, in ordinary PCs (if it is not “exotic”) there are always enough USB ports to connect a mouse.

For those who do not want to part with the familiar and become “native” mouse with a PS-2 connector when switching to a PC where there are no longer PS-2 ports, the industry (unfortunately, not quite native, but rather Chinese!) Offers PS adapters -2 - USB. Again, this is a rare occurrence, it is easier to change the mouse to USB than to look for, buy, pay for an adapter. However, for those who wish, we can offer such a somewhat exotic option for connecting a mouse to a computer.

4 Sensitivity

This indicator is measured in dpi (dots per inch). The higher the sensitivity of the computer mouse, the more accurately you can move the mouse cursor around the working space (on the screen) of the monitor.

Let's explain. We are talking about the accuracy with which you can place the mouse cursor at one point or another on the screen. The higher the sensitivity, that is, the more dots per inch, the more accurately you can set the mouse cursor at the desired point on the screen.

Let me remind you that an inch is 2.54 cm. And we use this length measurement system because we are not the progenitors of computer technology, and therefore we use someone else's system of measures and weights.

High sensitivity, in fact, is not only a blessing. High sensitivity, on the contrary, can cause problems, difficulties in working with the mouse. High sensitivity is important for those who work with computer graphics high resolution, for computer designers, for designers and similar professions that require drawing or drafting using a PC. High sensitivity can be useful for "gamers", fans of computer games, where the accuracy of hitting certain fields on the monitor screen is important.

Otherwise, ordinary PC users can get by with mouse manipulators with relatively low accuracy. Why high accuracy if you are engaged, for example, only in editing texts? You can easily get the mouse to the desired line, to the desired character of the text, as they say, “without aiming” and you won’t miss!

The sensitivity of many mechanical mice ranges from 400-500 dpi. However, as noted earlier, this type of manipulators is already in the past. In optical models, the dpi value can reach 800-1000.

The cost of a particular mouse model directly depends on the sensitivity. When buying a mouse with high sensitivity, the PC user additionally pays for this feature. This is another argument in favor of choosing mice that are not too sensitive. Why overpay if high sensitivity is not needed for normal PC work?!

5 Number of buttons

A standard mouse has only three controls - the right and left buttons, as well as the wheel. The mouse wheel is not only the now familiar scrolling tool, but also serves as the third mouse button. You can press the wheel like a button, click it. This allows, for example, opening browser windows in new tabs (see ).

Working with the buttons and with the mouse wheel should be pleasant and comfortable, otherwise such a mouse may annoy the PC user. For example, the buttons (both right and left) can be too tight, pressed with quite a lot of effort. This is not convenient for everyone, and during prolonged work, you can simply get tired of pressing the buttons, which sometimes leads to painful and unpleasant sensations.

Mouse buttons can be pressed quietly, almost silently, or they can click loudly. This is also, as they say, an amateur, someone likes it louder, with a click, and someone prefers silence.

The buttons can be pressed without play, without free play, and in some cases the play can be so great that there is a feeling that the button itself moves a little, sways. Buttons with backlash can be annoying, on the other hand, someone may like them. As they say, for an amateur. You have to try it with your own hands and choose.

Also the mouse wheel. It can spin easily, or it can “slow down” and require additional effort. Here too - as you like.

Pressing the wheel may be easy, or it may require some exercise of the index finger. It is especially annoying if the wheel is pressed without a click, when it is not very possible to feel whether the pressing has happened or not. In this case, pressing and scrolling the wheel becomes akin to a roulette wheel, either pan or go! Not very convenient, such a mouse is more for thrill-seekers.

It is better for an ordinary inexperienced PC user to have a mouse, where everything is simple and clear:

  • here they are, left and right mouse clicks,
  • here it is, scrolling the wheel up and down (attention, sometimes the wheel turns well only up or down in one direction, and sticks in the other, and this should also be checked when buying!).
  • And here they are, clear and understandable clicks with the wheel, that is, clicks with the third mouse button.

Everything is simple, reliable, practical.

For ordinary three-button mice, as a rule, no additional drivers are needed, they are already included operating systems PC.

Rice. 5 Mouse with many buttons

In more expensive and advanced models, there may be 4, 5, 6 or more buttons. When installing drivers for such mice, you can "hang" a specific action (or a sequence of actions at once) on each button. This can be very convenient when working in some special applications or in computer games. Otherwise, these extra buttons are not needed, it is better not to overpay manufacturers for them, and limit yourself to standard manipulators, two-button mice with a wheel (it is also the third button).

6 Other characteristics

This can be, for example, case material, button material, manufacturer, etc. Here you should choose, focusing only on your own preferences. Someone works well with ordinary plastic mice. Someone prefers metal mice. Some people like regular buttons, while others want buttons with finger-shaped notches for a comfortable hand position.

Some people like mice of any color, while others prefer only White color, only black, yellow, pink, green, but you never know what other colors are!

Personally, for example, I like mice that work on any surface: on the table, on the mouse pad, on the tablecloth, on oilcloth, on fabric.

And there are mice that, even kill yourself, will not work on a light table, for example, or on oilcloth, or on glass, until you put a mouse pad under them or at least a regular sheet of paper. And this is also an important characteristic of the mouse, which we will classify as “other characteristics”.

Another “other characteristic” is how quickly the mouse collects dust and dirt from the table, and how easily it is cleaned of this dust and dirt. Unfortunately, there are no ideal jobs. Whatever you do, dust and dirt tend to appear again and again, and they settle on the bottom surface of any, even the cheapest, even the most expensive mouse. And here it is important how quickly the mouse becomes inoperable from this, and how easily it can be cleaned of all this. And a dirty mouse can, for example, lose its sensitivity, or start to work “jerks”, which makes it difficult for the mouse cursor to hit certain points on the screen.

Rice. 6 Apple Touch Mouse

For some PC users, an important "other characteristic" may be the manufacturer's name. For example, having an “advanced” laptop from Apple, you might want a mouse from the same manufacturer with touch controls, when you just move your finger, there are no mechanics, nothing is spinning, but the movement of your finger is captured. For the possession of this manipulator will have to pay extra money.

Or you can just hope that a more or less well-known other company will not sell “bad” mice that can quickly fail. And then you may want to buy a mouse from manufacturers such as Logitech, Microsoft, A4 Tech.

Here, to be honest, how lucky. An unsightly mouse a la "made in China", as they say, "noname" (that is, without a name, without an explicit manufacturer, without a well-known manufacturer) can serve faithfully so much that you forget when, where and at what price you bought it . Or maybe a branded mouse to refuse pretty quickly. Although, on average, mice from well-known manufacturers last longer and work better than their Chinese (and not only) competitors.

So, as you can see, mice are not such simple devices. They have many parameters in which they can differ from each other. Mouse selection - important point when choosing a PC. Since we will have to work with the mouse, since we have become users (and to some extent even hostages) of the modern “window technology” for presenting information on the monitor screen and processing it modern means provided by personal computers.

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