Optical Mouse

The Optical mouse was introduced by Agilent Technologies in 1999.  In this technology uses a tiny camera that takes thousands of pictures per second to determine position and speed. A very small light emitting diode is used in the optical mouse. Commonly preferred LED is red LED. The light from the LED falls on the mouse pad or desk surface and bounces back onto a CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

Operation
The light from the LED falls on the mouse pad or desk surface and bounces back onto a CMOS. The CMOS sensor sends each image that is reflected back to a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Using these images the DSP can detect both patterns and images and can determine the distance and speed at which the mouse is moved. The coordinates are sent to the computer. On receiving the coordinates the computer will show the movement
of the mouse, usually by its cursor on the computer screen. Your computer is
updated with mouse coordinates more than hundreds of times per second.

Benefits of Optical Mouse
  1. It is more reliable than track ball mouse.
  2. It has longer life than track ball mouse
  3. Smoother.
  4. Faster response and better performance
Limitation
Optical mouse cannot be used over transparent surfaces since
the light from the LED will not reflects back.

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