What’s an Optical Mouse?

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An optical mouse uses camera technology and digital processing to compare and track the position of the mouse, rather than a ball and roller used on older devices. This technology, first introduced by Agilent Technologies in 1999, helps provide users with more accurate performance without the maintenance and cleaning required on earlier models.

Inside every optical mouse is a tiny camera that takes more than a thousand snapshots every second. A small light-emitting diode (LED) provides light under the mouse, helping to highlight subtle differences in the underlying surface. These differences are reflected in the camera, where digital processing is used to compare images and determine the speed and direction of movement. This differs from older technology mice, where a round ball rolled against a pad to indicate movement.

Optical mice have a number of advantages over older technologies. One of the biggest benefits is eliminating the mouse ball, which often required cleaning to scrape the accumulated dirt from the ball or rollers inside. Since the optical model has no moving parts, almost no maintenance or regular cleaning is required. Another benefit is that digital processing often results in smoother and more accurate performance than previous technologies. These mice typically don’t require a mouse pad and can be used on many surfaces, including ones that aren’t completely flat.

These pointing devices are becoming more and more common today in both homes and businesses. As technology and competition have evolved, prices have dropped to affordable levels, similar to ballpoint technology mice. There are generally no special PC requirements for optical mice, and installation is usually simply connecting the device to the computer. A variety of options can be found for Windows, Macintosh and Linux platforms and are available with PS/2 or USB plugs.

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