Modern computer(which can be assembled) has a mouse in its kit. Now it is difficult to imagine how without it it would be possible to easily and simply “communicate” with a computer. There are many mice - good and different. For every taste and color. size and weight...

The computer mouse was created by Douglas Engelbart in 1964, 6 years later he received a patent for this invention. On the computer screen, the mouse is displayed as an arrow; by moving it across the table, we control the movement of the arrow on the screen. This way you can select objects on your computer screen and work with them.

The market offers a large number of computer mice, they differ in shape, color and internal structure. How to choose the one that will be the most convenient?

The following types of mice are known today: mechanical(ball), optical, trackball mice, laser, gyroscopic.

1. Ball mice- rarity. The technology of their work was simple. The ball, moving along the surface inside the mouse, rotated two rollers. The rotation of the horizontal roller was converted into a signal for moving the arrow on the screen horizontally, and the rotation of the vertical roller was a signal for moving vertically. Two signals, acting simultaneously, moved the arrow on the screen in the desired direction. Because of the ball, these mice were a little heavy, they did not work without a mousepad, and my hand got tired. Dust got inside the mouse, which caused poor performance; I had to often take out the ball and clean the entire structure.

2.Optical LED mice work without balls. Inside these there is an LED and a sensor. The surface on which the mouse moves is scanned. The LED illuminates, and the camera sensor takes frames at a frequency of 1 kHz. The surface has uneven surfaces, so when moving, the pictures turn out different. The built-in microcircuit analyzes the images, generates a movement signal and transmits it to the computer. No optical mouse pad needed, no cleaning required. The main advantage of an optical mouse is greater accuracy and a decent service life.

3. In a laser mouse Instead of an LED, a laser is used, the accuracy of the work is even higher than that of an LED mouse. The laser mouse will work on any surface, even smooth ones, such as glass. For a laser beam, any smooth surface will still not be ideal, that is, the frames of the surface when moving the mouse are different.

4. Trackball mice are used less frequently. This device looks like an upside down mouse. The difference from a ball mouse is that the trackball does not move, but the ball, which is located on the side of the device, is rotated with your finger. This design is used to work with graphic programs, with computer-aided design programs and others where it is necessary to control the movement of the cursor more accurately than a regular computer mouse can.

With or without wire

Depending on the type of connection, computer mice can be wired or wireless.
Wired mice can be connected by wire to the computer via two inputs: USB, PS/2. The second option is considered obsolete.

Connection types for wireless mice: radio frequency, infrared, induction, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. Wireless mice are most often used for laptops. Radio frequency and infrared types are considered yesterday. If it is an infrared mouse, then there should be no obstacles between it and the computer, otherwise the connection will be disrupted. Radio frequency communication between the mouse and the computer is carried out at a frequency of 27 MHz and 2.4 GHz. The difference in frequencies affects the range and price of the mouse.

Induction mice do not have a “tail”, but work on a pad-tablet, which is connected to the computer with a wire.

The most popular connection for wireless mice is Bluetooth. This connection is used for computers and laptops. This device is small in size, can be built-in or can be purchased. There is another type of communication - Wi-Fi.

Infrared and induction communications operate at a short distance from the computer. All other types of communication make it easy to work within the room. We must remember that wireless mice They require autonomous power supplies for their operation.

The design, the number of buttons, the size of the mouse - everyone can choose it to their liking. Choosing a mouse according to your hand size should probably be put in first place. You spend a lot of time at the computer and your hand gets less tired if the computer mouse is comfortable and light. Choosing the wrong mouse size can lead to hand and finger pain.

There are mice with two buttons and a scroll wheel, and there may be two additional buttons. Special mice have been developed for gaming. When choosing a mouse, you should not choose multifunctionality, flashy appearance and low cost. Reliability and quality are guaranteed by proven brands Microsoft and Logitech. Genius and Mitsumi mice are a little cheaper.

A novice user begins his first steps in the computer space by mastering the mouse and keyboard. If everything is more or less clear with the second one, then a computer mouse may raise some questions. What is a mouse? How to use it? What types computer mice exist? We will consider all these questions in our today's topic.

Although the mouse cannot be called the part that makes up the computer, it is still an integral part of any modern computer. To begin with, here is the scientific definition of a computer mouse:

A computer mouse is a manipulator that converts mechanical movements into cursor movements on the monitor screen.

Simply put, you move the mouse on a pad or other flat surface, and the cursor repeats these movements on the desktop.

Mouse manufacturing technology is developing quite quickly. The equipment has gone from a wired ballpoint mouse to a wireless laser mouse. Let's consider all types of peripheral devices of this type, especially since they all take place in offices and home computers.

In the 90s, when computers were just beginning to appear in our country, ball mice were used. The principle of their operation is quite simple. There was a ball protruding from the bottom of the mouse. There were two rollers pressed against it inside. They took readings of movement from the ball and converted them into signals that the computer could understand. Experienced computer scientists remember what was the biggest disadvantage of such a mouse. This is her cleaning. If the ball was too dirty, the mouse began to jam.

Most of us began to feel what a mouse is when we picked up an optical mouse. The overwhelming majority of computers still use such manipulators. There are several types of computer mice of this type. They can be divided into optical first and second generation.

First generation optical mice

The first generation optical mice used special sensors in their device, which, unlike ball mice, read not the movement of the mouse itself, but the surface on which it was located. We can say that a powerful leap has been made in the development of this component. Her work has become much more reliable. However, the first optical mouse also had its shortcomings, which, in the future, predetermined its further development.

The sensors used in it required a special surface. I bet most people don't use mats at all these days, but in those days it was a technical necessity. The sensor could not work unless the mouse was on a special pad marked with special lines. The shading could be invisible, and the rug itself could have a pattern, but it also had one more nuance: the rug was made to fit a mouse, that is, it was sometimes impossible to replace one rug with another. Now imagine what a mouse of this level was like for the average user’s wallet at that time? Without a doubt, a very serious blow. If we add to this malfunctions due to contamination of the mat or incorrect position of the manipulator on it, then you understand that the first generation optical mouse was not perfect. This led to the creation of new types of computer mice.

Second generation optical mice

Optical LEDs, both wireless computer mice and wired ones, are known to most of us. Most likely, you currently have just such a device in your right hand. This classic second-generation optical mouse, which appeared on the market relatively recently, has firmly won its place in the configuration of every new computer.

The equipment uses a more complex operating principle. At the bottom of the mouse there is a special LED that illuminates the base on which the device moves. A small camera takes a huge number of pictures per second and transmits this information to a special processor. It processes the data and draws conclusions about mouse movement, which are converted into signals that allow the cursor to move in the correct direction on the screen. The manipulators had a lot of advantages, the main ones being the absence of the need for periodic cleaning and working on a regular rug without special shading or patterns.

However, there were also some disadvantages. In a static position, some mice may not read information correctly and the cursor pointer will appear to jitter on the screen. In addition, as it turned out, some rugs, or rather the drawings on them, confused the sensor and it produced incorrect data, which led to uncontrolled movement of the cursor on the monitor. This moved the computer components industry even further.

Modern optical mice are no longer so prone to failure. The gradual improvement of sensors has led to the fact that some devices can even work on glass or mirror surfaces. Some modern mice are equipped with two sensors at once, which eliminates any errors when determining the coordinates of the mouse location.

Laser mice

We have figured out what a mouse is installed in your home or office. Now let's talk about the latest developments - optical laser manipulators.

Such mice have seen the light of day literally in recent years. Their device differs in that they use a semiconductor laser to illuminate the sensor. What advantages does this technology have?

Let's start by remembering, have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night just because a mouse was shining in your eyes and preventing you from falling asleep? It would seem such a trifle, and yet laser mice do not have such a defect. In addition to this little detail, the device has higher reliability and resolution. Recently, energy saving has played an important role. In this indicator, the laser mouse is noticeably superior to other competitors.

Wireless mice

Recently, such convenient components as a wireless computer mouse and keyboard have become popular. What can such a device give us? Firstly, it is very convenient to use a mouse wirelessly when approaching the system unit is difficult. For example, it stands under your table. Secondly, the absence of extra wires means the absence of excess dust.

The device itself works on the principle of a walkie-talkie. The mouse transmitter sends information to the transmitter installed on the system unit. The mouse uses autonomous power supply (AA batteries, for example).

It will not be possible to fully understand what a mouse is if we do not understand the purpose of its buttons. Different types Computer mice can be equipped with a different number of buttons, but there are certain standards. There must be two buttons and a wheel on the front of the mouse. The wheel can also work as a third button; it can be pressed.

The left mouse button is for:

• Selecting objects and moving them;
• Selecting lines in menus and other toolbars;
• Open files and folders (requires two quick clicks with standard settings).

The right mouse button is mainly used to open context menu object. It contains operations that can be performed with this object, as well as its properties (usually the very last line in the menu).

As for the mouse wheel, it is used to scroll a document or website on the Internet. Each turn of the wheel moves the page down, giving you the opportunity to conveniently view its contents. Pressing the wheel will hardly lead to anything; this function is used in rare programs (for example, computer games).

This is all the information that covers the question of what a computer mouse is. In the end, I’ll just add that the most important thing in working with this device is habit. Teach your hands to use the mouse automatically and do not forget about the rules of working on a computer - this will speed up your work significantly.

A manipulator called “Mouse” has already entered our lives so tightly that we don’t 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 your 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

Based on their design features, there are several types of computer mice: mechanical, optical, laser, trackball, induction, gyroscopic and touch. Each type has its own unique characteristics that allow you to successfully use the mouse in a given situation. So which mice are better for computers? Let's try to understand this issue by examining each type separately in detail.

Mechanical mice

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

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

Optical mice

The next stage in the evolution of computer mice was the appearance of optical models. The operating principle is radically different from mice equipped with balls. The basis of an optical mouse is a sensor that records mouse movements by taking photographs at high speed (about 1000 pictures per second). The sensor then 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 regular office models to 14 in serious gaming solutions. Thanks to their technology, optical mice are able to provide highly accurate cursor movement. In addition, they can glide perfectly on any flat surface (except mirrored ones).

Nowadays, optical mice are the most popular among most users. They combine high DPI and an adequate price. Simple optical models are the most cheap mice for computer. They can be very different in shape. By the number of buttons too. Wired and wireless options are also available. 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 at the proper level.

Laser mice

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

With the highest DPI of any mouse, laser models are widely used by gamers. This is why laser manipulators have a wide range of the lineup, aimed at gaming fans. A distinctive feature of this mouse is the presence large quantity additional programmable buttons. A prerequisite for good gaming mouse– only wired connection via USB. Because wireless technology cannot provide adequate accuracy. Gaming laser mice are usually not low in cost. The most expensive mice for computer based on a laser element are produced by Logitech and A4Tech.

Trackball

This device is not at all like a standard computer mouse. At its core, a trackball is a mechanical mouse in reverse. The cursor is controlled using a ball on the top side of the device. But the device’s sensors are still optical. The shape of the trackball does not resemble a classic mouse at all. And you don’t need to move it anywhere in order to move the cursor. The trackball is connected to the computer via USB.

The merits and demerits of a trackball have been debated for quite some time. On the one hand, it reduces the load on the hand and ensures precise cursor movement. On the other hand, it’s a little 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 lack some properties characteristic of “tailless” models. For example, induction mice can only work on a special pad connected to a computer. You won't be able to move the mouse anywhere from the mousepad. However, there are also advantages. High accuracy and no need to change batteries, since these mice do not have them 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 particularly mobile. On the other hand, these are the most original computer mice. Their originality lies in the absence of batteries.

Gyroscopic mice

These mice don't need to glide across surfaces at all. The gyroscopic sensor, which is the basis of such a mouse, reacts to changes in the position of the device in space. Of course it's convenient. But this method of control 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 are the diocese of Apple. It was they who deprived their Magic Mouse of all sorts of buttons and wheels. The basis of this mouse is the touch coating. The mouse is controlled using gestures. The mouse position reading element 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 to a regular computer. However, it is unclear how convenient it will be to use such a mouse under Windows OS, considering that it is “tailored” for MacOS.

Conclusion

All that remains is to choose the option that suits you specifically.

In contact with

In this article we will look at ball mice. PC mouse- this is one of the most important parts, thanks to which a person comes into direct contact with the computer itself. That is why it is very important that this contact with the computer is convenient for a person.

Today, the simplest in design and already quite rare mice are ball mice. Their technology is very simple and very old: the ball rotates on the surface and spins two more rollers behind it - vertical and horizontal; on these rollers there are disks with slots, thanks to which the LED is interrupted. This type of mouse has only one advantage - it is not very expensive. Previously, they were convenient because when moving quickly enough there were no various “glitches,” but now any mouse does not face such a problem.

A mouse is a device that helps people successfully, conveniently and quickly work with a computer, despite the fact that the mouse as a manipulator has already survived in recent years, its need still remains at a high level. Modern people still find it difficult to work without a computer manipulator. Even those who currently purchase laptops and touchpads soon begin to understand that working without a mouse is not so convenient and not so pleasant. It, of course, creates unnecessary fuss, but everyone has long been accustomed to it. The full-fledged creator and developer of the computer mouse is Douglas Engelbart.

At this point, the mouse has existed as a computer user's third hand for more than forty years. Engineer Douglas Engelbart introduced the very first mouse back in 1968 on December 9 at a demonstration of interactive computing. The name “mouse” itself appeared only three years after the appearance of this device, due to the fact that the wire coming out of the structure looked like a mouse’s tail. In the nineties, a rubber-coated steel ball was the main motor element of a computer mouse. Unfortunately or fortunately, these mice have already been replaced by optical manipulators in our time, and the ball mouse is considered an outdated model. The rubber-coated steel ball in the ball mouse slid across the surface and thus created movement.