What does a computer mouse consist of? Types and design of computer mice

In previous articles we started telling you about computer peripherals. We started with the keyboard. Next in line is the mouse. In this article we will tell you about what a computer mouse is, what types there are and the main characteristics.

What is a computer mouse

Computer mouse - an integral part of the computer. It allows the user to control the cursor, which is displayed on the screen, by moving the mouse itself across the table surface.

To put it simply, a computer mouse is a tool with which we can select and manipulate objects on the computer screen. Such actions include: copying, opening documents, selecting text, and much more. When using a computer, a person practically does not let go of the device, which proves the importance of this device.

What does a computer mouse consist of?

Computer mice, if you do not pay attention to the features of some types, consist of a scroll wheel, with which you can move (scroll information) on the computer screen, and keys that are used for such actions as, for example: activate context menu, activate or open an object, grab and move it, etc.

On the underside of the mouse there is a sensor for tracking the movement of the manipulator on the surface. Depending on the type (will be discussed below), it can be a ball (almost not used in our time) or a laser scanner.

The mouse also has either a cord (with a USB or PS/2 interface) with which it connects to the PC, or, in the case of wireless mice, a compartment for installing batteries.

Types of computer mice

Computer mouse has come a long way of evolution and today we know the following types:

Mechanical - a type of mouse that is practically not used today. A device made of a rubberized steel ball, rollers and rotation angle sensors is used as a motion tracking sensor. As the mouse moves, the steel ball rotates; rollers are pressed against it, which record this and transmit information to the rotation angle sensors. The sensors, in turn, convert the received data into electrical signals. The disadvantages of such mice are relatively large size and the need for periodic cleaning for good performance. It also definitely needs a mat; without it it will be impossible to operate the manipulator;
Optical - differ from mechanical ones in that instead of a ball, to track movement, a “camera” is used, which photographs the surface on which the mouse moves at a frequency of several hundred frames per second. Analyzing the captured images, the cursor moves on the screen. In order to better highlight all surface irregularities, and therefore improve the quality of mouse positioning, a bright LED is used which is installed into the device at a slight angle;
Laser – an excellent alternative to the previous type of mouse. The principle of operation can be called identical to optical, only in this type, instead of an LED, an infrared laser diode is used for illumination. Thanks to this decision the accuracy of device positioning increases. Another advantage is that for correct operation With a laser mouse, the type of surface is practically unimportant;
Sensory - here the name speaks for itself. This mouse has no buttons or scroll wheel; all commands can be set using gestures. Touch mice- This newest look, which is easy to use and amazing appearance;
Induction - mice that work by using inductive energy. A mat that serves as a so-called graphics tablet is required;
Trackball mice - devices without buttons, which are controlled by an inverted ball called a trackball;
Gyroscopic — positioning of the cursor with such a mouse occurs thanks to a gyroscope. For these mice to work correctly, the surface is not important; they read information about movement not only from it, but from space.

Another way to classify computer mice is to divide them by connection method. This is how mice are:

Wired — connect to a PC using a cable via USB or PS/2;
Wireless — connection occurs using the Bluetooth protocol.

Characteristics of computer mice

Main characteristics of computer mice:

Type (type) . As mentioned above, this affects the operation of the mouse itself, convenience and practicality. Each user chooses an item of use individually, since it is based on its purpose: there are those who actively play computer games - for him gaming mouse fits perfectly as it is equipped with additional keys for easy navigation. For others, a regular laser will be enough, with the help of which they will perform all the operations necessary for the average user.
Size and shape . These characteristics primarily affect its practicality in use: the choice, in most cases, is determined by the size of the hand - girls love small and beautiful mice, men are accustomed to feeling in their hands a weighty and rather large mouse, which will be convenient to control.
Sensitivity . This criterion affects the accuracy of the cursor movement on the screen. More experienced users pay great attention to sensitivity, because, in addition to standard settings, in some types of their activities maximum precision and balance of movements is required, which can affect the result of the work.

Conclusions

To date large number The presented types of computer mice enable each person to make an informed choice based on individual requirements. I hope that the article helped you learn a lot about such an irreplaceable subject. computer user like a mouse.

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

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

Douglas Engelbar He is considered the inventor of the first computer mouse; he began working on it in 1964. It got its name from the wire, which, according to the inventor, looked like a mouse's tail. The computer mouse was first presented to the public on December 9, 1968 in California at a show of interactive devices. Frame first computer mouse was handmade and made of wood. There was one single button at the top, and two disks at 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 now specializes in the production of printers and cartridges, introduced the computer mouse as part of personal computer Xerox 8010 Star Information System. The manipulator already had three buttons, and the disks were replaced with a ball and rollers. The cost of this device reached $500.

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

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

Types of computer mice

There are the following types computer mice:

mechanical
optical
laser
trackball
induction
hydroscopically
sensory

Mechanical computer mice or ball mice are practically no longer used. Their distinctive characteristic are the size and presence of a heavy rubber ball, as well as the mandatory presence of a mat, which is designed to improve positioning, which in mechanical mice leaves much to be desired, especially in fast computer games Oh. Another disadvantage is the need to constantly clean the ball from dirt and small particles.

In optical mice Instead of a rotating ball, an LED and a sensor are used, which improves positioning and reduces the size of the device. Such manipulators work like cameras, scanning the surface along which they move. Some models take several thousand pictures per second, which are processed by the mouse microprocessor and sends information to the computer. This mouse can work without a mousepad, but not as well as a laser mouse.

Laser computer The mouse does not differ in appearance 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 energy consumption. In addition, it can work on almost any surface (glass, carpet, etc.)

Trackball has a convex ball and resembles an inverted mechanical computer mouse. By rotating this ball, you move the cursor around the screen; you do not need to move the mouse itself. This is where its advantage comes from: it requires less space to operate than a classic computer mouse. In addition, it has significantly higher ergonomic indicators, as studies have shown that after 4 hours active use computer mouse, the hand becomes 60% weaker due to fatigue, while using a trackball negative influence does not provide.

Induction mice work by using inductive 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- a new generation of devices that recognize movement not only in the plane, but also in space, i.e. it can be removed from the table altogether.

Touch mice. Latest models these manipulators have neither buttons nor a wheel, and support technology touch touchpad. This allows you to use various gestures to press, scroll in any direction, zoom, and customize the execution of the commands you need. They are distinguished by their amazing appearance and compactness.

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, the computer mouse should fit comfortably in your hand
Battery life in operating and standby mode
dpi indicator (the higher, the more accurate the mouse will be)
pay attention to the company, the most popular now are Razer, Microsoft, A4Tech, Genius, Logitech, Defender
if it is a button mouse, pay attention to mice that do not have audible button presses, convenient if you use a computer at home at night
additional software, which allows you to set programmable buttons and gestures

The first computer mouse was introduced on December 5, 1968 at a show of interactive devices in California. Although there are facts that developments and first results had happened earlier. In 1970, Douglas Engelbart received a patent for the production of a gadget familiar to us today. The first manipulator had three buttons, although initially the developer wanted to equip the device with five buttons - according to the number of fingers on the hand. At that time, a thick cord was used to connect to a computer, hence the name mouse.

The first mouse for controlling a PC was a wooden box with a cord sticking out of the case at the back. The principle of operation of the gadget was as simple as possible.

Inside the body there were two wheels perpendicular to each other. Thanks to the wheels, the manipulator moved along the X and Y axes. The built-in chip recorded the movements and the number of revolutions made. This data was transmitted to the processor, which processed the information and displayed a light spot on the screen - a cursor.

At the presentation, Douglas Engelbart and his assistant demonstrated to the public the operation of the first computer mouse not only in normal mode, but also in the process of joint editing of one document.

Evolution of the computer manipulator

In the early seventies, the invention found widespread use. It was included with the Alto computer. General principle The work was preserved, but the body became plastic, the cord was located on the front, and the buttons became more convenient. Soon the roller discs were replaced by a more convenient and less bulky ball. It is now possible to disassemble and clean the device.

The next step was to create an optical mouse that works using an optical sensor. This pointing device was included with the Macintosh.

The first wireless mouse appeared in 1991, it was introduced to the world by Logitech. However, this innovation was not recognized for a long time, since signal transmission via infrared waves was very slow, which significantly slowed down work on the computer.

Fast and comfortable laser mice became available in 2004. Nowadays, the most popular gadgets are radio communication devices. Today there are already gyroscopic mice that do not require a hard surface to control the cursor.

Facts about the inventor

It is curious that Douglas Engelbart did not sell his invention. His tasks did not include enrichment. The inventor received only $10,000 for his development, which he spent on buying a house for his family.

Subsequently, Douglas practically did not personally participate in improving the gadget. It so happened that he had to fight cancer and think more about his health than about new electronics.

Today, it is impossible to imagine a computer without this input device. The manipulator simplifies and speeds up editing texts and photos, provides comfort and convenience.

Friends, according to statistics, most people believe that all computer mice are the same, but this is not true! You have no idea how important it is in our computer business choose the right mouse, even if you spend only a couple of hours a day at the computer.

A computer mouse is, in fact, an extension of the user’s hand, its interface for convenient control computer. When working with a computer, the user should ideally forget about the mouse and fully concentrate on what is happening on the monitor screen, and if the mouse is not suitable to this person according to various parameters that I outlined later in the article, a person simply will not be able to concentrate as much as possible on his work and, most importantly, he will not even immediately understand what is stopping him. Moreover, due to working with an unsuitable mouse, you may develop paresthesia of the hand - numbness and periodic severe pain in the hand arising from long work or even simply being in an uncomfortable and unusual position for the hand.

Sometimes watch your colleagues; if, while working at the computer, one of them periodically massages his right hand or occasionally shakes his right hand, then come up and advise him to change the mouse. But of course, a lot still depends on computer desk and keyboards, we will also talk about this in our articles.

Friends, you need to choose everything correctly: computer chair, table, monitor, mouse, keyboard and everything else, even the case system unit you need to choose the right one so as not to constantly crawl under the table to connect USB flash drives.

Professionals do not buy a mouse on the principle of “come and take the first one you come across,” since choosing the wrong mouse can cause physical discomfort while working with a computer.

Low mouse sensitivity (measured in dpi) will make your work uncomfortable graphic editors, A low frequency the survey (response) will “set you up” in computer games, excessively loud clicks of the keys can begin to irritate over time, by the way, the same applies to the keyboard.

How to choose a computer mouse?

Let's look below at what types of computer mice there are, and also give some tips on how to choose the ideal computer mouse for yourself.

Computer mouse - history and today's realities

But first a little historical facts. Computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, and it was a device for NASA's space project. The first mouse consisted of two perpendicular wheels and a body. Only 10 years later the mouse was introduced into the design of a personal computer and became more widespread.

And there are no plans for her departure from the stage yet - neither touchpads nor touch screens, nor any other devices for entering commands to computer devices are yet capable of offering greater ease of use, greater accuracy of commands that even the most ordinary computer mouse has.

There is a huge variety of computer mice on the market today. How are they different from each other?

1. Mouse sensor type

Optical and laser– these are two types of computer mice, differing in the type of sensor, which can be seen on the shelves retail outlets with computer products and the Internet.

About 10 years ago you could still find a ball mouse; users with a decent amount of experience working with PCs probably remember it.

I can’t forget it thanks to the huge disadvantage of this mouse - it’s a ball located at the bottom of the mouse body. Thanks to this ball, the mouse could move smoothly across the surface, but this ball was constantly getting dirty. It needed to be cleaned at least once a week so that the mouse was comfortable to use and did not slow down while moving it. The ball mouse was heavy, and could not move on any hard surface, so you always had to buy a special mat along with the ball mouse. Nowadays, a ball mouse can only be purchased as part of the assembly kit of some old PC as an add-on.

Optical mouse- the most common today, not least due to its affordable price.

Compact wired optical Oklick mouse 404 USB, has a rubberized scroll wheel and buttons with indentations for fingers. The mouse compares favorably with others due to its ergonomic shape. Rubberized side surfaces securely fix the mouse in your hand when regular work and games.

In most cases, an optical mouse does not need a mouse pad; problems with movement may occur only on metal or glass surfaces. The operating principle of an optical mouse is determined by a tiny camera built inside. This camera, when moving across the table surface, takes thousands of pictures every second, thanks to which the user sees a moving cursor on the monitor screen. The optical mouse is lightweight and requires virtually no cleaning.

Laser mouse It works using a semiconductor laser, which determines its movements to display the cursor on the monitor screen. The laser mouse works on any surface, even on your hand or knee. Another advantage is that a laser mouse is more accurate and faster than an optical mouse. But, naturally, it costs more than optical.

Laser gaming mouse A4Tech XL-747H. Very ergonomic and comfortable, fits nicely and securely in the hand. I use it personally, I looked for it for a long time without any spiders, but I didn’t find it, I had to come to terms with it. Like the previous one, it has buttons with indentations for fingers and rubberized side surfaces.

Why did I buy this mouse? Because it is ideal for large hands, if you have a small hand, select the mouse according to your size. Also pay attention to the two side buttons, they may also be useful to you; there is also a double-click button on the front side.

This mouse has very high sensitivity or resolution, which is very important!

Mouse sensitivity directly depends on the resolution of the sensor, measured in dots per inch (dpi). If the mouse has a resolution of 1000 dpi, then it is very convenient to work with it in graphic editors, such programs as Photoshop. This mouse has a resolution of 3600 dpi.

The mouse polling frequency is important in games, you need at least 1000 Hz, our mouse has exactly this resolution.

Left click to enlarge image

Notice how it sits in my hand. The hand rests completely on the mouse. The index and middle fingers end where the mouse ends. The arrows indicate two side buttons.

There is a very convenient double-click button that your index finger can easily reach.

But what will happen if I use a small mouse for myself. You see my hand has acquired an unnatural position. I have to keep in constant voltage index and middle fingers, so my hand will get tired quickly.

If I rest my hand completely on the mouse, it immediately becomes clear that the mouse is clearly not the right size for me.

2. Buttons and mouse wheel

Two mouse buttons and a wheel for vertical scrolling are a standard that should be present in any model, even the most inexpensive one. Some mouse models have a third button (usually next to the wheel) - it plays double click. It’s a kind of innovation for the lazy, but personally I use it often.

A little more expensive than regular mice are more functional computer mice with additional buttons - for example, the Windows button, buttons for opening mail, favorites, search, etc. For the convenience of web surfing and working with large documents, the mouse can be equipped with a special wheel, which by inertia can rotate for up to 7 seconds, so that you can quickly scroll through dozens of pages of documents or extremely long web pages.

Special gaming mice are equipped with additional side buttons, to which gamers can assign individual actions in the game. Gaming mice can also have a second wheel, usually for horizontal scrolling.

3. Mouse connection interface

PS/2- this is standard computer port, specially designed for connecting a mouse. It is better to connect the mouse through this port to old computers that are up to Windows boot do not define USB ports. Otherwise, problems may occur during system reinstallation.

USB– you can safely connect a mouse through this computer port if your computer is in BIOS mode detects connected USB devices.

Special selection of mice connected via PS/2 port at points of sale computer equipment can't be found. The reason for this is that store owners try to purchase goods designed for the largest possible consumer audience. So, laptops do not have a PS/2 port, but through USB mouse You can connect it to a PC, a laptop, and even a tablet or smartphone (via a mini-USB adapter).

Both PS/2 and USB- This wired connections mice to the computer.

Bluetooth and radio interface are the most common wireless interfaces connecting a mouse to a computer and mobile devices

Bluetooth – almost all laptops, tablets and smartphones are equipped with this module today. It is through the Bluetooth module that the battery-powered mouse connects to various computer and mobile devices. The advantage of this type wireless connection- in its versatility. But there is also a huge drawback - when a laptop, tablet or smartphone is running autonomously, the Bluetooth mouse will quickly exhaust its battery life. As for the PC, it is obvious that for the sake of this interface it is specially necessary to complete the assembly Bluetooth module there is no point if it is not needed otherwise.

It is much easier for a PC to purchase a wireless mouse with a radio interface, and such mice are slightly cheaper than Bluetooth mice.

The radio interface provides for connecting a mouse and a computer using a small receiver that is built into the USB port of a computer or laptop. The mouse already contains a radio receiver inside itself. There should be no problems connecting a radio mouse - as a rule, Windows automatically selects and installs drivers for the radio receiver.

How to choose the ideal computer mouse for yourself?

Of course, the choice of a computer mouse should be determined by its intended purpose - that is, matched to the tasks that you mainly perform on the computer. The second criterion for choosing a mouse is specific computer device(PC, laptop, tablet).

When choosing a mouse, place your hand on it and make a few movements. You should not feel any discomfort; the mouse should lie comfortably in your hand. Press the buttons to appreciate the sound of the mouse click; it should not irritate you. Feel the surface of the mouse - if its surface is not rough, it will most likely slip out of your hands.

For home and office computer use - working with programs, web surfing, playing multimedia content - you will only need a regular optical mouse. In this case, the emphasis should be on its ergonomics. No more. If you want to speed up the process of working with mail or searching for information, you can pay for additional functional buttons.

For working with a laptop or tablet, a small wireless mouse, preferably a laser one, is more suitable. This will ensure comfortable work with portable device on any surfaces, in any “mobile” poses.

Best for computer games ideal option- This is a large laser mouse. Such a tool will allow you to perform one or another trick with maximum efficiency - a jump, somersault, shot, etc. - at the most crucial moment. Since during computer games the mouse is subjected to a large number of mechanical influences (and this is not counting the nerves that give way during a loss), it is better to choose a model with a special durable coating. Do you need the above additional buttons on the sidebar gaming mouse– you must decide this question taking into account the specifics of the games you play. If you need them, you should definitely test the ease of working with them.

And, finally, clarify the specifics of the mouse connection interface. Ask the seller what time it is battery life laptop or tablet will take away the connection wireless mouse, so that you can turn it off in time if you do not have the opportunity to recharge your laptop or tablet.

If your computer does not detect USB ports before booting operating system When buying a USB mouse, make sure that there is in the right place lay, even if it was the most seedy, nevertheless, work mouse with PS/2 connector. It may be useful for resuscitating or reinstalling Windows.