What Is a 3D Mouse?

The actual design of a 3D mouse can vary from one manufacturer to the next, with some models being nothing more than a 2D mouse that has additional buttons arranged on the unit so that, when pressed, the mouse switches which axis it is controlling.

One of the issues that can be encountered when using a 3D mouse is the issue of resolution, where the movements of the mouse in relation to the cursor in the application are not coordinated well, making it difficult to control.

In most cases, a 3D mouse is used for the design and manipulation of 3D objects in a modeling, engineering or scientific visualization program.

The problem a 3D mouse is intended to solve is the issue of maneuvering within a virtual 3D environment. This traditionally is done through a combination of keystrokes and the movements of a normal mouse. This can be problematic and slow, sometimes requiring a designer to constantly rotate the view of a model to access certain faces or to keep several separate windows open simultaneously to work efficiently.

The first is that whatever mechanism the mouse is using to provide free motion activates a series of keyboard and 2D mouse macros within the 3D program being used.


Another method that can be used is to tie the special movements and functionality of the 3D mouse directly into a 3D application so manipulating an object is unique from using a keyboard and 2D mouse. This can greatly increase the efficiency of using a 3D application.

In actual design, a 3D mouse can appear as an elevated sphere on a platform, a cylindrical dial, a standard mouse with multiple buttons, or even as a pen attached to a mechanical arm.

What Is an Optical Sorter?

An optical sorter is a device that automatically sorts objects based on visual criteria. Also known as sorting machines, optical sorters are often found in manufacturing and food processing facilities.

One of the primary uses of an optical sorter is to find blemishes in products, and remove unsatisfactory items from the manufacturing process.

An optical sorter can detect the defect, and remove the improperly sized part before it is released from the factory. In addition to controlling the quality of manufactured products, optical sorters are also used to keep different types of items separate. This capability is particularly important for food processing applications.

In facilities where consumable products are being packaged, optical sorters are able to identify and prevent foreign objects from accidentally being processed. This helps keep packaged food pure, and prevents dangerous and inedible items from being introduced into the food supply.

Because dark objects absorb light, an optical sorter with a photodetector can categorize items based on color contrast.

Some sorting machines use infrared light sensors to sort objects with optical differences that are unnoticeable to human workers.

Other optical sorting machines combine laser beams with high-sensitivity detectors to detect very small variations or cracks in a product too small for the human eye to see. In addition to categorizing items based on color and light absorption, some optical sorters are also able to tell the shape of an object.

What Is a Laser Diode?

A laser diode is the most common type of laser used and is formed from a semiconductor material.

A diode simply refers to a device that lets electricity run through it in one direction and the laser diode uses this to emit the laser light the user sees.

The laser diode is also known as an injected laser diode or injection laser due to how the electric current used to power it passes through.

When the laser diode is created, a crystal is used and a thin layer of that crystal is purposefully altered to create an area that stays negatively charged and an area that stays positively charged.

The n-type region and p-type region are both important because they allow both electrons and holes, a type of empty area from an electron which the electron will try to recombine with, to travel across the crystal to create the charge that powers the laser.

LEDs, however, are referred to as pumped laser diodes instead of injected laser diodes.

A laser diode works in a similar fashion using electrons and holes to create a charge.

What Is an Optical Sensor?

An optical sensor is a device that converts light rays into electronic signals.

Usually, the optical sensor is part of a larger system integrating a measuring device, a source of light and the sensor itself. This is generally connected to an electrical trigger, which reacts to a change in the signal within the light sensor.

One of the features of an optical sensor is its ability to measure the changes from one or more light beams. This change is most often based around alterations to the intensity of the light.

When a phase change occurs, the light sensor acts as a photoelectric trigger, either increasing or decreasing the electrical output, depending on the type of sensor.

Optical sensors can work either on the single point method or through a distribution of points.

In terms of the distribution concept, the sensor is reactive along a long series of sensors or single fiber-optic array.

For example, when the door to a completely darkened area such as the inside of a copy machine is opened, light impacts the sensor, causing an increase in electrical productivity. This will trigger an electric response and stop the machine for safety.

What Is an Optical Trackball?

An optical trackball is a computing device that allows the user to select or navigate through computer content.

Some optical trackballs also contain a scroll wheel to for ease of scrolling through web sites and documents.

The ball portion of the optical trackball is covered with dots arranged in a pattern.

As the user manipulates the ball with his fingertips, infrared optical sensors read the movement of the dots and send the data to the computer. This feature may allow for a more precise tracking of movements than non-optical trackballs, since non-optical sensors simply read the rotation of the ball on two axes.

An additional benefit of optical trackballs over their non-optical counterparts is that they detect movement optically; dust, dirt and skin oils do not interfere with the detection of movement. However, the ball and sensors should be cleaned on a regular basis according to manufacturer's instructions to ensure optimal functioning.

Trackballs designed specifically for left-handed users are not readily available, so left-handed users typically either choose an optical trackball that may be used by the left hand or simply adjust to using the trackball with their right hand.

Most of the trackballs found on portable computers and computer keyboards are not optical, although there are some keyboards that do have optical trackballs.

What is a Laser Mouse?

A laser mouse is a type of computer mousing device that uses a laser beam rather than a ball to track the movement of the user's hand.

Users immediately began to sing the praises of the optical mouse, saying that it made mousing work much easier than traditional mice, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a ball mouse as a result.

A laser mouse, on the other hand, which is a type of optical mouse, is different because it uses a laser beam which is invisible, or nearly invisible, to the human eye.

In general, the laser mouse moves very smoothly and accurately, although if the system memory is bogged down, it will cause the cursor to lag, along with everything else. In addition, the laser mouse can reflect from almost any surface, meaning that a mouse pad is not necessary.

The light is uncomfortable so it might damage my eyes. i feel a slight numbness in index finger due to laser mouse excessive use. i use the index finger with my computer. dr arshad "With the introduction of a graphical user interface in the late 1980s, computer companies saw the need..."

I just stared into mine for a prolonged period. :) *Laser mouses are lasers, quit saying they aren't.* there is a difference between a laser and optical mouse and there is a difference between a laser emitting diode and a light emitting diode. laser mouses are class1 laser devices which cannot harm you even if you stare at it all day(A class 1 laser is safe under all conditions of normal use. This means the maximum permissible exposure (MPE)*cannot* be exceeded. This class includes high-power lasers within an enclosure that prevents exposure to the radiation and that cannot be opened without shutting down the laser.

Laser mice use infrared wave range, so you will not see any light because the most of infrared light would be absorbed by your cornea and lens. But it does not mean that laser mice are safe like LED.

Laser diode mice are new, relative to old LED mice. poster: '"Laser" mice do not actually use a laser.

Always worried about laser mice. actually laser mice use the same type as your tv remote, if you have the mouse opened up and look at the "led" you will see a small red dot which is the same what you have from your tv remote

Anon12000 - I don't know much about laser strength classifications, but I have read specs to certain brands of laser mice and they say that the mouse is safe, even though they are Class 1 laser products. Also, I think manufacturers build in safety mechanisms to protect against potential harm.

What Is a Cordless Mouse?

The technology behind the cordless mouse has been improved over the years to the point where the accuracy and dependability is comparable to traditional computer mice.

The transmission technology behind the cordless mouse is actually the same technology that people have been making use of for decades.

One of the latest products introduced in cordless mouse transmission technology is the Bluetooth® mouse . This uses principles very similar to the radio wave technology, but the frequencies may be slightly different.

While most cordless mice require a receiver to be connected to the computer, a Bluetooth® mouse connected to a computer which supports the technology does not need this additional hardware.

Second, the wireless capabilities of a cordless mouse allow for some flexibility in case a person still needs to operate the computer from a distance, such as when giving a slide presentation. However, there are some disadvantages to a cordless mouse as well.

A traditional mouse always has enough power running to it through the computer cord. Also, some still believe that the pointing technology used is not as accurate as it is with wireless mice.

The type of tracking technology generally used with a cordless mouse is either LED optical technology or laser technology.

What Is a Bluetooth® Mouse?

The ubiquitous computer mouse, which many computer users are dependent on, have now gone cordless. This is made possible by a variety of technologies, one of which is Bluetooth®.

Unlike a Bluetooth® mouse, the regular mouse is "cabled," meaning it uses an electrical cord that connects to PS2 or USB ports. This type of mouse can crowd your workspace, lessen available ports for other devices like flash drives, and reduce the freedom with which the user can use the mouse.

With Bluetooth® technology , a mouse can easily and quickly connect to a laptop or desktop computer without the need for wires.

In order for your computer to use a Bluetooth® mouse, it needs to have a Bluetooth® adapter.

A Bluetooth® mouse is also designed for ease of travel.

A Bluetooth® mouse can come with different features, including optical sensors, additional and programmable buttons, clickable scroll wheels, and an ergonomic design.

A Bluetooth® mouse that supports any operating system is also common on the market.

What Is a Projection Keyboard?

A projection keyboard, also known as a virtual keyboard , is a projection that looks and works like a keyboard; when touched, the system will pick up finger movements and will accurately register them as keystrokes.

There are two systems in use for registering keystrokes with projection keyboards; one uses a camera sensor to capture finger movements, while the other uses an infrared sensor to detect finger movement.

The projection keyboard is a wireless device that typically uses Bluetooth® technology to link the keyboard sensor and the computer or mobile device. This allows projection keyboards to have a much longer operating distance than wired keyboards.

The most common version projects the keyboard via a laser and, when the user pushes a virtual key, a camera records the finger movements.

Most projection keyboard units are able to project two other devices: a mouse and piano.

Projection keyboard units are used most commonly with mobile devices and are considered a replacement for the fold-up keyboard and the mobile keyboard.

Mobile devices that have digital keyboards, or those on the device’s screen, can use this system if the user finds it difficult to type on the device's small digital keyboard.

What Is a Wireless Mouse?

A wireless mouse is a computer mouse that needs no wires to send signals from the mouse to a computer.

Wireless mouse technology predominantly uses radio frequencies to send signals from the mouse to the computer. Like other radio technologies, this requires a transmitter and a receiver.

The mouse transmits radio signals to a receiver, which is itself connected to the computer hardware, normally via a wire. This kind of wireless mouse is very reliable, and capable of transmitting the mouse's movements to the receiver from across a room.

The emergence of Bluetooth® wireless technology offers a different spin on RF wireless mice.

In regard to the technology used to record movement, wireless mice are similar to corded mice.

Optical wireless mice don't use tracking balls; instead the rely on optical light to detect movement. This allows the mouse to detect movement accurately on a variety of smooth, hard surfaces.

Laser mice are particularly well-suited for wireless use, as they can detect movement accurately over the widest variety of surfaces, including something as convenient as a pant leg.