Editing Mouse (section)

==Sensors==
Traditional mice contain internal sensors that track the position of the mouse across a flat surface. The relative motion of the mouse is transmitted to the computer, in order to move the [[cursor]]. Mouse sensors typically follow the same principles as [[trackball]] sensors.

===Opto-mechanical===
Historically, most mice have used an [[opto-mechanical sensor]], which drive a pair of perpendicular, relative [[rotary encoder]]s using a heavy, rubber-coated ball. The ball rolls across the tracking surface within an exposed enclosure, driving rollers connected to the rotary encoders; a third roller, which is spring-loaded, keeps the ball pressed against the sensor rollers and away from the ball enclosure.

Dust and lint from the tracking surface is picked up by the ball and deposited on the rollers, causing tracking to become erratic. Periodically, the ball enclosure must be opened, the ball removed, and the compacted dirt scraped from the rollers. Cheaper mice also suffer from wear of the roller surface, which also adversely affects tracking.

The diagonal pressure roller is also subject to wear and damage; if the pressure roller loses strength, the mouse will seize solid when moved in the direction of the roller, as the ball will come into contact with the inside wall of its enclosure and lock its motion through friction.

Opto-mechanical mice are very similar to opto-mechanical [[trackball]]s: either is simply an inverted version of the other.

See: [[:Category:Opto-mechanical mice|Opto-mechanical mice]]

===Electromechanical===
Electromechanical mice appear to be quite rare; these work very similarly to opto-mechanical mice, but use an [[electromechanical sensor]].

See: [[:Category:Electromechanical mice|Electromechanical mice]]

===Optical===
Early optical mice tracked their position using a mouse mat encoded with a grid. More recently optical mice use an [[optical sensor]]—a very simple digital camera—to observe mouse motion relative to a surface. Surface illumination for the camera can be provided either by an LED (typically visible spectrum) or a laser.

Optical mice these were prone to tracking problems for years, where the cursor would suddenly jump a long way across the screen; optical mice were quite sensitive to surface texture. Sensors can still suffer from tracking jitter now, but modern optical tracking works very reliably.

Optical mice are lighter and require less effort to operate, and do not require regular cleaning. They should also have a longer lifetime, as there are fewer moving parts.

See: [[:Category:Optical mice|Optical mice]]