An optical mouse is a computer mouse which uses a miniature camera and digital image processing to detect movement relative to a surface. Variations of the optical mouse have largely replaced the older mechanical mouse and its need for frequent cleaning.
A Microsoft wireless optical mouse
An early Xerox optical mouse chip, before the development of the inverted packaging design of Williams and Cherry
OEM-branded Mouse Systems (Kirsch) optical mouse showing underside and mousemat pattern
Microscope photograph of the IntelliMouse Explorer sensor silicon die
A computer mouse is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is typically translated into the motion of the pointer on a display, which allows a smooth control of the graphical user interface of a computer.
A computer mouse with the most common features: two buttons (left and right) and a scroll wheel (which can also function as a button when pressed inwards)
A typical wireless computer mouse
A computer mouse is named for its resemblance to the rodent.
Inventor Douglas Engelbart holding the first computer mouse, showing the wheels that make contact with the working surface
