A rotary encoder, also called a shaft encoder, is an electro-mechanical device that converts the angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to analog or digital output signals.
A Gray code absolute rotary encoder with 13 tracks. At the top, the housing, interrupter disk, and light source can be seen; at the bottom the sensing element and support components.
Hall effect quadrature encoder, sensing gear teeth on the driveshaft of a robot vehicle.
Incremental encoder
An incremental encoder
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