Working Of Computer Optical Mouse

The replacement of conventional ball mouse by the technically superior optical mouse is not hidden to anybody. An optical mouse works by having a low resolution camera inside it which takes around 1500 to 6000 pictures per second of the surface beneath it, and by analyzing these images, it calculate the position, speed and movement of the mouse.

The LED is used to flash lights on the surface that bounce back to the camera in order to take clear picture of the surface.

The IC shown in above image is an optical mouse sensor. It works on Optical navigation technology which measures changes in position by optically acquiring surface images and then determining the direction and distance of movement.

The above IC contains an Image Acquisition System (IAS), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and a two wire serial port. IAS takes images of the surface via an in house lens. These images are processed by DSP and the resultant coordinates are continuously stored which can be extracted using the serial interface format.

When we rotate the wheel of a mouse, the potentiometer attached with the wheel as shown in the picture above also rotates, thereby producing different output voltages. The potentiometer works as a sensor and the output signal which is a variable voltage after processing is given to the PC.

When a button is clicked, a flexible metal plate is pressed which shorts the two points of the circuit that detects the mouse click.

Working: When a mouse is connected with the computer, a red LED starts glowing. This light is focused on the surface beneath the mouse by a special type of lens (HDNS-2100). The reflected light falls back to the camera integrated in Optical Mouse Sensor.  The camera takes images of the surface with a frequency in the range of 1500 to 6000 images per second to calculate the position of mouse. These images are processed by Digital Signal Processor and resultant co-ordinates are sent to IC A2611D via serial data transmission. Another IC (A2611D) takes the serial input from and image sensor and the buttons of the mouse, converts it to USB protocols and sends it to the PC. The driver of the mouse installed in the computer receives the co-ordinates and makes the cursor move accordingly.  

Great Invention

One of the great inventions of the 20th century was the creation of neodymium magnets.

Neodymium magnets are permanent dense magnets that produce powerful magnetic fields and are highly resistant to being demagnetized.

This makes them ideal for use in electronics or any electromagnetic application requiring a reduction in size but an increase in power (power to weight ratio).

These magnets are used in a wide range of products - from computer hard drives, headphones, audio speakers, cordless tools, magnetic resonance imaging equipment (MRI), electric motors, hybrid and electric vehicles, airplanes and trains, to self-powered flashlights, fasteners and toys.

Neodymium magnets were invented in the early 1980's by two groups of physicists working independently from one another.

One group was led by John J. Croat of the General Motors Physics Laboratory, and the other was led by Massato Sagawa of Sumitomo Special Metals in Japan.

Both groups invented different manufacturing processes to produce neodymium magnets, which are made from rare earth elements.

Needle-less Injection

This future invention is a device for delivering medication and vaccinations through the skin.

As an alternative to injecting a needle, micro-poration is a painless method of transferring medication (intraepidermal) into the body using laser technology.

A handheld laser creates micro pores in the epidermis of the skin for the transfer of molecules.

It has a familiar comparison to the "needle-less" device used by Dr. "Bones" McCoy on Star Trek. 

The popular sci-fi series has inspired more than a few new inventions including the "laser" and the cell phone.

This new micro-poration technology is painless to use and requires no supervision to administer. The interfaced controls regulate the dosage.

Electrical Clothing

One of the future inventions that could greatly impact our lives are nanoribbons.

Rubber films developed by engineers at Princeton University could power mobile devices and other electronic devices.

The silicone sheets are embedded with ceramic nanoribbons (piezoelectric ribbons) that generate electricity when flexed, converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.

Materials made of this material, such as shoes, would harvest electrical energy created from walking and power everything from an ipod to a pacemaker.

The nanoribbon strips are so narrow that 100 strips fit side-by-side in a space of a millimeter. The strips are then embedded into clear sheets of silicone rubber to create a chip.

These sheets could be woven into fabric and placed against any moving area on the body to create electricity.

For example, a vest made from this material could take advantage of breathing motions to generate energy.

Nanoribbons are highly efficient in converting about 80% of mechanical power into electricity.

Instant Prints

Creating instant prints from a digital camera is one of the new electronic inventions in printing. The Polaroid PoGo™ is a small portable printer that weighs only a few ounces.

The printer produces full color 2" x 3" prints using an "inkless" technology. The images are created from heat activated crystals in the photo paper. The photos are water proof, tear proof and smear proof.

This new electronic invention connects to a digital camera using a USB cable, or to a mobile phone through wireless Bluetooth. It uses rechargeable batteries or an AC adapter.

Electronic Pills - Collecting Data Inside The Body

After years of investment and development, wireless devices contained in swallowable capsules are now reaching the market.

Companies such as SmartPill based in Buffalo, New York and Israel-based Given Imaging (PillCam) market capsules the size of vitamin tablets.

These pills contain sensors or tiny cameras that collect information as they travel through the gastrointestinal tract before being excreted from the body a day or two later.

These new electronic inventions transmit information such as acidity, pressure and temperature levels or images of the esophagus and intestine to your doctor's computer for analysis.

Doctors often use invasive methods such as catheters, endoscopic instruments or radioisotopes for collecting information about the digestive tract. So device companies have been developing easier, less intrusive ways, to gather information.

Digestive diseases and disorders can include symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, difficulty swallowing or loss of appetite.

"One of the main challenges is determining just what is happening in the stomach and intestines." says Dr. Anish A. Sheth, Director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Doctors can inspect the colon and peer into the stomach using endoscopic instruments. But some areas cannot be easily viewed, and finding out how muscles are working can be difficult.

Electronic pills are being used to measure muscle contraction, ease of passage and other factors to reveal information unavailable in the past.

Digital Pen

A digital pen is one of the new electronic inventions that can help us record information.

Despite the digital age, we still use pens. But it would be great to have our handwritten notes and drawings digitally recorded without having to use a scanner.

The Zpen from Dane-Elec is a wireless pen that uses a clip-on receiver to digitally record what you write.

It uploads the information to your computer where it can be viewed, edited and filed as a word processing document.

The digital pen utilizes character recognition software and works by recording movement. Features include profile creation, a dictionary and fifteen language options.

The Square

Jack Dorsey, the co-inventor of Twitter, is promoting his latest invention called the Square.

The square is a small plug-in attachment to your mobile phone that allows you to receive credit card payments.

The idea originated from Dorsey's friend Jim McKelvey who was unable to sell some glass work to a customer because he couldn't accept a particular card being used.

Accepting credit card payments for something you're selling isn't always easy, especially if you are mobile like a tradesman, delivery service or a vendor at a trade show.

This latest invention uses a small scanner that plugs into the audio input jack on a mobile device.

It reads information on a credit card when it is swiped. The information is not stored on the device but is encrypted and sent over secure channels to banks.

It basically makes any mobile phone a cash register for accepting card payments.

As a payer, you receive a receipt via email that can be instantly accessed securely online. You can also use a text message to authorize payment in real time.

Retailers can create a payer account for their customers which accelerates the payment process.

For example, a cardholder can assign a photo to their card so their photo will appear on the phone for visual identity confirmation. Mobile devices with touch screens will also allow you to sign for goods.

There are no contracts, monthly fees, or hidden costs to accept card payments using quare and it is expected the plug-in attachment will also be free of charge.A penny from every transaction will also be given to a cause of your choice.

As with Twitter, it's anticipated that Dorsey will direct the company based upon feedback from users.

Square Inc. has offices in San Francisco, Saint Louis and New York and is currently beta testing the invention with retailers in the United States.