1.

Dictionary
2. Hardware
3. Mouse

Mouse
Last updated: November 15, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Does Mouse Mean?
A mouse is a small handheld input device that controls a computer screen's cursor or pointer in
conjunction with the way it is moved on a flat surface. The mouse term name originates from its
likeness to a small, corded and elliptical shaped device that looks like a mouse tail. Some mouse
devices have integrated features, such as extra buttons that may be programmed and assigned
with different commands.

Because the mouse reduces the use of a keyboard, its invention and continuous innovation is
considered one of the most important breakthroughs in computer ergonomics.

Advertisement

Techopedia Explains Mouse

The mouse was invented in 1963 by Douglas C. Engelbart from Stanford and later pioneered in
1981 by the Xerox Corporation. Computer users were generally skeptical about the mouse
invention until approximately 1984, when the original Apple Macintosh (Macintosh 128K) was
released.

Early mouse devices connected to computers through a cable or cord and were characterized by a
roller ball integrated as a movement sensor underneath the device. Modern mouse devices use
optical technology, where cursor movements are controlled by a visible or invisible light beam.
Many models feature wireless connectivity through various wireless technologies, including
radio frequency (RF) and Bluetooth.

The three main mouse device types are:

 Mechanical: Built with a trackball underneath the mouse and mechanical sensors, allowing easy
movement in all directions
 Optomechanical: Similar to the mechanical type but uses optical, rather than mechanical,
sensors to detect trackball movement
 Optical: The most expensive. Uses a laser to detect mouse movement, has no mechanical parts
and reacts more precisely than other types.

Advertisement
Share this Term
 

Related Terms

 Mechanical Mouse
 IntelliPoint
 Keyboard
 Digitizer Tablet

 Bluetooth
 Radio Frequency
 Double Click
 Highlight

Related Reading

 From Bluetooth to New Tooth: A Look at Bluetooth 4.0

 6 Cool Wearable Devices
 3 Ways to Charge Your Devices Without Plugging Them In
 Mobile OS Wars: Samsung Introduces Tizen
 CYOD: The Latest Acronym in the Mobileverse
 Cloud Evolution: How We See and Use the Cloud Has Changed

Tags
Hardware
Trending Articles

INTERNET

7 Sneaky Ways Hackers Can Get Your Facebook Password

INTERNET

Gaming, Fashion, Music: The Metaverse Across Industries

Tech moves fast! Stay ahead of the curve with Techopedia!

Join nearly 200,000 subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.

Sign up

Latest Articles
  Choosing a Password Manager for Business: 8 Features to Look For
By: Techopedia Staff
 How Crypto Can Help Women Gain More Equal Footing in Business Leadership
By: Ariella Brown | Contributor
 'Everything Is Solvable': Advice From Female CEOs in Tech
By: Gabby Dumonceaux | Editorial Intern
 Women in AI: Reinforcing Sexism and Stereotypes with Tech
By: Ariella Brown | Contributor

Techopedia™ is your go-to tech source for professional IT insight and inspiration. We aim to be
a site that isn't trying to be the first to break news stories, but instead help you better understand
technology and — we hope — make better decisions as a result.

Copyright © 2022 Techopedia Inc. - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Editorial Review Policy

Cookies Settings

 Dictionary
 Topics
 Tutorials
 Webinars
 Q&A
 Downloads

 About
 Contributors
 Advertising Info
 Write for Us
 Guest Posting
 Contact Us
 Sitemap

Follow Us

 
 

Subscribe To Our Newsletters

Subscribe

Term of the Day

Best of Techopedia (weekly)

News and Special Offers (occasional)

By clicking sign up, you agree to receive emails from Techopedia and agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Techopedia is a part of Janalta Interactive.