How Optical mouse works

The main idea about optical mice is that they use a very small camera like device. This camera takes 1500 pictures every second and the digital signal processor analyzes those images. The sensor that takes images is CMOS sensor. CMOS stands for complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor. Red light emitting diode is used for light bouncing from the surface. The idea is simple. Diode emits the light, light bounces off the surface and then goes to the CMOS sensor. The CMOS sensor sends 1500 surface images per second to the DSP (digital signal processor). DSP analyzes pictures and detects the movement. The movement is detected because of the pattern changes in provided pictures. The distance and the direction are evaluated by DSP and the coordinates are sent to the computer. Now it is computer's task to move the cursor to the position needed.