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Optical Mouse Saves Space in Cellphones

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the look-at-my-tiny-pointer dept.

Chris writes "Researchers at Philips have integrated a space-saving optical mouse into a mobile phone for the first time. Dutch researchers at the Philips Center for Industrial Technology have developed a compact, optical interface for portable electronic equipment. The team says that its new input gadget can be easily integrated in cellphones, laptops and PDAs, providing an space-efficient alternative to a mechanical trackball or touch-pad for example. The device is made up of a low-power red laser diode and a detector placed beneath a lens. Light from the 650 nm laser is focused on an object, such as a fingertip, creating an external cavity. It is not necessary to touch the lens. A small portion of this light is then reflected back and mixes with the light within the internal laser cavity."

6 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. er... by awx · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Since when has a mobile phone needed a trackpad/mechanical trackball anyway? We all seem to get along fine with up and down buttons...

    Disclaimer: i live in the UK where we have decent networks and handsets. Go Nokia 7110, go!

    --
    Feel that power? That's mah MOUSING FINGER
  2. Why... by Carik · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...does anyone need a MOUSE (or any pointint device!) on their cellphone? Frankly, I don't use much more than the number keys and the "start call" button. I honestly can't imagine why anyone would WANT to use their phone for something else. If I want to play games, I go find a computer or a console - or a deck of cards!

    1. Re:Why... by Rob+Parkhill · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I had a nice Sony phone with a scroll-wheel/button on the side. It was sweet for scrolling through menus, phone numbers, etc. Very nice.

      Problem is, this mechanical bit was the first thing to die. I had a couple of these phones, and friends with these phones, and the scroll-wheel was almost always broken or flakey.

      An optical version of this, with no moving parts to wear out, would be a nice feature. And since you are not limited to one-dimensional movement as you are with a scroll wheel, new navigational ideas are possible (how about the entire alphabet on the screen, you just mouse over the the letter you want and tap, and it jumps to that letter in your phone book. I'm sure others can come up with better ideas.)

      And, of course, when DOOM is ported to a nice J2ME enabled phone, you're going to need something better than the keypad...

      --
      "Tomorrow's forecast: a few sprinkles of genius with a chance of doom!" - Stewie Griffin
  3. Re:CellPhone 2003 -- now even MORE Annoying! by YanceyAI · · Score: 5, Funny

    Heh. But seriously, imagine the jerk driving, talking on his cell, and trying to figure out how the new mouse-optical-thingy works.

    --
    Can I bum a sig?
  4. Of course, if this was a Mac ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 5, Funny

    Somebody would complain because it didn't have three buttons.

  5. This is getting complicated... by dmarien · · Score: 5, Funny

    So I have a tooth cell phone, that has an optical laser pointing device, and built in cameras?

    shesh, I dont think anyone needs live feeds of me operating my laser controlled cell phone with my tongue all while making plans for which pubs we'll be visiting that evening. that's too 'geek' for me... but it would be hillarious!

    --
    dmarien