The Logitech Mouse Goes Laser

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LED optics

Laser Optics

Logitech's starting point in further improving precision was to work on the light source, since the sensor was already perfected. A more intense, precisely targeted light source would make it possible to get better pictures of the surface. As in photography, you can have the best imager in the world, but if the light isn't good, the final picture won't turn out well either. So the Logitech engineers decided to see what happened when a more precise light source which the laser offers, was used instead of an LED.

The laser projects a contained beam that is always identical and can be reflected without alteration. That, incidentally, is why lasers are used in CD players, for example. The laser and the sensor can be positioned at an ideal angle of 90 degrees. The sensor receives an image that's much more detailed and has higher contrast. It can perceive differences in the structure of the surface that don't show up with LED technology. According to Logitech, beyond the mouse's improved precision, it will work on any surface, even the most uniform, except for glass and mirrors. You have to admit that theoretically the demonstration seems to make sense. But does it work in practice?

LED image of surface

Laser image of surface