I work in a graphics editor and generally spend the whole day at the computer - and for me the mouse is not just a device - but a tool for work. Therefore, having stumbled upon this miracle device in the vastness of Aliexpress, I decided to try it in action - fortunately, the price allows for experimentation. Here is the link to the store. The seller packed everything perfectly and sent it quickly - the parcel arrived in Kyiv in 20 days.
So, constructive:
- The device arrived disassembled. It consists of a stand, a mouse body, a cover that covers the battery, and a mini USB that plugs into a connector on the computer. Little finger battery. Not included in delivery. No wires are needed - which is also convenient.
- The mouse body itself consists of loosely fitted parts, this, in principle, does not affect the operation of the mouse and does not rub or creak anywhere, lies comfortably in the hand and feels like a thick pen equipped with all the buttons of a standard mouse and a wheel. If you switch to this mouse completely, you can quickly get used to it, but if you use it from time to time, then it will take a long time to get used to it. Since the device is not rechargeable, there is also a switch on the bottom of the case - a small black button so that the battery does not run out when you are not using the mouse. How long the mouse runs on battery power is still unknown and will depend on the brand of the battery
- the seller offers three color options
Job device:
- No drivers are needed, the computer quickly recognized the mouse
- you can work not only in graphic editors- and just browse the Internet, although if you need to write something down, then you can put the mouse on a stand or just put it on the table. I noticed that if the table is as striped as mine, it’s better to put something homogeneous on it - like a sheet of paper - then the work is more accurate
- I recommend slowing down the mouse for a more accurate hit.
- I’ve had the idea of drawing on a PC for quite some time now, and dabbling in Photoshop and illustrator.
- Yes, there are tablets for this, but I think buying, ala, “try and forget” is an inappropriate solution))
Therefore, it was decided to make from what was at hand...What do we have? That's right - mouse)
We also have a marker that you can try stuffing her insides into.
- As it turned out, not everything is so simple, There are usually more parts in mice than fit into a marker.
- However, if you look, then you can find a SINGLE-CHIP mouse, inside the kit - 2 electrolytes of 47 uF/10V (one on the power supply, and the second on the button) + a 100nF ceramic capacitor.
- It connects directly from the PC, all buttons also go directly.
- This chip already contains a sensor + controller.
- Size – DIP chip.
1) How does the mouse work?
This is a CAMERA that “photographs” the surface. The information enters the chip, it compares this “snapshot” with the previous one and determines the movement.
- She just shoots at high speed.
- In order for the “camera” to see what it is filming, it is illuminated by an LED (usually red), you CAN install any one (of a different color/size). And power it from anything.
- Light-emitting diode not synchronized, and the change in brightness is done to save energy, protect the matrix (camera) and aesthetics.
- Important point– optics. The meaning is simple - you need the “picture” of the surface to be sharp (otherwise there is no comparison), in general, just like in your favorite soap dish.
2) What do we need in order to repeat?
- Mouse with one chip(Which one is above). Price – 3 dollars. From it we will take a chip, a body kit and a lens.
- Marker (also above). It's for 50 cents))
- Hot melt adhesive.
- LED 3mm (any color)
- The button is not fixed (there is a photo below). It will be analogous to the left mouse button.
- Something for decoration (a pen for design should have a design;))
3) Let's get started:
- Disassemble the mouse (you can even break the case, we don’t need it). Suitable for us like this, it's cheap and single-chip!
- Draw the pinout of the microcircuit ( the picture below is an example). The pinout can be copied from the board.
- Cut off the unnecessary part of the optics and glue the remaining part to the sensor with hot glue:
- Disassemble the marker. We don't need the upper part.
- Make a hole for the button
- Pull the wire through the marker.
You can take the following buttons, for example:
- Using overhead soldering, assemble the MK + wires + for the button + attachment. Should fit in the marker.
- Fill with hot glue (it’s better to check how it works first)
You'll get something like this)) No drivers are needed, the mouse is still:
It should be noted that using a mouse in many programs is not necessary, since you can often remember keyboard shortcuts to call many functions (remember the famous ctrl+c, ctrl+v). Using so-called hot keys is convenient, but some functions will be very inconvenient to use. However, you can buy not a mouse, but devices that can successfully replace it. First of all, you can recall the following input means options:
- trackball,
- Graphics tablet,
- touchpad in the keyboard or separate.
The trackball is a ball on a stand that you spin to move the pointer on the screen. Anyone familiar with a mechanical (ball) mouse easily associates a trackball with a ball mouse turned upside down. The trackball works exactly on the same principle as a mechanical mouse and its control does not require adaptation or special training.
A graphics tablet is made for entering graphic information and used by artists and designers in graphic editors. But you can use such a tablet instead of a regular mouse. The graphics tablet consists of a tablet that is sensitive to the touch of a special pen (looks like a thick ballpoint pen). Using such a tablet is quite convenient in ordinary programs where we usually use a mouse.
The touchpad (touch panel) is very familiar to computer owners. Today you can buy a touchpad that connects via USB to any computer. The most convenient option is a touchpad built into wireless keyboard. With such a keyboard it is very comfortable not only at the computer, but also in front of a smart TV.
Helpful advice: In the store, try different input means, then you will definitely understand which device is more convenient for you.
Interestingly, today you can find original hybrids of the devices described above, for example, a mouse with a trackball, which can also be convenient when used in individual programs.
Sergey Asmakov
Is this a mouse? The question is quite natural - if, of course, you have already had time to look at the photograph. How else can you briefly describe the Pen Mouse manipulator, recently released by Genius?
Based on the principle of operation, then this is really a mouse. However, the shape that the creators of Pen Mouse gave to their brainchild is completely confusing. However, during operation we will still have time to figure out the “class affiliation” of this manipulator. In the meantime, let's take a look at the delivery package.
In addition to the Pen Mouse, the box contains a mini-receiver, a carrying case, a pair of spare nibs, a special mat measuring 10x12 cm, one AAA battery, a quick installation guide in several languages, and a CD with software.
Externally, Pen Mouse corresponds to the first part of the name: the shape of the body really resembles a massive fountain pen (dimensions - 21x16.3x133 mm). More likely, even a marker - fountain pens of this thickness are only used as souvenirs. In the place where the pen (or rod) should be, an optical sensor is installed - exactly the same as those used in most currently produced computer mice (which, in fact, is confirmed by the second part of the name of this model).
Pen Mouse, branded case and miniature receiver
However, there is still a functional analogue of a pen here. The hole of the optical sensor is framed by a small removable tip, which ensures that the body slides along the working surface. If you apply a little force to the manipulator, the button located under the tip will work, which performs the functions of the main (left) mouse button.
Since during operation of the manipulator the plastic tip is constantly in contact with the working surface (and therefore wears out over time), this part is consumable. That is why it is made removable, and the package includes a pair of spare tips.
There is a two-position rocker key on the side of the manipulator body. Its lower part is analogous to an additional (right) mouse button, and when you press and hold the upper part, the vertical scrolling mode (mouse scroll) is activated.
Since Pen Mouse is a wireless pointing device, it requires an autonomous power source to operate. In this case, it is a standard AAA battery installed inside a special compartment with a sliding lid in the upper part of the case. To save energy (and, accordingly, increase the operating time on one battery), after a couple of minutes of inactivity, the manipulator goes into “sleep” mode, and the optical sensor is completely turned off. To bring the Pen Mouse into an active state, just press one of the buttons on the manipulator.
Pen Mouse is connected to a computer using a miniature standard receiver installed in USB port. Communication is carried out via a radio channel at a frequency of 2.4 GHz; the range is about 10 m. The connection between the manipulator and the receiver is established automatically, without requiring user intervention.
The operating system (in our case it was MS Windows 7) defines the Pen Mouse as a standard mouse, so you can use the pointing device without even installing a special driver. But to gain access to additional settings, you need to install the proprietary utility from the included CD.
The standard Pen Mouse configuration utility allows you to choose one of two ways to grip the manipulator - for the right or left hand. Depending on the selected grip, the orientation of the coordinate axes relative to the body changes: in the first case, the key on the side of the manipulator points in the “up” direction, in the second - “left” or “right” (for the right and left hands, respectively).
Pen Mouse Setup Utility Window
The resolution of the optical sensor installed in the Pen Mouse is 1200 cpi (counters per inch). Thus, the sensor can record a displacement of the manipulator by only 0.021 mm. Since such sensitivity is excessive for most tasks, the developers have provided the possibility of reducing the resolution by two and four times (to 800 or 400 cpi, respectively). To switch, you must press and hold two buttons on the manipulator for 5 s. To confirm the action performed, a small window pops up in the corner of the screen where you can see the current resolution value.
The first impressions of using the Pen Mouse, which replaced the usual mouse on the desktop, were far from delightful. One of the main problems when working with the graphical interface of the OS and applications is that, due to the design, this manipulator is much more difficult (than a regular mouse) to hold motionless while pressing the main button. On a more or less slippery surface, it tends to move to the side during the process of pressing, and as a result, the cursor at the moment the button is activated is no longer where the user originally set it. Needless to say, this makes working with small buttons and sliders much more difficult. Even setting the minimum resolution value does not help.
After several attempts to use Pen Mouse in the field of computer painting, it became clear that this is far from the most effective tool for such activities. The fact is that in most graphics packages, the drawing tools work while the main button is pressed, so in the process of drawing you have to press the Pen Mouse body to the working surface. If there are even the slightest irregularities on it, then they accordingly distort the shape of the resulting line. In addition, the bottom of the Pen Mouse is quite thick, and for this reason it is not as comfortable to hold as a regular pen or pencil. In general, the sensations from using the Pen Mouse in the drawing process turned out to be very far from those provided even inexpensive models tablets.
When switching resolution
the current value of this parameter is displayed
in a pop-up window
Analyzing the identified problems, we came to the conclusion that in order to improve the efficiency and convenience of working with the Pen Mouse, it is necessary to somehow change the functions of its buttons. Unfortunately, the developers of the proprietary utility did not provide such a possibility. Therefore, we had to use the possibilities operating system: Open the mouse properties in the control panel and change the functions of the left and right buttons. In addition, the emulation mode for holding the main button turned out to be very convenient for drawing and dragging objects.
After the “tuning” and a couple of days of adaptation, Pen Mouse finally stopped causing the feeling of something alien. It also turned out that using this manipulator as a mouse is much more convenient when holding it with an alternative (side) grip. Nevertheless, the return of the familiar mouse to the desktop caused genuine joy.
Let's summarize. As tests have shown, Pen Mouse can be a worthy replacement for a mouse of traditional design and wireless device to control the presentation of presentations - especially if you have to literally work on your knees. At the same time, it makes no sense to consider this manipulator as an alternative to a graphics tablet, even with a very limited budget.
Based on operating experience, we would venture to assume that in most cases Pen Mouse will be purchased to work with mobile PCs. Apparently, the creators of this manipulator are of a similar opinion - this is indirectly confirmed by both the form factor of the standard receiver and the fact that the case is included in the package.
A gadget that is found in every home today. Every year, increasing demands are placed on the familiar device that allows you to transmit and direct clicks on a computer monitor. Over the past decade, the device has changed a lot both externally and technically.
The mouse's tail fell off, the ball was replaced with a touch diode, and it acquired a streamlined and comfortable shape. Humanity continued to develop, and computer mice improved. And today, computer equipment manufacturers can proudly boast of their new invention, the mouse in the form of a pen.
The pen mouse has become a real salvation for designers, artists, draftsmen, because now any creative profession is based on computer graphics. The mouse pen is comfortable to hold and is practically the same size as a regular marker. Very practical and useful when creating sketches.
You can easily switch slides and point with the cursor at small objects shown on the screen. With this gadget you can quickly draw, write, shade and indicate the exact target for clicking. Buy a pen-mouse and it will become your main assistant in composing electronic signatures.
A pen mouse for a computer can work on any surface. A stable stand will ensure proper storage of the accessory. The device runs on a battery, which means no tangled wires under the computer desk. You only need to connect a module to the computer that will ensure data transfer.
The buttons and wheel on the pen-style mouse are in a vertical arrangement. The button travel is soft and fast. The power button is located on the bottom of the case and is slightly recessed into it to prevent accidental shutdown. Buy a pen mouse for your computer, and it will be an excellent gift for a colleague or artist friend.
The USB drawing pen is available in three fashionable colors. Classic black is suitable for business people, and blue and red are for self-confident creative people.
Buy a wireless pen-mouse, and you will simply be delighted with how easily you can use it to perform any manipulations that are not possible with a regular mouse. The size of the gadget is 14 x 2.3 cm, it can easily be carried in a purse or even a jacket pocket. In general, the thing is necessary and useful for those who are not used to denying themselves comfort even while drawing.
This mouse in the shape of a pen for a computer will appeal to both adults and children. It will be interesting for your child to master the basics of Photoshop and computer graphics while operating this gadget. Function automatic shutdown If the device is idle for more than three minutes, it will allow you to use the battery in economical mode.
Mouse in the form of a pen for a computer. Advantages
- Convenient location of buttons;
- Does not require installation of additional drivers on the computer;
- Durable and pleasant to the touch plastic;
- Comfortable to hold in hand;
- Wireless and does not require recharging;
- Easy to use;
- Allows you to expand your capabilities in computer graphics;
- Stable stand.
Characteristics
- Frequency: 2.4GHz ~ 2.483GHz;
- Range: 10 meters;
- Resolution: 500/1000cpi
- Operating voltage: 15mA
- OS Compatibility: For Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, Mac OS, Android OS;
- Power type: 1 AAA battery;
- Size: 14 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm.
Equipment
- 1 x Pen Mouse;
- 1 x USB receiver 2.4 Hz;
- 1 x Mouse stand.
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