← Back to catalogue
Published

computer mouse

vr.tr.computer-mouse · thing-q7987

Let an agent explain computer mouse types and technologies, support choosing, configuring and troubleshooting a mouse, describe ergonomics and accessibility alternatives, and describe its history.

Thing Registry Physical world and living systems PHY.OBJ
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Understand What a mouse is.

Types

Types and technologies.

Types

Types.

  1. How do ball, optical and laser mice sense motion, and how do wired and wireless mice differ? definition
  2. Which entry fits a specific product? action

Features

Buttons, wheels and sensors.

Features

Features.

  1. What do buttons, scroll wheels, sensitivity and polling rate mean for use? definition
  2. Which entry fits gaming peripherals? action
Choose Choosing and configuring.

Choose

Choosing a mouse.

Choose

Choosing.

  1. Which mouse suits this use, considering hand size, work, gaming, portability and budget? action
  2. Which entry fits a specific category? action

Configure

Configuration.

Configure

Configuration.

  1. How are mouse speed, buttons and gestures configured on different systems? action
  2. Which entry fits a specific operating system? action
Health Ergonomics and accessibility.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics.

  1. How can mouse use reduce strain, and when are vertical or ergonomic mice helpful, according to guidance? provenance
  2. Is a health concern present that needs a professional? boundary

Accessibility

Alternatives.

Accessibility

Accessibility.

  1. What pointing alternatives exist for users with disabilities, such as foot mice, head trackers and switches? provenance
  2. Which entry fits assistive technology? action
Learn History and troubleshooting.

History

History.

History

History.

  1. How did the mouse develop from Engelbart demonstration to modern devices? provenance
  2. Which references are standard? provenance

Fix

Troubleshooting.

Fix

Troubleshooting.

  1. How can common mouse problems such as erratic tracking or dropped connections be diagnosed? action
  2. Which misconceptions arise? provenance

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Physical world and living systems
Entry kind
thing
Plane
PHY
Domain
PHY.OBJ
Other names and narrower kinds
wireless mouse, ball mouse, Microsoft Mouse, ergonomic mouse, wired mouse, footmouse, Super NES Mouse, IntelliMouse, gaming mouse, Arc Mouse, Microsoft mouse, Logitech 3D mouse

What it is Filled

A hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface and translates it into cursor movement on a computer display, with buttons and usually a scroll wheel, in forms from early ball mice to optical and laser mice, wired and wireless, ergonomic and vertical designs, and gaming mice; the mouse is a standard input device for desktop computing alongside the keyboard.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent explain computer mouse types and technologies, support choosing, configuring and troubleshooting a mouse, describe ergonomics and accessibility alternatives, and describe its history.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Motion sensing
  • Buttons and wheel
  • Wired or wireless
  • Ergonomic variants

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Install mouse software that logs a user's activity without their knowledge.
  • Move a person's cursor or click on their behalf without consent.
  • Use mouse movement data to monitor workers covertly.
  • Present medical advice about wrist pain beyond pointing to a professional.

Only with a human decision

  • Enabling remote control of another person's computer.

May

  • Explain how to set up a mouse and adjust its speed or button layout for the user.
  • Suggest ergonomic options and breaks for users with wrist strain.
  • Offer keyboard or other alternatives for users who cannot use a mouse.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Mouse tracking is used to monitor workers and can intrude on privacy.
  • Interfaces that require a mouse exclude some disabled users.

Who is affected

  • Computer users
  • Workers under monitoring
  • Disabled users

Owners Filled

Steward

The person who owns or uses it.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q117670709 - registry parent class
  • Q184824 - registry parent class
  • Q3966 - registry parent class
  • Q864114 - registry parent class

related

  • pointing device - category
  • computer hardware - category
  • computer keyboard - the companion input device
  • sensor - motion sensing technology

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.computer-mouse
  • Wikidata: Q7987 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7987)

Direct properties required Filled

  • Device mass: g - Mass is measured with a balance, specifying whether batteries, removable weights and cable are included.
  • Overall length: mm - Length is measured along the main axis of the housing, excluding the cable.
  • Maximum housing width: mm - Width is measured across the widest part of the housing, including fixed thumb supports.
  • Button actuation force: N - Actuation force is measured with a force gauge at a specified contact point until the button registers a press.

Recognition required Filled

  • Moves a cursor by surface motion
  • Buttons and scroll wheel
  • A touchpad senses finger motion; a trackball rotates a ball in place
  • A small hand-sized device with buttons and a scroll wheel.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • explain types and technologies
  • support choice and configuration
  • describe ergonomics and alternatives
  • describe history

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Repetitive strain injury
  • Tracking failures on unsuitable surfaces
  • Battery and connection issues

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • USB and Bluetooth HID specifications
  • Ergonomic guidelines
  • Electronic waste and radio equipment rules

Context of use required Filled

  • Pointing device for computers.
  • ball mice
  • optical and laser mice
  • wireless mice
  • ergonomic and vertical mice
  • gaming, trackball and foot mice

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q7987: computer mouse - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: Computer mouse - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should trackballs be a separate entry?
  • How should product lines be linked?
  • How should accessibility alternatives be linked?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q7987/spec.json