Microsoft Has Its Own Multi-Touch Mice

Microsoft Research has presented five different prototypes of multi-touch mice, reveals Engadget.

Each prototype explores a different sensing strategy, physical form factor, and interactive capabilities.

FTIR Mouse:
Applies the principle of Frustrated Total Internal Reflection to illuminate a user's fingers, and uses a camera to track multiple points of touch on its curved translucent surface.


Orb Mouse:
Equipped with an internal camera and a source of diffused infrared illumination, it can track the user's hand across the entirety of its hemispherical surface.


Cap Mouse:
Uses a matrix of capacitive touch-sensing electrodes to track the position of the users' fingertips along its surface.


Side Mouse:
Uses a proximity sensing technology (SideSight) to track multi-finger gestures in the region around the device.


Arty Mouse:
Equipped with three optical mouse sensors to track the individual movements of the wrist, thumb, and index finger.


These prototypes come just as Apple is expected to release its own multi-touch mouse along with new iMacs and MacBooks.

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