Trackball

Trackballs are pointing devices just like mice and trackpads are. It can be built into the laptop or desktop keyboards. In a trackball a small ball (like the one present in a mechanical mouse) is mounted in a socket. The user simply rolls the ball in the desired direction to produce the corresponding movement of the cursor on the screen. On either side of the ball a button or two can be found which perform the task of right and left click respectively.

Advantages:

·        Track balls work on virtually all kinds of surfaces. The user is in charge of sliding or rotating the ball by hand as opposed to the friction that used to move the ball in a traditional mouse. This enhancement makes the trackball more versatile and efficient.

·        Since the trackball isn’t meant to be moved around they can be used in very little or congested space too

Working principle of device:

Trackballs of the antique era employed wheels and rollers that translate the movement of the ball into the corresponding motion on the X and Y axis in the 2-D plane. The movement of the ball was facilitated by the frictional force that came into play as the ball rolled over a surface underneath it. The wheels or the rollers used to be wrapped by discs of wires that transmitted the on and off signals as the ball slipped. These on and off signals got translated into useful digital information used by the software/OS.

Trackballs like a number of other equipment and accessories have evolved over time. Trackballs these days no more contain those discs of wires. Instead, a perforated wheel is attached to the trackball. LED is shown through these tiny holes/perforations. When the ball is in motion a certain portion of that light is blocked. The optical sensors housed in the trackball detect this blockage of light and in turn produce the good old ‘on’ and ‘off’ signals described earlier! Thus by integrating LEDs into the mechanism the precision of the trackball can be increased many-folds.

Device installation and standard configuration: Trackballs come with their proprietary software which enable the end users to use them. It is always a good idea to check out the manufacturer’s website for the device driver and the steps of installation as they can vary considerably from device to device. Trackballs differ from mice only in that they have a small ball fitted on one of the sides of the mouse. The buttons remain the same. Another difference is that trackballs aren’t moved; only the ball of the trackball is moved. Just like touchpads, trackballs too can be a part of keyboards.

Manufacturer of device and its models:

1.     Logitech - M570 Wireless Trackball (Rs. 2,689), Trackman Marble Mouse (Rs. 4,000)

2.     Lenovo – Trackball WIFI Keyboard (N5901) (Rs. 1,512)

3.     Kensignton - Kensington Expert (Rs. 10,096), Orbit Trackball Mouse (Rs. 3,073)

Cost: Trackballs can cost between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 11,000!

Market share of different models (Standard companies only):

l  Logitech

l  Lenovo

l  Kensington