mavericksvt
01-18-2007, 04:04 AM
Guide provided by DIYPCMODS.COM (http://diypcmods.com)
Background information on Optical Mouse Technology
An optical mouse uses a tiny camera to take approximately 1,500 pictures every second. The pictures are taken by bouncing light from a small, light-emitting diode (LED) off the surface under the mouse, and onto a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The CMOS sensor sends each image to a digital signal processor (DSP) for analysis. The DSP, operating at 18 MIPS (million instructions per second), is able to detect the changing patterns in the images between movements. Based on these patterns, the DSP determines how far the mouse has moved and sends the corresponding coordinates to the computer. The computer moves the cursor on the screen based on the coordinates received. Since this happens hundreds of times each second, the cursor appears to move very smoothly.
Because optical mice use a LED to track movement by reflecting light of the surface in to the CMOS sensor you can usually change the light source or LED without any resulting issues with the mouse’s normal operation. To make sure the LED is bright enough you need to use an LED that has a MCD rating of 500 or more.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/mouse%20led%20red.jpg
**This mod just like any other can be dangerous. Please use caution when handling any electrical and metal components as it can result in shock or injury and damage to the components. In other words do not try this unless you are confident enough to attempt such mods and can afford to replace any components involved.**
Disassembly
Optical mice are usually made of a single circuit board inside of an outer plastic shell. On the circuit board contains all components that help the mouse function. The first part of the mod will be getting to the circuit board. If your mouse has batteries remove them first. Next we will be locating the screws that hold the outer shells together and acquire the proper tool to remove them. Make sure you locate all screws holding the mouse together. Many times manufacturers will place the screws under labels and slide pads make sure you check all these places.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/mouse%20upside%20down.jpg
Removing the screws should be fairly easy. Make sure you don’t force the screws and risk stripping them. After removing the screws the two halves of the mouse’s plastic shell should come apart with little or no effort at all. This will expose the circuit board and internal components. Be very careful with this part as some mice can contain very small springs and other parts that can be easily lost when removing the shell.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/mouse%20back%20together.jpg
After the shell has been removed and you have exposed the circuit board you can now remove the shell altogether. Remember that when handling any circuit board it is vital that you never expose the board to any type of electric shock which includes static electricity. Once the board is free from its shell its time to locate the LED. This particular mouse has a plastic shroud that focuses the LED's light. The shroud can be seen in the picture above surrounded by the orange outline.
led cover off
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/led%20cover%20off.jpg
Here we have removed the shroud and exposed the LED. Most mice won’t have a shroud covering the LED but if your does it is usually held in place by two or four plastic clips that hold it to the board. Removing the shroud can be a little difficult depending on the placement and how many clips there are. We were able to remove the shroud by taking a small screw driver and pushing in the pins from the back side of the board. Be careful not to scratch the board with the screw driver while doing this.
The Swap
On the last page we explained the process for disassembling your optical mouse. Now it’s time to perform the surgery part of this guide and swap out the LED. The main requirement for this part is to have decent soldering skills. If you have never soldered before the best thing to do is practice. The best way to do this is to take two pieces of wire and practice soldering them together and back apart. If you need additional information on soldering you can find it here.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/whiteled.jpg
Removing the LED can be some what of a hassle. One thing you need to make note of at this point is where the wires from the LED make contact with the board. Some boards will have markings that label which wire is positive and which one is negative. If not you need to make a note or mark the board with a marker on the positive side. You can refer to the picture above help identify which side you need to mark.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/led%20off.jpg
Now it's time to actually remove the LED itself. Apply heat from the soldering iron to each contact point on the board until the solder turns shiny and melts. Once melted you should be able to pull the LED out of the board. Keep in mind the LED will probably be hot from the soldering iron so wont want to pull it without gloves or pliers.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/new%20led%20in.jpg
Now its time to match up the replacement LED with the original. Make any necessary bends in the LED wire and or cut off any additional length. This will ensure the replacement will fit perfectly. With a perfectly matched LED you can solder the new LED into place. Make sure that you have positive wire in the right spot otherwise you will have to repeat the unsoldering and re-soldering process again. The re-soldering process should be allot like the unsoldering process although you might have to add solder to the contact points on the board if there is not enough.
Reassembly
After the LED is securely in place and has had ample time to cool down the next step is to replace the shroud that covers it. It should be easier to replace just by snapping the shroud into place using its clips. Now you can insert the circuit board back into the plastic shell and replace and loose parts and buttons. Once you have fully reassembled the mice pieces and enclosed them inside the shell you can replace the screws that hold it all together.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/blue%20led%20on.jpg
Guide provided by DIYPCMODS.COM (http://diypcmods.com)
Background information on Optical Mouse Technology
An optical mouse uses a tiny camera to take approximately 1,500 pictures every second. The pictures are taken by bouncing light from a small, light-emitting diode (LED) off the surface under the mouse, and onto a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The CMOS sensor sends each image to a digital signal processor (DSP) for analysis. The DSP, operating at 18 MIPS (million instructions per second), is able to detect the changing patterns in the images between movements. Based on these patterns, the DSP determines how far the mouse has moved and sends the corresponding coordinates to the computer. The computer moves the cursor on the screen based on the coordinates received. Since this happens hundreds of times each second, the cursor appears to move very smoothly.
Because optical mice use a LED to track movement by reflecting light of the surface in to the CMOS sensor you can usually change the light source or LED without any resulting issues with the mouse’s normal operation. To make sure the LED is bright enough you need to use an LED that has a MCD rating of 500 or more.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/mouse%20led%20red.jpg
**This mod just like any other can be dangerous. Please use caution when handling any electrical and metal components as it can result in shock or injury and damage to the components. In other words do not try this unless you are confident enough to attempt such mods and can afford to replace any components involved.**
Disassembly
Optical mice are usually made of a single circuit board inside of an outer plastic shell. On the circuit board contains all components that help the mouse function. The first part of the mod will be getting to the circuit board. If your mouse has batteries remove them first. Next we will be locating the screws that hold the outer shells together and acquire the proper tool to remove them. Make sure you locate all screws holding the mouse together. Many times manufacturers will place the screws under labels and slide pads make sure you check all these places.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/mouse%20upside%20down.jpg
Removing the screws should be fairly easy. Make sure you don’t force the screws and risk stripping them. After removing the screws the two halves of the mouse’s plastic shell should come apart with little or no effort at all. This will expose the circuit board and internal components. Be very careful with this part as some mice can contain very small springs and other parts that can be easily lost when removing the shell.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/mouse%20back%20together.jpg
After the shell has been removed and you have exposed the circuit board you can now remove the shell altogether. Remember that when handling any circuit board it is vital that you never expose the board to any type of electric shock which includes static electricity. Once the board is free from its shell its time to locate the LED. This particular mouse has a plastic shroud that focuses the LED's light. The shroud can be seen in the picture above surrounded by the orange outline.
led cover off
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/led%20cover%20off.jpg
Here we have removed the shroud and exposed the LED. Most mice won’t have a shroud covering the LED but if your does it is usually held in place by two or four plastic clips that hold it to the board. Removing the shroud can be a little difficult depending on the placement and how many clips there are. We were able to remove the shroud by taking a small screw driver and pushing in the pins from the back side of the board. Be careful not to scratch the board with the screw driver while doing this.
The Swap
On the last page we explained the process for disassembling your optical mouse. Now it’s time to perform the surgery part of this guide and swap out the LED. The main requirement for this part is to have decent soldering skills. If you have never soldered before the best thing to do is practice. The best way to do this is to take two pieces of wire and practice soldering them together and back apart. If you need additional information on soldering you can find it here.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/whiteled.jpg
Removing the LED can be some what of a hassle. One thing you need to make note of at this point is where the wires from the LED make contact with the board. Some boards will have markings that label which wire is positive and which one is negative. If not you need to make a note or mark the board with a marker on the positive side. You can refer to the picture above help identify which side you need to mark.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/led%20off.jpg
Now it's time to actually remove the LED itself. Apply heat from the soldering iron to each contact point on the board until the solder turns shiny and melts. Once melted you should be able to pull the LED out of the board. Keep in mind the LED will probably be hot from the soldering iron so wont want to pull it without gloves or pliers.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/new%20led%20in.jpg
Now its time to match up the replacement LED with the original. Make any necessary bends in the LED wire and or cut off any additional length. This will ensure the replacement will fit perfectly. With a perfectly matched LED you can solder the new LED into place. Make sure that you have positive wire in the right spot otherwise you will have to repeat the unsoldering and re-soldering process again. The re-soldering process should be allot like the unsoldering process although you might have to add solder to the contact points on the board if there is not enough.
Reassembly
After the LED is securely in place and has had ample time to cool down the next step is to replace the shroud that covers it. It should be easier to replace just by snapping the shroud into place using its clips. Now you can insert the circuit board back into the plastic shell and replace and loose parts and buttons. Once you have fully reassembled the mice pieces and enclosed them inside the shell you can replace the screws that hold it all together.
http://diypcmods.com/images/content/mouse_LED_swap/blue%20led%20on.jpg
Guide provided by DIYPCMODS.COM (http://diypcmods.com)