Understanding opto-mechanical mouse encoder

Ok, the opto-mechanical mouse is obsolete however the working of the encoder is worth studying.

I have just dismembered a MS mouse and viola... there was the encoder wheel sandwiched between the dual optotransistor and the IR LED. I simply connected a 3V battery to the Vcc of the optotransistor (OT) and the IR LED, with each of the emitters in the OT connected in series with a LED and then to ground. Whenever the wheel is rotated, the LEDs took turns to light on and then gone off. So, I'm going to mod it for use in my little mobile robot...he he

http://www.lightbestled.com/lightbestled/ProductView.asp?ID=421

Wireless water tank depth sensing

http://lifeboat.co.nz/the-finished-wireless-water-sensor/

Android-Arduino Development

http://www.amarino-toolkit.net/

something new...

https://sites.google.com/site/artcfox/demystifying-the-tlc5940

http://www.circuitsathome.com