An optical computer mouse has a support structure that can be moved across
a surface. An illumination source that illuminates a region of the
surface is coupled to the support structure. An imaging system in the
mouse includes an optical sensor array that receives light from the
illuminated region of the work surface and an image processor that
receives data from the optical sensor array. The optical computer mouse
may be switched between a navigation mode of operation, in which the
image processor detects motion of the optical computer mouse over the
work surface, and a barcode reading mode of operation, in which the image
processor senses a barcode as the optical computer mouse is moved across
a barcode.