Difference between revisions of "Amstrad LP-1 light pen"

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Connects to the Joystick port (not to the Lightpen input on the Expansion Port).
 
Connects to the Joystick port (not to the Lightpen input on the Expansion Port).
 +
  Input:
 +
  Light Sensor --> Keyboard.Row9.Bit1 (aka Joystick Down) (0=Light, 1=No Light)
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  Output:
 +
  Keyboard.Row9 is constantly held LOW during lightpen access
 +
  Keyboard.Row6 is constantly held HIGH during lightpen access
 +
  Keyboard.Colums aka PSG.Ext.PortA are configured as inputs aka HIGH-Z
 +
The above LOW and HIGH (or HIGH-Z) levels seem to be misused as power supply GND and 5V. There seems to be no power-supply required for the CPC version (unlike the ZX Spectrum version, which connects to cassette EAR port, and which requires an external 9V battery).
  
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'''The pin-outs are unknown?'''
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* As seen on the package and advert, both the LP-1 and CAD-MASTER light pens work with '''colour monitor only''', ie. not with green screens.
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+
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* One pin is probably used as Light Sensor, but which?
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* Other pins might be used as power supply (needing to drag some pins HIGH and others LOW by software) (or does it contain a battery)?
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** Software seems to indicate it has a battery..?
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*** Rather not: The spectrum version connects to the spectrum EAR socket and to a huge 9V battery (the amstrad version doesn't seem to have any such 9V plug)
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* There seems to be no additional button (like on Light-guns)?
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* According to the advert and package, the light pen works with '''colour monitor only''' ("pour moniteur couleur uniquement"), ie. not with green screens.
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== Pictures ==
 
== Pictures ==

Revision as of 14:08, 24 February 2010

The LP-1 Lightpen by Amstrad

The LP-1 is the official Amstrad lightpen (with software from Amsoft, and hardware from Trojan).

The CAD-MASTER seems to be the same hardware (but marketed directly by Trojan, and with different Software included).

Technical

Connects to the Joystick port (not to the Lightpen input on the Expansion Port). 

 Input:
 Light Sensor --> Keyboard.Row9.Bit1 (aka Joystick Down) (0=Light, 1=No Light)
 Output:
 Keyboard.Row9 is constantly held LOW during lightpen access
 Keyboard.Row6 is constantly held HIGH during lightpen access
 Keyboard.Colums aka PSG.Ext.PortA are configured as inputs aka HIGH-Z

The above LOW and HIGH (or HIGH-Z) levels seem to be misused as power supply GND and 5V. There seems to be no power-supply required for the CPC version (unlike the ZX Spectrum version, which connects to cassette EAR port, and which requires an external 9V battery).

  • As seen on the package and advert, both the LP-1 and CAD-MASTER light pens work with colour monitor only, ie. not with green screens.

Pictures

  • Amstrad LP-1 (Amstrad/Trojan)

  • Advert

  • Package

  • Connector/Schematic

  • Pen

  • Trojan Cad-Master (Trojan)

  • Front

  • Back

  • Open

  • Pen

Software / Downloads

Media:LIGHTPEN.ZIP - Software taken from John King's website.

Manual

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