== Technical ==
The AMX Art software uses the CPC's 300Hz interrupt to read the joystick port 0 (at least it tries to do that, while moving the mouse pointer, the software accidently disables IRQs, and so, misses some interrupts). This is giving it a relative low resolution of max 300 mickeys per second (or actually less, due to the missed IRQs).
The AMX Interface hardware basically converts the incoming mouse signals to joystick 0 signals, issuing LOW pulses (per mickey) on the corresponding direction lines. The protocol is thus very simple (unlike modern RS232 and PS/2 mice, the hardware interface doesn't contain any motion countersreport anything for joystick 1 when connected to the CPC's joystick port (which provides both joystick 0 and joystick 1 input).
In addition the AMX mouse doesn't appear to clash with the keyboard. The protocol is thus very simple (unlike modern RS232 and PS/2 mice, the hardware doesn't contain any motion counters). Row9.Bit0 Joy1up LOW for 1/300s per mickey, when mouse moved up Row9.Bit1 Joy1down LOW for 1/300s per mickey, when mouse moved down Row9.Bit2 Joy1left LOW for 1/300s per mickey, when mouse moved left Row9.Bit3 Joy1right LOW for 1/300s per mickey, when mouse moved right
Row9.Bit5 Joy1fire1 LOW when Right mouse button pressed
Row9.Bit4 Joy1fire2 LOW when Left mouse button pressed
Note: The exact hardware timings are '''unknown''', the values "1/300s" in the above description assume that the AMX '''hardware''' timings were designed to match up with the 300Hz AMX '''software''' timings.
Contains the following ICsNote II:Looking at the photos, it seems that /joystick1 (keyb row 9 select) is wired to the multivibrator, so the mickey timings may be software controlled; accordingly, software would be required to deselect keyboard row 9 between each read.
CD4047BEConfirmed: Software will select keyboard row 9 to read the mouse, but then MUST deselect it to read the mouse correctly.
MC14013B For example, the loop here doesn't work:
ld bc,&f40e ;; PSG register 14 (keyboard) out (c),c ld bc,&f6c0 out (c),c ld bc,&f600 out (c),c ld bc,&f792 ;; PPI port A input out (c),c ld bc,&f649 ;; select keyboard row 9 (joystick 0) out (c),c update_loop: ld b,&f4 in a,(c) jp update_loop whereas the following does work: ld bc,&f40e ;; PSG register 14 (keyboard) out (c),c ld bc,&f6c0 out (c),c ld bc,&f600 out (c),c ld bc,&f792 ;; PPI port A input out (c),c update_loop: ld bc,&f649 ;; select keyboard row 9 (joystick 0) out (c),c ld b,&f4 in a,(c) ld bc,&f640 ;; deselect keyboard row 9 (by selecting keyboard row 0) out (c),c jp update_loop Selecting the joystick for longer doesn't appear to change the value. The value is updated when the joystick is deselected. Contains the following ICs:* 1x CD4047BE - Low Power Monostable/Astable Multivibrator* 2x MC14013B - Dual Type D Flip-Flops* 1x SN74LS244N- Octal Buffers And Line Drivers With 3-State Outputs
The mouse used on the Amstrad appears to be the same as the mouse used on the BBC. But this is not confirmed.
* [[AMX Kit]] (discontinued french project)
* [[PS2Mouse]] (DIY by Bryce)
== Compatible mice/Interfaces ==
The [[Dk'tronics Mouse Interface]] is compatible with the AMX in that it uses joystick directions for the mouse and joystick fire for the buttons. The mice are not interchangeable; the Dk'tronics mouse interface uses a mouse with a standard joystick connector. As confirmed by user Spookspring on 29.9.14, only a single mouse button is supported by the Dk'tronics interface.
== Other ways to connect a mouse to the CPC ==
Image:Amx mouse 3.jpg|
Image:Amx mouse 4.jpg|
File:NoPicture.gif|Inside of Interface
Image:Amx_Mouse1.jpg|The mouse
Image:Amx_Mouse2.jpg|Under the mouse
Image:Amx_Mouse3.jpg|Inside Mouse interface (top)
Image:Amx_Mouse4.jpg|Inside Mouse interface (bottom)
Image:Amx_Mouse5.jpg|Interface showing mouse connection (blue connector at front), connector for CPC joystick port (at right) and connections for CPC power.
Image:Amx_Mouse6.jpg|Interface power connections
Image:Amx_Mouse7.jpg|Inside AMX Mouse (1)
Image:Amx_Mouse8.jpg|Inside AMX Mouse (2)
Image:AMX Mouse Connection Guide (photo by jrp king).jpg|Connection Guide
Image:ACU8510-105.jpg|Advert (ACU Oct 1985)
</gallery>
<gallery>
Amx mouse img1.jpg|Package
Amx mouse img3.jpg|Top view
Amx mouse img2.jpg|Mouse
</gallery>
* [[AMX 3D Zicon]]
* [[AMX Art]]
* [[FutureOS]]
* [[Max desktop]]
* [[MicroDesign]] ([[Siren Software]]/Hogsoft/[[Campursoft]]) (see advert in ACU Jul 1988, page 30)
* [[Stop Press]] (aka AMX Pagemaker)
* [[The Advanced OCP Art Studio]]
* [[Cosmos|Cosmos]]
* [[On File]]
== Download ==
* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/AMX%20Mouse%20Manual%20(english).rar AMX Mouse Manual (english).rar]
* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/manuals/AMX%20Mouse%20Manual%20(french).rar AMX Mouse Manual (french).rar]
== Reviews ==
* [[CPC Schneider International]], issue 8-1985, page 87 (german)
== Links ==
* [http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=4286 CPC game base from CPC Power]
[[Category:HardwareInput Device]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]]