Logiblocs Alarm Kit User manual

INVENTOR’S MANUAL
Alarm
Kit
Please retain this information for future reference
Logiblocs® is a registered trademark of Logiblocs Limited
© 2002 Logiblocs Limited
All rights reserved. VERSION #180602
10 01
We welcome your comments or questions
about our products or service
WRITE TO
Logiblocs Limited
PO Box 375 • St Albans • Herts
AL1 3GA • UK
E-MAIL
[email protected]
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.logiblocs.com

NOTESALARM KIT
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the hi-tech world of Logiblocs !
These instructions will tell you all you need to know to make a Security Mat,
Water Bleeper, Drawer Guard, Metal Detector and a simple Lie Detector.
You may already have other Logibloc kits and, if so, you will be able
to combine the Logiblocs in this kit with the other kits to increase their
power and flexibility.
See us at www.logiblocs.com
SAFETY
Logiblocs are absolutely safe if used correctly. Please read the section
on safety at the end of this booklet. Do not use the Logiblocs until you
understand the safety advice. Please keep these instructions for
future reference.
Never ever touch or try to push any wires into a mains electrical socket or
plug. This would be very dangerous. Do not let the Logiblocs get wet and
never put any parts or wires into your mouth.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR LOGIBLOCS
It’s a good idea to keep your Logiblocs in the box. There is plenty of
space underneath the plastic holder to store your models and any
Logibloc Extrablocs you may have.
Remember that Logiblocs are very special and need to be looked
after well. Keep them clean and try not to step on them !
2

SAFETY ADVICE AND USEFUL TIPS
BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY !
Before you use the Logiblocs, be sure to read and understand
this section on safety.
If used correctly, the Logiblocs are absolutely safe.
The Logiblocs operate at low voltage only.
Never connect any wires into mains electrical outlets.
BATTERIES - DOs and DON’Ts !
☛ Insert battery according to +/- symbols.
☛ Only use the recommended batteries. (9V DC 6F22 or 6LR61)
☛ Do not use Nickel Cadmium rechargeable batteries.
☛ Do not attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
☛ Do not short-circuit the supply terminals or throw in fire.
☛ Disconnect battery during long periods of non-use.
☛ Never leave worn out batteries connected – they might leak and corrode things.
☛ Use only one BATTERY BOX or BATTERY CONNECTOR in any circuit.
SOME MORE DOs AND DON’Ts
Do not leave the Logiblocs working unattended for long periods.
This wastes the battery anyway !
Always disconnect the battery when you finish a Logibloc session.
Do not attempt to open up the Logiblocs.
Do not insert metal objects or wires into the connectors – this could
cause a short circuit !
Always plug together or pull apart
the Logiblocs in the direction shown.
Do not force the Logiblocs together.
This may hurt the connectors.
Do not place the Logiblocs themselves in water.
CONNECTORS
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UNDERSTANDING LOGIBLOCS
Logiblocs make computer technology simple!
Logiblocs is the electronic discovery system that helps you understand about
the world of technology around you as you create your own inventions.
From traffic lights to super computers, everything in today's high-tech world
runs by the same principles that Logiblocs demonstrate. Inside each
Logibloc is a printed circuit board and every block is colour-coded for the
function it performs. By plugging together Logiblocs in different combinations
you can create circuits and virtually write your own simple program to build
each new invention.
Each block has its own job to do, described by its colour:
Logi Yellow
Input: These blocks trigger the system at the press of a button and in all
sorts of other ways.
Logi Blue
Throughput: These blocks take signals from place to place.
Logi Orange
Logic: These brain blocks do the thinking and make sure that everything
happens in the right place and at the right time.
Logi Red
Output: These chatterboxes turn things on and off and communicate with
the outside world through light and sound.
Logi Green
Power: These energy suppliers give life to Logibloc inventions.
All Logiblocs work with each other so with a few Extrablocs you can build on to
your inventions to make them even more powerful using your Logimagination.
3

WHAT THE LOGIBLOCS DO
BATTERY CONNECTOR (9V DC 6F22 or 6LR61)
This brings the power from the battery to make the Logiblocs
work. Plug it in to the CROSS or wherever there is a space
CROSS
This acts as a cross-roads for all
Logiblocs and lets you turn corners.
DELAY
Logiblocs have several different types of delay.
A delay waits for a bit before sending the signal on.
This one stays on for about 10 seconds once it has
been triggered. Useful for keeping an alarm on, or
for just slowing things down!
STRAIGHT
This is the basic LOGIBLOC piece that just gets you from
place to place. The light lights up whenever it receives a
signal and it passes it on immediately
IN
When the two wires of the Jack Plug are
joined together the IN block triggers any other
block that is connected to it
BLEEP
When a signal gets to the
BLEEP it makes a noise.
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CONTENTS
Please check that you have all the parts in the Alarm Kit as follows:
BATTERY CONNECTOR
STRAIGHT
CROSS
IN
DELAY
BLEEP
JACK PLUG
PRESSURE MAT CARDS (x2) & STICKERS
THE LOGIBLOC GUARANTEE
If by any chance anything is missing or not working properly, please write to us
at the address on the back of this booklet and we will sort things out as soon as
possible. This does not affect your right to return this product to where you bought
it from under the retailer’s usual terms and conditions.
4
(9V DC 6F22 or 6LR61)
Logiblocs
make things
happen !

12
LIE DETECTOR
We can use the Alarm Kit to make a Lie Detector. This uses the effect that
when people do not tell the truth they
usually sweat which increases the
electrical conductivity of their hands.
Step 1
Make two hand sized aluminium foil
pads and lay them side by side on a table,
making sure that they do not touch. Fix the
metal ends of the Jack Plug wires with some
sticky tape, one to each piece of foil.
Step 2
Put the blocs together as shown and
plug in the Jack Plug into the IN block.
Step 3
Now keeping the pads separate, place one or
two fingers on one pad. Get someone to
ask you some questions about you or
your friends. Each time you give
either a true or false answer put one or two fingers from your other hand
onto the second pad. The sound level of the BLEEP will change depending
on how hard you press or how much your hands are sweating (because of
telling lies!).
You can also do this with two people. Put
your right hand on the right pad while your
friend puts his or her left hand on the left
pad. Ask each other questions and then join
your free hands together. You will find that the
Logiblocs can be triggered through you both!
This is because your bodies also can
conduct electricity.
LET’S GET STARTED
The first thing to do is to get to know the Logiblocs and make sure that they
are working OK. You will need a 9V DC 6F22 or 6LR61battery pack.
Step 1
Clip your battery on to the
BATTERY CONNECTOR
Step 2
Plug in the Jack Plug to the IN
leaving the wires loose.
Step 3
Plug together these Logiblocs
BATTERY
CONNECTOR
IN
JACK PLUG
CROSS
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❹DRAWER GUARD
You can fix up your special
drawer using some aluminium
foil as shown. If the drawer is
opened the aluminium foil will
brush past the two metal ends
of the Jack Plug wires so
completing the circuit and
setting the alarm off.
Hide the Logiblocs at the back or beside the drawer where there is usually
a bit of space.
❺CHECK FOR METAL!
We can use the two metal ends of the Jack
Plug Wires to test for metal. Metal conducts
electricity and so you can test all sorts of
objects. Use the same Logibloc arrangement
shown on the opposite page. Test a pencil.
Does the lead inside conduct electricity? So
it’s not just metal that conducts electricity.
Remember not to put these wires anywhere
near any mains electrical outlets because that
could be very dangerous.
SOME MORE EXPERIMENTS
Now you have made some models that work, let's go one step further and
make a Drawer Guard and a Metal Detector.
Step 4
Hold the two wires in each hand and touch the metal
ends of the two wires together.
The LIGHT on the CROSS will light up. If not, check
that you have followed the instructions correctly so far.
If you still have trouble, check that your battery isn’t flat!
Step 5
Now add the STRAIGHT and
the BLEEP and touch the two wires
together again. The LIGHT and
the BLEEP should now come on.
Step 6
Add the DELAY. This will light up
and when you separate the Jack Plug
wires the DELAY will stay on for about
10 seconds before going off
automatically.
BLEEP
STRAIGHT
6
You have successfully completed the test procedure. Well done !
Now it is time to make some model sensors and
let the Logiblocs get to work !
DELAY

❸WATER BLEEPER
You will need two pieces of aluminium foil and some sticky tape.
Step 1
Make two square sheets of aluminum
foil about 10cm x 10cm.
Tape the Jack Plug wires to the top
of each aluminium foil sheet.
Step 2
Join the blocks together
as shown. Connect the
battery and plug in
the Jack Plug.
Step 3
Fill up a basin or bath to half full
and place the Logiblocs on the edge.
Be careful not to get them wet !
Hold the two aluminium foil sheets one
in each hand but do not let them touch
and slowly lower them in to the water.
The BLEEP should come on since the
water acts to complete the circuit.
Now experiment with the water sensor
to find other ways to let water
trigger the Logiblocs. Fix the sheets to the side of the bath
to warn you when the water has reached the right level !
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LET’S GET THE LOGIBLOCS TO WORK
As you have seen, joining the ends of the two wires of the Jack Plug can
trigger the Logiblocs into action. Joining the wires together is called
completing the circuit. There are lots of different ways that you can complete
the circuit which we will now use to make the Door Alarm, a Security Mat
and the Water Bleeper.
❶DOOR ALARM
You will need a small strip of aluminium foil and some sticky tape.
Step 1
In your bedroom, take the Jack
Plug wires and place them near
the bottom of the door frame
with their ends sticking out so
that the door will brush past
them when it is opened. Secure
the wires with tape.
Step 2
Fix the Logiblocs
together as shown.
Connect the battery and
plug in the Jack Plug.
7

Step 2
Tape one of the wires to the corner of the foil with sticky tape.
Glue the strips of cardboard around the edge to form a spacer.
Tape the second wire to the corner of the foil on the other card.
Place (do not stick) the second card on top of the spacer
to make a sandwich.
Step 3
Join the blocks together as shown for the Door Alarm and connect
the battery and plug in the Jack Plug.
Step 4
Tap the sandwich you have made. When the two pieces of foil touch,
the circuit is completed and the Logiblocs should be triggered. If the
aluminium foil sheets in the sandwich are touching too easily then add another
spacer or two. When you are happy with the sandwich, stick down the top
piece of cardboard to the spacers.
You have now made a pressure mat. Hide the Logiblocs and place
the mat under carpets and surprise your friends when they step in
the wrong place ! The Alarm will sound for a few seconds each time
the mat is pressed.
If you want the mat just to give a short beep then remove the DELAY from
the system. Remember to disconnect the battery when you are not using
the Logiblocs to save the battery !
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Step 3
Shape a strip of aluminium foil around the edge of the door itself at the
height of the two wires. When the door opens, the aluminium foil will
touch both wires which should trigger the Logiblocs into action.
This is called completing the circuit.
Stick your “Alarmed” sticker on the door to tell people that you are alarmed !
Don’t forget to disconnect the battery when you are not using the Logiblocs
to make it last as long as possible ! If you find it easier, you only need to
unplug the BATTERY CONNECTOR block from the LOGIBLOCS to stop
the battery working.
❷SECURITY MAT
You will need some aluminium foil, scissors, glue, some cardboard and some
sticky tape. You can use the two pieces of card provided but you may
prefer to keep these for use as attractive mouse mats !
Step 1
Cut out two pieces of card or cardboard 20cm x 15cm.
Stick two pieces of aluminium foil to one side of each piece of card.
Cut out four strips of cardboard to go right around the edge
of one piece of card.
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