I N V E N T O R ’ SM A N U A L

INDEX

Contents 4Introduction 5Understanding Logiblocs 6Let's Get Started 7-9

Recording and Playing Back 10-111. Recording 102. Playing Back 103. Overwriting Recordings 114. Making Your Messages Louder 115. Sending Secret Messages 11

Playing With Shadows 121. Logiguard 122. Shadow Surprises 12

Let's Get Connected! 13-151. Door Alarm 132. Drawer Guard 143. Security Mat 15

More Use Of Light 161. Light Breaker Alarm 16

Lie Detector 17

Creating Coded Messages 18-201. A Simple Code 182. The Vigenère Square 19

Let`s Get Detecting 211. Hunt The Spy 212. Check For Metal! 213. Water Detector 21

What the Logiblocs Do 22-24Battery Installation 25Safety Advice and Useful Tips 26

3

CONTENTSPlease check that you have all the parts in the Spy Kit as follows:

BATTERY BOX

CROSS

IN

NOT

BUTTON

LIGHT SWITCH

MICROPHONE

RECORDER

AMPLIFIER

SPEAKER

JACK PLUG

PRESSURE MAT CARDS (x 2) & STICKERS

4

SPY KIT

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the hi-tech world of Logiblocs !

These instructions will tell you all you need to make your Spy Kit record and play-back messages. Find out how to make a Lie Detector, play-backmessages automatically and surprise your friends. You will also find out how to send secret messages using the blocks as a messenger.

You may have other Logibloc kits and, if so, you will be able to combine theLogiblocs in this kit with your other kits to increase their power and flexibility.

If you join the Logiclub you will be able to get loads more ideas of things tomake and do with your Logiblocs. You may try to win a prize by enteringyour own ideas in the regular competitions.

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 orplug. 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!

THE LOGIBLOC GUARANTEEIf 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 aspossible. This does not affect your right to return this product to where you bought it from under the retailer’s usual terms and conditions.

5

UNDERSTANDING LOGIBLOCSLogiblocs make computer technology simple!

Logiblocs is the electronic discovery system that helps you understand aboutthe world of technology around you as you create your own inventions.

From traffic lights to super computers, everything in today's high-tech worldruns by the same principles that Logiblocs demonstrate. Inside eachLogibloc is a printed circuit board and every block is colour-coded for thefunction it performs. By plugging together Logiblocs in differentcombinations you can create circuits and virtually write your own simpleprogram 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 allsorts of other ways.

Logi Blue

Throughput: These blocks take messages from place to place.

Logi Orange

Logic: These brain blocks do the thinking and make sure that everythinghappens in the right place and at the right time.

Logi Red

Output: These chatterboxes turn things on and off and communicate withthe 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 toyour inventions to make them even more powerful using your Logimagination.

6

LET’S GET STARTEDThe first thing to do is to get to know the Logiblocs and make sure that they are working OK.

You will need four 1.5V AA size batteries.

Step 1

Open the BATTERY BOX and put the batteries in. See the section on battery installation near the end of this booklet.

Step 2

Plug in the BATTERY BOX to the CROSS

Step 3

Plug in the BUTTON.

When you press it the light on the CROSS should come on. If this doesn’t happen, check that the batteries are put in correctly.

If you still have trouble, maybe your batteries are flat !

BATTERYPACK

CROSS

BUTTON

7

Slide the slider switch on the RECORDER to Record ●

If you press the BUTTON the red light will come on. This tells you that the

RECORDER is recording.

Say “Hi ! ” into the MICROPHONE while you are pressing the BUTTON.

Now slide the switch to Play ➤

and press the BUTTON again.

If the Logiblocs say “Hi ! ” then everything is OK.

Step 4

Now add on the four sound blocks.

MICROPHONE

RECORDER

AMPLIFIER

SPEAKER

8

Step 5

Add on the NOT and press the BUTTON to check that its red light goes on and off. This block always does the opposite to what it is told !

Step 6

Replace the BUTTON with the LIGHT SWITCH. Pass your hand slowly over the LIGHT SWITCH and see what happens.

Step 7

Replace the LIGHT SWITCH with the IN and plug in the Jack Plug leaving the wires loose.

Hold the wires, one in each hand and touch the metal ends of the wires together.

Again the Logiblocs will say “Hi!”

LIGHT SWITCH

JACK PLUG

IN

9

You have successfully completed the test procedure. Well done!Now it is time to get the Logiblocs to work and have some fun!

NOT

❷ PLAYING BACK

Now slide the slider switch to Play ➤ .This makes sure that you do not record over your message by mistake.

Hold the blocks so that the SPEAKER block is close to your ear and press the BUTTON.Your message will playback to the end through the SPEAKER. There is no need to keep the BUTTON pressed.

RECORDING AND PLAYING BACKAs you have seen, using the RECORDER block we can record and playbackmessages and sounds. The next section gives you some practice at fixingthe system up to record and playback.

❶ RECORDING

The simplest way to switch the RECORDER block on and off is by using the BUTTON block. Put the blocks together as shown.

Slide the slider switch to Record ● .Decide what you want to say and then press and hold the BUTTON and speak clearly into the MICROPHONE.Release the BUTTON when you have finished. During recording the red light will be on.

If your message is a long one then you will only be able to record the first 10 seconds. The light will go off when you have reached the end of the recording time. To start again, just release and press the BUTTON again.

10

RECORD

PLAYBACK

❸ OVERWRITING RECORDINGS

To make a new recording, slide the switch back to the Record position ●and press the BUTTON again. This will erase (overwrite) your earliermessage, replacing it with your new message.

Have fun creating and playing back messages. Try talking louder or softerand put the MICROPHONE closer or further away to get the best results.

❹ MAKING YOUR MESSAGES LOUDER

Put the AMPLIFIER between theRECORDER and SPEAKER, as shown,to make your messages louder.Playback your messages in the usualway by pressing the BUTTON. Don’tforget to slide the switch to Play ➤

Be careful not to put your ear tooclose to the SPEAKER block just incase the noise is too loud!

➎ SENDING SECRET MESSAGES

Once you have recorded your secretmessage, move the slider switch to Play ➤ . Disconnect the RECORDERblock from all the other blocks and slip itinto your pocket or hide it somewhere safe.

Even if you leave it for weeks the messagewill still be there. To hear it back, all youhave to do is put it back into the Spy Kitand press the BUTTON.

Just in case the wrong person gets hold of the secret block, push the slider switch to Record ● so that the next time the BUTTON is pressed the message will be wiped clean for ever !

Later on we will show you how to use this to decode secret messages.

11

12

PLAYING WITH SHADOWSThis section gives you some ideas about the way you can make your Spy Kitplayback automatically using Shadow Activation.

❶ THE LOGIGUARD

First make the circuit shown andlay it down on a flat surface.

Put the switch into the Record ●position and record the words “Givethat back!” in your loudest voice.Move the switch to Play ➤ and press theBUTTON again to check that your recording is OK.

Now replace the BUTTON with the LIGHTSWITCH. Make sure there is enough light shiningdown onto the LIGHT SWITCH to activate theplayback.

Now cover over the LIGHT SWITCH with the loose IN block. The light should go off.

If anyone tries to take the IN block away the Logiguard will tell them to “Give that back!”

❷ SHADOW SURPRISES

Place the same blocks upright so that as peoplepass by, their shadow first switches thePlayback off and then on.

Make up messages to surprise your friendsas they walk pass – but not too rude in

case the wrong person walks by !

How about setting up the blocks to say“Good Morning” or “Good Night”

when the sun comes up, or yourbedroom light is turned off.

LET’S GET CONNECTEDAs you have seen we can use light to trigger the Playback of messagesautomatically. This section shows you how to make Alarm systems thattrigger your pre-recorded messages using the Jack Plug and IN bloc.

❶ DOOR ALARM

You will need a small strip of aluminium foil and some sticky tape.

Step 1

Take the Jack Plug wires andplace them near the bottom ofthe door surround with theirends sticking out so that thedoor will brush past them whenit is opened. Stick the wires on with sticky tape.

Stick your “Alarmed” sticker on the door to tell people that you are alarmed !Don’t forget to disconnect the BATTERY BOX when you are not using theLogiblocs to make the batteries last as long as possible !

13

Step 2

Shape a strip of aluminium foilaround the edge of the dooritself, at the height of the twowires. When the door opens,the aluminium foil will touchboth wires which should triggerthe Logiblocs into action. Thisis called completing the circuit.

Step 3

Fix the Logiblocs togetheras shown.

Make a recording in theusual way of what you wantto say to people when theycome into your room – maybe“Go away!” or “You are nowentering a secure area ! ”

Hide the Logibloc system you havemade. Remember, if you want, you canextend the Jack Plug wires just byjoining two other wires on to makethem longer. Make sure you cover thejoins with tape to avoid accidentallysetting the alarm off !

❷ DRAWER GUARD

You can fix up your specialdrawer using some aluminiumfoil as shown. If the drawer isopened the aluminium foil willbrush past the two metalends of the Jack Plug wiresso completing the circuit andsetting the message off. A

good message would be “ Illegal access detected! Close the drawerimmediately ! ”

Hide the Logiblocs at the back or beside the drawer where there is usually abit of space.

14

❸ SECURITY MAT

You will need some aluminium foil, scissors, paper glue, some cardboardand some sticky tape. You can use the piece of card provided but you may prefer to keep this for use as an attractive mouse mat !

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.

Step 3

Join the blocks together as shown for the Door Alarm and plug in the JackPlug. Tap the sandwich you have made. When the two pieces of foil touch,the circuit is completed and the Logiblocs should be triggered. If thealuminium foil sheets in the sandwich are touching too easily then addanother spacer or two. When you are happy with the sandwich, stick downthe top piece of cardboard to the spacers.

Hide the Logiblocs and place the mat under carpets and surprise yourfriends when they step in the wrong place ! Remember to disconnect the BATTERY BOX when you are not using the Logiblocs to save thebatteries !

15

Step 2

Stick one of the wires to the corner ofthe foil with sticky tape. Glue the stripsof cardboard around the edge to form aspacer. Stick the other wire to thecorner of the foil on the other card.Place (do not stick) the second card on top of the spacer to make a sandwich.

MORE USE OF LIGHT

❶ LIGHT BREAKER ALARM

You will need a flashlight to make the lightbreaker alarm. Find a dark spot or waituntil the light is fading.

Step 1

Plug the Logiblocs together asshown and stand themup on the BATTERYBOX.

Step 2

Place your flashlight so that it shinesacross the doorway straight at the lensof the LIGHT SWITCH.

You have now made a Light BreakerAlarm. When the light beam is brokenby walking through the beam, yourmessage will play back.

Why not try using mirrors to bend thelight beam around corners. Make surethat the beam still reaches the LIGHTSWITCH.

Don’t forget to disconnect the BATTERY BOX when you are not using the Logiblocs to make the batteries last as long as possible !

16

LIE DETECTORWe can use the Spy Kit to make a LieDetector. This uses the effect that whenpeople do not tell the truth they usuallysweat which increases the electricalconductivity of their hands.

Step 1

Make two hand sized aluminium foil pads andlay them side by side on a table, making surethat they do not touch. Fix with tape themetal ends of the Jack Plug wires withsome sticky tape, one to each piece offoil.

Put the blocs together as shown and plug inthe Jack Plug into the IN block.

Pre-record “Liar!” or “That’s not true!” by touching the pads together to trigger the blocs with the slider in the Record position ● . Push the slider switch back to Play ➤ .

Now keeping the pads separate place one or two fingerson one pad. Get someone to ask you some questions aboutyou or your friends. Each time you give either a true or false answer put oneor two fingers from your other hand onto the second pad. Depending onhow hard you press or if your hands are sweating (because of telling lies!) the

“True” or “False” message will beplayed back.

You can do this with two peopleusing the Lie Detector. Put yourright hand on the right pad whileyour friend puts his or her left handon the left pad. Ask each otherquestions and then join your freehands together. You should findthat the Logiblocs can be triggeredthrough you both!

17

18

CREATING CODED MESSAGESYou can save secret code words in the RECORDER and give it to someoneelse to listen to later on to help unravel coded messages. We can use this to send special Key Words to help your fellow Spies work out codedmessages. Keeping information safe from people who are not supposed tosee it is more important today than it ever was because we send so muchmore information. Telephone calls and e-mails can be intercepted so weneed to be able to code the information to keep it safe.

❶ A SIMPLE CODE

Step 1

Make up your secret message. Let’s say that your message is “Tonight atten in the house”

Step 2

To make a converter to code the message, first write out a normal alphabet(in small letters). Underneath this, write out another alphabet (in CAPITALS)but shifted along by 6 letters as below. Look for the letters of your messagein the top row, then below each letter find the code letter to use instead.

Step 3

Write down your message without any spaces between the words. Writeunderneath the code letters for each letter reading them off your codeconverter above.

Step 4

Write down the coded message only on a small piece of paper and speakand record into the RECORDER block the special number “6” ( the numberof letters you shifted the alphabet along) to allow your friend to decode themessage. Remember to put the slider switch to Play ➤ to keep the codenumber safe.

a

G

Text

Code

b

H

c

I

d

J

e

K

f

L

g

M

h

N

i

O

j

P

k

Q

l

R

m

S

n

T

o

U

p

V

q

W

r

X

s

Y

t

Z

u

A

v

B

w

C

x

D

y

E

z

F

t

Z

Message

Code

o

U

n

T

i

O

g

M

h

N

t

Z

a

G

t

Z

t

Z

e

K

n

T

i

O

n

T

t

Z

h

N

e

K

h

N

o

U

u

A

s

Y

e

K

Step 5

Pass the coded message to your friend secretly – perhaps inside a book –and pass over the RECORDER block at a different time and in a differentplace – perhaps leaving it in a special place.

Step 6

Now is the time to see if you can unravel the code yourself, pretending thatyou don’t know the answer.

Listen to the key word and, make the code converter again by shifting theletters 6 places. Unravel the coded message by reading off each letter.Remember that the code letters are on the bottom and the real letters are onthe top.

❷ THE VIGENÈRE SQUARE

A much cleverer code method is based on the Vigenère square shownopposite – named after the inventor who was born in 1523. This uses a KeyWord to tell you which row to use to code and decode each letter of yourmessage. You need to store your Key Word on the RECORDER block andthen pass it to a friend so they can use it to decode the message.

Step 1

Write down your message and then write the key word above it, repeating itas many times as you need as shown below. To show how this works, wehave chosen the key word “LOGI”. The letters of the key word tell you whichof the rows to use for each letter of your message. We have highlighted thecorrect rows to use in the Vigenère Square shown on the next page.

The first letter of the message is ”t” so the L above tells you to use the L row(No 11). Find the “t” in the top row and move down the column to find the“E” in the L row. Write this down underneath and move onto the next letter“o” which is in the O row. Tracing from the “o” in the top row down to the Orow to find the “C”. Repeat this process to encode the rest of the message.

19

L

t

E

Key/Row

Message

Code

O

o

C

G

n

T

I

i

Q

L

g

R

O

h

V

G

t

Z

I

a

I

L

t

E

O

t

H

G

e

K

I

n

V

L

i

T

O

n

B

G

t

Z

I

h

P

L

e

P

O

h

V

G

o

U

I

u

C

L

s

D

O

e

S

20

Step 2

Try to unravel the coded message you have just made, pretending that youdon’t know the answer. First write down the coded message, then write thekey word above it as many times as you need until you run out of letters.

The first letter of the code is “E” which is under the L of the key word. Solook in the L row (No 11) for the “E” and go up the column to find the textletter “t” at the top. The second letter is under the O of the key word, so lookin the O row (No 14) for “C” then up the column to find “o” at the top. Nowtry and fill in the missing letters of the message.

a

BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

123456789

10111213141516171819202122232425

b

CDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZA

c

DEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAB

d

EFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABC

e

FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCD

f

GHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDE

g

HIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEF

h

IJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFG

i

JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGH

j

KLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHI

k

LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJ

l

MNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJK

m

NOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKL

n

OPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLM

o

PQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMN

p

QRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNO

q

RSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP

r

STUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQ

s

TUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR

t

UVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRS

u

VWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST

v

WXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU

w

XYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV

x

YZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW

y

ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWX

z

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY

Text

L

E

t

Key/Row

Code

Message

O

C

o

G

T

I

Q

L

R

O

V

G

Z

I

I

L

E

O

H

G

K

I

V

L

T

O

B

G

Z

I

P

L

P

O

V

G

U

I

C

L

D

O

S

21

LET’S GET DETECTING

❶ HUNT THE SPY!

Plug the Logiblocs together as for the Logi Guard on page 12 and record amessage in the usual way – “I’m here!”. Replace the BUTTON with theLIGHT SWITCH. Hide the Logiblocs behind things in a dark room. Do notcover the lens of the LIGHT SWITCH and make sure that the flashlight willtrigger the Logiblocs when it is shone directly at the hidden LIGHT SWITCH.

Take it in turns to hide the Logiblocs in ever more clever places.

❷ CHECK FOR METAL!

We can use the two metal ends of the JackPlug Wires to test for metal. Metalconducts electricity and so you can test allsorts of objects. Use the same Logiblocarrangement that you used on page 14.Test a pencil. Does the lead inside conductelectricity? So it’s not just metal thatconducts electricity. Your message shouldbe “Look! I conduct electricity!”

Remember not to put these wiresanywhere near any mains electrical outletsbecause that could be very dangerous.

❸ WATER DETECTOR

Water also conducts electricity. You cantest for water by putting the two ends of theJack Plug wires into water. You may needto add small plates of aluminium foil to theends to make the effect greater. Your message could be “Look! I’m wet!”

Add the NOT between the IN and theRECORDER blocs and you could also tellwhen a flow of water has stopped in agarden hose

WHAT THE LOGIBLOCS DO

BATTERY BOX

This brings the power fromthe batteries to make theLogiblocs work. Plug it into the CROSS or whereverthere is a space.

CROSS

This acts as a cross-roadsfor all Logiblocs and letsyou turn corners.

BUTTON

When the button is pressed ittriggers any block connected toit. The button is the easiest wayto turn things on. Keep itpressed down when recording.

LIGHT SWITCH

This triggers any other Logibloc connected to it if a light is shone into the clear lens on the top.Use it in the dark with a flashlight. Experiment with the way it works by covering part or all of the lens with different types of tape

22

Logiblocsmake thingshappen !

WHAT ELSE THE LOGIBLOCS DO

23

Logicodeskeep your messagessecret!

MICROPHONE

This contains a small microphonewhich hears any sound and passes it on to the RECORDER block.Speak into it clearly but not tooclose.

SPEAKER

This contains a small loudspeakerwhich lets you hear the messagesent from the RECORDER block.If you need a louder sound, put theAMPLIFIER block between theRECORDER and SPEAKER blocks.

RECORDER

This can record sounds sent to it by the MICROPHONE block, (maximum 10 seconds), when the slider switch is in the Record position marked ● .

When the slider switch is in the Play position marked ➤ .this block sends the sounds you have recorded to the SPEAKER block.

In each case the block will only record orplayback when switched on by the other blocks in the usual way.

Play

Record

Messages will beremembered until thenext time you record asound, even when thisblock is disconnectedfrom the others. Usefulfor storing secretmessages and codes.

AND MORE !

24

Build your own hi-tech inventions withLogiblocs !

IN

Plug in the Jack Plug. When the twoof the Jack Plug are joined together theIN block triggers any other block that itis connected to.

NOT

This does the opposite to what youexpect. When it gets a message itdoesn’t send it on and if it has nomessage it sends one of its own!

AMPLIFIER

This always goes between theRECORDER block and the SPEAKERblock and makes the sound severaltimes louder. Messages and soundswill be easier to hear in open spaces.

Note that you can connect some ofthe other types of blocks betweenthese three special blocks and thesound will still get through!

BATTERY INSTALLATION

You will need four 1.5V AA (LR6) batteries.

➤ Open the battery box lid by loosening the large screw underneath the battery box with a screwdriver or coin and then lifting the lid.

➤ Put the batteries in, starting with the two centre ones. It is best to put the flat end (-ve) of each battery in first, which depresses the spring in the battery compartment.

➤ Insert the two lugs into the holes and close the lid.

➤ Do up the screw again. Do not tighten too much!

LIFT LID TOADD BATTERIES

SCREW(underneath) JOIN OTHER

LOGIBLOCS HERE

25

FUSE REPLACEMENT

As an added safety feature there is a 1A fuse contained in the BATTERYBOX. If in the unlikely event this gets broken you will need to obtain areplacement BATTERY BOX. Please send the old one back to us, enclosingyour own address and tell us what you think caused the fuse to blow.

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 to mains electrical outlets.

BATTERIES - DOs and DON’Ts !

☛ Insert batteries according to +/- symbols.☛ Only use the recommended batteries. (4 x AA (LR6) 1.5V)☛ Do not use Nickel Cadmium rechargeable batteries.☛ Replace all the batteries at the same time.☛ Do not mix old and new batteries.☛ Do not mix alkaline and standard carbon-zinc batteries.☛ Do not attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.☛ Do not short-circuit the supply terminals or throw in fire.☛ Remove batteries 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 batteries anyway!Always disconnect the battery or BATTERY BOX 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

26

Logiblocs is a registered trademark of Logiblocs Ltd.Copyright 2000

VERSION #030800

Logiblocs LimitedPO Box 375 ■ St Albans ■ Herts

AL1 3GA ■ Englandwww.logiblocs.com