Studuino

Block Programming Environment

Guide (Part 01)
[LEDs, Buzzers, and Sensors]
Published 2014/11/01
Revised 2018/06/28
 Version History

Date Content
2016/11/01 First version
2017/01/16 Updated for new Studuino website
2017/04/14 Changed access guide based on new Studuino website
2018/01/22 Revised to include software and OS updates
2018/06/28 Updated description of Buzzer values

1
 Index
1. Getting Started........................................................................................... 1
2. Setup........................................................................................................... 1
2.1. Installing Studuino Software.............................................................. 1
2.2. Connecting Parts............................................................................... 2
3. LEDs............................................................................................................ 5
3.1. Connecting an LED............................................................................ 5
3.2. Port Settings...................................................................................... 5
3.3. Lighting Up an LED............................................................................ 7
3.4. Making an LED Blink.......................................................................... 9
3.5. Setting a Specific Number of Blinks................................................. 11
3.6. Changing the Speed of a Blink......................................................... 14
4. Buzzers...................................................................................................... 16
4.1. Connecting a Buzzer........................................................................ 16
4.2. Port Settings.................................................................................... 16
4.3. Playing a Buzzer.............................................................................. 17
4.4. Playing a Melody.............................................................................. 19
4.5. Using a List to Play Melodies........................................................... 22
5. Push-buttons and Sensors...................................................................... 31
5.1. Connecting an LED.......................................................................... 31
5.2. Push-buttons.................................................................................... 31
5.2.1. Port Settings....................................................................................................32

5.2.2. How Push-buttons Work.................................................................................32

5.2.3. Programming................................................................................................. 34

5.3. Light Sensors................................................................................... 40

5.3.1. Connecting a Light Sensor..............................................................................40

5.3.2. Port Settings...................................................................................................40

5.3.3. How a Light Sensor Works.............................................................................41

5.3.4. Programming..................................................................................................41

5.4. IR Photoreflectors............................................................................ 45
5.4.1. Connecting an IR Photoreflector.....................................................................45

5.4.2. Port Settings...................................................................................................45

5.4.3. How an IR Photoreflector Works....................................................................46

5.4.4. Programming..................................................................................................47

5.5. Touch Sensors................................................................................. 52

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 5.5.1. Connecting a Touch Sensor............................................................................52

5.5.2. Port Settings...................................................................................................52

5.5.3. How a Touch Sensor Works...........................................................................53

5.5.4. Programming..................................................................................................53

5.6. Sound Sensors................................................................................ 56

5.6.1. Connecting a Sound Sensor...........................................................................56

5.6.2. Port Settings...................................................................................................56

5.6.3. How a Sound Sensor Works...........................................................................57

5.6.4. Programming.................................................................................................57

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 1. Getting Started
This manual explains how to use the following electronic parts in the Block Programming
Environment:
LEDs
Buzzers
Push-buttons
Light Sensors
IR Photoreflectors
Touch Sensors
Sound Sensors

The information in this manual may be revised at any time.

2. Setup
2.1. Installing Studuino Software
Follow the steps below to download the instruction manuals
you’ll need to install your Studuino software.

1) Go to the Studuino website at http://www.artec-kk.co.jp/studuino/en/

2) Mouse over Software and click Studuino or Studuino mini.
3) If you’ve chosen Studuino, use the next page to choose your system.
4) On the next page, go to the Software section and click the button for your operating system
to download the software.

1
 2.2. Connecting Parts
① Connecting Sensors, LEDs, and Buzzers
The pictures below show how to plug sensor connecting cables into your Sensors, Buzzers, and
LEDs in order to connect them to your Studuino.
★ Every sensor uses a three-wire cable except for the Accelerometer, which uses a four-wire cable.

The gray wires of your sensor connecting

cables should face towards the center of
the board.

A0 A1 A2 A3
A4 A5 A6 A7
Gray
Black
Black

Sensor/LED/Buzzer Connectors

★ Sound Sensors, Light Sensors, and IR Photoreflectors connect to A0 through A7.

★ Touch Sensors, LEDs, and Buzzers connect to A0 through A5.
★ Accelerometers use both A4 and A5 at the same time.
★ Push-buttons A0-A3 can’t be used when a sensor is connected to A0-A3.

2
 ② Connecting DC Motors
Up to two DC Motors can be connected using connectors M1 and M2.
★ DC Motor connectors can only connect one way.

M1

M2

③ Connecting Servomotors
Up to eight Servomotors can be connected to the Servomotor connectors.

D9
D10
D11
D12
D2
D4
D7
D8
Black
Black
Gray

The gray wires of your Servomotor cables

should face towards the center of the board.

★ DC Motor connector M1 can't be used at the same time as Servomotor connectors D2 and D4.
★ DC Motor connector M2 can't be used at the same time as Servomotor connectors D7 and D8.

3
④ Connecting a Battery Box
Plug your Battery Box into the POWER connector.
Sensors, LEDs, Buzzers, and Push-buttons can run on a USB connection, but DC Motors and
Servomotors require power from the Battery Box. You’ll also need a Battery Box in order to
power devices when the USB cable is disconnected.

POWER

4
 3. LEDs
Learn how to program an LED in this chapter. It covers connecting devices to your Studuino,
setting ports, programming in the Block Programming Environment, and transferring data to
the board.
3.1. Connecting an LED
Connect an LED to Sensor/LED/Buzzer connector A4 on your Studuino.

Gray
Black
A4 Black

LED

Keep an eye on your cables!

The gray wire should be at the top.

3.2. Port Settings

Before you start programming, you’ll need to tell the Block Programming Environment which
Studuino ports you’ll be using. Open the Block Programming Environment and choose Port
Settings under Edit in the menu bar to open the Port Settings dialog.

① Click

② Click

You’ll see the

Port Settings dialog

5
Check A4 under Sensor/LED/Buzzer and choose LED.

① Check the box here

② Click

③ Choose LED

④ Click OK

You’ve now set the Studuino ports you’ll be using in the Block Programming Environment.

6
 3.3. Lighting Up an LED

It’s time to start learning about some programming basics using the block.

① Click the Motion button in the Command Palette. Now drag to the Script

Field and connect it to the block.

① Click
Command Palette

Script Field

Drop the block once

you see the white line

② Drag and Drop

Block Palette

Make sure the block is connected!

★ Move blocks anywhere in the Script Field by dragging and dropping them. Dragging and
dropping a block will also move any blocks connected to it.

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② Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the
Run menu to transfer your program.

① Click

② Click

Seeing the message below disappear means that your program has been successfully
transferred to your Studuino. The LED will light up automatically once the transfer finishes.

Your program didn’t transfer correctly if you see any of the messages below. Check the solutions
and try again.

Message Solution
Could not access to Studuino Make sure your USB cable is properly connected
Make sure Studuino is connected to the to your PC and Studuino
PC.

Close any applications that may be

Could not access to Studuino
communicating with your Studuino. If no other
Serial port already in use. Try quitting
applications are communicating with the board,
any programs that may be using it.
unplug the USB cable and press the onboard
Reset button.

8
 3.4. Making an LED Blink
Now we’re going to program your LED to blink based on the program from 3.3. Lighting Up

an LED. This section will teach you about repeats by using the block to make your
program repeat forever.

① Click Control in the Command Palette then drag from the Control Palette to

the Script Field. Connect it to the blocks of your last LED program.
① Click

Drag the block and

drop it once you see
the white line

② Drag and drop

② Right-click on the block. Now click Duplicate in the menu.

① Right-click

② Choose Duplicate

This will duplicate

the block!

③ Now connect the block to the bottom of .

Connect it to the
end of your
program

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④ Drag from the Control Palette and use it to enclose your program in the
Script Field.

Make sure the block

encloses the whole
program

① Drag and drop

⑤ Set the bottom to OFF.

① Click ▼
② Choose off

Now you’ve programmed your LED to blink every second indefinitely.

① Turn on LED Repeat forever

② Wait one second

③ Turn off LED

④ Wait one second

Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run
menu to transfer your program. The LED will blink once every second once the transfer finishes.

10
 3.5. Setting a Specific Number of Blinks
Now we’re going to control the number of times your LED blinks based on the program from 3.4.

Making an LED Blink. This section will teach you how to set the number of repeats by using the

block.

① Drag from the Control Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

② Move the blocks in the block into the opening of the block.

Drop them inside

the block

Drag and drop

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③ Drag the block back to the Block Palette to delete it.

Drag and drop

Except for , any block can be deleted by dragging it back to the Block Palette.

★ Right-click a block to bring up the context menu and click Delete to delete it.
★ Select Undelete from the Menu bar to restore a block if you've accidentally deleted it.

④ Connect the group of blocks you made in ② to the block.

Now you’ve programmed your LED to blink ten times in a row.

Repeat 10 times
① Turn on LED
② Wait one second
③ Turn off LED
④ Wait one second

Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run
menu to transfer your program. The LED will blink 10 times in 1-second intervals once the
transfer finishes.

12
 Next, we’ll change the number of blinks by changing the number in the block.

⑤ Click the 10 in the block and type in the number of LED blinks you want.

Click here and type

Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run
menu to transfer your program. Once the transfer finishes, the LED will automatically blink the
number of times you set.
You can start a transferred program by choosing Run from the Run menu.

① Click

② Click

★ Once you’ve transferred a program, you can run it using power from your Battery Box. Unplug your USB
cable from the Studuino. Now plug in your Battery Box, turn it on, and check to see if your LED blinks the
number of times that you set.
★ Once your program finishes, restart it by pressing the RESET button on the board.

Battery Box

RESET Button

POWER

13
 3.6. Changing the Speed of a Blink
Now we’re going to control how fast your LED blinks based on the program from 3.5. Setting a Number of
Blinks. While you can change the speed of an LED by changing the value in the block, let’s
try using a variable to change multiple values at once.

① Open the Command Palette and click the Variables button. Now click Make a variable. You’ll be
asked for a variable name. Name your variable time and click OK.
① Click

② Click
③ Name it "time"

This dialog box

lets you name the
variable

④ Click here

② You’ll now see blocks that let you control the time variable

These blocks will

appear
automatically

14
 ③ Connect the block to the block. Now set the value in the
block to 0.5.

① Drag
and Drop ② Click here and type

④ Connect the block to the block.

Drag
and Drop

Now you’ve programmed your LED to blink ten times in 0.5-second intervals.

① Set time to 0.5

Repeat 10 times

② Turn on LED

LED
③ Wait for time (0.5 seconds)

④ Turn off LED

⑤ Wait time (0.5 seconds)

Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run menu to
transfer your program. The LED will blink 10 times in 0.5-second intervals once the transfer finishes.

15
4. Buzzers
This section teaches how to program a Buzzer to play and stop as well as how to use list and function
blocks.
4.1. Connecting a Buzzer
Connect your Buzzer to Sensor/LED/Buzzer connector A5 on the Studuino.

Gray
Gray
Black
Black
Black
Black

Buzzer A5

Keep an eye on your cables!

The gray wire should be at the top.
う

4.2. Port Settings

Before programming, you'll need to set the ports in the Block Programming Environment to match the
parts connected to your Studuino. Select Edit from the menu and choose Port Settings to open the Port
Settings dialog box. Check A5 under Sensor/LED/Buzzer and choose Buzzer.

Choose Buzzer

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 4.3. Playing a Buzzer
Now we're going to make a program that makes the Buzzer play for one second. This section teaches you

how to control sound by using the and blocks.

★ Choose New under the File menu to open a new program.

① Drag from the Motion Palette and connect it to the

block.

Drag and drop

② Click ▼ in the block to show the keyboard. Hover your mouse over
any key on the keyboard to see the note. Now click E (64) to select it.

① Click

② Click

Hover the mouse

pointer over a key to
see its value

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★ Notes in the programming software are shown as numbers. These numbers follow the MIDI standard,
which allows performance data for musical instruments to be transferred between devices. The note
equivalent for each number is shown below.

③ Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to the

block.

Drag and drop

④ Drag from the Motion Palette and connect it to the block.

Drag and drop

Now you’ve programmed your Buzzer to play the note E (64), or Mi, for one second.
Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run menu to
transfer your program.

18
 4.4. Playing a Melody

Now it’s time to program your Buzzer to play the notes C, C, G, G, A, A, and G, the melody for Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star. The Buzzer can do this by playing several notes in a row.

① You’ll need to add a block to the program you created in 4.3. Playing a Buzzer.

Drag and drop

② Set the blocks to 0.3 and 0.1 seconds.

③ Right click the block to duplicate it. Now connect the new blocks to the
original ones.

① Right click

② Choose Duplicate

Connect the duplicated

blocks to the originals

19
④ Repeat step ③ to make seven groups of repeat blocks. Delete the last block
and drag any extra blocks back to the Command Palette to delete them.

Drag and drop

20
 ⑤ Set the blocks to C (60), C (60), G (67), G (67), A (69), A (69), and G
(67).

Now you’ve programmed your Buzzer to play the melody for Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run menu to
transfer your program. Your Buzzer will play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star once the program transfers.

21
 4.5. Using a List to Play Melodies
The program you made in 4.4. Playing a Melody can be simplified by using a list.

●Making a List
① Click the Make a list button in the Variables Palette. Now name it list_note.

① Click

② Click
③ Name it "list_note"

This dialog box lets

you name the list
④ Click

② You’ll see two things: an empty list and a group of blocks that control it.

These blocks This is the list

control the list

22
 Now we'll learn how each block controls a list.
③ Drag three blocks to the Script Field. Now set them to 0, 12, and 15.

Drag and drop

④ Click and the blocks connected to will be run in order. This will add the
values 0, 12, and 15 to the list.

Click
The program will
be run in order

The values will

be added

⑤ Delete the blocks you made in ③ . Now connect the block

to and set it to add 30 at row 2.

Drag and drop

23
⑥ Click .

Click

A new second row with

a value of 30 will be
inserted into the list

⑦ Next, delete the block. Now drag to the

Script Field, connect it to your program, and set it to replace the number at row 3 with 6.

Drag and drop

⑧ Click .

Click

The value at row 3

will be replaced by 6

24
 ⑨ Delete the block. Now drag to the
Script Field, connect it to your program, and set it to delete the number at row 2.

Drag and drop

⑩ Click .

Click

The value at row 2 will

be deleted

You can use the steps listed above to modify (add, insert, replace, or delete) values in a list. You can also
access the information in the list with the following blocks:

Block What it Does

Gets the value of the specified row.
Gets the length of the specified list.
Checks whether the list contains the specified value.

Next, we'll use a list to recreate the program from 4.4. Playing a Melody.

25
● Playing a Melody Using a List

Use the blocks shown below with your program from 4.4. Playing a Melody to create a list of
notes and play it seven times. We can simplify this program by using a list to set the notes of the

blocks.

⑪ Delete the block. Now click the x on the right to delete all of the
items in the list.

Click on any item in

the list to input a new
value and you’ll see an
x appear to the right
Drag and drop

⑫ Make 7 blocks and connect them all together.

Drag and drop

26
 ⑬ Enter the values shown below into the blocks.

These values will be used for the notes.

⑭ Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to the top of the blocks you made
in ⑬ . Now click on the ▼ in the block and choose new.... Name the function init_code.

① Click

② Select

Drag and drop

This dialog box lets you

name the function
③ Name it "init_code"

④ Click

And now you’ve made a function that will store the melody for Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star to a list. Any

blocks connected to the block will run when the block runs. This program

will make run when runs, storing the codes to the list.

27
⑮ Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to . Now click ▼ to
choose the init_code function.

Choose “init_
Drag and drop code”

⑯ Drag from the Motion Palette and connect it to .

Drag and drop

⑰ Drag two from the Control Palette and set them to 0.3 and 0.1.

Drag and drop

28
 ⑱ Drag from the Variables Palette and connect it to

Drag and drop

⑲ Click the Make a variable button in the Variables Palette. Name the variable number.

① Click

This dialog box

lets you name the
function
② Type "number"

③ Click

⑳ Drag and connect your new variable blocks to the places shown below.
Set the value of to 1.

Drag and drop

29
㉑ Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to the other blocks. Set it to 7.

Drag and drop

The program you just completed uses a list to play the beginning of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Look below
to see how your program works:

Run init_note function (registers notes to the list)

Set variable "number" to 1

Play the note in row "number" Repeat 7 times

Wait 0.3 seconds

Stop Buzzer
Wait 0.1 seconds
Set "number" to "number + 1"

The value of number increases by one every time the program repeats, so the number variable can play
each note registered to the list in order.

Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run menu to transfer
your program. The Buzzer will play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star once the program transfers.

30
 5. Push-buttons and Sensors

In this section you’ll learn how to program and use Push-buttons, sensors, and LEDs.

5.1. Connecting an LED

You’ll need to use an LED, so go ahead and plug one into connector A4 on your Studuino.

LED A4

Gray
Black
Black

Keep an eye on your cables!

The gray wire should be on the inside.

5.2. Push-buttons
You can find the Push-buttons right on your Studuino. They’re assigned to connectors A0-A3.

A1

A3 A0

A2

31
 5.2.1. Port Settings
Before programming, you'll need to set the ports in the Block Programming Environment to match the parts
connected to your Studuino.
Select Edit from the menu and choose Port Settings to open the Port Settings dialog box. Make sure that
boxes A0-A3 are checked under Button and that you’ve selected LED for Sensor/LED/Buzzer connector
A4 (and check the box if it isn’t checked already).

Make sure these

boxes are checked

Make sure this box

is checked

5.2.2. How Push-buttons Work

Let’s take a look at how a Push-button works. Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now
choose Test ON from the Run menu.

① Click

② Click

You’ll see the Sensor

Board

32
 Seeing the messages below means that Test Mode has failed to start. Check the solutions and try again.

Message Solution
Could not access to Studuino Make sure your USB cable is properly
Make sure Studuino is connected to the PC. connected to your PC and Studuino.

Could not access to Studuino Close any applications that may be

Serial port already in use. Try quitting any communicating with your Studuino.
programs that may be using it. If no other applications are communicating with
the board, unplug the USB cable and press the
onboard Reset button.

Pressing the RESET button on the Studuino board while in Test Mode will cause the connection between
your Studuino and PC to be interrupted and the message below to appear.

Message Solution
Could not acces to Studuino While you can continue programming once
Communication terminated. Close Test mode, you’ve closed Test Mode, we recommend
reconnect your Studuino to your PC, reset your following the message and restarting the
Studuino and restart Test mode. software due to the resulting unstable
connection.

Push-buttons send a value of 1 when released and a value of 0 when you press them.
Try pressing buttons A0-A3 on your Studuino and see how the values respond in the Sensor Board.

The value will change to 0

Once you’re finished, choose Test OFF from the Run menu to close Test Mode.

33
 5.2.3. Programming

In this section we'll be programming your LED to blink when you press a button. We’ll also be learning how

to use the block.

① Drag from the Motion Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

① Drag from the Motion Palette to the Script Field.

② Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to the bottom of your program.

Drag and drop

③ Click the block and choose duplicate.

This will duplicate

the blocks!

34
 ④ Set the new block to OFF.

⑤ Now connect your duplicated blocks to the original ones.

⑥ Drag from the Control Palette to the Script Field. Fit the blocks from ④ into the

opening of .

Drag and drop

Drag and drop

35
⑦ Set the number of repeats to 2.

⑧ Drag from the Control Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

⑨ Drag from the Operators Palette and add it to the block.

Drag and drop

36
 ⑩ Drag from the Sensing Palette and drop it into the left side of the
block. Set the right side to 0.

Drag and drop

⑪ Move the blocks from ⑦ into the opening of the block.

Drag and drop

The block you just made will make your LED blink twice when you press the Push-button and change its
value to 0.

37
⑫ Drag from the Control Palette to the Script Field. Move the blocks from ⑪ into the

opening of the block.

Drag and drop

Drag and drop

⑬ Connect the group of blocks you made in ⑫ to the block.

Drag and drop

Now you’ve programmed your LED to blink two times when you press button A0.

Repeat forever
If you press the button
blink LED two times

38
 Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run menu to transfer
your program.

① Click

② Click

Seeing the message below disappear means that your program has been successfully transferred to your
Studuino. Once the transfer finishes, press A0 and your LED will blink two times.

Your program didn’t transfer correctly if you see any of the messages below. Check the solutions and try
again.

Message Solution
Could not access to Studuino Make sure your USB cable is properly
Make sure Studuino is connected to your PC and Studuino.
connected to the PC.

Could not access to Studuino Close any applications that may be

Serial port already in use. Try communicating with your Studuino. If no other
quitting any programs that may applications are communicating with the board,
be using it. unplug the USB cable and press the onboard
Reset button.

39
 5.3. Light Sensors

You can use a Light Sensor to measure the amount of light in the area.

5.3.1. Connecting a Light Sensor

A4
LED
Gray
Black
Black

Keep an eye on your cables!

A6
The gray wire should be at the top.
Light Sensor

5.3.2. Port Settings

Before programming, you'll need to set the ports in the Block Programming Environment to match the parts
connected to your Studuino. Select Edit from the menu and choose Port Settings to open the Port Settings
dialog box. Check A6 under Sensor/LED/Buzzer and choose Light Sensor. You’ll also need to check A4
and choose LED.

Check and choose

LED

Check and choose

Light Sensor

40
 5.3.3. How a Light Sensor Works

Let’s take a look at your Light Sensor’s values. Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC. Now
choose Test ON from the Run menu. Start Test Mode and you’ll see the Sensor Board displaying [A6] Light
Sensor.
The Light Sensor has a range of 0-100, with 0 being complete darkness and 100 being bright light. Now try
covering the Light Sensor with your hand while you look at the Sensor Board to see how the values change.

The Light Sensor’s values will

change in response to the amount of
light

Once you’re finished, choose Test OFF from the Run menu to close Test Mode.

5.3.4. Programming

Now we’re going to program your LED to turn on as the Light Sensor detects darkness.

We’ll also be learning how to use the block.

① Drag from the Control Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

41
② Drag from the Operators Palette and insert it into the block.

Drag and drop

③ Drag from the Sensing Palette and drop it into the left side of the block.
Set the right side to 50.

Drag and drop

Since your Light Sensor values respond to the amount of light in the room, look at the Sensor Board
to decide which value to put into the right side.

④ Drag from the Motion Palette into the opening of the

block. Set the bottom block to OFF.

Drag and drop

42
 The block you just made will light up the LED when then room is dark (Light Sensor value is less than 50)
and turn it off when the room is bright (Light Sensor value is greater than 50).

⑤ Drag to the Script Field. Move the blocks from ④ into the opening of the
block.

Drag and drop

Drag and drop

⑥ Connect the group of blocks you made in ⑤ to the block.

Drag and drop

43
Now you’ve programmed your LED to light up in darkness and turn off in light.

Repeat forever
If dark
Turn on LED
If light
Turn off LED

⑦ Now let’s test if changing the amount of light your sensor recieves turns your LED on and off. Make
sure your Studuino is connected to your PC. Now choose Test ON from the Run menu.

⑧ Once you’ve opened Test Mode, click .

Click

The program will run

in Test Mode

Never disconnect your USB cable while in Test Mode!

The blocks currently running will have a white outline. Take a look at the Sensor Board as you cover the
Light Sensor with your hand and see how the values change.

Choose Transfer from the Run menu to transfer your program to your Studuino. Now you can unplug your
USB cable and run your program using the Battery Box.

44
 5.4. IR Photoreflectors

The IR Photoreflector uses reflected infrared light to measure its distance from an object.

5.4.1. Connecting an IR Photoreflector

Connect an LED to Sensor/LED/Buzzer connector A4 on your Studuino and your IR Photoreflector to A7.

LED
A4
Gray
Black
Black

IR Photoreflector A7 Keep an eye on your cables!

The gray wire should be at the top.

5.4.2. Port Settings

Before programming, you'll need to set the ports in the Block Programming Environment to match the parts
connected to your Studuino. Select Edit from the menu and choose Port Settings to open the Port Settings
dialog box. Check A7 under Sensor/LED/Buzzer and choose IR Photoreflector. You’ll also need to check
A4 and choose LED.

Check and choose

LED

Check and choose

IR Photoreflector

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 5.4.3. How an IR Photoreflector Works

Let’s take a look at your IR Photoreflector’s values. Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC.
Now choose Test ON from the Run menu. Start Test Mode and you’ll see the Sensor Board displaying [A7]
IR Photoreflector.
Your IR Photoreflector measures 100 degrees of reflected infrared light, with the values increasing towards
100 as an object becomes closer. The values will be at their maximum when 6-10 mm away from an object
and will decrease again as you move it closer to the object.
The color and texture of an object will also have an effect on the sensor’s values. (A white object will give
you higher values than a black one when placed close to the sensor.)
Move the object and check if the value indicated on the Sensor Board changes according to the distance
between the sensor and the object.

The values will change

in response to distance

Once you’re finished, choose Test OFF from the Run menu to close Test Mode.

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 5.4.4. Programming

In this section we'll be programming your LED to blink when an object is close to the IR Photoreflector. We’ll

also be learning how to use the block.

① Drag from the Motion Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

② Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to the bottom of your program.

Drag and drop

③ Click the block and choose duplicate.

① Right click
② Select Duplicate

This will duplicate

the blocks!

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④ Set the new block to OFF.

⑤ Now connect your duplicated blocks to the original ones.

⑥ Drag from the Control Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

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 ⑦ Drag from the Operators Palette into the block.

Drag and drop

⑧ Drag from the Sensing Palette and drop it into the left side of

the block. Set the right side to 15. Now move the blocks from ⑤ into the opening of the

block.

Drag and drop

Drag and drop

The block you just made will blink your LED when an object becomes closer (the IR Photoreflector’s value is
over 15).

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⑨ To make your program start with your LED off, drag from the Motion Palette and

connect it to . Now set it to OFF.

Drag and drop

⑩ Connect the group of blocks you made in ⑧ to the block.

Now you’ve programmed your LED to blink when an object is close.

Turn off LED

Repeat forever

If an object is close
Blink LED one time

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 ⑪ Now let’s check to see if your LED blinks. Make sure your Studuino is connected to your PC. Now
choose Test ON from the Run menu.
⑫ Once you’ve opened Test Mode, click .

Click

The program will run in

Test Mode

Never disconnect your USB cable while in Test Mode!

Now look at the Sensor Board as you bring the object closer and check that the LED blinks when the value
goes over 15.
Choose Transfer from the Run menu to transfer your program to your Studuino. Now you can unplug your
USB cable and run your program using the Battery Box.

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 5.5. Touch Sensors
A Touch Sensor is a kind of switch that detects whether or not you press it. You can use one to detect things
like collision with objects.
5.5.1. Connecting a Touch Sensor
Connect an LED to Sensor/LED/Buzzer connector A4 on your Studuino and your Touch Sensor to A2.

LED A4
Gray
Black
Black

Touch Sensor

A2 Keep an eye on your cables!

The gray wire should be at the top.

5.5.2. Port Settings

Before programming, you'll need to set the ports in the Block Programming Environment to match the parts
connected to your Studuino. Select Edit from the menu and choose Port Settings to open the Port Settings
dialog box. Uncheck Button A2. Now check A2 under Sensor/LED/Buzzer and choose Touch Sensor.
You’ll also need to check A4 and choose LED.

① Uncheck

Check and choose

Touch Sensor Check and choose
LED

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 5.5.3. How a Touch Sensor Works

Let’s take a look at your Touch Sensor’s values. Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC.
Now choose Test ON from the Run menu. Start Test Mode and you’ll see the Sensor Board displaying [A2]
Touch Sensor.
Touch Sensors send a value of 1 when released and a value of 0 when you press them. Now try pressing
your Touch Sensor while looking at the Sensor Board to see how the values change.

Press the Touch Sensor

and the value will change to 0

Once you’re finished, choose Test OFF from the Run menu to close Test Mode.

5.5.4. Programming

Now we’re going to program your LED to turn on when you press the Touch Sensor. We’ll also be learning
how to use the block.

① Drag from the Motion Palette and connect it to the block, then
set it to off.

Drag and drop

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② Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to .

Drag and drop

③ Drag from the Operators Palette and into the block.

Drag and drop

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 ④ Drag from the Sensing Palette and drop it into the left side of the
block. Set the right side to 0.

Drag and drop

⑤ Drag from the Motion Palette and connect it to the other blocks.

Drag and drop

Now you’ve programmed your LED to light up when you press the Touch Sensor.

Turn off LED

Wait until button is pressed
Turn on LED

Make sure your Studuino is connected to your PC. Now choose Transfer from the Run menu. Check that
your LED lights up when you press the Touch Sensor.

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 5.6. Sound Sensors
Sound Sensors are used to measure the volume of a sound.
5.6.1. Connecting a Sound Sensor
Connect an LED to Sensor/LED/Buzzer connector A4 on your Studuino and your Sound Sensor to A3

LED A4
Gray
Black
Black

Sound Sensor A3 Keep an eye on your cables!

The gray wire should be at the top.

5.6.2. Port Settings

Before programming, you'll need to set the ports in the Block Programming Environment to match the parts
connected to your Studuino. Select Edit from the menu and choose Port Settings to open the Port Settings
dialog box. Uncheck Button A3. Now check A3 under Sensor/LED/Buzzer and choose Sound Sensor.
You’ll also need to check A4 and choose LED.

① Uncheck

Check and choose

Sound Sensor

Check and choose

LED

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 5.6.3. How a Sound Sensor Works
Let’s take a look at your Sound Sensor’s values. Use a USB cable to connect your Studuino to your PC.
Now choose Test ON from the Run menu. Start Test Mode and you’ll see the Sensor Board displaying [A3]
Sound Sensor.
Your Sound Sensor has a range of 0-50, starting at 0 for silence and increasing towards 50 as sounds
become louder. Try clapping near the Sound Sensor or blowing directly on it as you look at the Sensor
Board to see how the values change.

Values change in response

to volume and the
strength of your breath

Once you’re finished, choose Test OFF from the Run menu to close Test Mode.

5.6.4. Programming

Now let’s program a blinking LED to turn off when you blow on the Sound Sensor. We’ll also be learning how

to use the block.

① Drag from the Motion Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

57
② Drag from the Control Palette and connect it to the other blocks.

Drag and drop

③ Click the block and choose duplicate.

① Uncheck

② Select Duplicate

This will duplicate the blocks!

④ Set the new block to OFF.

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 ⑤ Now connect your duplicated blocks to the original ones.

⑥ Drag from the Control Palette to the Script Field.

Drag and drop

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⑦ Drag from the Operators Palette into the block.

Drag and drop

⑧ Drag from the Sensing Palette and drop it into the left side of the
block. Set the right side to 30.

Drag and drop

⑨ Move the blocks from ⑤ into the opening of the block.

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 The block you’ve just made tells a blinking LED to turn off when you blow on the Sound Sensor and the
value goes over 30.

⑩ Connect the group of blocks you made in ⑨ to the block.

⑪ Drag from the Motion Palette and connect to the block. Now set it to OFF.

Drag and drop

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Now you’ve just programmed a blinking LED to turn off when you blow on the Sound Sensor.

Repeat until you blow on the Sound Sensor

Blink LED

Turn off LED

⑫ Now let’s check to see if your LED turns off when you blow on the Sound Sensor. Make sure your
Studuino is connected to your PC. Now choose Test ON from the Run menu.

⑬ Once you’ve opened Test Mode, click .

Click

The program will run in

Test Mode

Never disconnect your USB cable while in Test Mode!

Now look at the Sensor Board as you blow on the Sound Sensor and check that the LED turns off when the
value goes over 30.
Choose Transfer from the Run menu to transfer your program to your Studuino. Now you can unplug your
USB cable and run your program using the Battery Box.

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