@Makeblock Technical support: support.list@makeblock.com Address: 4th Floor, Building C3, Nanshan iPark, No.1001 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China www.makeblock.com D1.1.2_KD010045000 neuron explorer kit User Manual Foreword Thank you for purchasing Makeblock Neuron. This manual mainly includes the detailed descriptions for each block of the Neuron and the various combinations of blocks. We also provide a quick start guide in our product package. Before you read this manual, we recommend that you get to know how to play with the Neuron by referring to the quick start guide. For more examples and documents, please visit the website:
http://www.makeblock.com/steam-kits/neuron/
Energy & Communication Blocks The energy & communication blocks can provide power for other blocks. The communication blocks provide a variety of approaches to wireless communication, which allows the wireless communication between blocks and mobile / tablet / computer, as well as wireless communication among different block combinations. Power Button Micro USB Connector Battery Indicator Block battery level display. p o wer t r s m a Power Status Indicator Smart Power Supply power to other blocks. The built-in Bluetooth block allows you to connect the blocks to your phone or tablet and to program the blocks. How does it work?
A. Supply power to other blocks. Press the power button to power it on so that it can provide power to other blocks. To turn it off, long press the power button for about 3 seconds until all lights are off. If the smart power is turned on but is not connected to other blocks, it will be automatically off after 16 seconds. Double press the power button to cancel or restart the function. After the smart power block is turned on, the initialization will take about 1 second and the power status indicator will keep solid green during the initialization process. Kno b Buzz e r Smart P o w e r 5 B. Connect Neuron to a mobile phone or tablet via Bluetooth and uses the Neuron app or Swift Playgrounds to program the blocks. The power status indicator will turn green when the Bluetooth connection is completed. Kno b Buzz e r Smart P o w e r C. Connect blocks to computer via a USB cable and use mBlock 5 to program the blocks. The power status indicator will turn green when the connection is completed. Kno b Buzz e r Smart P o w e r 01 Charge the smart power block We recommend you to charge your smart power block when the last indicator is blinking. Charge it via the power adapter(not included) Charge it via computer OR Smart P o w e r Tips: Please charge the block every three months when you set it aside. Smart P o w e r Specifications Battery Capacity Output Voltage Input Voltage 950mAh DC 5V DC 5V Input Current Operating Temperature Storage Temperature Bluetooth transmission distance Within 10 meters Bluetooth Specification Frequency Band 2402 ~ 2480MHz Output Power Class 1A 0C ~ 45C
-10C ~ 55C BT 4.0 4dBm 02 Input Blocks The input blocks receive information from the environment, such as sound, light, image or motion, and the information is then converted into electrical signals. The signals will be transmitted to the output blocks and instruct output blocks whether to responde or how to perform. Input blocks are widely applied in daily life, like the light switch and the volume knob. 03 o b K n Knob The knob is an input block which is used to adjust values. When you connect the knob to output blocks, you can adjust the output effects by turning the knob. It's just like you adjust the volume by turning the knob on the speaker in daily life. Have a try!
04 Turn the knob clockwise. 2 3 Kno b Buzz e r The buzzer will make different sounds. 1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button Light Sensor The light sensor can detect the intensity of light in the surrounding environment. The stronger the intensity of light received by the block, the stronger the output signal will be. In everyday life, the brightness of mobile phone screen will automatically change in response to the ambient light condition, which is credited to the light sensor. S e nsor Ligh t Have a try!
Cover the light sensor with your hand. 2 Light S e n sor 3 You will notice that the LED panel becomes dark. 1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button 05 r o S ens Rang i n g Ranging Sensor Ranging sensor can be used to measure distance between the block and the obstacle. Measurement range: 2cm ~ 200cm. Science Tips Have a try!
How does the ranging sensor measure distance?
The ranging sensor includes an IR transmitter and an IR receiver. IR receiver R anging S e nsor IR transmitter The IR transmitter emits infrared light which will be reflected when it hit an obstacle. After the reflected infrared light is received by the IR receiver, the distance between the obstacle and the block can be calculated by the time lag between transmission and reception. IR receiver IR transmitter 06 Place your hand over the ranging sensor and gradually move your hand away from the sensor. 2 R anging S e nsor 3 1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button More lights will turn red on the LED panel. Temperature Sensor Plug the temperature probe into the slot. The temperature sensor can detect temperatures ranging from -55C to 125C. Accuracy: 0.5C ( -10C ~ 85C) The probe cable of the temperature sensor may be damaged if temperature exceeds 100C. Please use it carefully to avoid damaging the device. r S enso Te m p Temp Have a try!
1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button 3 LED St r ip LED n sor Temp S e Temp The RGB lights on the LED strip will light up one by one. 2 Place the temperature sensor probe in hot water. 07 funny touch Funny Touch By connecting the Funny Touch to conductive objects (such as bananas, water) to turn the object into a touch switch. Check the conduction status between the Funny Switch and the GND wire to achive simple and fun effects. How does it work?
Plug the Funny Switch into the slot 1 plug the GND wire into the slot 2. Connect blocks and touch the metal part of Funny Switch with one hand and the metal part of the GND wire clip with another hand. Look, the blocks chain starts to work now!
Use a Funny Switch to clip on a conductive object, such as a banana. Touch the banana with one hand and the metal part of the GND wire clip with another hand. See what will happen!
GND Funny Touch Funny GND GND Smart P o w e r Funny Touch Funny Buzz e r Funny Touch Funny Buzz e r Smart P o w e r 08 GND Funny Touch Funny Buzz e r Smart P o w e r After the Funny Touch is connected to the buzzer, you can touch Funny Switches of different colors or touch several Funny Switches at the same time. Listen, the buzzer is making different sounds!
Colors of the Funny Switches Musical alphabet Sol-fa syllables Blue Yellow Red Green Red, Green Yellow, Green Yellow, Red, Green Yellow, Red Blue, Red, Green Blue, Yellow, Red, Green Blue, Green Blue, Yellow, Green Blue, Yellow, Red Blue, Red Blue, Yellow C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 B4 C5 D5 E5 E3 F3 G3 A3 B3 Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do+
Re+
Mi+
Mi-
Fa-
Sol-
La-
Ti-
09 Output Blocks The output block receives the signal from the input block and gives corresponding responses, such as making sounds and rotating the motor. In our everyday life, output blocks can be seen everywhere, like neon lights, alarms and so on. 10 L E D L E D S trip S trip LED LED LED Strip Driver + LED Strip 15 RGB app Insert the LED strip into the LED strip driver slot. The LED strip contains 15 RGB lights. With the RGB , Neuron app or mBlock 5, you can program the RGB lights to change their colors. Science Tips Have a try!
Why do the RGB lights have so many colors?
The RGB is an addictive color model in which red, green and blue lights add together to reproduce nearly 16.78 million colors. Green Red Blue 1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button Turn the knob. 2 Kno b 3 LED St r ip LED See what will happen!
11 LED Panel The LED panel contains 64 RGB lights. With the Neuron app or Swift Playgrounds, you can program the RGB lights to change their colors. Have a try!
12 GND Funny Touch Funny 1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button 3 2 Observe how the color changes on the LED panel. Touch Funny Switches of different colors to create different colors of yours!
Try touching Funny Switch of different colors or try touching multiple Funny Switches at the same time. z zer z zer B u B u Buzzer The buzzer will make a sound when it receives an on signal. Programming the buzzer with the Neuron app or Swift Playgrounds can get different sound effects. Have a try!
The sound of the buzzer changes. 2 3 Light S e n sor Buzz e r Cover the light sensor with your hands. 1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button 13 Dual DC Motor Driver Dual DC Motor Driver The DC (Direct Current) motor driver can drive two DC motors simultaneously. The DC (Direct Current) motor driver can drive two DC motors simultaneously. DC Motor Driver Output shaft M otor DC Motor Plug the motor into the dual DC motor drivers slot. The DC motor includes an output shaft. When the motor driver receives an on signal, the output shaft starts to rotate. The motor is compatible with LEGO parts. 14 Motor Specifications Rated Speed Rated Current Stall Torque Stall Current Gear Ration 1200010% RPM 85 mA 28 gf.cm 0.88 A 1:48 Have a try!
Turn the knob. 2 Kno b 1 Smart P o w e r Press the power button DC Motor Driver Motor 3 Observe how the motor rotation frequency changes. 15 Motor connector Used to fix the motor and paper craft. How does it work?
Building instructions Dismantling instructions 16 Magnet Wire Provide more flexible ways to connect blocks. USB Cable Used for power supply and data transmission. Project Materials Package We provide a wide range of building materials and electronic blocks. You can build your own projects like Piano and LED Sword. To get access to building guides, please sign in for the Neuron app or Swift Playgrounds. 17 Why does the program stop running after exiting the Makeblock Neuron app?
Why does the Funny Touch block fail to work properly?
The smart power block can not store programs, so it needs the app to run the program online. What should I do if the blocks give no response?
It might be caused by the following reasons:
When not using the Neuron app or mBlock 5, the input block is not connected to the left of the ouput block. The Neuron firmware upgrade process is interrupted
(due to poor connection). Please try to upgrade firmware again. The silicone case of the block was installed improperly, which may cause poor contact. Please make sure the silicone case is put in the correct place. It might be caused by the following reasons:
The power supply is unstable. Please use a high quality power adapter or a high quality portable power. Mistakenly plug the Funny Switch to slot 2 and the GND wire to slot 1, please replug them to the correct slots. Why is the battery life getting poorer?
The smart power block uses a lithium-ion battery, multiple charges and discharges may decrease the battery life gradually. To check more FAQs, please visit: http://www.makeblock.com/cn/steam-kits/neuron 18 FCC STATEMENT:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. RF warning statement:
The device has been evaluated to meet general RF exposure requirement. The device can be used in portable exposure condition without restriction. IC STATEMENT:
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. 19 Le prsent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorise aux deux conditions suivantes :
(1) l'appareil nedoit pas produire de brouillage, et
(2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radiolectrique subi, mme si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement. DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Declaration of conformity Hereby, Makeblock Co., Ltd., declares that this product is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive RED 2014/53/EU and the RoHS directive 2011/65/EU Caution:
Recommended for children of ages 6+. Not suitable for children under ages 3. Children need to be accompanied by adults when using the product. To avoid the product damage, please don't disassemble, repair or modify this product yourself. 20 Age 6+
WARNING:
CHOKING HAZARD
- Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Children to use only under adult's supervision. 21