Soniq Variables: Adding Logic to Interactivity

Think of Variables as the "memory" of your interactive book. Normally, a pen just plays a sound when you touch a picture. With variables, the pen can remember what you did before and change its behavior accordingly.

Types of Variables

1. Toggle (Yes/No): Use this for things that are either true or false.
   • Examples: "has_key", "lights_on", "game_started".
2. Counter (Numbers): Use this for things you need to count.
   • Examples: "coins", "current_player".

How to Use Them

You interact with memory using two main tools in the Studio:

• Modify Variable: This "writes" to the pen's memory (e.g., "The player just picked up the key, so set has_key to true").
• Conditional Block: This "reads" the memory and asks a question (e.g., "IF the player has_key, THEN play the 'Door Opening' sound").

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Example: The Locked Treasure Box

In this example, the child must find a hidden key before they can open a treasure box.

Step 1: Create the Variables

Go to Project Settings > Logic & Variables and click Add Variable:

• Name: has_key
• Type: Toggle (Boolean)
• Initial Value: No (False)

Step 2: Hide the Key (The "Old Oak Tree")

Find the picture of the tree where the key is hidden. In the Region Editor, add these actions:

1. Play Audio: "You look under the roots and find a rusty old key!"
2. Modify Variable: Set has_key to true.

Step 3: Create the Box Logic

Find the picture of the treasure box. We need two "Conditional Blocks" to handle both cases:

Case A: They don't have the key yet

1. Add a Conditional Block: IF has_key is false
2. Inside the block, add Speak Text: "The box is locked tight. Maybe there is a key hidden nearby?"

Case B: They have the key!

1. Add a Conditional Block: IF has_key is true
2. Inside the block, add Speak Text: "The key fits! You turn it and the box creaks open to reveal... gold coins! Now turn to next page."

How it works for the child:

• If they touch the Box first, the pen "checks" its memory, sees has_key is false, and tells them it's locked.
• Once they touch the Tree, the pen "writes" to its memory that they now have the key.
• Once they touch the Box again, the pen "checks" again, sees has_key is now true, and plays the success sound!

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Example: Dice Roll & Randomness

You can use variables to create games of chance, like a board game with a digital dice.

Step 1: Create the Dice Variable

Go to Project Settings > Logic & Variables:

• Name: dice
• Type: Counter (Number)
• Max value: 6

Step 2: The "Roll the Dice" Action

Find the picture of a dice in your book. In the Region Editor, add these actions:

1. Modify Variable:
   • Variable: dice
   • Operation: Set (=)
   • Value: random(1,6) (This tells the pen to pick a random number between 1 and 6)
2. Speak Text: "Dice rolled to {dice}." (The pen will automatically announce the number it just picked!)

How it works:

• The Random Command: When the pen sees random(1,6), it uses its internal high-speed timer to pick a number.
• Speaking the Number: Soniq handles the hard work of making the pen "speak" the variable. When you use {dice} in a text, Soniq pre-generates the audio for every possible outcome (1, 2, 3, etc.) so the pen always says the correct result.