Hello all, new owner here.
I have the Alexa skill setup and so I could ask it to turn on a Lamp for instance but what I want to do is get it to run a sequence of events. In my case it's turn on the TV (using harmony hub which is setup with that new driver) and a Lamp. But really I'd like the lights to fade on then fade off say 5 minutes later (after everyone is seated and the TV is lighting the room).
So first, I actually don't know the best method to do that sequence within HE. Being a new owner I'm just not sure what App to use to do a sequence of activities like that.
Second I don't know how to get that sequence into Alexa as a simple command.
Please, point me to the discussion or tutorial that I've missed or give me some hints:)
The HE is awesome and this community is better. Looking forward to getting hip deep.
Thanks,
Scott
For a sequence of events I use a virtual switch. I then have Alexa turn it on when I want to initiate the sequence. Finally I use Rule Machine to manage the events via a trigger.
You can do this through Rule Machine. You can create just an "Action" app that has the delay you want and the action after the delay. You can then trigger that rule to be executed from another rule. So, let's say you have a rule that turns on the tv and turns on the lights. You would then trigger the fade down rule from that rule and it would happen after the delay period defined.
You can trigger the first rule from Alexa using a virtual switch or a cloud endpoint using IFTTT. The cloud endpoint trigger can be used by IFTTT's maker webhooks service to be executed when you say a specific phrase to Alexa. So, for example, you could say, "Alexa, it's movie time." and HE would execute the rule you have set up.
Thanks to both of you. @Ryan780 I didn't realize you can chain rules so that helps, I see how to do that in the UI.
I had seen posts about using Virtual switches for Alexa but after going there just now I don't see how they work. I add a VS and then how do I select the Rule I just created? What device to I use?
I'll go see if there's a tutorial on VS.
Thanks.
you have the virtual switch turning on as a condition or trigger in your rule. You can then set the auto-off of the switch to 1 or 2 seconds. You then add the VS to Alexa. When you want the rule to fire you just say, "Alexa turn on (virtual switch's name)". And voila.
Or you can use the IFTTT+Alexa to get HE to respond to whatever you say. I use this with GH for commands that don't lend themselves to simple "turn on" type phrasing.
Thanks for that I think I understand what you're saying.
When creating a virtual device I guess I just select a generic Switch as the type?
I'll try it as soon as I get a chance.
Scott
