Open/Close not working with Programs

[bmercier]

For me, Open Front Door is the same as saying Turn On Front Door, while Close Front Door is the same as saying Turn Off Front Door.

 

So Open = Turn On, Close = Turn Off

 

Open/On: Runs If

Close/Off: Runs Else

 

Now, in my latest testing, and keep in mind, I have to test more, it feels like open/close is not actually running IF/Else, but actually running Then/Else. I'll do more testing on this and confirm

 

Are you including the word "The" in your spoken assignment? If so, have you tried removing "The" and just doing "kitchen shade" such that you say "open kitchen shade"

 

I confirm that a Open/TurnOn runs the then statement (not if).

[bmercier]

Open/Close the kitchen shade results in OK, but nothing happens, On/Off works. Open/Close the verticals results in a ding sound, On/Off works. So, the same command gives a different result.

 

I traced in the logs your requests relating to your kitchen shade (program 00AA), and all of them were successful. Now, it could be that Alexa did not understood properly, and the request was not sent to the server. 

 

FYI, open is not reliable to "open" a device. That word is also used to open a skill. When you say "Alexa, open verticals", if you hear a ding, it's an indication of a failure to open the skill named "vertical".

 

Benoit

[cyberk]

I confirm that a Open/TurnOn runs the then statement (not if).

Thank you Benoit, I'll try to update the wiki, as it says turn on runs the "IF". Unless you beat me to it!

 

 

From Alexa Wiki at:

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY_Portal_Amazon_Echo_Integration

 

 

Turn On': “Alexa, turn on the kitchen light” - works for devices, scenes, and programs (runs If)

 

Turn Off: “Alexa, turn off the kitchen light” - works for devices, scenes, and programs (runs Else)

 

 

Ps: although I can see benefits either way, would it make more sense to have it actually run the "if" instead of the "then"? For example, if we make it run the then, if I wanted to have a command like "open front door" only run when my home alarm is disarmed, I would have to write 2 programs, where the first program calls a second program to test for the alarm arm state. Alternatively, if Alexa were to run the "if" then I could put that test in 1 program. "If alarm is not armed, then unlock, else lock." The trick, in this case, would be to find a condition that is always true, for those cases where someone doesn't want to worry about putting an IF. Like I said, pros and cons to either way.

Edited April 18, 2016 by cyberk

[stusviews]

Do you have any distribution contracts that can provide pricing?

 

Where are you located?

[stusviews]

Thank you Benoit, I'll try to update the wiki, as it says turn on runs the "IF". Unless you beat me to it!

 

 

From Alexa Wiki at:

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY_Portal_Amazon_Echo_Integration

 

 

Turn On': “Alexa, turn on the kitchen light” - works for devices, scenes, and programs (runs If)

 

Turn Off: “Alexa, turn off the kitchen light” - works for devices, scenes, and programs (runs Else)

 

You are correct, the Wiki is wrong. As Benoit indicated, On runs Then and Off runs Else. If you want to run If, the you need to tell Alexa to ask Izzy to run the program (or ask Alexa to tell Izzy)

[stusviews]

I traced in the logs your requests relating to your kitchen shade (program 00AA), and all of them were successful. Now, it could be that Alexa did not understood properly, and the request was not sent to the server. 

 

FYI, open is not reliable to "open" a device. That word is also used to open a skill. When you say "Alexa, open verticals", if you hear a ding, it's an indication of a failure to open the skill named "vertical".

 

Benoit

 

Same results with "pathway" and walkway." Both are programs that control window coverings. On/Off works, Close/Open does not.

[cyberk]

Do you have any distribution contracts that can provide pricing?

 

Miami, Florida

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello all,

 

The Wiki has:

Turn On: “Alexa, turn on the kitchen light” - works for devices, scenes, and programs (runs Then)

Turn Off: “Alexa, turn off the kitchen light” - works for devices, scenes, and programs (runs Else)

 

 

Can you please let me know which link are using with the wrong information.

 

stusviews, are you using Dot or Echo when you say "open"? cyberk, which do you use?

 

I can tell you that I have been having quite interesting issues with Echo vs. Dot. Dots, work perfectly all the time. Echo, on the other hand, seems to be dazed and confused. Recently, it responds either with Ok or "turned on/off x" or "can't find x in Michel's profile", or starts playing music, and all other random confusions that have no resemblance with Connected Home APIs. Again, I do not have any of these issues with the Dots.

 

And, thus my question about Echo vs. Dot.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[stusviews]

Hi Michel,

 

I have a bunch of both Echos and Dots. In one room there's an Echo and a Dot using the same account (different wake names). Both behave identically, that is, open/close works with devices and scenes but not at all with programs.

 

Respectfully,

Stu

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Stu,

 

Thanks so very much for the feedback!

 

With kind regards,

Michel