Any chance of selecting 'Device type'

[paulbates]

The ISY Portal publishes devices we pick to the Alexa service. For me they all come across as On/Off. Is it possible to have a drop down that would let me pick  a type like "Garage Door" for my garage iolinc? Locks would be another potential. That could allow open/close or lock/unlock verbiage instead of on/off. This is not a priority request, but more could it be done?

 

I'm sure there are both technical and potentially contractual challenges.

 

Paul

[stusviews]

I find that open/close works with devices and scenes. It does not work with programs.

[andyf0]

The ISY Skill will let you "lock" or "unlock" a door. You can even ask for the status of a door lock. But you have to have the ISY Skill attached and you have to say "tell izzy ......" or "ask izzy ...........". I haven't tested "open" or "close" a garage door.

 

The Smarthome API is defined by Amazon and was designed for a Philips Hue system and therefore only really supports commands suitable for a light such as turn on, off, brighten, dim etc ...........

 

Third party developed skills can pretty much do what they want.

Edited December 12, 2016 by andyf0

[paulbates]

Thanks, it was more thinking about the V2 skill. The open/close does not work for garage door for me. To your point, it may not be possible at this time. 

 

I find that open/close works with devices and scenes. It does not work with programs.

 

 

The ISY Skill will let you "lock" or "unlock" a door. You can even ask for the status of a door lock. But you have to have the ISY Skill attached and you have to say "tell izzy ......" or "ask izzy ...........". I haven't tested "open" or "close" a garage door.

 

The Smarthome API is defined by Amazon and was designed for a Philips Hue system and therefore only really supports commands suitable for a light such as turn on, off, brighten, dim etc ...........

 

Third party developed skills can pretty much do what they want.

[stusviews]

Paul,

 

I'm using the ISY v2 skill. Have you tried open/close with any other scene or device?

[paulbates]

Paul,

 

I'm using the ISY v2 skill. Have you tried open/close with any other scene or device?

 

Stu,

Good point, no I haven't. Let me try some combinations and different devices and see what happens.

 

Thanks

Paul

[larryllix]

For door locks the open/close is not good syntax either.

• Alexa. Open/Close the door lock

doesn't work for me at all since locks are not opened or closed.

 

 

However, for a work around.

• Alexa. Turn On/OIf the door lock

might not be too bad.

 

 

For doors, windows, blinds, Open/Close would be the best for sure but for  locks, lock/unlock may be a special wording needed.