Passing variables to ISY through Alexa

[beninsteon]

Hi,

 

I think I know the answer to this question already ("no") but I thought I'd ask to make sure:

 

Is it possible to pass non-integer variables to the ISY through Alexa?

 

For example, is there any way for me to say "Alexa, tell Izzy to run program play %variable", where %variable is a band name/playlist/song that is passed to program "play"?

 

Thanks,

 

Ben

 

P.S. I've created a fairly robust set of network resources for controlling Squeezebox players. If anyone has an interest in this please let me know.

[larryllix]

Hi,

 

I think I know the answer to this question already ("no") but I thought I'd ask to make sure:

 

Is it possible to pass non-integer variables to the ISY through Alexa?

 

For example, is there any way for me to say "Alexa, tell Izzy to run program play %variable", where %variable is a band name/playlist/song that is passed to program "play"?

 

Thanks,

 

Ben

 

P.S. I've created a fairly robust set of network resources for controlling Squeezebox players. If anyone has an interest in this please let me know.

No!

ISY only has variable that handle 32 bit images.  There are no facilities in the REST protocol to receive text messages.

 

Interesting challenge!

A bank of named programs could do it but could (a)mount up quickly.

A bank of named variables could work with a value for each track but the percent word typically needs to be used.

 

Alexa.... Set Van Halen Track  (to) 7 percent.  =   Play Van Halen track number 7

 

I have found Alexa doesn't do well with second or third words, only the first words are highly successful.

Therefore Set Van Halen Album Four to 7 percent will confuse Alexa with all other Album numbers or names. Creating one huge "album name" for each band could work somewhat.