Need a little more hand holding here as I am stumped a bit.

 

I want a routine Watch Tivo to set a state variable to a value.

 

Not finding how to get Alexa to manipulate the variable via a routine.

 

I can do it as a device, but have to say watch tivo on.

Edited July 17, 20196 yr by arw01
spelling correction

37 minutes ago, arw01 said:

Need a little more hand holding here as I am stumped a bit.

 

I want a routine Watch Tivo to set a state variable to a value.

 

Not finding how to get Alexa to manipulate the variable via a routine.

 

I can do it as a device, but have to say watch tivo on.

Use Alexa "Routines". The setup page is in the mobile Alexa app. You add a trigger, select vocal, custom. Hit next and use American spelling. No On/Off required, just a phrase/sentence but you will have to make two for open/close or on/off etc. Can be just "Kiss my butt" and "Don't kiss my butt"

For the "Action" select control a device and select a device. Can be a pseudo device that is really translated to a variable in ISY Portal.
Note: In ISY Portal you can lie to the Alexa skill by telling it anything is a light, switch, etc. in the ISY Portal vocal table. The entry will require a vocal phrase which really becomes the name of the device in the Alexa app. That is where the trick comes in allowing Alexa to operate a variable.

Don't forget to "Discover" in Alexa or it will not be found in the app.

I find it easiest to tie Alexa routines to programs in the ISY, and just leave all the logic there with my other logic. Otherwise, I am maintaining some things in Alexa app, and others in the ISY, etc. Also, I can use an Alexa command to start the routine program, but I can also tie it to a keypad button or run it from the Mobilinc Dashboard as well.

On 7/17/2019 at 5:48 PM, Goose66 said:

I find it easiest to tie Alexa routines to programs in the ISY, and just leave all the logic there with my other logic. Otherwise, I am maintaining some things in Alexa app, and others in the ISY, etc. Also, I can use an Alexa command to start the routine program, but I can also tie it to a keypad button or run it from the Mobilinc Dashboard as well.

Goose can you elaborate on that a bit please?  You using a unique program for say the on and the off portion of alexa routines or ?

I use Alexa commands to activate my security system and deactivate it now. Works better than the keypad when you have your hands full.

I don't use routines for any sequences. I prefer  ISY for that as @Goose66does.

Edited April 20, 20205 yr by larryllix

15 hours ago, larryllix said:

I use Alexa commands to activate my security system and deactivate it now

Hopefully not with the command "Alexa, Alarm off"!

51 minutes ago, gzahar said:

Hopefully not with the command "Alexa, Alarm off"!

I actually use "Alexa, turn away mode off"  But it only works if all exterior doors are closed, a specific interior door is open and was opened within the last 20 seconds, and a specific light that we hardly ever actually use was turned on in the last 20 seconds, and one more condition that I'll omit from here.  Combination Lock per se.

On 4/19/2020 at 11:11 AM, arw01 said:

Goose can you elaborate on that a bit please?  You using a unique program for say the on and the off portion of alexa routines or ?

You can set up a program in the isy and then give it a voice command in the portal and then simple say to Alex to turn it on, which runs the THEN, or turn it off which runs the ELSE.

Many times, I  use a very  simple program to tie to Alexa, then have it initiate much more complex multiple program events, that previously might have been tied to keypads etc. 

41 minutes ago, dbwarner5 said:

You can set up a program in the isy and then give it a voice command in the portal and then simple say to Alex to turn it on, which runs the THEN, or turn it off which runs the ELSE.

Many times, I  use a very  simple program to tie to Alexa, then have it initiate much more complex multiple program events, that previously might have been tied to keypads etc. 

Actually, I just learned this in this thread.  previously I've always used variables to trigger programs.  I've already put this to use tho.  I was on a state variable reduction kick anyway, so this helped get rid of another handful.

7 hours ago, gzahar said:

Hopefully not with the command "Alexa, Alarm off"!

Nope. It is much more complex....I have to follow Alexa / ISY Portal syntax.  

Alexa..... turn off alarm!

but then you have 10 seconds to follow it up with a proper password command.