Combining Timers and Events

[IndyMike]

The following is an example of how to prevent "inadvertent" lighting. With the advent of KPL's and remote activated lighting, we often can't "see" what is occurring when something is activated. Family members and friends often don't understand the lighting system. The result can be outside lights that a left on during daylight hours or indoor lighting left on during the wee hours of the night.

 

With the advent of X10 2-way modules, we were able to monitor when loads were activated and time them or check them against predefined operating times. I had previously managed to monitor lighting during "off time" hours with my X10 system. It was extremely involved and required many macros.

 

With the ISY program structure, it's like falling off a log.

 

The following code monitors a "scene status lamp" for my first floor.

• 
  1)If any lamp on my first floor is activated the "master KPL 1st Fl" is turned on.
  2)If this occurs during the "off hours" a 11 minute off timer is started. This would presumably allow a family member to get a glass of milk during the activated time.
  3)After 10 minutes the lights are dimmed ~50% to warn anyone that they are near the end of the timer period.
  4)The "lockout" is a separate KPL button that can be activated at any point to exit the timer program. I use this in the event that my wife or I are having one of those "sleepless nights" and want to read a book.

If
       (
            On Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
            From    11:00:00PM
            To       3:35:00AM (next day)
        And (
            Control 'Bar Lamp KPL2-Primary' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Lamp' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans KPL2-C' is switched On
         Or Control 'Fam Lamps KPL1-C' is switched On
                        .
                        .
                        .
       )
        And Status  '1st Fl Timer Lockout 08.4C.8' is Off
       )
    Or (
            On Sat, Fri
            From    12:00:00PM
            To       5:00:00AM (next day)
        And (
            Control 'Bar Lamp KPL2-Primary' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Lamp' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans KPL2-C' is switched On
         Or Control 'Fam Lamps KPL1-C' is switched On
                        .
                        .
                        .
       )

        And Status  '1st Fl Timer Lockout 08.4C.8' is Off
       )

Then
       Wait  10 minutes 
       Repeat 15 times
          Set Scene '1st Floor Off' Dim
       Repeat 1 times
          Wait  1 minute 
          Set Scene '1st Floor Off' Off

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Corrected on 1/13/08 - Changed from status monitoring to "Control Event" monitoring. Status monitoring causes problems with the repeat loops and the second wait statement due to the re-entrant nature of the code.

I have similar programs monitoring my outside entry lighting and X10 flood lamps.

 

Ever come home after work to find that someone has accidentally activated your flood lamps (for who knows how long)? This would absolutely kill me is the past. Not a problem any more. If they are inadvertently activated, the ISY triggers and turns them off in a predetermined time frame.

 

IM

[DBaldwin]

Thankyou very much for the code and the ideas. I'll implement them post haste.

[aLf]

 

I'm thinking the MBR KPL 1st ought to be "on" for this to work, shouldn't it?

 

The "on" would make it "true" and "else" would run...

 

aLf

[Mark Sanctuary]

I was wondering about your naming convention...why do you keep the device's address in the name?

 

'Master KPL 1st FL 08.47.97.G'

[Sub-Routine]

 

I'm thinking the MBR KPL 1st ought to be "on" for this to work, shouldn't it?

 

The "on" would make it "true" and "else" would run...

 

aLf

 

The code uses '> Off'.

[IndyMike]

Forum Members,

 

My apologies to anyone who tried to implement the original example posted above. It flat didn't work. I had tried to "pretty things up" with repeat loops and add an additional feature (the one minute delay prior to off). I had thought that I had tested these upgrades prior to posting. Obviously I made a mistake somewhere (most likely didn't "save" the code prior to testing).

With the ISY program structure, it's like falling off a log.

Looks like the log fell on me instead.

 

The bottom line is the repeat loops and second delay don't play well with "status" monitoring. I've corrected the original post using "control event" triggering. This does appear to work (at least this morning) and provides similar features.

 

Again, my apologies to anyone who's time may have been wasted trying to implement the original code.

 

An example of a simple status monitor for my outside entry lamps follows. This has been working for a number of weeks, and I didn't try to pretty it up this time.

 

The following monitors the outside lighting during daylight hours. If any lamp is inadvertently turned on it is shut down two minutes later. I used the 2 minute timer because I am at times experimenting with the lighting and need that time to check for results.

 

IM

 

If
       From    Sunrise +  1 minute
       To      Sunset  - 10 minutes (same day)
   And (
            Status  'Outside Deck ' > Off
         Or Status  'Outside Garage ' > Off
         Or Status  'Outside Patio ' > Off
         Or Status  'Outside Porch ' > Off
       )

Then
       Wait  2 minutes 
       Set Scene 'Ouside Night' Off

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

[Algorithm]

Great example, Indy. I really like your idea of dimming the light shortly before it is turned off, to warn of the impending off!

 

In your conditions, you test twice for the devices being switched on (and for the lockout), because of different times during the week versus the weekend:

 

If
       (
            On Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
            From    11:00:00PM
            To       3:35:00AM (next day)
        And (
            Control 'Bar Lamp KPL2-Primary' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Lamp' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans KPL2-C' is switched On
         Or Control 'Fam Lamps KPL1-C' is switched On
                        .
                        .
                        .
       )
        And Status  '1st Fl Timer Lockout 08.4C.8' is Off
       )
    Or (
            On Sat, Fri
            From    12:00:00PM
            To       5:00:00AM (next day)
        And (
            Control 'Bar Lamp KPL2-Primary' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Lamp' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans KPL2-C' is switched On
         Or Control 'Fam Lamps KPL1-C' is switched On
                        .
                        .
                        .
       )

        And Status  '1st Fl Timer Lockout 08.4C.8' is Off
       )

Could the device (and lockout) tests be done only a single time by combining the two time checks with an 'Or'?

 

If
       (
           On Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
           From    11:00:00PM
           To       3:35:00AM (next day)
       Or  On Sat, Fri
           From    12:00:00PM
           To       5:00:00AM (next day)
       )
   And (
           Control 'Bar Lamp KPL2-Primary' is switched On
       Or  Control 'Bar Lamp' is switched On
       Or  Control 'Bar Cans' is switched On
       Or  Control 'Bar Cans KPL2-C' is switched On
       Or  Control 'Fam Lamps KPL1-C' is switched On
                        .
                        .
                        .
       )
   And Status  '1st Fl Timer Lockout 08.4C.8' is Off

 

I haven't tested this, but if it works it would help shorten the code.

[Sub-Routine]

I think you would find it to be more efficient to use Folders to define the time frame for these programs.

 

The you could move the whole

             On Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
            From    11:00:00PM
            To       3:35:00AM (next day) 
    Or (
            On Sat, Fri
            From    12:00:00PM
            To       5:00:00AM (next day) 

from the Program to a Folder.

 

Here are examples for my outdoor lights:

When Dark

Folder Conditions for 'When Dark'
Add conditions to limit when programs in this folder are allowed to run.



If
       From    Sunset  - 15 minutes
       To      Sunrise + 27 minutes (next day)

Then
  Allow the programs in this folder to run.

 

When Light

Folder Conditions for 'When Light'
Add conditions to limit when programs in this folder are allowed to run.



If
       From    Sunrise + 28 minutes
       To      Sunset  - 15 minutes (same day)

Then
  Allow the programs in this folder to run.

 

Then add a sub-folder to the When Dark Folder is True for a specific KPL button to be On:

 

Party Time

Folder Conditions for 'Party Time'
Add conditions to limit when programs in this folder are allowed to run.



If
       Status  'Family Room KPL 2' is On

Then
  Allow the programs in this folder to run.

 

Then your Party Program would be this simple:

If
            Control 'Bar Lamp KPL2-Primary' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Lamp' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans' is switched On
         Or Control 'Bar Cans KPL2-C' is switched On
         Or Control 'Fam Lamps KPL1-C' is switched On
                        .
                        .
                        .

Then
       Wait  10 minutes
       Repeat 15 times
          Set Scene '1st Floor' Salsa
       Repeat 1 times
          Wait  1 minute
          Set Scene '1st Floor' Off

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') 

and it would only run When Dark and Party Time are true and someone activates one of your included switches.

 

Personally, I don't want my home to automate me so I never override switches On. Switches Off I will return to night lights.

 

Rand

[IndyMike]

Just Another Joe and Rand,

 

Thank you both. Excellent suggestions - I'll be test driving both when time permits (weekends).

 

Rand - I agree completely with your stance on automation working for you rather than the opposite. Alas, I answer to a higher authority. The 11:00 PM activation time is a concession to my family's lifestyle. I'm the one that wakes up at 3:45 for work. I'm in bed long before the "kids" and they have a problem finding the "off" position on the switches.

 

Thanks again guys,

IM

[Sub-Routine]

Just Another Joe and Rand,

 

Thank you both. Excellent suggestions - I'll be test driving both when time permits (weekends).

 

Rand - I agree completely with your stance on automation working for you rather than the opposite. Alas, I answer to a higher authority. The 11:00 PM activation time is a concession to my family's lifestyle. I'm the one that wakes up at 3:45 for work. I'm in bed long before the "kids" and they have a problem finding the "off" position on the switches.

 

Thanks again guys,

IM

 

I remember those days We used to stay up all night

[jeff-lines]

After 10 minutes the lights are dimmed ~50% to warn anyone that they are near the end of the timer period.

 

I love this idea. I have a program that shuts off the garage lights at 10PM and Front Lights at 11:30PM and had them set up to flash off for a couple seconds as a warning before going completely off, but I like the idea of the dimmed. Another idea would be to do a repeat to dim the scene like using a ramp, but without the side affect of having it do the same thing when you turn the lights on. For the most part, I just want to turn the garage and exterior lights off; I just don't want to get caught in the dark because they automatically turned off at the designated time.

 

Thanks for the great idea. Can't wait to try it tomorrow.