EchoSistant
EchoSistant is an interface between you and Alexa. It is designed with the user in mind. We feel
that we should talk to our smart home in the most natural ways possible, we should be able to say what
comes to our minds and our house should respond appropriately. EchoSistant is the solution.
We can now speak to our homes and receive the expected actions and responses. There are no strict
speech rules that must be followed. Just speak to Alexa in a normal comfortable way. That's it!
Home Automation up to this point has been very clinical and sterile; Turn on the light. Set the fan to 35%.
While these commands are concise and to the point, they tend to not feel like a natural way of speaking.
Wouldn't it be better if you could tell your home that the living room is too dark? Or that it is too
cold downstairs? The lights smoothly increase and the heat turns up, just as they should!
We have worked hard to ensure EchoSistant gives you a more personal interaction with your home. We want
you to be able to just say what they want, without having to remember certain phrases and word order.
EchoSistant was designed from the ground up to improve your experience with Alexa and to make your home smarter.
EchoSistant is designed to make your life easier, to help you with your daily tasks, and to really
make your Alexa enabled devices into what it was you expected when you opened the box.
Welcome to your new Home Assistant.....
....................==EchoSistant==....................
Category: My Apps
Author: Jason Headley - ST community handle @Bamarayne
Author: Bobby Dobrescu - ST community handle @BDOBRESCU
Code contributions and Assistance:
- Keith DeLong (N8XD) for original Lambda format and troubleshooting. He got the original Lambda running with me.
- Michael Struck (MichaelS) for his work on AskAlexa, his influence that lead me to start to this project. His help
with my learning to write the code that brought this app into existance.
- Jake (Entityxenon) for the Hue Color Filter, AppLink compliance, and other misc. code contributions and troubleshooting.
- Adrian (ady624) for his skillful troubleshooting and guidance.
- Eric Thayer (eThayer) for his outstanding work in the EchoSistant Security Suite Module. His work is greatly appreciated
and it is even more appreciated that he allowed us to incorporate his code directly in EchoSistant.
- Anthony Pastor (Infofiend) for his use of the Virtual Person DTH, and the method to create it. This DTH really stands
and allows us to offer more features with the Virtual Person Feature.
- And a special thanks to all of our beta testers that helped get EchoSistant ready for the masses
- SmartThings for all of the code examples and other things we've used in this app
Documentation contributions: JD Roberts
- I'd like to give a special thank you to Bobby Dobrescu @bdobrescu, the co-author of EchoSistant. His patience and
dedication to this project is what has made it what it is today. Without his skill and hard work we would not have
what we have now.
Contents
- 1 RoadMap
- 2 EchoSistant Software - Current Releases
- 3 Installation & Configuration
- 3.1 Required Accounts
- 3.2 Automatic Install of IDE Code
- 3.3 Install EchoSistant Code into the SmartThings IDE
- 3.4 OAuth Configuration
- 3.5 GitHub Integration
- 3.6 Install EchoSistant Smart App (Token Retrieval)
- 3.7 Create Lambda Function
- 3.8 Configure EchoSistant Rooms
- 3.9 Create and Deploy Room Skills
- 4 Skill Maintenance
- 5 TROUBLESHOOTING
- 6 Supported Commands (Control)
- 7 Supported Commands (Feedback)
- 8 WebCoRe Pistons
- 9 Logic Blockz (Shortcuts)
- 10 Task Trackers
RoadMap
UPDATE for 6 Jan 2019 - I believe I have the app pretty much where I want it, as far as the rooms app goes. I am now going to turn my attention to the Logic Blocks (Rooms Shortcuts) app. I will focus on streamlining the UI and expanding the reports that are able to be built in and voice activated.
UPDATE for 4 Jan 2019 - I have been making some major changes to the app. A complete realignment of the rooms app to streamline the configuration process. Devices are selected once and control of devices, groups, and feedback are fed from that selection. Control reliability has been updated to be more accurate and feedback is more accurate as well.
UPDATE for 22 Dec 2018 - I have been working on the app daily and improving reliability and features. There are a lot of things that have been worked on. Compound commands run wonderfully as well as the delays for commands. Feedback has been expanded a little to improve the information given to you. I have been focusing on the control side of the app for now, but will be making improvements to the feedback. A feature that was added back into the app was control of color bulbs and lights. You can control an individual device or groups of them. Just say, Alexa, set the color to purple in the kitchen.... or, Alexa, set the sink light to blue in the kitchen.
UPDATE for 27 Nov 2018 - You can now run your WebCore pistons just by telling your Alexa to run it! Be sure to update your EchoSistant to the latest versions!
23 November 2018.
EchoSistant ver. 4.6 will be available soon. We have streamlined the app to remove the things that Alexa can now
do natively. As you already know, EchoSistant was designed to work with your Alexa devices to better your experience,
not to replace the native Alexa controls. Though you will notice some things are no longer there, we have added in
some great features to take their places:
- Compound Commands - Give more than one command at a time to Alexa
- Full integration with the new Echo Speaks app.... and much more coming on this as well
- Individual device controls without the need for AWS skill updates of lists
- More feedback options
- Delays for any and all commands with the ability to easily cancel the delay.
EchoSistant v4.6 has the streamlined install process introduced in v4.5. You no longer have to update any AWS Lists,
or Utterance files every time you make a change in one of your Rooms. You just make the change and you are done.
The only updates will be when there are changes from us. Reliability has improved as well as the ease of use of
the overall app. We hope you enjoy it as much as previous versions. If there is anything gone that
you want back, let us know!
EchoSistant Software - Current Releases
| EchoSistant Apps Code - Install in SmartThings IDE | File Location |
|---|---|
| Echo : EchoSistant v5.0 | EchoSistant Parent |
| Echo : EchoSistant Rooms v5.0 | Rooms Child App |
| Echo : EchoSistant Rooms Logic Blocks | Logic Blocks Child App |
| Echo : Virtual Person Device Handler | Virtual Person DTH |
| Amazon Lambda and AWS Skills | File Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Lambda Code | Lambda Code |
Installation & Configuration
Required Accounts
Before beginning the install process please create all required accounts. Amazon AWS Lambda Account --> Amazon AWS Lambda Function Amazon Skill Developer Account --> Amazon AWS Developer Room Skills SmartThings Developer Account --> SmartThings Developer IDE
Automatic Install of IDE Code
You can perform an easy install and update process by using the Community Installer by Tonesto7. Please note that this will install and update only the SmartThings IDE portion of process and the EchoSistant smartapp. This allows you a visual way of keeping track of updates for the app. It will enable oAuth for you and allow you to skip that section. You will need to perform all other steps regardless of your install method. By using the automatic method you can skip section 3.3 and 3.4 listed below. Community Installer
Once you have completed the Community Installer portion of the install, please click here to continue: Continue the Install
Install EchoSistant Code into the SmartThings IDE
You will perform these actions for all of the pieces of the smart app code
1. Log-in to the SmartThings IDE at ST IDE Once you log-in ensure you are able to see your hub and devices under the Locations tab. **It is assumed that the user has already registered their account on the SmartThings IDE website. If you have not, please do so before proceeding any further.**
2. Navigate to the SmartApps Section of the SmartThings IDE by clicking on the Link displayed below:
3. Create a new smartapp by clicking on the 
button found in the top right corner of this page:
4. Click on the 
button found at the top of the screen:
5. You will now be at this page:
6. Click Parent App to go to the EchoSistant Parent app code. Using your keyboard (after you go the page), key in Alt-A and then Alt-C. This will copy the code to your clipboard. Paste the code into the white box as seen below.
7. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and press on the 
button to create your new Smart App.
You are now on this screen:
8. Click on the "Save" button:
9. Click on the "Publish" button, which brings up the "For Me" button. Click on "For Me":
10. If everything went as planned you will see "SmartApp published successfully" at the top of the screen:
Your EchoSistant Parent App Software is now installed in your SmartThings Environment.
OAuth Configuration
1. Open the Parent App "EchoSistant". Click on the 
button:
This is done in the Parent app ONLY. Do not activate oAuth in the child apps.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the web page and click on "OAuth". This will bring up the "Enable OAuth in Smart App" button:
3. Now click on "Enable OAuth in Smart App".
4. Click on the "Update" button at the bottom of the page:
Your OAuth is now Active in the IDE for the EchoSistant Smart App.
GitHub Integration
1. Log-in to the SmartThings IDE and navigate to the SmartApps section:
2. Click on the "Settings" Button in the top right corner of the page:
3. Click on the "Add New Repository" button:
4. Type in the information found in the Black Box below. Then click Save:
5. When you are in the SmartThings IDE and you see the EchoSistant information in the color purple you will need to click on the Update from Repo button:
6. Now click on the "SmartSuite Master" link:
7. Check the box with the Arrows #1 and #2. Then click #3 "Save"
8. You are now updated.
Install EchoSistant Smart App (Token Retrieval)
Open the SmartThings mobile app (classic app) on your mobile device and navigate to the Automation tab, scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap on Add a Smartapp
Now scroll to the bottom of this screen and tap on the My Apps button as seen below.
This will bring up all of the apps that you have installed in your IDE. Scroll down until you find the EchoSistant app and tap on it.
You will now be on the EchoSistant main page as seen below:
You will now retrieve your Tokens which will be required later in the install process. Please log into your IDE and open the Live Logs window. Leave this window open and follow the directions below:
Tap on the Configure System Settings button:
Follow-up by tapping on Install and Support Information
Tap on the + next to Security Tokens
You will now see the screen below. Please look at section outlined in the Green Box. If the section in the Yellow Box says Null, then continue by pressing the Revoke/Reset Security Access Token in the red box. If it does not say Null then please look at your Live Logs and make sure the data has shown there under the EchoSistant header. If the token is already there, then you can tap Save and leave the app for now.
Tap on the Reset/Renew Access Token
You will now see the screen below. Tap on Save and then again on the next screen.
Go back to your Live Logs and you should see something like what is shown below. Your tokens will be different than what is shown.
Copy this information by highlighting it below. Open a notepad or other text program like Word and paste this information into it. You will need this in a few minutes while you are installing the Lambda function.
At this point you are done installing the EchoSistant smartapp in the ST mobile app. Please continue forware with the directions.
Create Lambda Function
1. Sign in to the Lambda Console at AWS Lambda Log-in. Enter your email address and password, and click on sign in.
2. Type Lambda into the AWS Services search box and click on Lambda
3. Click the Create a Function button (make sure your region is set to one that support custom skills lambda functions. see: https://developer.amazon.com/docs/custom-skills/host-a-custom-skill-as-an-aws-lambda-function.html):
4. The (Author from scratch) box should be highlighted. Scroll down and click on Click on Existing Role. If Lambda_Custom_Role is there, select it, then please continue on by clicking on Create Function.
If this is your first time installing the Lambda, please click here --> Create a Custom Role
After completing the Custom Role, please continue from here:
5. Give your function a name... EchoSistant is a good one! And select the Lambda_Custom_Role at the bottom. Then click "Create Function"
6. Now click on "EchoSistant" or whatever you named your function. Scroll down.
7. In the red box in the picture, delete what is there. Then copy and paste the Lambda code into the box. You can find the latest code here: Lambda Code
8. In the previous steps (IDE installation) you had a Live Logs window open. The data you copied from the logs must be pasted in the Lambda code at line 28. See the picture below. ****PLEASE COPY AND PASTE ALL THREE (3) LINES FROM YOUR LOGS. YOU WANT LINES 28, 29, & 30 FROM THE PICTURE BELOW. THE LINE NUMBERS DO NOT MATTER, JUST AS LONG AS YOU COPY ALL OF THE DATA.****
9. Scroll to the bottom of the page and change the timeout to 30 seconds. Then scroll back to the top of the page.
10. Click on Alexa Skills Kit in the left hand tool bar and then scroll down. At the bottom click on "Disable" and then click "Add".
11. Scroll back to the top and click on SAVE.
12. Your screen should now look like the picture below. Please copy and paste the ARN in the top right corner. Keep it in an easy to get to place as you will need it when you are creating your Alexa Skills.
You have now completed the AWS Lambda Function creation. This is the ONLY instance of the Lambda that is required for your EchoSistant install. Click here to continue: Configure EchoSistant Rooms
DO NOT run the test in the Lambda function. It will fail. It does NOT matter. Just ignore it.
Create a Custom Lambda Role
You are on this page because you have not created a custom role in the past. Please follow these simple steps to complete this action. Once done please go back to the main EchoSistant Wiki page and continue with the Lambda install.
1. You should be on the Create a Function page in the Lambda Creation. Please scroll down to the Permission's section and click on the link highlighted in the below picture. This will open a new page called the IAM Management.
2. You will see the screen below. Find and click on the LAMBDA as seen in the highlighted box. Scroll to the bottom and click on Next:Permissions.
3. Click the check box next to AdministratorAccess and then scroll down to click on Next: Tags.
4. On this page, just scroll down and click on Next: Review
5. At the top you will see Role Name: Give it this name: Lambda_Custom_Role Then scroll to the bottom and click on Create Role. You can close this window now as you are done with this step. Go back to the Create a Lambda function in the wiki and continue on.
Click here to continue with the Lambda install at Step 5: Continue the Lambda Install
Configure EchoSistant Rooms
Configuring the rooms in EchoSistant is very simple. It is broken down for the simplest and fast use.
Section 1: Name this Room The name of your room is very important. You should give it a name that is familiar and easy to pronounce. I recommend that you give a name that is no more than 2 words long. Unlike in previous versions, there is a not a format for the names here. You just type in what you want. If your room is the living room, just type in Master Bedroom.
Section 2: Outgoing Messages You will find the settings for your messaging for this room. Select your audio devices that are actually in the room. If you are in another room and you want to send a message to the Living Room, it will play on this audio device.
Section 3: System Controls and Feedback Select all of the devices that you want controlled in this room and that you want feedback on. Just select the devices, there are not any device commands for you to select here. The device control commands and feedback queries are built into the system based on the actual device itself.
Section 4: Room Actions Select and configure your devices here. All of the actions that you configure here will be performed every time the room is activated. If you send a message, it will activate these actions. So, be selective when configuring these actions.
Section 5: Logic Blocks and Reports This is a fairly comprehensive rules engine that allows you to create complex actions and reports. These rules can be performed though a multitude of device actions (triggers) as well as by voice. You give each Logic Block or Report a name that you would naturally speak. An example is in the Living Room create a Logic Block named "Let's Watch a Movie". Configure all of the things you want to occur when you start a movie. Then you just say, Alexa, let's watch a movie in the Living Room.
Section 6: Task Trackers Task Trackers are a way to keep track of things that must be performed at intervals. They have built in reminders that trigger after the amount of time you specify as well as follow-up reminders. An example of a Task Tracker that we use daily is this: Our cat, Calliope, is diabetic and requires a shot every 12 hours. I have created a Task Tracker named Calliope. When I give her a shot I say, Alexa, tell Calliope that she got her shot. She records that the shot was given. She records the date and time. She will play that information back to you as confirmation can also send SMS and Push messages. 12 hours later she plays a reminder telling me it has been 12 hours and that Calliope needs another shot, with a follow-up every 15 minutes until it is given. The 12 hour reminder is based on the actual time of the previous notification. So, if I give the shot at 7:30 am, she will remind me at 7:30 pm. But, if I do not give the shot until 8:10 pm, I will have received 2 follow up reminders and she will give the next reminder at 8:10 pm. Also, If I'm the first one up in the morning, or home alone and I want to know when the last shot was given, I just ask. Alexa, ask Calliope when did she get her shot? Task Trackers can be used for anything you need to keep track of. Change the oil in the truck and want to know when it was done last, just ask.
Section 7: Action Restrictions Self explanatory, I hope.
Create and Deploy Room Skills
The newest feature of EchoSistant is the automatic creation and deployment of your rooms skills. Do you have 20 or 25 rooms in your system and dread creating the skill for each room? Nothing to worry about, you can now create and deploy them all in less than 5 minutes. All from within the EchoSistant SmartApp.
Create and Configure all of your rooms. Then follow these directions.
Step 1: Retrieve Code Tap on the red box below. This will bring you to the next screen for you to log into your Amazon Skill Builder account.
Once you have logged in the system will generate a code for you like the one pictured below. Copy that code by either writing it down or copying it on your phone.
Step 2: Convert the Code Enter the code into the block outlined below. Tap done on your keyboard.
The screen will refresh and you will see the Convert Code to Auth Token.
Tap on the box and if successful you will see the below screen:
Step 3: Mobile Device Select if you are using Android or IOS
Step 4: ARN input. You will need to go to your Lambda screen and copy your ARN to the clipboard. You can find the ARN in the top right corner of the Lambda screen. Once you have your ARN please go to the SmartApps section of the SmartThings API. Click on the EchoSistant Parent App as seen below:
Now click on the App Settings button:
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on the Settings button:
Paste your ARN into the Value block outlined below:
Now Click on the Update button:
Scroll to the top of the screen and click the Code button
And finally click the Save button, wait a few seconds and then click the For Me button.
Step 5: Room Selection As shown in the picture below you will tap on the box and select the rooms that you want a skill created for. This is also where you will delete your skills. Simply uncheck the box for the room and it will be automatically deleted at the next update.
Step 6: Create and deploy Skills Tap on the red box below and sit back. If your rooms are configured properly and there aren't any problems, your skill will be created and deployed to your Amazon Account.
When the process is complete, you will see the below screen:
Step 7: Activate Skill Tap save and you will be brought back to the screen below. Tap on each of your newly created skills. This will open a window in the Amazon Alexa app. Tap on the Enable toggle to activate your skill. This must be done BEFORE your skill will work.
IF YOU ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE AMAZON IS NOT OPENING THE SKILL WHEN YOU TAP ON THEM, PLEASE CLICK HERE AND FOLLOW THESE ALTERNATE DIRECTIONS "TROUBLESHOOTING"
Skill Maintenance
The picture below shows 3 toggles in the Alpha Tools section. These are used for maintenance on your skills. You should not need to use these very often.
Clear Skill Maintenance Tasks If for some reason there is an error while you are updating your skills, simply toggle this tab a couple of times to stop the process.
Clear Skill Token Data This will delete your token that you configured at the beginning of the skills section and require you to retrieve a new one.
Remove All Skills Quite simply, this will remove all of your skills at once. I do not recommend that you use this unless you are deleting the app for some strange odd reason that no one will understand :).
TROUBLESHOOTING
Skill Will Not Open for Activation in Mobile App
You've finished building your skill and you made it to the very last step before you can enjoy EchoSistant, and of course, Amazon isn't working properly. Not to worry, follow these simple steps to manually activate your skills. It's very easy and sometimes it's faster than the other way!
Log into the Amazon AWS Developer site here --> SkillS Website This will open up the page below, or something fairly similar:
Once you are on the page above, scroll down a bit until you see what is pictured in the red box above. Now, click on "Alexa Skills Kit" This brings you to this page, where you should see a list of your skills. Pick a skill and click on the name:
You should be on a page that looks similar to the one below. Click on the "Test" tab.
Once you are on the "Test" tab you will see the drop down box that says "Off". Click on that box and select "Developer".
That's it! Your done, with that skill. Now go back by clicking on "Your Skills" in the top left corner, select another skill and continue repeating until you have completed all of them. I bet you find this is easier and faster than doing it on your phone.
Supported Commands (Control)
EchoSistant has been designed with the user in mind. We want Alexa and your SmartThings system to be
easily used by yourself, your family, or anyone you wish to use it. We feel that anyone, of any age,
should be able to walk in the room and make things work. WITHOUT the rigid voice command structure of
of other apps and the Native Alexa Commands.
There are many ways that you can control your system, as well as receive feedback about your home and family.
Control commands consist of Individual Devices, Device Groups, Custom Groups, Compound Commands, and Delayed Commands
Amazon Alexa Devices (Must be Echo Speaks devices)
"Playing and Stopping Music" Alexa, play music in the kitchen Alexa, play music on Pandora in the living room Alexa, play music on Amazon music in the living room Alexa, stop the music in the kitchen
Alexa, stop the music in the kitchen
Individual Devices and Group Commands
Individual Device are the simplest of commands and they consist of things like: Alexa, turn on the sink light in the kitchen Alexa, turn on the ceiling fan in the living room Alexa, set the chair light to the color blue in the den
Device Groups allow you to control multiple devices at once and they consist of things like: Alexa, turn on the lights in the living room Alexa, turn off the fans in the living room Alexa, set the lights to the color daylight in the living room
You can also create Custom Groups, these allow you to give a group of like devices any name you want and control them: Group name: Cinema Lights Command: Alexa, turn on the Cinema Lights in the den Group name: Christmas Decorations Command: Alexa, turn on the Christmas Decorations in the foyer
Compound Commands & Multi Room Commands
Compound commands are designed to make your interactions with Alexa more efficient. They allow you
to control multiple devices and groups with one Alexa session.
Compound commands are as simple as giving more than one command at a time. Alexa, turn on the chair light and turn off the ceiling fan in the living room Alexa, increase the lights and turn on the fans in the bedroom Alexa, turn off the lights and decrease the ceiling fan and turn on the Christmas Decorations in the foyer.
You also have Multi Room Commands. These commands allow you to make commands in multiple rooms while
in a single Alexa session.
Alexa, turn on the lights in the living room and turn off the lights in the kitchen Alexa, turn off the fans in the office and turn on the lights in the living room
Please note that not all command possibilities have been tested and some may not work.
Delayed Commands, Schedules, Alexa Alarms
Delayed commands allow you to make things happen, sometime in the future. They are very simple to use.
Delays
You have several options, delays can be set 1 minute, multiple minutes, 1 hour, multiple hours, both hours and minutes, and on/off for xx minutes.
You can initiate delayed commands by saying things like: Alexa, turn on the corner light in one minute in the bedroom. Alexa, turn off the office lamp in five minutes in the bedroom Alexa, turn on the lights in 1 hour in the living room Alexa, turn off the fans in 4 hours and 15 minutes in the bedroom (this command is limited to a single command only) Perform an action, delay, and restore Alexa, turn on the xbox for 2 hours in the kids room Alexa, increase the lights for 5 minutes in the living room Alexa, stop the conversation for 60 minutes in the kitchen All delays can be cancelled by saying: "Alexa, cancel the delays in the room"
Schedules
You can now schedule an action to take place in the future at a specific time by saying:
Alexa, turn on the fans at 530 p.m. in the bedroom
Amazon Echo Alarms
Amazon Echo Alarms are designed to be used with both the Echo Alarms and your SmartThings devices. Using EchoSistant you can now easy set an alarm on your echo device and schedule your actions to occur when the alarm is activated. Please note that the Echo Device Alarm is NOT the trigger for your SmartThings actions.
Please use this format when using this feature:
Alexa, create an alarm at 715 p.m. in the living room. Alexa, create an alarm and turn on the lights at 530 a.m. in the bedroom.
If you have selected more than one Echo Device in your room, when you create an alarm it will be done on ALL selected devices.
Location Commands
These control commands are for SmartThings location controls
Alexa, set the mode to Day in the house Alexa, turn on the alarm Alexa, stop the automations in the living room (requires a virtual switch and external apps) Alexa, stop the notifications in the house (requires a virtual switch and external apps)
Color Bulbs
These commands have been tested with Philips Hue devices only
Alexa, set the chair light to the color green in the living room Alexa, set the lights to the color blue in the living room
Messaging (Internal)
The core operation of EchoSistant is the messaging service that it provides. The app was born from a need to send messages throughout my house. This has been expanded and optimized. Using EchoSistant along with the Echo Speaks app you can send a message to any of your Echo Devices. You can also send delayed messages anywhere in your house.
typical ways of sending messages are like this:
Alexa, tell the boys that dinner is ready Alexa, tell the teenagers come downstairs and bring your laundry Alexa, tell the house in five minutes dinner is ready (This will send the message in five minutes)
You can also send a message that you want to ensure is a message. Sometimes Alexa makes a mistake and tries to turn on a light when you send a message. If your message has commands and feedback options in it, then send your message like this...
Alexa, tell Alexa hey come downstairs and take out the trash, turn off the garage lights and close the door when you are done.
This message has several key words that will throw Alexa for a loop, those keywords are AND, Turn Off, Close the door. By starting your message with "Hey" the message will be directed straight to the messaging section and will not be misunderstood.
Sometimes a message comes through and you may not fully hear it or understand it. When this happens you can do this:
Alexa, repeat the last message in the living room
If the teenager says he didn't receive the message, Just ask Alexa, repeat the last message in the kids room
Supported Commands (Feedback)
We believe you should be able to ask anything to Alexa about your home. Alexa is your personal home assistant and
it should make you life easier and more manageable. You should never have to get out of bed to check if the garage
door is closed. We've made EchoSistant feedback queries as simple and natural as possible. There is no need to make
a custom report for things you should just be able to ask. Things like if the windows are open, or which windows
are open should be standard, and they are. Below are examples of built in feedback devices and groups:
Amazon Echo Devices (Requires the use of Echo Speaks app)
- What is playing in the kitchen - What is the volume in the kids room - What is the wake word in the bathroom - What was the last thing said in the office
Dimmers and Adjustable Fans
Dimmers - How bright is the sink light in the kitchen - What is the corner light set to in the living room - What level is the corner light set to in the bedroom Ceiling Fans or Adjustable Fans - What speed is the ceiling fan set to in the living room - Is the ceiling fan on in the living room - When was the ceiling fan turned on in the living room - How fast is the ceiling fan going in the living room - What is the ceiling fan set to in the living room
Doors and Windows
Doors - Is the garage door open in the house - What doors are open in the house - Are there any doors open in the house - How many doors are open in the house - Check the doors in the house - Tell me about the doors in the garage - When was the front door closed in the foyer - Which doors are open in the house Windows - Is the office window open in the office - What windows are open in the office - Are there any windows open in the house - How many windows are open in the house - Which windows are open in the living room - When was the boys window opened in the house - Check the windows in the living room - Tell me about the windows in the living room
Environmental (Outdoor and Indoor)
This is tailored to the Netatmo Weather Station and the Generic Z-wave Thermostat driver Humidity and temperature feedback is available with any devices that have the capability Weather Alerts: - Are there any weather alerts in the house - What is the weather alert in the house Temperature: (if multiple sensors are selected you will receive the average temp) - What is the temperature in the yard - What is the temperature in the living room Humidity: - What is the humidity in the yard - What is the temperature and humidity in the yard Wind: - What is the wind speed in the yard - Is the wind blowing in the yard Rain: - Is it raining in the yard - Has it rained in the yard - How much has it rained in the yard - Is it going to rain in the yard Thermostats: - What are the settings for the thermostat in the downstairs - What are the settings for the thermostat in the upstairs - What are the settings for the thermostats in the house General info: - What is the weather like in the yard - How is it in the yard - What does it feel like in the yard
Lights & Switches
- Is the chair light on in the living room - What lights are on in the house - Are there any lights on in the office - How many lights are on in the house - Which lights are on in the living room - When was the sink light turned on in the kitchen - Tell me about the lights in the living room - Check the lights in the kitchen - When was the xbox turned on in the living room
Location Status
- What is the mode in the house - Is the alarm on in the house - Check the alarm in the house - Are the notifications on in the living room - Are the automations on in the living room - What notifications are on in the house
Motion
- Check for motion in the living room - Is there anyone in the kitchen - Is something moving in the yard - Is anyone in the hall shower
Presence
- Who is in the house - Ask the house who is at home - Who is at home in the house - Ask the house when did xxxx leave - When did xxxx arrive in the house
EchoSistant App
- What is the current revision in the house - This is a test in the house - Repeat the last message in the living room
***If you come across commands that do not work or you have things you want included, please let me know and we can try our best to make it happen for you***
WebCoRe Pistons
Within the EchoSistant room you will find that you are able to select a WebCoRe piston. You can verbally execute
these pistons by giving the following commands:
- Alexa, execute piston, Test Piston in the House. - Alexa, run piston, Test Piston in the House.
Logic Blockz (Shortcuts)
EchoSistant Shortcuts are being renamed to EchoSistant Logic Blocks. The shortcuts have been greatly
expanded into a more complex rules engine that can be triggered either verbally or via device actions.
This allows you to build out complex rules for each of your rooms that you can have automatically run
or you can run on command. An added feature is that you can now build custom messages (reports) with
system variables to be read back to you, played on chosen devices, or sent to you as push messages
and text messages.
To activate them using verbal commands is very simple. For example, you have created a shortcut and
named it "Lets Watch a Movie" and it is in your Den Room.
All you have to say is this, "Alexa, lets watch a movie in the Den" and the shortcut will be executed.
More details to come to this section in the near future.
Task Trackers
Task Trackers are designed to make your Alexa device more into an assistant. You can configure the Task Tracker to keep track of anything you want.... Changing the oil, washing the dog, taking medication, cutting the grass.... Literally anything.
Task Trackers are configured within your Profiles. You can create up to 4 Task Trackers per profile.
Follow these steps to properly configure and use the Task Trackers:
Example Task Tracker in Profile: Truck. Purpose: Track oil changes
- In the profile tap on Task Tracking
- Activate the Toggle Activate Trackers for Profiles
- First Tracker Verb is 'Changed'. Tap Done.
- First Tracker Connector is 'The'. Tap Done.
- First Tracker Noun is 'Oil'. Tap done.
Tap Save.
You can also have a SMS and a Push message sent to your phone whenever your Task Tracker is created.
'How to use the Task Trackers'
For the above example:
To LOG your Task, say, Alexa, tell the Truck I changed the oil. She will respond, "I am recording that truck changed the oil on 5 November 2017 at 9:23 pm"
You can also say, Alexa, I changed the oil in the Truck
To find out when you last changed the oil, simply ask.
Alexa, ask the Truck when was the oil changed? or Alexa, when did I change the oil in the Truck?
