bwsystems ha bridge - lock/unlock commands

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › bwsystems ha bridge - lock/unlock commands

chimera

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#198404 7-Jul-2016 20:22

I bought an RF based electronic door lock on special from the States, installed it in my front door, then wired up the RF keyfob to an ESP8266. I can now get my door locked/unlocked via OpenHAB. Pretty sweet and works well.

However, I've also added it to the BW-Systems HA Bridge and according to their readme when integrating with the Echo, Alexa should understand the "lock" and "unlock" commands. However it doesn't work (I get the "I'm not quite sure how to help you with that" response) However if I say "Alexa, turn the front door on" or "Alexa, turn the front door off" it locks/unlocks fine. Any secret to getting the unlock / lock commands to work? eg: be able to say "Alexa, lock the front door" ??? According to the read me it should work...

https://github.com/bwssytems/ha-bridge/blob/master/README.md

I do similar with my automated blinds and that works fine (eg: "Alexa, open the hallway blinds") it just seems the unlock/lock commands don't.

Cheers

SumnerBoy

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#1587892 7-Jul-2016 21:47

I have been having a little trouble with my garage door as well, *open garage door* seems to work pretty well, but *shut/close garage door* won't work. I am wondering if my Kiwi accent for *garage* might be tripping her up. Need to try it using the American twang perhaps!

chimera

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#1587922 8-Jul-2016 00:30

I checked in the Amazon app to confirm what I said was interpreted by Alexa properly and it was. So who knows, more likely some security issue with the fact it can open or unlock doors perhaps

chimera

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#1600713 29-Jul-2016 11:39

I'm still interested to know why this is happening - I used to be able to say "Alexa, open the garage door" and "Alexa, close the garage door" but it is no longer working. If I say "Alexa, turn the garage door on" or "Alexa, turn the garage door off" it works fine. Same goes for the front door lock. If I say, "Alexa, turn the front door lock" or "Alexa, turn the front door close" it works - but not good English! Unsure why this is has changed recently. Any ideas?

SumnerBoy

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#1600715 29-Jul-2016 11:40

Yeah I am seeing the same thing - only "turn on/off garage door" seems to work. Not sure what the story is.

chimera

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#1600743 29-Jul-2016 12:18

Amazon surely must have changed something? My thinking is that the more vendors are introducing skills into Alexa (such as http://mashable.com/2016/07/28/alexa-august-smart-lock-integration/ ) the more they are taking precedence over the hue emulation bridge?

SumnerBoy

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#1600744 29-Jul-2016 12:19

Quite possibly. Although I would have thought Alexa would only give precendence to commands if you have that skill/device configured?

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chimera

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#1600754 29-Jul-2016 12:44

Yes that would make sense but, my point was they seem to be moving away from a more natural human speech model to preferring the invocation type model, eg "Alexa, ask (or tell) ABC to do 123 on XYZ", where "ABC" is the invocation. Probably they prefer this model as more and more skills are being created, as its easier to associate asking a skill to do something, rather than asking Alexa to do something (eg: "Alexa, do 123 on XYZ"). Because you aren't specifically asking the skill to do something then it could create confusion on what you're wanting Alexa to do. I still don't like the idea of this, because in effect I'm really just wanting to tell Alexa to do it, not ask Alexa to ask someone (something) else to do it. Hopefully they don't bastardise the Echo too badly...