Topics

1

Vera Home Automation Controller / Is there a recent bug with Vera plugin?

« on: March 12, 2016, 01:41:48 AM »

I just wanted to ask before I went in and muck things up in my editor. A few days ago all of my Vera functions stopped working. Everything else in Vox works, but any of the commands involving Vera suddenly don't work. It kind of all freezes up for a short bit and sometimes I have to force close Vox to get it working again. I thought maybe because there was an issue with Vera, but everything works perfectly when I issue commands via Vera. There was a firmware update, so I downloaded that, but still no change. I was going to see about updating my Maps and seeing if for some reason those identification numbers changed.

2

Integration Ideas / Posted this in Vera Forum, Maybe Someone Here Has Info?

« on: August 27, 2015, 01:36:50 PM »

I'm just going to copy and paste my post at the Vera forum:

I want to know if there is a way to speed up the communication between a dimming light module (I am using the Linear PD300Z-2 Lamp Dimer Module) and a keypad (I am using the GE Wireless Lighting Control Keypad Controller 45631). By this I don't exactly mean speeding up the time between pushing the on button and when the light turns on. When I push the on button to turn on my light from the keypad, it takes about .5 seconds or so for the light to turn on. That's okay. However, when I am looking at the status of the device from the Vera Control page, I notice that it can take a good minute or two for the module to show that it is switched on. That is what I would like to know if I can speed up SIGNIFICANTLY.

This is important to me because I have a way of controlling my lights without directly plugging them into a dimming module. Having my lights not plugged into the module is something I would like because I do not have a neutral wire that is required for the Z-wave in wall sockets and light switches. I find the footprint of these dimming modules to be quite large and unappealing. I can at this very moment have my modules plugged in and hidden out of the way and control lights in another room. I've done this by using the event it creates in a program called Voxcommando. When my dimming module is turned on/off, it affects the state of my Hue lightbulbs that I sync to that particular module. However, since it takes so long for that event to be generated it seems really ridiculous to use this method. So I really would like to have that communication sped up significantly so that I can completely accomplish this goal of mine of creating a clean automated environment.

I am curious though, there is no Linear PD3300Z-2 Lamp Dimmer Module listed in the "Add Devices" section of Vera. To connect this module I instead selected the Jasco 45604 Dimmable Lamp Module in the "Add Devices" section. Could this be the cause of delay? Maybe I should purchase the Jasco 45604 model or some other similar one that is listed in the "Add Devices" section? ... Now that I think about it (I purchased these modules some time ago), I think I did purchase the Jasco model and when I opened up the box they said Linear. I'm wondering if they are actually the same thing...?

3

Integration Ideas / Anyone Know if/how X10 Remote Can Generate Event?

« on: August 22, 2015, 01:56:55 PM »

I've been trying to solve an issue in my house concerning the light switches. I don't have a neutral wire running through my light switches, so I can't use the available smart switches/outlets that are available. I have several X10 modules and the USB transceiver so I can have them communicate with Vox, however when I push the on/off button on the X10 remote it seems that an event is not generated. I was hoping it would because I could then use that event to activate my Hue light on/off command, which would enable me to turn on my lights via voice without latency (using voice commands on the X10 has latency issues) AND I could still use a physical button on the wall (although there is still latency with that, it's better than nothing).

If anyone else has another workaround, I would love to hear it

4

XML Exchange / Simple Cortana Web Search

« on: August 12, 2015, 12:05:34 PM »

I just made up a simple command to do web searches with Cortana. It works just about as good as Google voice search, but the one big advantage it has is its efficiency. Prior to Cortana, I was using Google voice search for browsing the web. It required Vox to open Chrome, pause for x seconds (allow browser to load-- sometimes would not pause long enough because browser took longer to load), then hotkey the voice search. Using Cortana, Vox just inputs the Cortana voice search hotkey and bam, there you go. Super quick.

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<!--VoxCommando 2.1.4.2-->
<groupCollection open="True" name="Cortana Internet Search">
  <commandGroup open="True" name="Cortana Internet Search" enabled="True" prefix="" priority="0" requiredProcess="" description="">
    <command id="992" name="Hey Cortana" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
      <action>
        <cmdType>InputKeys.Send</cmdType>
        <params>
          <param>{LWIN}({C})</param>
        </params>
        <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
      </action>
      <action>
        <cmdType>VC.Standby</cmdType>
        <params />
        <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
      </action>
      <phrase>Interent Search, search, search the internet, web search, search the web, browse the web</phrase>
    </command>
  </commandGroup>
</groupCollection>

5

Integration Ideas / Windows 10 Messed up my TTS (FIXED: HOW TO GET HAZEL TTS BACK)

« on: August 10, 2015, 05:35:26 PM »

*EDIT* I have since found the solution to getting the Hazel TTS back.*

Okay, so I managed to get Hazel back! Here's how I did it.

In the Cortana search box type, "Settings"
Select, "Connected Device Settings"
Click the back arrow when the Settings window appears
Select, "Time & Language"
Select, "Region & Language"
Select the "+" where it says "Add a language"
Add "English (United Kingdom)" Language Pack
Then Select that language pack once it shows it is added
Now download it
Open up Voxcommando and enter the TTS plugin
If Hazel is already downloaded, it should appear in the TTS plugin

   


Original Post:

I have no idea what is going wrong. After I installed Windows 10 today my TTS voice defaulted back to the David voice. I was using the Hazel voice before (I'm using Sapi 5 by the way, I'm thinking that is relevant for this next part). When I open up the TTS plugin (even after re-downloading and installing the Hazel voice), it does not show up. However, Hazel shows up in the TTSMS plugin.

Has anyone had this problem before? Is there some setting I need to check?

Thanks

- Ricky

P.S. anyone know of a way to use the Cortana voice? That would really streamline everything.

6

Integration Ideas / Can RegExTool read chart data?

« on: July 18, 2015, 01:28:40 PM »

I don't get a whole lot of time to sit down and work on one particular Vox project every day, but I've been at this one when I can for a few days now. I can't seem to get Vox to read the data within a chart on this website: http://www.uavforecast.com/

I'm just trying to get it to read the information in the current conditions category. I thought after many failed attempts I might finally give in and ask for some help. I just can't seem to find the part within the regextool that gives the actual data. This is what I thought I would have to scrape, <th\sclass="(.*?)">(.*?)</th> , but when I do it only comes up with the title of a category, such as "wind", "temp", "wind chill"... (found within the non-greedy portions I entered in there). If you search for th class=   , you should be able to find the area I'm talking about.

Since I am only getting the titles of the categories, and unless I'm getting this all wrong somehow, I'm wondering if I can at all get Vox to read this data.

7

Integration Ideas / Question on Vera.Get.Status (it won't stop looping)

« on: July 11, 2015, 04:08:43 PM »

Okay, so I was trying to do this earlier, did a cheap workaround to solve it, but I can never not try to figure something out. So I'm at it again. All I am trying to do is check the status of my "Watch TV" activity on my Vera unit and have a particular action take place. If Vera.Get.Status shows that "Watch TV" is off (0), then turn it on. If Vera.Get.Status shows that "Watch TV" is on (1), then OSD.ShowText and TTS.Speak: "Your TV is already on."

I think I got it working for the most part, a little unsure though because whenever I save and execute the command for testing, it repeats the action over and over again. And even if Vera.Get.Status indicates my activity was off, it turns it on as it should but it also activates the second IF section of my command which is if "Watch TV" is on, then OSD.ShowText and TTS.Speak: "Your TV is already on."

So I'm wondering how do I get this to stop looping, which I'm thinking is causing it to also activate my second IF statement.

Here's my xml:

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<!--VoxCommando 2.1.4.2-->
<groupCollection open="True" name="Test Vera Status">
  <commandGroup open="True" name="Test Vera Status" enabled="True" prefix="" priority="0" requiredProcess="" description="">
    <command id="814" name="Test" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
      <action>
        <cmdType>Vera.Get.Status</cmdType>
        <params>
          <param>{M:Vera1D.Harmony Control}</param>
        </params>
        <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
      </action>
      <if ifBlockDisabled="False" ifNot="False">
        <ifType>(A)&lt;(B)</ifType>
        <ifParams>0&amp;&amp;1</ifParams>
        <then>
          <action>
            <cmdType>Vera.Scene</cmdType>
            <params>
              <param>{M:Vera1S.Watch TV}</param>
            </params>
            <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
          </action>
        </then>
        <else />
      </if>
      <if ifBlockDisabled="False" ifNot="False">
        <ifType>(A)Contains(B)</ifType>
        <ifParams>{2}&amp;&amp;1</ifParams>
        <then>
          <action>
            <cmdType>OSD.ShowText</cmdType>
            <params>
              <param>your tv is already on</param>
            </params>
            <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
          </action>
          <action>
            <cmdType>TTS.Speak</cmdType>
            <params>
              <param>your tv is already on.</param>
            </params>
            <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
          </action>
          <action>
            <cmdType />
            <params />
            <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
          </action>
        </then>
        <else />
      </if>
      <event>Vera1.Scene.31.Active</event>
    </command>
  </commandGroup>
</groupCollection>

8

"Open air" and "whole home" microphones / Searching Different Methods For Open Air Mic

« on: July 02, 2015, 03:31:54 PM »

Okay, this is sort of a continuation from my last thread on figuring out a way to accomplish a wireless mic system. I was on the Raspberry Pi forum and someone suggested this (obviously, in relation to using the Raspberry Pi for my solution):

Running VoxCommando on the Pi is probably a non-starter. Can VoxCommando accept input from an http (or other protocol) stream? If so, the Pi can probably provide that stream

I was going through the Vox action list and found the "Post" action under "Scrape". I'm thinking this would work... I haven't got around to playing with scraping yet, so this would be new for me.

9

"Open air" and "whole home" microphones / Thoughts on Wireless USB Sharing Station for Open Air Mic?

« on: June 19, 2015, 07:55:46 PM »

So I am getting ready to deploy some more mics in my house. Right now I am using the Acoustic Magic microphone in my living room and it works brilliantly. I want to put another one in my bedroom and I have been trying to figure out how I might get it to communicate to Vox that is on my pc in my office downstairs. I came across this little device, the IOGEAR Wireless 4-Port USB Sharing Station GUWIP204, and wanted to run it by some people and see what they thought (or if anyone has some other suggestions).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058DN1Q4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2L7W8PVKKJFK6&coliid=I2ZJPDWTVYIYDK

The Acoustic Magic Microphone I have runs off of a USB and this little wireless USB transmitter has four different ports, which could be nice for other uses that I have not yet thought of. It seems like to me this will send my voice commands to Vox, because it does say you can attach a speaker to it. Which also brings up another quick question. I was looking at getting some SONOS speakers so I can hear TTS around my house. Does anyone know of any other speaker that would work as well, and maybe are slightly more affordable?

10

"Open air" and "whole home" microphones / Got Acoustic Magic Array I - Any experienced users/need help with this

« on: May 08, 2015, 04:37:35 PM »

Is anyone using the Acoustic Magic Voice Array I?  I am having a problem with it not being directly plugged into my computer. I have this set up where I need to plug it into a usb adapter which then plugs into the usb port on my pc. When it is plugged into this adapter, it doesn't work, but the computer recognizes the microphone.

It also doesn't seem to be recognizing my commands very well. For example, I'll say, "office light off" and in the
bar at the top it shows exactly what I said as, "office light off ?? (lights)"
So it is hearing the command correctly, but not recognizing it...? I have the recognition confidence level set to 1.

*EDIT* Okay, it seems to be a distance thing. But it's suppose to have a listening distance of 30ft. yet I have to have my face right up to the mic to get every command.

I would love any input on this. I'm kinda stuck.

11

Command Builder Reference / Second Counter - A little stuck on getting finishing touch

« on: May 07, 2015, 01:38:09 PM »

I'm making a second counter for some workout routines. The concept is to say, "set clock for xx seconds." Then Vox says, "setting clock for xx seconds." Now I have it working at that point. So if I set the clock for 30 seconds, at the end of that time Vox will say, "30 seconds are up." However, I'm stuck on figuring out how to make it wait for me to say "begin" to then start the timer. I suppose I could have it require confirmation and have one of my confirmation phrases be "begin," but I have the confirmation set to expire after a certain amount of time elapses -- I think I have it set to 20 seconds. I would like to be able to wait longer than that set time to begin the timer.

I'm having one other small problem with the timer too (it's probably really simple). If I set the timer for 30 seconds, Vox should say at the end of that time, "30 seconds are up." But I can't seem to get it to say the number of seconds. It's just saying the payload number, "1".

Here's what I have so far:

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<!--VoxCommando 2.1.4.2-->
<commandGroup open="True" name="Second counter" enabled="True" prefix="" priority="0" requiredProcess="" description="">
  <command id="409" name="Timer" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
    <action>
      <cmdType>VC.SetEventTimer</cmdType>
      <params>
        <param>0h 0m {1}s</param>
        <param>Timer</param>
      </params>
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <action>
      <cmdType>TTS.Speak</cmdType>
      <params>
        <param>Clock set for {1} seconds</param>
      </params>
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <phrase>set clock for</phrase>
    <payloadRange>1,60</payloadRange>
    <phrase>second, seconds</phrase>
  </command>
  <command id="425" name="Say When time is up" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
    <action>
      <cmdType>TTS.Speak</cmdType>
      <params>
        <param>{1} seconds are up</param>
      </params>
      <cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
    </action>
    <event>Timer</event>
  </command>
</commandGroup>

12

Integration Ideas / How do I uninstall Vox?

« on: May 04, 2015, 03:23:00 PM »

So I need to uninstall Vox and then reinstall it. I accidentally made a dumb mistake in creating a command and now my command tree is... well, broke (I blame the drugs I'm on right now for my back  .... this morning I forgot I already made a bowl of cereal and made a second one.) . I have my xml's saved elsewhere luckily, so it's not a loss really. I don't see Vox in the uninstall programs. Do I just manually delete all of the Vox files and then reinstall it?

13

Integration Ideas / Perform "Ok Google" search?

« on: April 14, 2015, 04:57:09 AM »

So I was just playing around and right clicked on the mic that appears on the Google Search bar and selected "inspect element", which I'm sure most of you know brings up the code for that particular element. I was digging around in VoxCommando to see if I can somehow select that mic via my voice and perform a Goggle voice search that way. I'd dig around more but my brain seems to have hit a wall and I'm trying to figure this out after a long day of bartending. Definitely going to look into it in the morning with a clear head, but thought maybe I would ask here for any thoughts.

14

Kodi (XBMC) Frodo / Gotham / Isengard / Jarvis / Possibly easy question on pre-installed xbmc commands

« on: April 04, 2015, 02:05:45 PM »

I'm edit some of the phrases in the pre-installed xbmc commands. One of the things I wanted to add for the browsing of a specific movie title, is "search for..." or search for movie..." "search for movie title..." Currently I can just say "browse movie..." I can't quite seem to find the section in the command tree that would allow me to edit this. I thought it would be under "Kodi Navigation Buttons > Kodi Activate Windows & Browse > Browse Movie Titles. However, when I put in the commands I want there (which are pre-installed as "Browse Movie Titles" and "Browse Movies"), the command doesn't seem to work (I'm not getting rid of the pre-installed commands, just adding to them). XBMC just does something else that doesn't quite make sense.

Anyway, was hoping someone could help me on figuring out where I actually need to be making my edits.

Thanks!

- Ricky

15

General Discussion / Prefix Not Working Correctly...

« on: March 30, 2015, 09:41:07 PM »

I just started playing with the prefix option and I thought it was working. However, I tested it later without saying my designated prefix and my commands still worked. I'm attaching an image of the options page in case I have missed something.

- Ricky