Veralite communications with VoxComando

[crawfofd]

Hi Everyone. I've been working with getting my home automation going with the Veralite controller. I have used the vera plugin and everything seems to work great. I am stuck on one thing though and hope someone can help me. As in the video that shows James opening the door and the Veralite announces that there is motion, how does the Veralite know. Does voxCommando poll it or is there someway to send it from the veralite.  I would appreciate any help.  And James just want to tell you how much I enjoy your product.

[Kalle]

Nice to hear 
Yes, Voxcommando poll it - there is a "Poll / Generate Events" check mark in the VeraLite plugin.

I hope this will help

Kalle

[crawfofd]

Thanks Kallie.  I looked and I have that box checked. I guess I'm missing how to use it.  Do you set up a loop and just keep on polling. That seems like it would use up a lot of battery.

[jitterjames]

Thanks Kallie.  I looked and I have that box checked. I guess I'm missing how to use it.  Do you set up a loop and just keep on polling. That seems like it would use up a lot of battery.

Battery?

[nime5ter]

Assuming you have a motion sensor, once the "poll/generate events" box is checked, that motion sensor will generate an event that will appear in the history panel whenever you set off the motion sensor.

You can then use that event as a trigger for your command. (see http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Home_Automation#Vera)

There's actually an example of this exact thing in the (extremely long-winded) "Fireside Chat" video #3 around the 8 minute mark.

&feature=youtu.be&t=8m0s

As I say, it's a long-winded video meant for new users, but it demonstrates a few different useful things so it may be worth watching as a whole.

... And for all users who come across this post, I might as well add the video tutorial on how to use events generally.

[jitterjames]

Don't let the word polling bother you.  It just asks Vera for updates, it has no effect on how Vera polls your zwave devices.  If your motion sensor is running on a battery, it will alert Vera whenever it is triggered, and then Vera will alert VC, and an event will be generated.

[jitterjames]

As in the video that shows James opening the door and the Veralite announces that there is motion, how does the Veralite know.

Are you really asking how does Vera know, or how does VC know?

[crawfofd]

James I was asking how VC knows. But let me try and find what Kallie and You are talking about and if I can't figure it out I will reply. Thanks for the quick response.

[crawfofd]

Okay, now I feel like a complete dunce. I see where it is getting set in the history now. It is all so easy when you just think a little. Thanks for both of yours help.

[crawfofd]

Nime5ter,  Sorry for the late response. It is pretty hectic with xmas and all. But thank you for your answer to my problem. It was exactly what I needed. Also I would like to thank everyone for all the help that you have given me.This is a great forum.

[hpooni]

I have schlage lock which supports Service=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:DoorLock1 but I don't see any events being generated in VC.  Veralite is definitely generating events as I can see them in the vera log.  FYI, I do see events from other devices (such as door sensors and switches) in VC.  Any ideas?  Below is part of the log from vera, if its of any help.  Note, I'm using VeraAlerts plugin, so some logging may be related to that.

Code: [Select]

06 01/21/14 21:09:33.787 Device_Variable::m_szValue_set device: 44 service: urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:DoorLock1 variable: Status was: 0 now: 1 #hooks: 2 upnp: 0 v:0xaf3320/NONE duplicate:0 <0x2bbb7680>
07 01/21/14 21:09:33.787 Event::Evaluate 5 Front door unlocked scene Front door unlocked is false repeat 0/-1 <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.788 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest device: 47 service: urn:richardgreen:serviceId:VeraAlert1 action: DeviceNotification <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.788 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument DeviceID=44 <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.789 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument Description=%20Lock%20-%20Front%20Door%20is%20closed <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.789 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument Name=Front%20door%20is%20locked <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.789 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument Service=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:DoorLock1 <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.789 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument Variables=Status <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.789 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument Msg=Front%20Door%20Locked <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.790 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument SceneID=35 <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.790 JobHandler_LuaUPnP::HandleActionRequest argument Recipients=hpooni <0x2bbb7680>
07 01/21/14 21:09:33.791 Event::Evaluate 6 Front door is locked scene Front door is locked is true users:120306 allow:1 <0x2bbb7680>
08 01/21/14 21:09:33.792 Scene::RunScene running 35 Front door is locked <0x2bbb7680>

[nime5ter]

Hi hpooni,

First, please post (attach) a complete Vox log (http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Log).

2. Are you able to get the status of the lock using the VC action Vera.Get.Status? (http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Plugin_Vera#Status)

3. Are you able to open and close the lock using Vera.SetState? (http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Plugin_Vera#SetState)

4. James also asks -- Can you please verify which version of the Vera plugin you have? This can be seen on the plugins tab in the main window (http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=How_to_use_VoxCommando#.28D.29_Tabs:_History_.2F_Groups_.2F_Plugins).

We haven't really tested any door locks yet as these are quite pricy, so thanks for your help in figuring this out.  

[hpooni]

1. I've attached the log file.  I triggered events by opening and closing the lock manually.
2. I cannot get the status of the lock using Vera.Get.Status. It should be in the above log file.
3. I cannot close/open the lock using Vera.SetState. It should be in the above log file.
4. The plugin version is 0.1.6.0
Indeed, its an expensive hobby.  But then again, which hobby isn't?  

Thanks for your help.

[Edited your post to remove log from the public record. - nime5ter]

[nime5ter]

Thanks! We (mostly James ;-)) will take a look and get back to you.

[jitterjames]

Can you use Vera.Raw with the following params to Lock and Unlock the door?

Vera.Raw    data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&DeviceNum=44&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:DoorLock1&action=SetTarget&newTargetValue=1

Vera.Raw    data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&DeviceNum=44&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:DoorLock1&action=SetTarget&newTargetValue=0

Looking at the logs of what Vera is sending to VC I can see that the variable "Locked" always has a value of "1" and status always has a value of "0" so that is very confusing.  Vera has a definition for lock variables that does not even include a variabled "Locked" so I guess Schlage is using their own definition.  It is also not clear to me whether setting the lock to be lock or unlocked actually changes anything or if a human has to physically turn the lock.