Amazon Echo / Alexa Skills Status?

[Steve Jenkins]

What's the status of an EnvisaLink Skill for Amazon Alexa / Echo?

Looks like a straightforward API, and the ability to arm/disarm via voice command would be a huge benefit.

https://developer.amazon.com/public/sol ... skills-kit

[jttt]

using the Amazon Echo HA bridge proxy (search google) and alarmserver.py(github)

you can already do this. it's a bit of a pain to set up but it works.

Basically the HA Bridge allows you to add a virtual device to your echo that responds to On/off commands. You then point the URL in the proxy to the Alarmserver.py server, which in turn controls the EVL.

Both can be run in a VM, or raspberry pi.

I have this setup at home but only use it for turning ON the alarm, turning off is disabled/unconfigured.

[Krkhans]

I just got an Alexa device and am very interested in doing this with my envisalink 3 but have no idea where to start with your server code. The proxy bridge sounds simple enough to just custom add to Alexa but I don't know how to run the alarm server code. I do have a small windows PC for my entertainment system that I could use to run it but could you help me understand how to?

Thanks!

[mikep]

I've just finished Google Home integration for my DscServer app (on google play). You might find the setup a little easier (you run the app as a server on a low end android phone/tablet, about $20 from walmart/bestbuy, etc if you don't have an old one lying around). Amazon Alexa should be along soon too once I get my hands on one. More info: https://sites.google.com/site/mppsuite/ ... rver/voice

[firehawk2k]

I just got my EVL4 and was able to hook it up to Alexa/Echo without much difficulty.

All I needed was HA Bridge. Didn't need alarmserver.py
Get a pre-built java jar here
https://github.com/bwssytems/ha-bridge/releases

If you're running Windows and you want it to automatically start up, you can use NSSM
http://nssm.cc/
and run C:\programdata\Oracle\Java\javapath\java.exe -jar ha-bridge.jar

Navigate to localhost
Name: Alarm
Trigger ON
Type: HTTP Device
Target Item: http://user:password@192.168.xxx.xxx/2?A=3&p=1&X=1234 (replace user, password, IP address of EVL, and alarm code 1234)
Http Verb: GET
Content Type: text/html

Trigger OFF is similar, but A=4. I didn't add this, because I didn't want my echo to be able to disarm the alarm.

Done!

Alexa, discover
Alexa, turn on the alarm.

[skippy76]

In order to start supporting a lot more services, EyezOn really needs to:

a) Support OAUTH for subscriber login / service handling
b) Open up the data to a REST interface

I have implemented numerous services for Alexa and Google Home, without bringing the services up to the modern internet technologies it will be hard to embrace the modern world of IoT (beyond the hobbiest that is).

[akjamesg]

Hi Firehawk... Trying to setup my EVL4 with HA bridge.. I just cant get the syntax correct.

I got all the way through your instructions and it posts to Alexa app, but it says the alarm is not responding. Also - the test on function in the HA bridge does nothing...


Does the code you listed

"Target Item: http://user:password@192.168.xxx.xxx/2?A=3&p=1&X=1234 (replace user, password, IP address of EVL, and alarm code 1234)"

go in the target field on the bridge? Thank you for taking a moment to help me.

James

[mikep]

I've just finished Google Home integration for my DscServer app (on google play). You might find the setup a little easier (you run the app as a server on a low end android phone/tablet, about $20 from walmart/bestbuy, etc if you don't have an old one lying around). Amazon Alexa should be along soon too once I get my hands on one. More info: https://sites.google.com/site/mppsuite/ ... rver/voice

Forgot all about this... the Alexa Dot/Echo integration worked out well too, I use voice commands for my DSC/envisalink all the time now. Google Home is nicer 'cause you can "Ok Google" your phone on the way home to disarm and open the garage door but alexa is good too.

When compared with the HA Bridge the DscServer and optionally AutomationManager is still easier, faster, has less overhead, and android phone servers use less power, have battery backup, and a touch screen. IMO of course .

[njace82]

I see a lot of discussion re DSC panels. Are there any options for Honeywell Panels (Vista 20P)? The DSC server app seems simple.

[husker2003]

I have the Vista 20P along with the EnvisaLink 4 and am using a Raspberry Pi Zero W (with HA-Bridge) to integrate with Amazon Alexa skills. This thread helped me out in setting it up but it still took me a while. I keep instructions of all my projects so if you're interested, here is how I did it:

Code: Select all

// Install Raspbian Stretch

// Update and upgrade Raspberry Pi
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

// Enable SSH for use with Putty
sudo systemctl enable ssh
sudo systemctl start ssh

// Update timezone
timedatectl set-timezone America/Chicago

// Reboot RPi
sudo reboot

// Give RPi static IP
sudo nano /etc/dhcpcd.conf
// Enter following code at bottom:
interface wlan0
     static ip_address=192.168.1.XXX/24
     static routers=192.168.1.1
     static domain_name_servers=192.168.1.1

// Ensure both services are enabled
sudo systemctl enable dhcpcd
sudo systemctl enable networking

// Reboot RPi
sudo reboot

// Go to home directory
cd /home/pi

// Make an HA Bridge folder
mkdir habridge

// Change to that folder and download the HA Bridge files
cd habridge
wget https://github.com/bwssytems/ha-bridge/releases/download/v5.1.0/ha-bridge-5.1.0.jar

//Create habridge.service unit file
cd /etc/systemd/system
sudo nano habridge.service

// Copy following text into file.  Save and close.
[Unit]
Description=HA Bridge
Wants=network.target
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
WorkingDirectory=/home/pi/habridge
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -jar -Dconfig.file=/home/pi/habridge/data/habridge.config /home/pi/habridge/ha-bridge-5.1.0.jar

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

// Once file has been closed, reload the system control config
sudo systemctl daemon-reload

// Start the bridge
sudo systemctl start habridge.service

// Enable the service at boot
sudo systemctl enable habridge.service

// Raspberry Pi programming is now completed.
// Log into the HA Bridge using a browser and navigating to the IP address of the Raspberry Pi.
// The HA Bridge setup page will appear.  Navigate to “Add/Edit” tab.
// Change following settings:
Name: Alarm
On Items:
	Type: HTTP Device
	Target: http://user:user@192.168.1.XXXX/2?A=3&p=1&X=YYYY
	// Note: "user:user" is for username and password - these are the default values for the EVL4 and should be updated if changed	
	// XXX = the final digits of IP address (update)
	// YYYY = alarm security code (update)
	Http Verb: GET
	Content Type: text/html

// Select “Add” button under “Manage”

// The previous settings can also be done for “Off Items” to turn the alarm off.  
// However, anyone that says “Alexa turn alarm off” can deactivate the alarm.  
// The Target field would contain: http://user:user@192.168.1.XXX/2?A=4&p=1&X=YYYY

// Press “Update Bridge Device” button at the top.
// This should now show under the “Bridge Devices” tab.

// Log into EVL device by going to IP address of EVL and change to static IP address.
// Update router DHCP reservation list with this IP address as well. 

// Log into Amazon Alexa app and go to SmartHome to discover new devices.
// Once discovered, it should be functional.