WebCoRE asks a question, my voice response determines the action

text-to-speech
answer
query
voice
alexa
#187

For the record, we can make duplicate Routines in Alexa, that all do the same thing, using a different phrase. It takes a tiny bit extra time to make those extra Routines, but it allows for anyone in the family to use an answer that fits them.

So, for example, let’s say the household has Proper Patricia, Binary Billy, Military Michelle and Surfer Stanley… The following four phrases (Routines) can all turn on “Answer Yes”

  • Alexa, Yes please
  • Alexa, True
  • Alexa, Affirmative
  • Alexa, Far out!

Along the same lines, I could make four Routines to turn on “Answer No”

  • Alexa, No thanks
  • Alexa, False
  • Alexa, Negative
  • Alexa, Gnarly

If we are creative here, the same two SimSwitches can handle many types of questions…
(even beyond the typical Yes/No variety).

If you already have the Routines created (as my first post), then the quickest way to do this is:
Phone > Alexa App > Hamburger menu > Routines > “Alexa, yes please” > Three dot menu >
pic

Then, all you have to do is use a different phrase. I just tested half of these phrases, and they properly turned on the correct SimSwitch. Many other words or phrases will also work, which means that our questions can actually get much more complex. (as long as we keep in mind the 3 possible outcomes)

I’d still love to hear some alternative short phrases, if anyone thinks of any…

#188

My phrases are kind of long but they seem to work. I just tell the person what to say.

I just add the command that needs to be said. My wife can never remember what I tell here to say, so Alexa tells us after the question is asked.

Plus I always make the more common response as the default so you don’t have to say anything.

True and False seems ok to.

#189

Now that I am using Echo Speaks and can determine which Echo device I am talking to, and which device should respond, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities. @WCmore, thank you sir!

#190

I had installed Echo Speaks on my Hubitat hub awhile back but since I am still running my ST hub as a remote to my HE hub, I left most of the Echo speaks stuff on it.

Yesterday I finally moved over the pistons from ST to Hubitat that determine which device you speak to. My ceiling fan routine which generally took about 15 to 20 seconds to respond in ST takes 5 seconds on a Hubitat hub.

#191

Weird…my piston works in about 5 seconds. What does your piston look like?

#192

I thought that delay was because Alexa does not report that info in a timely manner.
(meaning, I thought it was entirely outside of webCoRE’s influence)

#193

There’s a trick to it. If you use getDeviceActivity, it cuts down the time significantly.

image
image.png1178×1524 66.6 KB

#194

Oh right… Different command… Different delay…
(which should be the same in Hubitat, I imagine)

#195

I think we already had this discussion. As I said in the other thread, I call a common piston with getDeviceActivity, then have a global set that the calling piston uses to determine which device. The biggest delay was getting the global updated between pistons. That seems much faster in HE.

#196

This is AWESOME, just what I was looking for for a long while.

I made it work with google home… does anyone know if it is possible to have google listens after it speaks. so i dont have to say the words “hey google”
in webcore i can only see “speak”, if only there was a “listen” option

Thanks alot

#197

I had fun creating this one… Glad you got some use out of it too!

Not that I know of. (although it is always listening for the “wake words”)

#198

Well, I’ll just have it say ok Google after it finishes the question. That way I only have to yes or no :joy:
(Until ofcourse someone figures out a way)

#199

Alexa and Google (like humans) cannot talk and listen at the same time…
… but if you have two speakers near each other, then one is able to talk to the other.

#200

:sob:
Well, guess I’ll have to say ok google then. This is less fun. But I still love it

#201

Make it a little more fun by creating custom routines. For example, “Ok google, that’s an affirmative.” Turns on the on switch.

#202

Yeah. I have (affirmative, yup, yes please) for yes
And (negative, nope, no please) for no

#203

@Khaled here is an option in the google home app for continued conversation. Not sure if that’s what you were looking for though.

#204

Sorry to bring up an old discussion, but I just thought of two phrases: Yep and Nope

It also occurred to me…to differentiate between your WC piston asking a question and Alexa asking a question, you might want to preface any WC questions with question, choice, or decision.

"Decision. Would you like to turn off the TV?"…“Yep”

"Question. Did you take your medication yet?"…“Nope”

[EDIT] Oops…I see Khaled had the same idea for responses. Darn it! :stuck_out_tongue:

#205

Interesting… I have never heard Alexa spout off anything without a verbal prompt first. Does your Alexa intrude like that?!?

#206

You are correct that this has happened after I’ve asked her something (like turn off a device). She will occasionally say something like “Would you like me to…blah blah blah.” I never really get to hear it because I’m not ready for it, and don’t know how to get her to repeat it. Even when I do, “yes” and “no” never seem to work, anyways. (I have a piston that will make her repeat something another piston has made her say.) It happens rarely and randomly, but I just had that in mind when I was thinking about your piston. Plus, it would make the piston easier for family members to understand what’s going on.