Here's a step-by-step on how to create a virtual device that can be recognized by the Alexa app and used to trigger events based on On or Off requests.
In theory the virtual device could also be set to dimmable and be used to control anything that takes a value between 0 and 100. (Like audio volume)
Creating a Virtual Device:
1. On the Top Menu, Click on View->Device Management
2. On the upper right of the page, Click on the green "+" button to create a new device.
3. Name the device in the pop-up window and click submit.
4. If you use it set a location2.
5. Set the location for your device.
6. Leave "Code" blank
7. Set Address to something meaningful but unique (i.e. virt-001)
8. Make sure all the options are unchecked except "Voice Command" which should be checked if you want to use this device with Alexa.
9. Click on the "Advanced" Tab and type "Virtual" in the field "Device Type (String)".
10. Click on the "Done" button at the bottom of the page to create the device.
Creating an Event that Triggers based on a device change:
1. On the Top Menu, Click on View->Events
2. Click on the "Show All" button on the upper-right of the page.
3. Click on the green "+" button next to "Event Groups" to create a new group.
4. In the pop-up windows name the group and click submit.
5. Click the green "+" button next to "Events" to create a mew evemt.
6. In the pop-up window type the name of the event and click submit to create the event.
7. Select something meaningful for "Type" or leave it blank.
8. Select If "A Device's Value is..." and under (Choose Another) Select "This device had it's value set to..."
9. Under (Select A Device) select the virtual device created above.
10. Under 'is set to' select "On" or "Off"
11. Make sure the condition is set to "THEN" and under (Choose an Action) Select the action you want.
12. I generally select "Run a Script or Script Command" since most of my actions are controlled by scripts. Click "Edit" to choose a script to run and fill in the sub or function as well as any script parameters needed.
Feel free to ask questions.
--Ken
In theory the virtual device could also be set to dimmable and be used to control anything that takes a value between 0 and 100. (Like audio volume)
Creating a Virtual Device:
1. On the Top Menu, Click on View->Device Management
2. On the upper right of the page, Click on the green "+" button to create a new device.
3. Name the device in the pop-up window and click submit.
4. If you use it set a location2.
5. Set the location for your device.
6. Leave "Code" blank
7. Set Address to something meaningful but unique (i.e. virt-001)
8. Make sure all the options are unchecked except "Voice Command" which should be checked if you want to use this device with Alexa.
9. Click on the "Advanced" Tab and type "Virtual" in the field "Device Type (String)".
10. Click on the "Done" button at the bottom of the page to create the device.
Creating an Event that Triggers based on a device change:
1. On the Top Menu, Click on View->Events
2. Click on the "Show All" button on the upper-right of the page.
3. Click on the green "+" button next to "Event Groups" to create a new group.
4. In the pop-up windows name the group and click submit.
5. Click the green "+" button next to "Events" to create a mew evemt.
6. In the pop-up window type the name of the event and click submit to create the event.
7. Select something meaningful for "Type" or leave it blank.
8. Select If "A Device's Value is..." and under (Choose Another) Select "This device had it's value set to..."
9. Under (Select A Device) select the virtual device created above.
10. Under 'is set to' select "On" or "Off"
11. Make sure the condition is set to "THEN" and under (Choose an Action) Select the action you want.
12. I generally select "Run a Script or Script Command" since most of my actions are controlled by scripts. Click "Edit" to choose a script to run and fill in the sub or function as well as any script parameters needed.
Feel free to ask questions.
--Ken
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