Parameters with Alexa not working

Daniel Millan

I can't pass parameters with Alexa (in Portuguese) using the Skill "TRIGGERcmd Smart Home".
If I use the Skill "Execute comando", I have to talk more and every time I give a command the skill gives the same long instructions, wasting time.
There is a way to resolve this issue? Can you make "Execute comando" better to use or allow parameters with "TRIGGERcmd Smart Home"?

Russ

@Daniel-Millan, I the only parameters that can work with TRIGGERcmd Smart Home are on or off.

I tested the portuguese version of the Execute Comando skill, and found it works, but it's a lot of words to say. Is there a better pattern of words that would work better?

You can see here how I tested it: https://youtu.be/ltFLdmK1Hh8

Kingnabis

And start an action, like power on or off, (power on need ac power drivers depends on device)
Anyway in the comand gui on desktop you can do like me: I set (for examlpe) the reboot comand as a DEVICE so if i turn on the device it means i reboot computer. Same for everything you want to control. Now the action is run cmdtriger reboot my computer if you want to call this action from the "skill", but alexa let you to CALL YOUR DEVICES so if i say alexa, reboot my pc, she looks for the device, and calls it like an action because this device is autoconfig for make the only action when you call it. The words for call you can put what you want on the gui, like destroy my room as routine. Then you see routines on alexa app and add, 1, power off pc, (device call), 2 power down main lights (wifi ligths) and 3 turn on breathe red leds on wall. If i say destoy my room all this will happen auto. I have it tested and working finally. Other compatibility is "fav items" on the home ios app, i have fav devices and fav routines too. Good night powers off all my room devices included pc and then put rest of devices on dnd mode.

Daniel Millan

@Russ
The trigger works, but the command is too long and doesn't make sense in Portuguese.

"Execute Comando X com parâmetro Y" would be a better pattern to use than "pergunte Execute Comando para executar X com o parâmetro Y".

Russ

@Daniel-Millan, I had this one already:

{Trigger} com o parâmetro {Params}

But I'm adding this one now:

{Trigger} com parâmetro {Params}

It might take a few days for Amazon to approve the change.

Daniel Millan

@Russ
Is the first one already working or is it being implemented? (I tried to use, but it didn't work)
Thanks for your help!

Russ

@Daniel-Millan, the first one is implemented already. Please tell me what you said to Alexa, or send me a private message with your triggercmd email address. I'd like to find your entry in the log. Sometimes there's something I can do on my end.

Ivan Kuler

Hi Russ about that, I agree with @Daniel-Millan that the current comand is weird in portuguese and will be easy if could be like:
Alexa Execute Comando "TRIGGER NAME" com parâmetro "PARAMETER NAME"

or at least change the current action command "Pergunte" to "Abra"..not the best but would make a little more sence in portuguese the hole sentence.

BTW, any project/possibiliti to use more parameters on SmartHome skill? Will work perfect with some virtual devices/triggers like an examle:

Trigger/Voice virtual device: Browser
%1 Chrome
%2 Opera
%3 Edge
OFF Killprocess with the names above

I mean... I have a Real Device here tht is a RGB light, with name Light
So, I can say Alexa turn on light / Alexa turn off light (I´m considering this as parameters ON or OFF
Instead I can say just Alexaaa Light .. this works as Turn on Light (so is like parameter ON)
For last, I can say Alexa Light Red ... and so it,s a other parameter that not the ON or Off...
My idea to work with more parameters on TriggerSmart home skill is like that.

And for sure is a short sentence instead of the ones used on Triggercommand skill.

Russ

@Ivan-Kuler,

You should be able to use this format now. Amazon approved it:
{Trigger} com parâmetro {Params}

For the Smart Home skill, I can only do on and off for parameters because the device it simulates is a switch that you can only turn on or off.

For your example, could you create another command with the voice = "light red" ?

Ivan Kuler

@Russ Hi.. sorry for delay...
I didn´t get only your last question...
E.G... I can say for that lightbulb commands with "parameters" to change the color or the bright intense..

I know that the smartdevice skil Trigger... creates a simulate switch, what I suggest/ask is if is possible to simulete other kind of device, so we will can use more then 2 parameters.... In my example the at least 16 colors and 100 light intesevite, so at last that device have more then 116 parameters.... got my point? just under....

Russ

@Ivan-Kuler, I see your point - it would be nice if the Smart Home Alexa skill and Google action could send more than just on or off as parameters. I can look into whether they support colors, like red, blue, green etc as if it's a Hue bulb.

EDIT: I see that I might be able to support a brightness level, as if it's dimmer switch. Would that help?
https://developers.google.com/assistant/smarthome/guides/switch
https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/device-apis/alexa-brightnesscontroller.html#setbrightness

Also for Alexa I see they have color:
https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/device-apis/alexa-colorcontroller.html

Daniel Millan

Hi, @Russ
"{Trigger} com parâmetro {Params}" only works if I call the skill before.
The pattern for triggering instantly (without invoking the skill) is still confusing and very long.

Another solution would be not to provide instructions ("Diga algo como [...]") every time I call the skill.

Russ

@Daniel-Millan, I need to figure out why it's giving you that prompt. It should skip that if there's a trigger in the payload from Alexa. Please send me your triggercmd account's email address via chat - I might be able to get a clue from the log.

Also, will you please check if you have a default computer set, and let me know?

Daniel Millan

@Russ
I'm talking about when I ask Alexa to open the skill without giving a command and say the pattern later.

I say "Alexa, abra Execute Comando"
Alexa replies "Diga algo como execute a calculadora no Office PC" (It could be replaced by say "Qual é seu comando?" and wait for my command)
I say "{Trigger} with parameter {Params}"

Russ

@Daniel-Millan, Amazon requires me to give the user a prompt explaining how to use the skill when the skill is opened, but you should be able to avoid that prompt by saying a full sentence, like this:

Alexa, pergunte Execute Comando para executar notepad com parametro russ

I used that sentence in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltFLdmK1Hh8

The TRIGGERcmd Smart Home Alexa skill and Google Assistant action recognize words much better. I wish you could send more parameters besides on and off using the TRIGGERcmd Smart Home skill. I'm looking into it colors and numbers because instead of simulating a Smart Home on/off switch, I might be able to simulate a multi-colored dimmable light bulb.

Ivan Kuler

@Daniel-Millan Hi!

I’m Brazilian, so is weird to speak in English....

Anyway, meanwhile Russ is working at the Smart Home skill to have more parameters and so make easier the process (short, even), I found one workaround... it’s not the bet, and demand a little work, but maybe is good for you...

1- You will need to move your amazon account to US amazon to unlock a feature on the Alexa routines. After create it, you can move back to Brazil.
2 - Only will work with a fixed number of pre defined variables, and you will need to create 1 Routine per parameter...

So, if this works for you let me know that I will appreciate to detail it here later..just an overview :

You have the Trigger called Browser, that is for open 1 of the 4 applications that you have installed on your computer... So the name of those will be the the 4 possibles defined values for the parameter.

You created for that a batch script named Browser.bat... same name of the voice trigger defined at trigger command. The value defined in that batch was: Chrome, Edge, Opera and Firefox.

So after that your command in Portuguese to Alexa will be:

To open Chrome::

Alexa peça para o Execute Comando executar Browser com parâmetro Chrome.
Ufa...

So, the workaround that I did, to keep using the only one Trigger Browser Trigger created at the example (I meant use everything already implemented above) is transform the big sentence above, using a Routine in this short command to Alexa:

Alexa Abra o Chrome

....

So in that example you will need to create 4 Routines... and each one of those routines will just “translate” the big sentence into a small one.

As I said is only a temporary workaround and just for specific situations... if works for you, just say and I explain.

Br

IvanKuler

Ivan Kuler

@Russ the video was funny... seems very later and tired.

And if you allow me... @Daniel-Millan is saying about another good way, for some kind os users, that maybe can work so good as the idea of the “Dimered device”, I meant, 2 good ideas .. 2 ways for different kind of users, same destination..

Like an fully interaction with the skill:

E.g: ——- for a Trigger with parameters enabled.
User: Alexa, Abra o Execute Comando
Alexa: Try to say something like Execute a calculadora
Me: Execute o notepad
Alexa: With parameter?
Me: Russ
Alexa: Done, do you will need another one? Say no to finish.
Me: Yes, Execute a calculadora
Alexa: Ok..

And so goes on and on, like a conversation.... As I sad, maybe works for another kind of users, and actually can be good for some triggers that demands some sequencing...

I know, I know... I got out of the box a little bit now.. just wondering..

Br

Russ

@Ivan-Kuler, @Daniel-Millan, you might be interested in this:

https://www.triggercmd.com/forum/topic/1531/pass-parameters-with-alexa-routines