Room Automation with WeMo and IFTTT

[benclough]

@ScruffR

No, since the sensor that does detect whether the lid is open or closed by sensing magnetic fields (I suppose it's more likely a hall sensor then a reed) you could use an electromagnet to switch the magnetic field on or off rather than physically moving a permanent magnet.

If you can't find the location of your sensor, just take a magnetic needle or paperclip, attach a thread and just scan accross your laptop. You'll find some places the pin/clip is attracted to,There you've got the magnet that will be sensed when the lid is closed (unless you found the speaker magnets ).If you now take a magnet and bring it close to the corresponding spot on the lid, the screen should go off - there you've got the sensor.

I am still VERY confused @ScruffR, what exactly is the electromagnetic supposed to do, because if I use the Wake on LAN, do I need this?

[harrisonhjones]

No, you won’t. There is simply a sensor in your laptop which can detect magnets. There is a magnet in the lid of your laptop. @ScruffR was just suggesting that you could find this magnet and then, using a special electric magnet, copy it’s effect to trick the computer into thinking the lid was open or closed.

[Moors7]

Logging it will get problematic since there’s basically no program that can run before that time which can log you in. With the KISS method in mind, try disabling your password first. Then, set the page you’d like to open as your homepage in your browser. Then, throw a short-cut of that browser into your start-up folder. When your computer boots, it should automatically open that program (your browser), after which the browser will go to the home page.
That might be the cleanest, no-programming, solution out there.

[benclough]

@harrisonhjones

Let's start with the WOL.

Go here and enable WOL for your WiFi adapter and ethernet adapter
Install this on your phone (if Android) or this if iOS (iPhone)
Power down your computer and attempt to wake it up using the above apps

I am going to try this and tell you the results.

@Moors7

Logging it will get problematic since there's basically no program that can run before that time which can log you in. With the KISS method in mind, try disabling your password first. Then, set the page you'd like to open as your homepage in your browser. Then, throw a short-cut of that browser into your start-up folder. When your computer boots, it should automatically open that program (your browser), after which the browser will go to the home page.That might be the cleanest, no-programming, solution out there

How would the log-in work then @Moors7 ?
After using WOL to start the computer, without a password, can WOL log me in?
Do I need to log-off for this to work everytime?

@Moors7

Then, set the page you'd like to open as your homepage in your browser. Then, throw a short-cut of that browser into your start-up folder. When your computer boots, it should automatically open that program (your browser), after which the browser will go to the home page.

Can I open up two tabs with one shortcut to the browser?

[ScruffR]

@benclough

How would the log-in work then

First we'd need to know your operating system.

Assuming it's Windows:
If you have only one user account and remove/clear the password, your computer will most likely directly boot into the system.
If it doesn't there are possibly some minor settings to correct. (EDIT: See this article)

@benclough

Can I open up two tabs with one shortcut to the browser?

We'd need to know what browser you're using, but most browsers do provide that feature.

---

BTW: You have been told, that you don't have to ping (@) everybody each and everytime. The guys who have been answering have this thread on their radar already and will drive by from time to time

[benclough]

Can I buy a single Wemo Switch and put an outlet to it?

@ScruffR

First we'd need to know your operating system

Windows.

@ScruffR

We'd need to know what browser you're using

I am using Chrome, I wanted to know if I can put a shortcut to two tabs in Chrome, so when I log in, it immediately brings up the two tabs.

Okay, sorry!!!

[harrisonhjones]

Can I buy a single Wemo Switch and put an outlet to it?

The WeMo has a single outlet. You can attach a power strip if needed however be careful not to exceed the capacity of the switch. You will be controlling the WeMo with your Pi

Windows

Awesome. See this article

shortcut to two tabs in Chrome

Solution however in the future try this.

[benclough]

Is there a cheaper alternative to the WeMo that is available today?
Also, I am still confused on why I need a Raspberry Pi because with the start up folder that Moors7 suggested I could just add Spotify to that folder and it would open, correct? My only problem is it to begin playing the songs. Can I use IFTTT for that?

Thanks

[harrisonhjones]

Is there a cheaper alternative to the WeMo that is available today?

Not that I know of. That's why I backed Hook. If you don't have a bunch of lights then you could wire it manually. What kind of light do you have, how many, and how are they connected to power?

why I need a Raspberry Pi

If you can get the Laptop method to work then you do not strictly need the Pi however it would

1. Make things easier (like turning on your lights)
2. Be fun to play with
3. Could run spotify so the music plays near instantly when you come downstairs

[benclough]

@harrisonhjones

That's why I backed Hook

My Dad's friend works for Hook!

@harrisonhjones

Could run spotify so the music plays near instantly when you come downstairs

Can I do this with the Particle Core? is there any way I can do this with start-up scripts or IFTTT?

[harrisonhjones]

My Dad's friend works for Hook!

That awesome! Sounds like you might have an "in" for early access

Can I do this with the Particle Core? is there any way I can do this with start-up scripts or IFTTT?

Yes, the Core will trigger the event and then the Pi or Start up script can do the rest.

[benclough]

@harrisonhjones

Yes, the Core will trigger the event and then the Pi or Start up script can do the rest.

What will the Core trigger exactly? What would the start up script look like to start playing the playlist?

I found an forum post where the code is activated at a certain time, so can i get help to tweak this for the start up script?

#!/bin/bash

spotify 1>/dev/null 2>&1 &

sleep 3

qdbus org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.spotify / org.freedesktop.MediaPlayer2.OpenUri spotify:album:4m2880jivSbbyEGAKfITCa

[harrisonhjones]

Well, the Core can send out Wake On Lan packets.

As for the playlist… I’m looking into it. Do you use the web player or the desktop client?

[benclough]

Desktop version. @harrisonhjones

Thank you for your help. Sorry that I couldn’t reply earlier, the back of my neck is really stiff and i have to rest

[Moors7]

@benclough

Is there a cheaper alternative to the WeMo that is available today?

There are relatively cheap 433MHz plug available which you could switch using a Particle with a 433MHz transmitter. If you do a quick forum/Google search for it, there should be plenty examples available.

[benclough]

@harrisonhjones

As for the playlist... I'm looking into it.

Any luck?

@harrisonhjones

Let's start with the WOL.

Go here and enable WOL for your WiFi adapter and ethernet adapter
Install this on your phone (if Android) or this if iOS (iPhone)
Power down your computer and attempt to wake it up using the above apps

Success!!! It worked, perfectly @harrisonhjones How is it going with Spotify?

[harrisonhjones]

We might have to build something. The desktop client doesn’t look very extendable. Can you go ahead and download Node.js? and install it while making sure you also install NPM?

[benclough]

Sure, quick question…can I use IFTTT to turn on the lights if I scanned an NFC tag? So if I scan an NFC Tag on the stairs, then it will turn on the WeMo lights?

[Moors7]

@benclough

can I use IFTTT to turn on the lights if I scanned an NFC tag? So if I scan an NFC Tag on the stairs, then it will turn on the WeMo lights?

Yes, that'll work. If you use the, even cheaper, 433MHz plugs, you won't even need IFTTT though, and probably save quite some money. The WeMo is about $45 per outlet, the 433 ones can be had for <$30 for five of them. Just a suggestion, whereby I must mention the WeMo will be easier to setup.
As a quick aside: IFTTT isn't a magic tool, nor a magic wand. Being able to hook some services together, doesn't mean it can hook EVERYTHING together. It's a service to combine online services. If there isn't a channel for it, it's unlikely to work.

[benclough]

I installed the software, what now ?
@harrisonhjones