Manuals+

R-TEC Automation with Amazon Alexa

Instructions for Voice Control Integration

Introduction

Amazon Alexa allows you to control your R-TEC Automation window treatments using just your voice. This integration works with all Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, including Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show.

About the Automate Skill

The R-TEC Automation Skill for Alexa makes your window treatments smarter. By connecting your R-TEC Hub to Amazon Alexa, you can precisely control individual shades or groups of shades using voice commands. Ensure you have a properly set up R-TEC Hub and the R-TEC Automation App.

Getting Started

Before connecting Alexa, verify that your R-TEC Hub and window treatments are functioning correctly. You will need:

Controlling Your R-TEC Window Treatments with Amazon Alexa

For a seamless hands-free experience, consider how you and your family naturally refer to your window treatments. You can rename shades in the R-TEC Automation App (e.g., from "Shade 1" to "Living Room Shade") and decide whether they will be controlled individually or as part of a group.

Alexa - On/Off Commands

Alexa treats window treatments like light switches. You can use "on" and "off" commands:

Custom Commands

You can create custom commands using Alexa Routines. Routines are sequences of actions triggered by a custom command, allowing you to move a group or single shade. Test commands that sound natural to you and Alexa.

Ensure you have set up groups in your R-TEC Automation App prior to creating routines.

Example commands that work well:

Scene Control

Scene Control allows multiple shades to be set to different positions simultaneously. Scenes are created within the R-TEC Automation App, not the Alexa App. Choose meaningful and easy-to-remember scene names.

Example: A scene named "Good Morning" can be activated by saying, "Alexa, turn on Good Morning."

Group Control

You can also control shades through groups created in the Alexa App. These groups can represent individual rooms, multiple rooms, or your entire home. Note that rooms configured in the R-TEC Automation App do not automatically appear in Alexa. You must create these groups within the Alexa App.

Example: "Alexa, turn on Living Room."

Percentage Control

Individual window treatments or groups can be set to a specific percentage of openness (0% is fully lowered, 100% is fully raised). This percentage is based on the motor's programmed limits.

Example: "Alexa, set Bedroom Shade to 22%."

Quick Tips

Enabling Your Automate Alexa Skill on the Alexa App

Ensure your Alexa account is set up and working by asking Alexa the time. Also, test your R-TEC Automation App and Hub.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. From the Alexa App home page, select the main menu (usually in the top right corner).
  2. Select the "Skill & Games" option.
  3. In the search bar, type "Automate Shades V2".
  4. The "Automated Shades V2" skill will appear in the search results. Select it.
  5. On the skill page, tap "Enable to Use".
  6. You will be prompted to link your R-TEC Automation App account.
  7. Enter the email and password associated with your R-TEC Automation App.
  8. Once the account is linked, select "Done" (usually in the top left corner).
Image Description: A series of screenshots illustrating the process of finding, enabling, and linking the R-TEC Automation skill within the Amazon Alexa app. This includes navigating menus, searching for the skill, and entering account credentials.

Discovering Devices

After enabling the skill, you need to discover your window treatments.

  1. You will be prompted to discover your window treatments. Click "Discover Devices."
  2. Your Alexa device will search for window treatments linked to your R-TEC Automation App.
  3. Once devices are discovered, click the "Devices" tab at the bottom of the Alexa App.
  4. All individual window treatments configured in your R-TEC Automation App will now appear.
Image Description: Screenshots showing the Alexa app prompting to discover devices, indicating that discovery is in progress, and finally displaying the list of discovered R-TEC Automation window treatments under the 'Devices' section.

Discovering Scenes and Creating Groups

Discovering Scenes

Click the "Scenes" tab in the Alexa App. Any preconfigured scenes from your R-TEC Automation App will appear here.

Image Description: Screenshot of the Alexa app showing a list of available scenes, such as "Good Morning," "Good Night," and "Lunch Time," after they have been discovered.

Creating Groups

You can create custom groups of shades within the Alexa App for easier control.

  1. In the Alexa App, navigate to the groups section and tap the "+" button to add a new group.
  2. Select "Add Group".
  3. Name the group (you can choose from predefined names or create a custom one).
  4. Select the specific "Shades" (devices) that you want to include in this group.
  5. The newly created group will appear on the home page of the Alexa App under "Devices" or "Shades".
Image Description: A series of screenshots demonstrating how to create a group in the Alexa app. This includes tapping the add icon, selecting 'Add Group', naming the group (e.g., 'Rollease Office'), and selecting individual shades to add to that group. The final screenshot shows the group listed in the Alexa app.

Creating Custom Voice Commands (Routines)

You can create custom voice commands for specific actions using Alexa Routines.

  1. From the Alexa App main menu, select the "Routines" option.
  2. Tap the "+" button in the top right corner to create a new routine.
  3. Select the option to "Enter routine name" or tap the "+" button next to it.
  4. Enter a descriptive name for your routine (e.g., "Meeting Time"). Press "Next".
  5. Under "When this happens", select the "Voice" control option.
  6. Enter the exact phrase you want to use as your custom command (e.g., "Alexa, Open Rollease Office Shade"). Press "Next".
  7. Under "Add action", select "Smart Home".
  8. Choose the specific device, group, or scene you want to control.
  9. If the action is to raise or lower shades, select the appropriate action (e.g., "on" for raising, "off" for lowering, or "set" for percentage). Press "Next".
  10. Select the "Enable" button (usually in the top right corner) to save the new routine.
  11. The created custom command will now appear in your list of routines.
Image Description: A sequence of screenshots guiding the user through creating a custom Alexa routine. This includes selecting 'Routines', adding a new routine, defining the trigger phrase (e.g., 'Alexa, Meeting Time'), selecting 'Smart Home' actions, choosing devices/scenes, and saving the routine.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, follow these troubleshooting steps. Refer to pages 1-6 for initial instructions and pages 7-10 for FAQs.

Cannot Control R-TEC Automation Window Treatments With Alexa

Question: Can you control your window treatments from your R-TEC Automation® App?

  • If Yes: Question: Do you know your R-TEC Automation® Username and Password?
    • If Yes: Proceed to "Enable Skill as per Alexa Instructions".
    • If No: "Ensure this is resolved before proceeding."
  • If No: Proceed to "Enable Skill as per Alexa Instructions".

After enabling the skill: Is your Alexa device "online"? (Check Alexa settings)

  • If Yes: (Further troubleshooting may be required, consult FAQs or support).
  • If No: Choose one: "Disable Skill in Alexa App", "Re-enable Skill as per Alexa Instructions", or "Factory reset your Amazon Alexa".
Image Description: A flowchart illustrating troubleshooting steps for controlling R-TEC Automation window treatments with Alexa. It guides users through checking app control, credentials, Alexa device online status, and potential solutions like enabling/disabling skills or factory resetting.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issues include: Window treatments not discovering, name updates not syncing, or devices not responding.

Question: What color are the devices in the Alexa Home Control menu?

  • If Blue: Question: Try to control the device within the Alexa home control menu. Does it work?
    • If Yes: (Implies the issue might be resolved or requires further specific steps not detailed here).
    • If No: "Call Rowley".
  • If White:
    1. Manually delete devices in Home Control.
    2. Factory reset your Amazon Alexa.
    3. Disable Skill in Alexa App.
    4. Change your R-TEC Automation® Account password.
    5. Try Again. Does it work?
      • If Yes: (Issue resolved).
      • If No: "Factory reset your Amazon Alexa".
Image Description: A flowchart for troubleshooting specific issues like device discovery, name syncing, and responsiveness. It involves checking device color in Alexa Home Control, manual deletion, factory resets, and password changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I find the Alexa skill to enable control of my R-TEC Automation® window treatments?
A: From the main menu in the Alexa App, click "Skills." In the search bar, type "Automate Shades." The Automate skill will appear once the search is complete.
Q: How do I enable the Automate skill?
A: Once you find the Automate skill in the Alexa App, click "Enable." You will need to enter the account credentials used to log in to the R-TEC Automation® App (your user email and password).
Q: I enabled the skill, but I cannot control any window treatments.
A: After enabling the Automate skill, you must discover devices to control them with Alexa. The simplest way is to say, "Alexa, discover devices." Alternatively, you can follow the discovery instructions within the Alexa App.
Q: The Automate skill is enabled in Alexa, but I cannot discover my window treatments and scenes.
A: Ensure that the R-TEC Hub is online and connected to Wi-Fi. You can check this within the R-TEC Automation® App: navigate to your location, select the Hub, and check the "Hub Time" category. If it has a value, the Hub is connected. If not, check your Wi-Fi network connectivity.
Q: I cannot control the rooms I have configured in the R-TEC Automation® App.
A: Alexa integration supports device-level control and scene activation. Rooms configured in the R-TEC Automation® App are not automatically pulled into Alexa. You must configure room or group control experiences within the Alexa App itself.
Q: Can I control each window treatment individually?
A: Yes, each window treatment controlled by the R-TEC Automation® App can be voice-controlled through Alexa.
Q: How do I lower a shade?
A: To lower an individual shade, say: "Alexa, turn on [Unique Shade Name]".
Q: How do I raise a shade?
A: To raise an individual shade, say: "Alexa, turn off [Unique Shade Name]".
Q: How do I move a window treatment to a position between fully open and fully closed?
A: To move a window treatment to an intermediate position, say: "Alexa, set [Unique Name] to [desired] %." Example: "Alexa, set North Facing to 40%." (0% is fully open, 100% is fully closed).
Q: Do I have to say "set"?
A: "Set" is the most common trigger word for moving window treatments. "Dim" can also be used but is less natural for shade control.
Q: I try to move one window treatment, but Alexa replies that there is more than one device with that name.
A: Ensure all window treatments have unique names in the R-TEC Automation® App. After updating names, instruct Alexa: "Alexa, discover devices." Once discovery is complete, you can control the treatments using their updated, unique names.
Q: Can I control groups of window treatments?
A: Yes, but you must configure these groups within the Alexa App. The integration does not import room configurations from the R-TEC Automation® App.
Q: How do I lower a group of shades (that were configured in the Alexa App)?
A: To lower a group of shades, say: "Alexa, turn on [Unique Group or Room Name]".
Q: How do I raise a group of shades (that were configured in the Alexa App)?
A: To raise a group of shades, say: "Alexa, turn off [Unique Group or Room Name]".
Q: Can I trigger the scenes that I have set up in the R-TEC Automation® App?
A: Yes, scenes configured in the R-TEC Automation® App will appear in Alexa during the "Device discovery" process. You can also create scenes within the Alexa App that include other smart home devices.
Q: How do I trigger a scene?
A: To trigger a scene created in the R-TEC Automation® App, say: "Alexa, turn on [Unique Scene Name]".
Q: Are there any preconfigured scenes available?
A: No, all scenes are custom and must be configured either in the R-TEC Automation® App or within the Alexa App.
Q: "Turn on" and "Turn off" are strange trigger words. Can I just say "open" or "close"?
A: Currently, "open" and "close" are not direct options. Alexa's Smart Home functionality is evolving. Window treatments are categorized under lighting, so control uses similar language (on/off, dim/set). Custom commands can be created via routines, such as "Alexa, raise or lower Living Room Shades."
Q: Do I have to frequently log in to my R-TEC Automation® account through Alexa?
A: No. After the initial login and authentication, the Alexa Skill stores a "token" for continuous integration, so you won't need to sign in repeatedly.
Q: I changed the name of a window treatment in my R-TEC Automation® account. Does the name change in Alexa automatically?
A: Name changes typically propagate to Alexa within a few minutes. If there's a delay, try closing and reopening the Alexa App to refresh the device list. If the issue persists, delete the device in the Alexa App and re-discover it.
Q: How do I add a new window treatment to my existing account?
A: After adding a new window treatment in your R-TEC Automation® account, instruct Alexa to "discover devices." The new treatment should then appear in the Alexa App and be available for voice activation.
Q: I deleted a window treatment from my R-TEC Automation® account, but it still appears in my Alexa App. How do I remove it?
A: To remove a deleted window treatment from your Alexa account, go to the treatment in the Alexa App, select "edit," and then tap the trash can icon in the top right corner of the screen.

Still Have Questions?

Contact R-TEC Automation® in-house experts at 866.985.3423 or email RTECAutomation@RowleyCompany.com.

© 2021 Rowley® Company. All rights reserved. R-TEC Automation® is a registered trademark of the Rowley® Company, LLC.

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