Broadlink Blinds, TV, Projector Control: Alexa Routines

Alexa Routines Are The Key to Controlling the Broadlink^® RM4 Pro Emitter:

Alexa uses Broadlink skill to control RF blinds

In the previous article we mentioned that we will be using the Alexa app ROUTINES to control the Broadlink emitter. It will control these aspects of our home theater system:

Blackout blinds
Projector screen
Projector (or TV) power
Audio system power
Selecting HDMI input
Selecting sound mode & level

As covered in the previous article, using the Broadlink emitter (below) involves downloading a Broadlink SKILL to the Alexa app on your phone or tablet.

Alexa uses routines to control blackout blinds & projectors

As discussed in the article 3 (cloning RF blackout blinds), the Broadlink unit is an emitter that can clone both RF digital radio commands and IR (infrared) commands.

With Alexa voice control, it can directly control our RF blackout blinds and IR (infrared) devices, such as our projector and screen. It can also use Alexa to control many other devices, including heaters, TV, fans, lighting, etc.

If you hover your mouse over the pictures on this page, you will see some information about the picture, and the picture number, if it applies.

1. Creating a Simple BLINDS CLOSE Routine for Alexa:

using Alexa app to create simple routine to close blinds

ROUTINES are the same as SCENES in other apps

how to create a new routine to close blinds

Picture 1: Please note that we are continuing from the previous page 5 of this article series with the picture sequence. This is the same picture as the last picture on the previous page 5. This screen is accessed by pressing the More button at the lower right of the bottom menu.

Picture 2: This screen is accessed when the Routines button is pressed. You can see some of the routines we have created; you are going to create a new, simple routine to close the blinds with the Broadlink emitter (assuming you have installed the Broadlink skill in the Alexa app). Please start this process by pressing the + sign at the top right.

If you have come across the term SCENES in other home automation systems, they are called ROUTINES in the the Alexa app (synonymous terms).

Picture 3: This screen appears after you initiate the process of creating a new routine. In the next section you will give it a name, a voice command, and an action. Note that you can add more than one action; this will play a role in the next article where you will create the master routine called ROKU ON.

2. Assigning a Name and Voice Command to Your BLINDS CLOSE Routine:

enter a name for the blackout blinds Routine

Picture 4: Please press the + sign to enter a Name for this routine. It can be anything you want, but it's best to keep it short. Then press Next at the top right.

Picture 5: After you have pressed Next on the previous screen capture, this screen will appear. Please press the Voice icon to proceed to picture 6 and enter a voice command for this routine. It can be anything you want, but it's best to keep it short. We also found 2 syllable words work better than one.

Picture 6: After you have pressed the Voice icon, this screen will appear. Note that the action has not been determined yet (it defaults to weather). Please enter the voice command, then press the + sign by the Add action text.

Note that you can add more than one action, although we will only commit a single action to this routine (close blackout blinds). This will be important in the next article where you will create the master routine called ROKU ON, and assign 2 actions (blackout blinds CLOSE, projector ON).

3. Assigning an Action to Your BLINDS CLOSE Routine:

press SMART HOME to assign ACTION CATEGORY for the blackout blinds routine

press BLINDS to assign ACTION DEVICE for the routine

press SELECT and choose CLOSE to assign ACTION COMMAND

Picture 7: Please press Smart Home to assign the ACTION CATEGORY for the blackout blinds routine (a new screen will appear).

Picture 8: An interim screen will appear, after you pressed Smart Home in the previous picture. Please press All Devices to see this screen, then press Blinds to assign the ACTION DEVICE and proceed to the next screen.

Picture 9: The default action called OPENING will appear, with a checkbox selected. Please press Select and choose the CLOSE action for this routine. Press Next to proceed to the next screen.

Summary:

final step: SAVE the new Blinds Close Routine

Here we have reached the final step: press SAVE and the new Blinds Close Routine will be committed to cloud memory. Please repeat this process to create the Projector ON routine.

In the next article you will create the master routine called ROKU ON, and assign 2 actions (blackout blinds CLOSE, projector ON).