What functional differences are there between PercentageController, PowerLevelController, and BrightnessController in the Smart Home v3 API? The docs recommend:
In general, you should implement the most specific interface possible.
Are there different Alexa interactions that can be used for each controller type? I am currently using PowerLevelController on a dimmer switch that controls some lights - will I lose out on brightness functionality if BrightnessController is not used?
It depends on what the device supports. "Brightness" is like a more refined version of "Percentage".
From the Alexa.BrightnessController Docs:
The Alexa.BrightnessController interface describes messages used to control and report on the brightness of an endpoint such as a light bulb. You should use this interface for appliances that you know support the brightness control over the more general Alexa.PercentageController interface. If you want to handle requests specific to the power level of an endpoint such as a dimmer switch, see Alexa.PowerLevelController.
> Brightness is like a more refined version of Percentage
Is this just a semantic difference or a technical one? In the case of Brightness and PowerLevel controllers, they seem to have the exact same interface (for `powerLevel` and `brightness` values):
integer from 0-100, inclusive.
The BrightnessController doc describes the Alexa phrases it responds to:
“Alexa, set the device to ##%”
But I do not see anything mentioned like that in the PowerLevelController doc.
In my tests using PowerLevelController, it seems to respond to the same phrases.
I am still confused which is appropriate for my scenario using an in-wall dimmer switch that controls a bulb:
Still confused as well, even when the Discovery response is returned as below with the powerLevel, the Alexa APP is still showing "Brightness is set to xx%"
On top of that, sending a successful "ChangeReport" will not change anything in the app?
DIMMER_CAPABILITIES = [
{
"type": "AlexaInterface",
"interface": "Alexa.PowerController",
"version": "3",
"properties": {
"supported": [
{ "name": "powerState" }
],
"proactivelyReported": True,
"retrievable": True
}
},
{
"type": "AlexaInterface",
"interface": "Alexa.PowerLevelController",
"version": "3",
"properties": {
"supported": [
{ "name": "powerLevel" }
],
"proactivelyReported": True,
"retrievable": True
}
}
]
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