Remote commands

I guess that's one way to do it, or on the other hand if you're that way inclined you might write an app (well I guess 2) that interacts with Cortex via the Cortex API

As of version 14 we now have SSL connectivity so now I'm able to connect Cortex to gmail, I use email to turn the heating on before I head home I've had a play with a few other functions and as long as you spell things correctly it all works rather nicely. IMO, Email is the quick and dirty solution, Karam's idea would be far more elegant!

A question for the Idratek guys ... is there a way of stopping cortex from processing an email by using a special key word? My emails have legal footers and Cortex tries to process them too, but it fails so no big deal but the reply back from Cortex looks a bit messy.

Thanks.
Nad

interesting - do you use the subject header to carry the command, or the body of the e-mail ?

You have to put the special subject header that you set in the cortex email object and then the commands in the body of the email. You can have multiple commands in one email too.

e.g.

Subject: Idratek Cortex Command
Body: Porch Light.Turn On

It also has the option for validation against an address book but I've not been able to get that working. I would like to get that working but not sure how it would work with Windows 7 as it doesn't come with an email client unless you install one. On XP Cortex used the OE address book for validation (but I never really managed to get that to work either).

Thanks.
Nad

I have written a program that exposes the Cortex API (windows messages) as a web service.

I've then written an android app that lets me talk to Cortex using the phone (in my case, to "pre-warm" the house on my way home from work on a cold day by setting the hvac presence override on - I guess like Nad does with his emails)

Both are experimental at the moment but I could probably find some time to tart up the web service bit at least. You may then be able to use it to write your own app (eg with AppInventor for android...)

Karam - I seem to remember an extra Cortex (paid) option to improve external integration (via scripting maybe ?), but I can't find that on your new website. Maybe I'm imagining it. I ask because the existing API (windows message based) can be pretty poor : eg. I can *set* the hvac presence override, but not *query* its current setting ! Maybe this goes deeper than the API level...

Hi Nad,

The 'Validate Sender' option works on the senders email name. This is not necessarily the same as the email address. The name is set in the email client that sends the email to Cortex. You do not need an email client on the same PC as Cortex. An option is provided to visit your default email client (if you have one) and pick the names using the 'From...' button. However you can just type in the name(s) you want to allow.

If you make Cortex collect your emails, then visit the Received emails tab. There you will see the name in the 'From' Column. You can then see what name should be put into the Validate sender list. Note multiple valid senders are delimited with a ';'.

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Regarding stopping Cortex processing email comands...
When Cortex is next updated we will introduce a 'Start processing keyword' and a 'Stop processing keyword' that you can choose.
Also the receipt will be improved to show better how it has decoded your email.

Viv

We did provide a Scripting option within Cortex as a paid for extension.
However this is no longer offered as an option as its maintenance was quite a burden.
It required parameters to be specifically exposed and decoded for each object.

The Cortex API was subsequently provided as a means to interact with Cortex and was provided free with the basic Cortex. The API's way of interacting with Cortex uses the same method Cortex uses of communication between objects. This means any new objects added to Cortex are automatically available via the API.

We are open to how the API could be improved and if you would like to contact Idratek via email we would be pleased to here from you.

Viv.

Whilst Windows 7 doesn't have an in built email client, it does still have 'contacts' (this is what I backup my iPhone contacts to) . . . if all you need is a reference point to lookup email addresses against then this might do it ?