Okay I can replicate this, I see another “bug” in the ST platform which is rendering my earlier patch useless. Let me see how I can put another patch for this ST bug.
1 Like
Cool! Thanks for the clarification. Appreciated.
1 Like
To be clear, the events I saw were in ST, While SHM was is ARM(Away), (Blink app, Sync OFF), (Blink app, Motion Disabled). I did still have the device handles attached but I deselected them in SHM setup. When set ST showed the 3 motion events with the blink cameras.
2 things to note:
- Have you enabled SHM integration in the Blink Camera Manager then it will enable monitoring when SHM is enabled (depending up on what options you enabled)
- There was a bug in the ST platform recently which caused the unschedule function to malfunction, when the cameras (all) are turned off, the app “unschedules” the motion detection monitoring routine. If you ran into the ST bug it’s possible that the unschedule didn’t work and it kept on monitoring. Not much that the app can do about it, just hope that ST fixes the issue. I have reported it here:
New scheduler (Codename: Ticker) being rolled out - #91 by RBoy
So here is what’s current there, its’a little wordy but expresses the Blink intent. Should this be changed? (inputs please)
“Each camera exposes itself as a Switch to ST which allows you to control the camera through SmartApps and routines.
This option determines the how the Camera will repond to a Switch On or Switch Off command. By default, the Switch on/off command enables/disables the motion detection for that Camera.
Enabling the below option will change the behavior of the Switch to enable/disbale the Blink system (sync module) instead of the individual camera”
EDIT: How about
Each camera exposes itself as a Switch to ST which allows you to control the camera through SmartApps and routines.
Enabling this option will Arm/Disarm the Blink system (sync module)
Disabling it will control motion detection for the individual camera
Button Text: Switch Interface Arms/Disarms System instead of Camera
That works much better, originally, it was pretty confusing because you can disarm the Blink module while being able to switch the cameras on and off in ST, even though it’s actually not turning on and off, giving the impression that it would just be turning off the camera but still provide motion sensing. Took a bit of playing around to realize that.
Another option:
Each camera exposes itself as a Switch to ST which allows you to control the camera through SmartApps and routines.
Enabling this option will Arm/Disarm the Blink system (sync module)
Disabling it will control motion detection for the individual camera
Button Text: Switch Interface Arms/Disarms System instead of Camera
2 Likes
###Blink Camera Manager - Version 3.9.0
- Fixed issue with motion detection notification on turning on the camera/sync module due to bug with ST platform
- Improved explanation of Switch Interface functionality to be more consistent with Blink terminology
###Blink Device Handler - Version 3.5.0
- Fixes issue with motion sensor not turning off (added heartbeat system to monitor state)
3 Likes
One camera has this log, all the other are fine. Maybe I need to refresh it?
Edited to save your scrolling.
I think your device is corrupted, that’s supposed to be a static variable from the platform (state) and if it’s null that means your device instance is corrupted. @slagle FYI please.
I would recommend just delete it and have the Blink Camera Manager create a new one. @slagle if you want to investigate please let @scott_simmons know.
Right. I actually think the current description accurately describes what it does. There is a difference (which may or may not have a Blink battery implications) between sync arm/disarm and camera motion enable/disable. Not to be too much of a poindexter.
On another (bug related) note. I’m using the app in the default camera targeted motion specific mode. When a switch event activates motion on a camera, it also arms the sync module. This is all good and probably desired. However when a switch off event turns off motion on a camera, it still arms the sync module. I can’t imagine any situation where that would be desirable, and it also kills me in that I have a separate app I wrote to call monitorOff, gets overridden if I also call a switch off through a routine.
None that I know of
Not a bug, but rather by design, by Blink design the module has to be armed to change the camera mode.
Also by Blink design. Arming the system with the camera has no bearing on the performance, camera or battery life so it doesn’t matter
Why would you want to have monitor off? It has no bearing on anything (unless I’m missing something here)
1 Like
##You asked so here it is, we’ve worked with Blink for a promotion exclusively for the SmartThings community
#10% of ALL Blink products
##1. Click here to visit the BlinkForHome.com.com website
##2. Use the code RBOYCAM10 at checkout
###Enjoy, this code expires April 30, 2016
2 Likes
Rboy,
I have my Blink cameras on order and it should be here on Tuesday. Currently I have a ST multipurpose sensor sitting on top of my doorbell (inside the house) so when someone rings the doorbell, it sends me an alert if I am not home. Is it possible to have this trigger an event for Blink to where it also takes a picture and send that to my phone if I have a camera in a window next to the door? Or activate the camera so it will record?
Use the Trigger based Camera Pictures SmartApp in the first post.
It can’t force a recording yet (it’s something we’re working with Blink on but send in the request to Blink support also)
Perfect! I read all the post in here and now I remember about not being able to force a recording. A single pic will be enough for now…once I get my cameras on Tues, you will have my donation. Thanks for all of your work on this.
The confusion I initially ran into, and the question I immediately asked myself was, “But what does turning this on do?” In addition to turning the Sync Module On, will it also turn on ALL cameras OR only those cameras that I have Motion Detection enabled in the Blink app? I feel this should be stated.
I’m still not sure of myself (and therefore still somewhat confused), but here’s what I think it should say if I have figured this out correctly:
"With this option OFF/DISABLED, the Sync Module will always be “Armed” in the Blink app and SmartThings. (However, the user must first enable the system to “Armed” in the Blink app.) This enables the user to enable or disable motion detection control of each individual camera through the use of SmartApps or routines.
With this option ON/ENABLED, the entire Sync Module will be either be “Armed” or disarmed in the Blink app and in SmartThings. Enabling or disabling any one switch though the use of SmartApps or routines enables or disables ALL cameras."
Is that how that particular switch works?
EDIT: I posted this prior to reading to the end of the thread, so you may have already updated the terminology/explanation.
Technically this isn’t correct, it doesn’t do anything to cameras, it just arms/disarms the sync module. The real issue is that Blink needs to simplify this process, I’m just trying to keep this in sync with the Blink explanation.
1 Like
OK, so apparently I’m still confused then. So, if the switch is set to on then how does one control individual cameras? What exactly is the purpose of turning it on? What exactly is the purpose of leaving it off? Please give me an example of why I would use either scenario.
I’ve been using the smarthings app “photo burst when” with less then ideal success but that is another option. Lag is too long between motion sensor trigger and the photos being taken to capture someone at my front door. I need to try Rboy’s app. The one day I tried to install it I got an error.