Remote Triggering of Scenes

Remote Triggering of Scenes

The Neo and Ulti Input units are capable of triggering a scene on the C-Bus Network. This functionality is described in the Tutorial on the NEO Scene Editor (http://www.cbusforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=305). However, it is also possible to fire a scene remotely from another unit. For example the scenes stored on the Neo in the Dining room can be fired from the Lounge room before the guests come into the room.

This remote triggering can be achieved through three different techniques. This tutorial describes the three techniques. Before proceeding with this tutorial make sure you have set up at least one scene on a unit and that you have assigned an Action Selector for the scene(s).

Technique 1 – Put the whole unit into Trigger Control

Note.. this technique is NOT recommended for Neo/Saturn/Reflection/Wireless units, use Technique 2

For a Key Input unit that is only going to be used to trigger scenes the option is provided as a key function in the drop down list for the keys. To use this method first double click any modern Key Input unit (firmware 1.2.67 or later, could be KEY4 or later) and the template will appear in its “Simple” configuration.

Next, click the “Advanced” button on the lower left hand side. The Application dropdown in the second column shows the current Application for the unit. To see the appropriate entry in the Key Functions list we set the unit to the Trigger Control Application by selecting that Application from the list.

It will most likely prompt you to create missing Groups in this Application. Click the “No” box. Now go to the upper part of the Template and click the Key1 Group Function Box and choose Trigger 1. This is the remote triggering function. In the Key 1 Group drop down box choose the Trigger Group for the Scene you want to trigger. Now we click the “micro-icon” next to the Trigger 1 entry. (If you hover the mouse over that area you get a tool tip that says, “Enter the Details for this Function”.

This displays a small dialogue called “Trigger Function” and the Group we selected is shown with a gray background. Below is a drop down list which lets you choose the Action Selector that will fire your scene. Then Click OK.

Now save the programming to the unit. When you press the button it will cause the scene on the other unit to fire.

Technique 2 – Use empty scenes


There are two possible Scenes that can be fired by a Key Input unit and if you are using a 4 Key or greater unit you may not wish to use the unit to just control two scenes. So there is an alternative method of firing scenes which allows you to fire 3 or more scenes from a Key Input unit. To do this, you need to start with a Neo or Ulti unit. These units support scenes and this capability is going to be used to trigger scenes in other units. Open the Unit Template for a Neo or Ulti unit and make one key a Scene key by selecting <scene> from the drop down.

Now click the micro-icon as before and choose the Trigger Group and the Action Selector for the scene you want to fire.

When you press the corresponding key on the unit the scene on the other unit will fire. You can repeat this for every key on the unit. So an 8 key Neo could trigger 8 different scenes in another unit. In fact, since we are flexible as to which Trigger Group we use we could trigger scenes in several units throughout the network.

Technique 3 – Use Remote Scene Triggering in wireless

Finally we can remotely trigger scenes from a wireless Key Input/Output unit with a special Key Assignment called “Remote Scene Trigger”. For this to work on a wired network you have to create a Trigger Group and some Action Selectors for your scenes in the wireless network. Use the Project Manager to find the Trigger Group and the Action Selectors you want to trigger.

Open the Unit Template and click on a key function and select “Remote Scene Trigger” from the drop down list.

Now click the micro-icon and you will see the “Define a Scene Key” dialogue. The box will be blank at first and so you have to click “Edit Scenes” and the Scene Manager will open. Click Add Scene and a new scene will be created.

Now click OK and you will get an information dialogue saying that “Scenes were updated. As some scenes have been assigned, please make sure that these assignments are correct.”, click OK and you will be back in the Define a Scene Key dialogue. Choose “Remote Scene 1” from the drop down (it’s smart enough to see what you are trying to do and creates a new entry for you) and choose or create a new Trigger Group.

Then use the new Action Selector.

Now click OK and then OK on the Unit Template. Now when you press the key on the unit, the scene will be fired in the other unit on the wireless network.</scene>