Set up Time Constraints for control with N-Button (Time Point)

N-Button can execute many different control actions with its automation features. It can also be set to perform control actions during a specific time. For example, it can send an email every time when a door has been opened during a period of time. This blog will demonstrate how to configure N-Button to execute time specific/time restrained tasks with the built in Time Point automation rule, such as sending email during 7:01 P.M and sunrise with a contact closure rule. The Schedule automation rule can also achieve similar results; click here for the blog on Schedule rule.

1. Create a new Condition

Open the N-Button Pro Manager, and click the “Conditions” button on the bottom-right panel.

Click “New” and then click “Simple Condition”.

Name your new condition with a unique name, and set the initial status to “not meet”. It is important to keep track of the conditions and their names for later purposes.

2. Create a new Time Point Rule

In the N-Button Pro Manager, click the “Automation” button on the bottom right panel, and click “New”. Finally, click the “Time Point Rule” button.

Click the “Setting” button next to the Time Point box. You can either select “Clock Time” or “Event Time” to set the starting time point. For this blog, we will create a demonstration for how to execute actions strictly between 7:01 P.M and sunrise.

Click the “Setting” Button next to the “Action when Current Time is On Time Point” box. In the popup window, under “Action Type”, select “Condition Action”. Under “Conditionals”, select the condition that was previously created. Under “Action”, select “Set to Meet”.

Create another Time Point Rule. Check the “Event” radio button, and select sunrise.

Click the “Setting” Button next to the “Action when Current Time is On Time Point” box. In the popup window, under “Action Type”, select “Condition Action”. Under “Conditionals”, select the condition that was previously created. Under “Action”, select “Set to Not Meet”.

3. Create a new task

In the N-Button Pro Manager, click the “Automation” button on the bottom right panel, and click “New”. For the purpose of this blog, we will create a Contact Closure Rule. It will work with other rules, such as push notification or system event.

Add a new device to N-Button. (Here’s a blog post on how to add a device to N-Button), and select the desired Contact Closure Settings. Depending on the situation, click the “Setting” Button next to either “Action when Status Changes from Open to Close” or “Action when Status Changes from Close to Open”.

Under “Action Type”, select “Send Email”. Fill out the appropriate email information in the textboxes below. If you would like to send a test email, click the “Test” Button.

Make the box next to “Only Do Action when Condition Status is as Specified” is checked. In the “Condition” box, select the condition which we previously created, and in the “Status” box, select Meet.

Click “OK” to finish all settings.

Keep N-Button software running.  An email will be sent out ONLY during the specific time interval when the status of contact closure device changes.