Best way to detect you're home...?

[IconBoy]

Can anyone please recommend the best way to detect when you're home?

I'm using WiFi Near and use my Home SSID. (I've also tried WiFi Near and Cell Near together).

Previously I have tried Cell Near but depending where I am in the house, I can pick up two to five broadcast towers (if I've used the correct terminology). I've tried using the old and new cell API methods but get too many in the list. I can then be a block (or more) from the house and it'll say I'm home.

If I leave the house, I want WiFi to be off as I'm no doubt not connected to any WiFi unless it's a Starbucks, airport or library.

What have other users found to be best practice for knowing you're home/at work?
Thanks.

[Sean Williams]

WiFi near is probably the most accurate non physical solution and as with newer android versions you don't need to leave WiFi enabled or have tasker toggle it.

However in the interest of power saving (however small) I also use a cell near context on the same profile. In theory WiFi will only be considered if a cell tower is matched.

Given your home will most likely have several towers, this is normal and these towers will even need updating at some point depending on your mobile networks maintenance etc. To manage this I automate cell changes in an exit task. This will update my cells if I am still connected to home WiFi while my cells no longer match thus always keeping my home cells current.

For me this solution has been rock solid and as soon as I park on the drive my phone will instantly say 'Location Home'.

[IconBoy]

Would you please post your Profile description so I can see how you've implemented your setup. I'm quite keen to see your exit task which updates the cell towers.
Do you use the new cell API in preferences or older option?
Thanks for your reply.

[Sean Williams]

I use the original cell api as I'm not using a 4G signal. From what I've read the new api can be sketchy.

I'll post profile description for you,

[Sean Williams]

You should note that for your own use the array %TABWIFI() can be negated as this is part of a different setup which makes use of the same task.

You will also notice the enter and exit tasks are the same task its just engineered to react depending on whether you're entering a location or leaving.


Profile: Location (857)
State: Cell Near [ Cell Tower / Last Signal:%CELLS Ignore Cells:* ]
State: Wifi Near [ SSID:Your WiFi Network MAC:* Capabilities:* Min. Activate Signal Level:1 Channel:0 Toggle Wifi:Off ]
Enter: Location Scanning (40)
<START>
A1: Anchor
<HOME>
A2: If [ %LOCATION ~ away ]
<WATCH FOR CHANGE>
A3: Wait Until [ MS:0 Seconds:2 Minutes:0 Hours:0 Days:0 ] If [ %qtime > 10 ]
<If still connected>
A4: If [ %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI5* ]
A5: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:home Do Maths:Off Append:Off ]
<SET HOME SPECIFICS>
A6: Perform Task [ Name:Location Home Priority:%priority Parameter 1 (%par1): Parameter 2 (%par2): Return Value Variable: Stop:On ]
A7: Stop [ With Error:Off Task: ]
A8: End If
<AWAY>
A9: Else If [ %LOCATION ~ home ]
<ERROR STOP!! IF WIFI STILL CONNECTED>
A10: If [ %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
<UPDATE HOME CELLS>
A11: Say [ Text:UPDATING CELL IDs Engine:Voice:default:default Stream:3 Pitch:5 Speed:4 Respect Audio Focus:On Network:On Continue Task Immediately:On Continue Task After Error:On ] If [ %CELLS !~ *%CELLID* ]
<ADD CELL IF PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN>
A12: Variable Set [ Name:%CELLS To:%CELLID
Do Maths:Off Append:On ] If [ %CELLS !~ *%CELLID* ]
<REPLACE BLANKS>
A13: Variable Search Replace [ Variable:%CELLS Search: Ignore Case:Off Multi-Line:Off One Match Only:Off Store Matches In: Replace Matches:On Replace With: ]
<SET ICON>
A14: Perform Task [ Name:Icon Priority:%priority Parameter 1 (%par1):%LOCATION Parameter 2 (%par2): Return Value Variable: Stop:Off ]
A15: Stop [ With Error:Off Task: ]
A16: End If
<WATCH FOR CHANGE>
A17: Wait Until [ MS:0 Seconds:2 Minutes:0 Hours:0 Days:0 ] If [ %qtime > 10 ]
<If still NOT connected>
A18: If [ %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
A19: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:away Do Maths:Off Append:Off ]
<SET UNKNOWN SPECIFICS>
A20: Perform Task [ Name:Location Unknown Priority:%priority Parameter 1 (%par1): Parameter 2 (%par2): Return Value Variable: Stop:On ]
A21: Stop [ With Error:Off Task: ]
A22: End If
<UNKNOWN>
A23: Else If [ %LOCATION !Set ]
A24: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:home Do Maths:Off Append:Off ] If [ %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
A25: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:away Do Maths:Off Append:Off ] If [ %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
<RESTART CHECK>
A26: Goto [ Type:Action Label Number:1 Label:START ]
A27: End If

Exit: Location Scanning (40)
<START>
A1: Anchor
<HOME>
A2: If [ %LOCATION ~ away ]
<WATCH FOR CHANGE>
A3: Wait Until [ MS:0 Seconds:2 Minutes:0 Hours:0 Days:0 ] If [ %qtime > 10 ]
<If still connected>
A4: If [ %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *%TABWIFI5* ]
A5: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:home Do Maths:Off Append:Off ]
<SET HOME SPECIFICS>
A6: Perform Task [ Name:Location Home Priority:%priority Parameter 1 (%par1): Parameter 2 (%par2): Return Value Variable: Stop:On ]
A7: Stop [ With Error:Off Task: ]
A8: End If
<AWAY>
A9: Else If [ %LOCATION ~ home ]
<ERROR STOP!! IF WIFI STILL CONNECTED>
A10: If [ %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
<UPDATE HOME CELLS>
A11: Say [ Text:UPDATING CELL IDs Engine:Voice:default:default Stream:3 Pitch:5 Speed:4 Respect Audio Focus:On Network:On Continue Task Immediately:On Continue Task After Error:On ] If [ %CELLS !~ *%CELLID* ]
<ADD CELL IF PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN>
A12: Variable Set [ Name:%CELLS To:%CELLID
Do Maths:Off Append:On ] If [ %CELLS !~ *%CELLID* ]
<REPLACE BLANKS>
A13: Variable Search Replace [ Variable:%CELLS Search: Ignore Case:Off Multi-Line:Off One Match Only:Off Store Matches In: Replace Matches:On Replace With: ]
<SET ICON>
A14: Perform Task [ Name:Icon Priority:%priority Parameter 1 (%par1):%LOCATION Parameter 2 (%par2): Return Value Variable: Stop:Off ]
A15: Stop [ With Error:Off Task: ]
A16: End If
<WATCH FOR CHANGE>
A17: Wait Until [ MS:0 Seconds:2 Minutes:0 Hours:0 Days:0 ] If [ %qtime > 10 ]
<If still NOT connected>
A18: If [ %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
A19: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:away Do Maths:Off Append:Off ]
<SET UNKNOWN SPECIFICS>
A20: Perform Task [ Name:Location Unknown Priority:%priority Parameter 1 (%par1): Parameter 2 (%par2): Return Value Variable: Stop:On ]
A21: Stop [ With Error:Off Task: ]
A22: End If
<UNKNOWN>
A23: Else If [ %LOCATION !Set ]
A24: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:home Do Maths:Off Append:Off ] If [ %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII ~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
A25: Variable Set [ Name:%LOCATION To:away Do Maths:Off Append:Off ] If [ %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI1* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI2* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI3* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI4* X| %WIFII !~ *CONNECTION*%TABWIFI5* ]
<RESTART CHECK>
A26: Goto [ Type:Action Label Number:1 Label:START ]
A27: End If

[Vampie C.]

I'm using autolocation. (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joaomgcd.autolocation)

Works like a charm.

You simple set an area on a map.

Then you have a condition 'inside' or 'outside' a certain area.

I use it for home and work.

When leaving home , bluetooth and GPS on, because i'm mostly traveling by car.

I used to start waze as well.

When arriving home, stop GPS and bluetooth, set wifi on

When at work, bluetooth off and silence phone.

and so on.

You could even create a starbucks location and so on.....

Good luck.

[IconBoy]

Thanks Sean for the detailed profile. There's a lot in that. May I ask if you can post it as XML instead so I can import it and tweak it?
(Obviosly you can take out anything personal).

I'll also relook at AutoLocation...which I already use.
Any tips on using that...? I had my radius for Home at about 75m. Basically, I don't want to be at the neighbors and it shows me as home.

[Sean Williams]

Sure ill remove any customisations and trim it up for you. Give me some time and ill post the xml for people to try.

[Steve Rothkin]

I know you said you keep WiFi off outside the house (presumably for power savings) but you might want to experiment with leaving it on.

The only time I turn WiFi off is when using GPS to drive (to keep it from connecting to a Wifi network like TGI Friday's that requires a signon) or when I need to turn on airplane mode. Between my wife and I we have 2 Samsung Galaxy S4s and 2 WiFi Only Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1s. I have not found leaving WiFi on all the time (even when going to areas where there is no WiFi) to cause a significant power drain (the one wireless thing that does drain power is being in a building where it can just barely see a weak cell signal).

Once upon a time (e.g. the original Motorola Droid) disabling WiFi had a significant enough power savings, but I haven't found that to be the case with the last several generations of devices (starting with the HTC Thunderbolt I had up until a year and a half ago).

For detecting at home, I use Wifi connected to and the SSIDs of my home network.

[Sean Williams]

On Tuesday, 6 January 2015 09:59:06 UTC, IconBoy wrote:

Thanks Sean for the detailed profile. There's a lot in that. May I ask if you can post it as XML instead so I can import it and tweak it?

To anyone using this profile you will need to do the following, 

• First everywhere you see the text "Your Home Network" replace this with your actual wifi ap name (or you could use a variable) although be sure not to remove any of the pattern matching *
  
• Next once you have entered your wifi ap name in all the places, back out of tasker to save the changes. 
  
• Then open tasker back up and manually run the location scanner task using the play button, this will initiate the first cell id info. 
  

After this the profile will be self sufficient and update itself.

Inside the task I have inserted two markers one for home and one for away you can place your location specific actions beneath each of them.

[Scott]

While I do appreciate how cool Sean's solution is, my experience matches Steve's.  It's just not worth it for the tiny amount of power savings you might see.

[IconBoy]

Sean, you said:
> you can place your location specific
> actions beneath each of them.

Could I just add an option to run my Home profile beneath that instead of copying all the Home commands I have used? I'm trying to keep it all neat 'n tidy.

[Sean Williams]

Indeed. I'd recommend adding a 'preform task' under those markers which is actually what I do too.

[IconBoy]

Instead of performing the Home profile from within the Location Scanner profile, can I not just add:
Cell near %CELLS and WiFi Near HomeSSID as my contexts for running the Home profile?

[Sean Williams]

The profile I posted (Location_Scanner.prf.xml) already includes this so no change is needed, just make sure the profile is switched on.

As for specific actions such as turn on WiFi etc. put any required actions inside the 'location scanner' task under the appropriate marker home/away.

[Sean Williams]

I think what your last message may have been asking is can you use both your own location profile with this one?

The profile I posted is somewhat bound to the task it runs. Using your own location profile which may include similar contexts will only confuse the situation and cause undesirable problems.

The profile I posted is designed to manage its self so I'd suggest disabling any similar contextual profiles of your own during use of this one.

If you need help migrating any specific task actions feel free to post your original descriptions and I'll try to guide you in the right direction.

[IconBoy]

Between what step numbers do I insert my Home profile items and my Away profile items? (There's a couple of nested IFs and I don't want to put them in incorrect position.)

[Sean Williams]

In the 'Task' named 'Location Scanner' put your HOME actions directly under, no.7 'Perform Home Actions'.

In the same Task put your AWAY actions directly under, no.21 'Perform Away Actions'.

[IconBoy]

I only noticed after your reply that you already had detailed labels in your profile. One of the most helpful and clearly detailed profiles I've ever used. Thanks very much.
I've disabled and backed up my old Home profile and changed yours to my new Home profile. So far...working very well.

[Richard Wallace]

Can anyone help me modify the above profiles to include more than a home or away location, such as work based on %WIFII or a family members house?

[Sean Williams]

Hi Richard

If you refer to my earlier post near the top of this thread the description I posted actually supported 5 different wifi networks.

However I'll be looking into this profile as I'm thinking of adding automatic wifi updating (when connected to different networks) like it already does with cell ids and support for the detection of unlimited wifi locations.

[Richard Wallace]

Thanks Sean.
Missed that.
Any chance you could export the XML please as that's a lot of actions to work through!?

[Sean Williams]

I'm afraid you're a little late! Sorry I've been working on an updated version over the last few hours and no longer have the old one. Once I iron out any bugs I'll post the new improved version.

[Richard Wallace]

lol. No problem Sean.

If you could share the updated version that would be great!

Thanks!

[IconBoy]

I've been using this profile for a while now and enjoy it. One thing that is confusing is why Bluetooth won't switch off when I'm home. I have added an.option to switch BT off and if I manually run the profile, it switches it off.
Looking forward to the new updated profile.
Thanks for all the hard work.
PS I don't see my cell towers updating very often. I had the same profile on two phones and one phone has more cell IDs listed in variables than the other phone...yet they're in the same place. How do you get the cell IDs to (re)populate?

[Sean Williams]

Different cell lists are very normal, the cell updates depend on many specifics from a devices radio software and antenna to where in the house your devices go and what towers they connect. Two devices in the same room can be connected to two entirely different towers. The towers will only update when they change so you don't need to do anything.

As for the Bluetooth issue look at the runlog to see what's happening. I can only presume its positioned so it won't activate or overall the state is slow to activate.

Next version will be a lot more complex and will automate your different WiFi networks as well as your cell IDs. I've integrated a connection state to improve activation time, need to test as best I can before posting.

[Richard Wallace]

Sounds great Sean.
I'd be happy to test if you need some additional input?

[IconBoy]

I'm willing to test as well :-)

[IconBoy]

Richard
I kept a backup of the original posted XML:
---
<TaskerData sr="" dvi="1" tv="4.6u2m">
<Profile sr="prof909" ve="2">
<cdate>1408071524162</cdate>
<edate>1420545327099</edate>
<id>909</id>
<mid0>910</mid0>
<mid1>910</mid1>
<nme>Location Scanner</nme>
<State sr="con0" ve="2">
<code>7</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">%CELLS</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3"/>
</State>
<State sr="con1" ve="2">
<code>170</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">Your Home Network</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3"/>
<Str sr="arg2" ve="3"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="1"/>
<Int sr="arg4" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg5" val="0"/>
</State>
</Profile>
<Task sr="task910">
<cdate>1340668786102</cdate>
<edate>1420545257996</edate>
<id>910</id>
<nme>Location Scanner</nme>
<pri>10</pri>
<Action sr="act0" ve="7">
<code>300</code>
<label>START</label>
</Action>
<Action sr="act1" ve="7">
<code>37</code>
<label>Activate Home</label>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%LOCATION</lhs>
<op>2</op>
<rhs>away</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act10" ve="7">
<code>37</code>
<label>Update Cell IDs</label>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%WIFII</lhs>
<op>2</op>
<rhs>*CONNECTION*Your Home Network*</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act11" ve="7">
<code>559</code>
<se>false</se>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">UPDATING CELL IDs</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3">default:default</Str>
<Int sr="arg2" val="3"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="5"/>
<Int sr="arg4" val="4"/>
<Int sr="arg5" val="1"/>
<Int sr="arg6" val="1"/>
<Int sr="arg7" val="1"/>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%CELLS</lhs>
<op>3</op>
<rhs>*%CELLID*</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act12" ve="7">
<code>547</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">%CELLS</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3">%CELLID
</Str>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="1"/>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%CELLS</lhs>
<op>3</op>
<rhs>*%CELLID*</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act13" ve="7">
<code>598</code>
<label>Clean Cell Variable</label>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">%CELLS</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3"> </Str>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg4" val="0"/>
<Str sr="arg5" ve="3"/>
<Int sr="arg6" val="1"/>
<Str sr="arg7" ve="3"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act14" ve="7">
<code>137</code>
<Int sr="arg0" val="0"/>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act15" ve="7">
<code>38</code>
</Action>
<Action sr="act16" ve="7">
<code>35</code>
<label>buffer</label>
<Int sr="arg0" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg1" val="2"/>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg4" val="0"/>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%qtime</lhs>
<op>7</op>
<rhs>10</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act17" ve="7">
<code>37</code>
<label>If still NOT connected</label>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%WIFII</lhs>
<op>3</op>
<rhs>*CONNECTION*Your Home Network*</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act18" ve="7">
<code>547</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">%LOCATION</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3">away</Str>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="0"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act19" ve="7">
<code>548</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">Location: %LOCATION</Str>
<Int sr="arg1" val="0"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act2" ve="7">
<code>35</code>
<label>buffer</label>
<Int sr="arg0" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg1" val="2"/>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg4" val="0"/>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%qtime</lhs>
<op>7</op>
<rhs>10</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act20" ve="7">
<code>300</code>
<label>-- Perform Away Actions --</label>
</Action>
<Action sr="act21" ve="7">
<code>137</code>
<Int sr="arg0" val="0"/>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act22" ve="7">
<code>38</code>
</Action>
<Action sr="act23" ve="7">
<code>43</code>
<label>UNKNOWN</label>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%LOCATION</lhs>
<op>13</op>
<rhs></rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act24" ve="7">
<code>547</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">%LOCATION</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3">home</Str>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="0"/>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%WIFII</lhs>
<op>2</op>
<rhs>*CONNECTION*Your Home Network*</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act25" ve="7">
<code>547</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">%LOCATION</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3">away</Str>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="0"/>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%WIFII</lhs>
<op>3</op>
<rhs>*CONNECTION*Your Home Network*</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act26" ve="7">
<code>135</code>
<label>RESTART CHECK</label>
<Int sr="arg0" val="1"/>
<Int sr="arg1" val="1"/>
<Str sr="arg2" ve="3">START</Str>
</Action>
<Action sr="act27" ve="7">
<code>38</code>
</Action>
<Action sr="act3" ve="7">
<code>37</code>
<label>If still connected</label>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%WIFII</lhs>
<op>2</op>
<rhs>*Your Home Network*</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
<Action sr="act4" ve="7">
<code>547</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">%LOCATION</Str>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3">home</Str>
<Int sr="arg2" val="0"/>
<Int sr="arg3" val="0"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act5" ve="7">
<code>548</code>
<Str sr="arg0" ve="3">Location: %LOCATION</Str>
<Int sr="arg1" val="0"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act6" ve="7">
<code>300</code>
<label>-- Perform Home Actions --</label>
</Action>
<Action sr="act7" ve="7">
<code>137</code>
<Int sr="arg0" val="0"/>
<Str sr="arg1" ve="3"/>
</Action>
<Action sr="act8" ve="7">
<code>38</code>
</Action>
<Action sr="act9" ve="7">
<code>43</code>
<label>Activate Away</label>
<ConditionList sr="if">
<Condition sr="c0" ve="3">
<lhs>%LOCATION</lhs>
<op>2</op>
<rhs>home</rhs>
</Condition>
</ConditionList>
</Action>
</Task>
</TaskerData>

[Sean Williams]

Cheers. It looks like I've completed the tasks but I'm still battling with creating roburst contexts which are not too board an implementation. I'll run the profiles today and if all goes well I will post back tonight with something for you guys to test.

[Sean Williams]

Using your own location profiles (which may include similar contexts) will confuse and cause undesirable problems. Please backup disable/delete any similar contextual profiles/projects of your own during use of this project (including those from my previous post).

Network_Locations_v1.prj.xml

What it does:

• Automatically indexes your known WiFi locations.
• Automatically scans and indexes all cell towers in your known WiFi locations.
• Supports an unlimited number of WiFi networks.
• Automatically detects location failure and restores itself.
• Detects entering and exiting of known network locations.
• Discrete user notification of updates and location changes (optional).

Preparation:

Devices running versions of Android below 4.3 should enable 'WiFi toggle' in the cell near context of this project. Devices running 4.3 or above should enable 'Scanning always available' in Androids WiFi settings, under 'Advanced'.

What you need to do:

Its very simple - once the project is imported you will need to create a profile for each WiFi network that you wish to automate. This profile will host your enter and exit actions for any known wifi network - example, 'home_wifi'.  To do this simply clone the 'Location - Template' task that has been provided and name it, 'Location - home_wifi'. Next open this task and insert your desired enter and exit actions in the appropriate spaces. Use the back key when exiting to save your new configuration. No other interaction is required.

! Each time you wish to add automation to a know WiFi network simply repeat the above process.

Good Practice:

Consider moving and storing your cloned tasks ('Location - home_wifi') into another project tab of your choosing e.g 'My Networks'. This will make receiving updates to this project easier as you can simply delete the last project version and import the next.

[IconBoy]

To implement this project over your previous one, should we clear %CELLID variable or just leave it as is?
I prefer to start things cleanly (like a clean OS install) so am not sure what I need to keep from the previous XML you posted.

[Sean Williams]

To implement this project over your previous one, should we clear %CELLID variable or just leave it as is?
I prefer to start things cleanly (like a clean OS install) so am not sure what I need to keep from the previous XML you posted.

Hi

Nothing needs to be kept please delete the old profile and tasks, all variables will/can be cleared. (%CELLID is a read only Tasker variable)

If you have specific location actions you may want to store these in a temporary task and then move them into the new project once imported.

[IconBoy]

In your instructions you say clone and rename to home wifi e.g. "Location - home_wifi"

Do you mean call it "Home WiFi" or the SSID of my home WiFi?
E.g. if home WiFi SSID is called "Belkin", then clone the task and rename it?:
"Location - Belkin"

I'm a little confused....

Thanks for all the diligent work.

[IconBoy]

In your instructions, you say to clone and rename the template file to "Location - home_wifi".

If my WiFi SSID is "Belkin" would I rename that task:
"Location - Belkin" or just "Location - Home WiFi"?

What if I have two APs at home: "Belkin" and "Belkin-N"...would I copy and paste the enter steps to two tasks or can I have one home task which has more than one AP?

Basically, when I'm home, and connect to either of the two APs or I'm at my friends house (a third AP), I want my "home" task to run because I'm in a "safe" place.
When you said clone for each WiFi you wish to automate, it sounds like I need to create three separate tasks for each WiFi SSID. For me, I'll be doing the same steps at each place so creating three seems unnecessary.

Please help me in my (new) confusion.
Thanks.

[Richard Wallace]

Great work Sean.

Is it possible to have this setup detect when i am at work, based on WiFi near?

I am work now and it doesnt seem to be picking up the network here at work at storing it it the variable?

[Sean Williams]

Hi Richard

Open tasker and go to the projects variables tab. If you see your work wifi in the %WIFILOC() array then it is working. However if its not there run the 'Location - Scanner' task manually and it should update.

Just a note, a known wifi location is one that you connect to.

[Richard Wallace]

Thanks.

I dont connect to the work WiFi (not allowed!!!?) so i guess it wont show up in any variable?

In actual fact there are multiple wifi newtorks here so logically thinking it cant show up!

 

Im just trying to understand the project and follow the logic...for my own learning!

 

Whats the purpose of the 'Near' profile?

[Sean Williams]

Ah I see. No you must be able to connect for this project to work.

The near is a precontext it increases detection for people who turn off wifi while not connected to a known network.

With all three profiles enabled it will cover a high degree of eventualities.

[Richard Wallace]

Understood.

As impressive as this project is, i dont think its what i need. Although i am going to keep it running to see how it behaves when im home.

My current setup is:

Multiple profiles to change things like volumes, pin lock, screen timeout.

The context of these is variable value %MyLocation

i.e. home, away, work, car

It is the setting / changing of this variable that triggers my profiles.

Im going to have a good study of your project and see if i can adapt it for my needs.

the defining factor and biggest hurdle i believe being i do not connect to work WiFi.

[Sean Williams]

Ok see how you get on. I've a few more features I'm planning to add such as cell redundancy and I think your use case is interesting so will consider what can be done.

[Richard Wallace]

Cheers.
In struggling to achieve what I want.

[Richard Wallace]

Been testing this profile and it won't add new SSIDs to the array when I connect to them?

[IconBoy]

[Sean Williams]

Been testing this profile and it won't add new SSIDs to the array when I connect to them?

Hi

That is a little atrange. Several Tasker friends are using this and not had this come up.

However maybe there is a bug somewhere.

While connected to your WiFi network can you run the 'Location - Scanner' task and tell me at what action number it ends according to the small green circle.

[Sean Williams]

If my WiFi SSID is "Belkin" would I rename that task:
"Location - Belkin" or just "Location - Home WiFi"?

Location - Belkin ('homewifi' is just an example)

What if I have two APs at home: "Belkin" and "Belkin-N"

Good question. As things are you would have two tasks.

Location - Belkin
Location - Belkin-N

Basically, when I'm home, and connect to either of the two APs or I'm at my friends house (a third AP), I want my "home" task to run because I'm in a "safe" place.

This project requires a task named 'Location - wifiname' for each wifi location you connect to. Whatever actions you choose in the enter or exit markers is entirely up to you.

When you said clone for each WiFi you wish to automate, it sounds like I need to create three separate tasks for each WiFi SSID. For me, I'll be doing the same steps at each place so creating three seems unnecessary.

Its necessary because they are three different locations/networks. Only you know what actions you wish to take when and where. However thanks for the feedback its a good point and I'll think about that.

[Richard Wallace]

Hi Sean

It's stopping at action 28

[Sean Williams]

Can you try again, action 28 is an 'else if' it can't stop at action 28. Are you allowing time for the wait actions to complete?

[Richard Wallace]

Hi
If I set %LOCATION to known it stops at 40
If I set %LOCATION to unknown it stops at 27

[Sean Williams]

Try clearing all the variables in the projects VAR tab they are meant to set themselves. Maybe there's an issue with something already being set.

Just to confirm you have disabled any similar contexts and have the three profiles on this project enabled? Also the 'Location - Scanner' task has not been edited?

[Richard Wallace]

Yes to all the above.
If I clear the variables it works as I (think) its supposes to I'll clear them again and test when we go the the mother in-laws...bloody mothers day!

[Sean Williams]

Reminds me... Best make a call! :)

[Richard Wallace]

Tried some testing again and it seems to work OK.
Ignore my previous comments!

Just trying to figure out how to incorporate networks I don't connect to!?

[Sean Williams]

Good news (although I did find a bug related to your post).

I'm also pondering the best way to approach a near but unconnected network. I think it may be viable although my concern would be the amount of time taken between in range and out of range detection.

[Richard Wallace]

What was the bug you found?
Yeah I agree Sean its not easy

What I'd ultimately like to achieve is have a variable set based on the network Im connected too.
ie network 1 means %MyLoc = home, network 2 means %MyLoc = in-laws, network 3 means %MyLoc = parents,
But with the added difficulty of not always connecting, eg when at work, or a friends house.
Or to take it further, for security purposes, when in a shopping centre for example.

[Richard Wallace]

Just to clarify, the reason Im after mkre specific locations than known or unknown, is because when I'm home, I want lock screen off for example, but at the in-laws I don't, even though its a 'known' place.

[Sharif Kamawal]

Don't you know about the location of my office Wi-Fi? Are you giving
broadcast to the towers lives. Can they see my speech and working
people.

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Best regards
Sharifullah "Kamawal"
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Cell: 0093 (0) 777 63 7777

[Richard Wallace]

Err...what?

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[Sean Williams]

What was the bug you found?

Bug was related to an initial activation, in some instances location profile could fail (Fixed for next version).

What I'd ultimately like to achieve is have a variable set based on the network Im connected too.

For this you should set your desired variable in the enter or exit marker of your 'Location - wifiname' task.

But with the added difficulty of not always connecting, eg when at work, or a friends house.

Yes this is the awkward part.

[Richard Wallace]

Yea I'm using the Location - wifiname tasks to set the variables, but I was hoping to keep the numer of taks to a minimum.

[Sean Williams]

I think one task per location is quite efficient. Although I agree with IconBoy having the ability to group several network locations which all require the same actions under just one task would be quite cool.

[Scott Miller]

I haven't looked at your project, so I don't know how you've implemented the known Wi-Fi connected states, but you do realize, I hope, that you can specify more than one SSID in a Wi-Fi connected context. They just need to be separated by a / to indicate "OR".

Scott M.

On Mar 15, 2015 2:17 PM, "Sean Williams" <trendyte...@gmail.com> wrote:

I think one task per location is quite efficient. Although I agree with IconBoy having the ability to group several network locations which all require the same actions under just one task would be quite cool.

[Richard Wallace]

Oh don't get me wrong, your project is good. Very impressive.
I'm not at all critisizing!
It's just once I set out to get something, I HAVE to get it, if you know what I mean!

To add another spanner in there, I have another location state...car.
Triggered by an NFC tag changing %MyLoc to car

[Sean Williams]

you do realize, I hope, that you can specify more than one SSID in a Wi-Fi connected context. They just need to be separated by a / to indicate "OR".

Yes, wifi contexts have been pattern matched using a dynamic variable, this adds networks as they become available.

Take a look at the project if you have time. Additional input is always welcome.

[Sean Williams]

I'm not at all critisizing!
It's just once I set out to get something, I HAVE to get it, if you know what I mean!

Constructive criticism is always welcomed! We would get nowhere if everyone thought it was perfect.

[IconBoy]

When I run the Location Scanner all seems okay.
I then run my cloned and personalized version so it does what I want on Enter, but I have loads of red lines under the Place Your Enter Actions Here and Place Your Exit Actions Here sections.
It appears that none of them are valid.
When I'm home, I change my Tasker icon to a house icon so I can see at a glance Tasker knowns I'm home.
When I run my personalized task, it's showing the default lightning icon (which I set when I'm away).
Somehow, my Enter tasks don't seem to be applied e.g. change icon, turn BT off.

Under the profiles area, only Buffer is active and green. The other two are active but not green. I was thinking "known" would be active unless I'm missing something here.

[IconBoy]

Oh...and how do I totally reset your project to start all over again...cleanly?
Do I just clear all the project variables?

[Sean Williams]

When I run the Location Scanner all seems okay.

This task should not be run manually. Instead it will trigger and start to build its location structure automatically without user interaction. The project is designed to automate itself just leave it running in the background.

I then run my cloned and personalized version so it does what I want on Enter, but I have loads of red lines under the Place Your Enter Actions Here and Place Your Exit Actions Here sections.
It appears that none of them are valid.

This is a normal part of Tasker. The red lines are only a brief indication of the conditions. The conditions are dependent on local variables which are only set when entering or exiting a known location.

When I'm home, I change my Tasker icon to a house icon so I can see at a glance Tasker knowns I'm home.
When I run my personalized task, it's showing the default lightning icon (which I set when I'm away).
Somehow, my Enter tasks don't seem to be applied e.g. change icon, turn BT off.

Are you running this task yourself? Again testing this project should not be done by running tasks manually as its not designed to work like that. Instead the intention is to have everything automated, no user interaction is needed. As you travel between locations networks will be indexed and any tasks you have created in association to these networks 'Location - mywifi' will be preformed.

[Sean Williams]

Oh...and how do I totally reset your project to start all over again...cleanly?
Do I just clear all the project variables?

Delete the whole project then back out of Tasker.
Next open Tasker import the project again then back out of tasker.

Don't preform any tasks manually just leave it running it will automate itself.

You should keep your 'Location - mywifi' tasks in another project so you don't have to recreate them.


Reading back over this thread I think there's a lot of confusion about what this project does and how to use it. Version 2 has alot of new stuff and a few changes, when I post I'll write a more concise description.

[IconBoy]

Thanks for the update about resetting everything.

Basically, my hope for this (automated) profile, is when I'm near or connected to certain WiFi Access Points or near certain cell towers, then run tasks e.g. lock screen off, WiFi on, BT off etc. When I leave these WiFi APs or cell towers, then enable lock screen, BT on etc.

Does your project do something different...or am I not understanding it correctly. Looking forward to v2.

[IconBoy]

You should keep your 'Location - mywifi' tasks in another project so you don't have to recreate them.

How do I do that and how do I get my "Location - mywifi to "talk" to your project?

[Sean Williams]

Basically, my hope for this (automated) profile, is when I'm near or connected to certain WiFi Access Points or near certain cell towers, then run tasks e.g. lock screen off, WiFi on, BT off etc. When I leave these WiFi APs or cell towers, then enable lock screen, BT on etc.

Does your project do something different...or am I not understanding it correctly. Looking forward to v2.

This project does all the work involved in knowing what wifi network you are at.

The task you create 'Location - your_wifi' preforms the actions you want to happen at these locations such as - BT on/off.

[Sean Williams]

How do I do that and how do I get my "Location - mywifi to "talk" to your project?

There is a tab bar at the bottom of your screen drag your created task and drop it into a different project of your choice.

My project will know your task exists and will interact with your tasks automatically.

[Richard Wallace]

Still haven't managed to figure out how to incorporate a known network that I don't connect to, just am near.
Looking forward to V2!

[Robert Mantel]

Hey Sean, been trying to get your project to work automatically, but what seems to happen to me is that if I start with a blank slate and let it do it's thing, it picks up my work wifi, no problem, starts building the cell towers in the array, but when I leave and go home it does nothing when I'm connected to my home wifi, even though I created cloned tasks for each location when I was at work.  I seem to have to massage the variables to get it to work properly.  I'm using it on a non-rooted nexus 5 running lollipop 5.1 and the latest tasker.

[Sean Williams]

Still haven't managed to figure out how to incorporate a known network that I don't connect to, just am near.
Looking forward to V2!

Hi Richard

Ive been thinking about this and here's where I am on the issue. Currently I don't want to include this in the project for the following reasons.

It seems to be a cool but niche requirement, if only a small amount of users will use it I cant justify adding any extra content.

Support for a near but unconnected network will require a user interface of some sort in which you can input networks that you don't connect to, again this will mean adding extra content to the project.

The last reason is Detecting such a network would depend on Taskers all checks which by default is 10 minutes apart so detection would be slow and even missed if only entering the location briefly.

However I do intend to include this feature as an optional plugin. Despite the limitations I would also find such a feature quite useful.

[Sean Williams]

Hey Sean, been trying to get your project to work automatically, but what seems to happen to me is that if I start with a blank slate and let it do it's thing, it picks up my work wifi, no problem, starts building the cell towers in the array, but when I leave and go home it does nothing when I'm connected to my home wifi, even though I created cloned tasks for each location when I was at work. I seem to have to massage the variables to get it to work properly. I'm using it on a non-rooted nexus 5 running lollipop 5.1 and the latest tasker.

Hi Robert

Thanks for joining in. I am not far away from posting Version 2 so at this time I'd suggest we not troubleshoot this any further and instead wait and see if your problem has been resolved in the update.

[Sean Williams]

General Guidance.

Using your own location Profiles (which may include similar contexts) will confuse and cause undesirable problems. Please backup disable/delete any similar contextual Profiles/Projects of your own during use... including those from my previous post(s).

Network_Location_v2.prj.xml

What it does:

• Automatically indexes all of your known (connected to) WiFi networks.
  
• Automatically scans and indexes all cell towers located near to your known WiFi networks.
  
• Monitors your networks enter or exit state.
• Supports an unlimited number of known WiFi networks.
  
• Forwards an enter or exit event with the associated WiFi SSID to your own 'mywifi' network Task.
  
• Automatically detects network failure and restores itself.
  
• Provides discrete user notifications for new CELL & WiFi data (optional).
  
• Provides user notifications for entering and exiting a network (optional).
  
• Manages Cell tower IDs removing duplicates and old redundant entries.
  
• Allows you to configure your own task actions, set variables, define locations, toggle settings etc. for each of your known WiFi networks that you connect to.
  

New in v2:

• Number of known networks shown in 'New WiFi SSID' notification.
  
• Supports toggling of Aeroplane mode.
  
• Warning Notification when a network has, No Associated Task.
  
• Group your common WiFi networks in just one Task (credit IconBoy).
  
• Cell ID redundancy (old cell ids automatically forgotten). 
  
• Cell IDs now listed in chronological order.
  
• Duplicate Cell IDs automatically removed.
  
• Cell IDs PSC values ignored.
  
• Network enter or exit value available in your 'mywifi' Task inside '%par1'. 
  
• Networks SSID is now available in your 'mywifi' Task inside '%par2'.
  
• Dynamic buffering according to Profile states.
  
• Faster scanner & Task processing.
  
• More economical Profile contexts.
  
• Error checking and user notification.
  

Changes:

• 'Location -' Task prefix no longer required. The 'Location' prefix (in general) was causing confusion.
  
• Its now possible to group networks within just one task. Example, 'mywifi/myotherwifi/anotherwifi'
  
• Renamed several variables to better indicate their value. Example, %LOCATION was never intended to indicate a location such as home, work etc.
  
• Renamed & optimised Profile contexts.
  

BugFixs:

• Fixed bug where network task could be ignored on initial launch. (credit Richard)
  

Preparation:

For users who turn their WiFi off. Users with devices running versions of Android below 4.3 should enable 'WiFi toggle' in the cell near context of this project. Users with devices running 4.3 or above should enable 'Scanning always available' in Androids WiFi settings, under 'Advanced'.

How to use:

Its very simple - Once the Project is imported you will need to create a single Task for each WiFi network that you wish to automate. This Task will host your enter and exit actions for your known WiFi network.

• To do this simply clone the provided 'Template' Task and name it, 'mywifi' (where mywifi is your networks ssid). 
  
• Next open this Task and insert your desired enter and exit actions in the appropriate spaces. 
  
• Use the back key when exiting Tasker to save your new configuration. 
  
• You can also group several WiFi networks into one single Task. To do this name your task 'mywifi/myotherwifi/anotherwifi'.
  

No other interaction is required. Your created tasks will be preformed when entering or exiting its respective network.

Each time you wish to add automation to another known WiFi network simply repeat the above process.

[IconBoy]

As I have moved my own location tasks to own project area (as you recommended for us to do), should I just rename them, taking out "Location - " and leave them as is?
Or...should I clone the new template and use that instead?
Thanks so much for a fantastic project.

[IconBoy]

And...with the v2 project, should we reset everything (variables etc.) and start afresh...or is it okay to keep what v1 gathered?
PS - I'm on my mobile, so can't see v2 project to download or is it not available yet?

[Sean Williams]

As I have moved my own location tasks to own project area (as you recommended for us to do), should I just rename them, taking out "Location - " and leave them as is?
Or...should I clone the new template and use that instead?
Thanks so much for a fantastic project.

They will actually still work as they are. The important thing is they contain your network SSID. The project searches your tasks to find a matching SSID in the task name. 

[Sean Williams]

And...with the v2 project, should we reset everything (variables etc.) and start afresh...or is it okay to keep what v1 gathered?
PS - I'm on my mobile, so can't see v2 project to download or is it not available yet?

To Update,

Delete the last project version back out of tasker. Open up tasker import the next version then back out again.

As it builds all its data automatically I see no reason to keep any previous data it has gathered.

Just preparing the download for v2 now.

[IconBoy]

Thanks. Updating now.

By the way, can I rename my own SSID profile something like this?:
Belkin*/*guest*

That way, it'll pick up any SSIDs that are:
Belkin, BelkinN, Belkin-5G, Smith-guest, Guest-Network etc?
Wasn't sure how wildcards would work in the Task names and be passed as variables...?

[Sean Williams]

By the way, can I rename my own SSID profile something like this?:
Belkin*/*guest*

No, the match would be too broad.

 

Belkin, BelkinN, Belkin-5G, Smith-guest, Guest-Network etc?
Wasn't sure how wildcards would work in the Task names and be passed as variables...?

You would name the task Belkin/BelkinN/Belkin-5G/Smith-guest

Inside the task %par1 holds the enter or exit value and %par2 holds the SSID name that triggered the task.

[Shawn Loescher]

Sean thank you for posting your work on here and thank you to the others that have helped you tweak it. I thought that I had a good profile set up to detect my home Wi-Fi network until I found this post. Great job!

[Richard Wallace]

Outstanding work!

In a previous post you mentioned a plugin for WiFi near but never connected too...is that within this V2 project?

 

 

On Wednesday, 18 March 2015 20:38:25 UTC, Sean Williams wrote:

Project Contents: 3 Profiles - 2 Tasks

Profiles:

Network - Near
Required if you switch your WiFi off.

Network - Known
Updates & Manages Networks.

Network - Cells
Updates & Manages Cell IDs.

Tasks:

Network - Scanner
Automates the project.

Network - Notification
Displays notifications and performs your personal network tasks.

[IconBoy]

Sometimes %CELLID gets added to the %CELLS variable list.
I normally just edit and delete it. Is this a scanning bug or should I leave it in the list?

[Sean Williams]

Sean thank you for posting your work on here and thank you to the others that have helped you tweak it. I thought that I had a good profile set up to detect my home Wi-Fi network until I found this post. Great job!

Hi Shawn, no worries thanks for posting.

[Sean Williams]

In a previous post you mentioned a plugin for WiFi near but never connected too...is that within this V2 project?

Hi

Not yet available but will keep you updated. Still pondering on how to integrate with the main project.

[Sean Williams]

Sometimes %CELLID gets added to the %CELLS variable list.
I normally just edit and delete it. Is this a scanning bug or should I leave it in the list?

That shouldn't be there, I'll look into it.

Just a bit of info, editing any variables manually can cause problems with the project.

If you need to reset the project do the following,

• Disable the near, known & cell profiles
• Back out of tasker
• Enter Tasker clear all of the projects variables
• Enable the near, known & cell profiles
• Back out of Tasker

[Richard Wallace]

Thanks.
I'm working on something that will end up giving to arrays of SSIDs, one known and one to ignore.
It does require user input, which is taken from a notification which sets a variable - add or ignore.

[Sean Williams]

Thanks.
I'm working on something that will end up giving to arrays of SSIDs, one known and one to ignore.
It does require user input, which is taken from a notification which sets a variable - add or ignore.

Does that mean you will collect all ssids that you are near, known and unknown?

[Richard Wallace]

As we stand yes. I think it's going to be too battery hungry to be used all day.
Not sure how else to go about it.

[Sean Williams]

I think giving the user an option to add a ssid to a neat list should do the trick. Tasker can then take care of the checking and activation etc.

[Sean Williams]

*near