Using Stringify with Particle

Stringify is a tool that allows you to automate things and control real-world devices. It’s an alternative to IFTTT. There isn’t a full integration with the Particle platform this time, but you can integrate it with a little effort using the Stringify Connect: Maker.

Toggle an LED from Stringify (functions)

This example shows how to toggle the blue D7 LED on a Photon or Electron when you click the Red Button in the Stringify App on your phone.

LED - Firmware

Flash this firmware to your Photon or Electron.

#include "Particle.h"

const int LED_PIN = D7;

int ledHandler(String param);

void setup() {
	Serial.begin(9600);

	Particle.function("led", ledHandler);

	pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
}


int ledHandler(String param) {
	digitalWrite(LED_PIN, !digitalRead(LED_PIN));

	return 0;
}

Using the Particle CLI, you can easily test your new code. Each time you run this command, it should toggle the LED. Replace test8 with the name of your Photon or Electron.

particle call test8 led

Now that you can integrate this into Stringify.

Obtain an access token

You'll need to obtain an access token for your account. Starting out, the easiest way to get one is at https://build.particle.io. Log in, click the Settings (gear) icon (1), then copy the access token (2).

LED - Create Flow

In Flows click the Create button in the upper right corner.

Click on Name your flow (1) to name your flow. I named this "Toggle led".

Then click the + at the bottom of the window (2) to add things.

Click:

• Button (Red)
• Connect: Maker

You may need to search for Connect: Maker if it's not on your screen. Make sure both items have a green checkmark and then click Add in the upper right corner.

Drag the Button (Red) and Connect: Maker into adjacent circles. Then drag from Button (Red) on top of Connect: Maker to link the two.

Tap the Connect: Maker to configure it.

Enter the URL. Make sure you replace test8 with your device name.

https://api.particle.io/v1/devices/test8/led 

Set the Data to No Data.

Set the Authentication Type to Bearer token.

Paste in the access token you got earlier from the Settings page of https://build.particle.io.

Save the changes.

Enable the flow.

Now you should be able to go into Things and click the Red Button. Each time you click the button the blue D7 LED should turn on or off.

Button to generate a notification

This example does the opposite, when you press a button on your Photon or Electron, it initiates a Stringify flow. In this example, it just sends a simple push notification.

Notification - Create Flow

Create a new flow, name it, and click the + to add things.

Add:

• Connect: Maker
• Notifications

Tap Add to add the things.

Drag the two items into adjacent circles and connect them together.

Tap Connect: Maker. Copy the URL, you'll need it later.

Save the settings.

Tap Notifications to configure your notification. I just put some text for testing purposes.

Save the settings.

Enable the flow.

Create the webhook integration

Log into the Particle console and click the Integrations icon.

Create a new webhook.

Set:

• Event Name to notifyMe
• URL to the Stringify URL you got from Connect: Maker

You can leave the other settings the default values.

If you view this webhook, you can use the Test button which should generate a push notification on your phone.

Notification - Firmware

Here's our device firmware. It uses the clickButton library to handle the debouncing of the switch.

#include "Particle.h"
#include "clickButton.h"

// Connect a momentary pushbutton switch between this pin and GND
const int BUTTON_PIN = D2;

ClickButton button(D2, LOW, true);

void setup() {
	Serial.begin(9600);
	pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);

}

void loop() {
	button.Update();
	if (button.depressed) {
		Particle.publish("notifyMe", "", PRIVATE);
	}
}

You can use this code in Particle Build by using this link.

Flash this code to your Photon or Electron.

Connect a momentary switch between D2 and GND.

Now when you click the button, it should send a push notification to Stringify on your phone!