With the digitalSTROM-Server IP "dSS-IP" you integrate IP-devices in your home such as
multiroom systems from Sonos, Philips Hue lights or the Smarter iKettle 2.0 into a totally
new world of intelligent home control – the digitalSTROM world. Devices are
interconnected in the simplest way and can be operated conveniently via digitalSTROM
Smartphone apps or by voice.
The digitalSTROM orchestration enables the simple interaction of IP devices and informs
you e.g. by the blinking of lights, voice output or by a push message on your smartphone,
when another device has finished its task.
The IP devices connected in the network are detected by the dSS-IP and integrated as a
digitalSTROM device. As a result, the devices receive the typical properties of a
digitalSTROM device and switch off automatically, such as when leaving the house. This
standard behavior and much more can be configured easily via a web interface, the
digitalSTROM Configurator (Setup).
This enables you to define rooms that match your rooms at home. In these rooms, for
example, you can now set presets for light or audio. The devices in the respective room
respond to the corresponding preset in the way requested by you and execute an
operation. And thanks to "User Defined Actions" available to you on the server as an app,
you can allow light and audio to perform a common action.
1.1Setting up, Calling up and Operating
You can already control IP devices (e.g. Sonos, Philips Hue, Smart iKettle etc.) individually
using the appropriate manufacturer apps. With your dSS-IP not only do you control these
IP devices, but you interconnect them intelligently in the rooms and call up predefined
presets, actions or user defined actions in rooms. And later you can even equip bots with
dS device. Below are the most important terms for the configuration and setting of your
dSS-IP:
Rooms
All your IP devices have to be assigned to a room. To create presets and user defined
actions easily, you can create "rooms" using the dSS-IP, which correspond to the rooms in
your home. You then assign your IP devices to these rooms and can thus control them
intelligently and easily. Choose clear, understandable names for the rooms so that they
can also be controlled using the voice control.
You can find out how to create a room here: Detecting IP Devices
Presets
With the dSS-IP you set up the light and audio presets and thus predefine your preferred
settings on your IP devices per preset. Presets are room-dependent and are called up
room-related. All devices in a room can be included for a preset.
You can find out how to set up a preset here: Presets Setup
You can find out how to execute presets here: Operation
In the case of household appliances, such as the "Smarter iKettle 2.0", operations to be
carried out are called "Actions". Actions are device-dependent and are called up on the
device. You can call up these actions directly later or you can set and call up an action for
a linked action from preset and device by means of a "user-defined action". Your IP
devices can execute actions that are subdivided into "standard actions" and "custom
actions". Standard actions are functions performed from the device, which are available to
every user. Custom actions are individually adjustable parameters of the user for the
device.
Example based on the device "Smarter iKettle 2.0"
Standard action:Boil up
Custom action:Boil up water for Black tea
set parameter: For action "Boil up water for my Black tea" only
boil up the water to 80°C with a warm-keeping time of
30minutes
User Defined Actions
The dSS-IP allows you to create extensive "user defined actions", which the previously
configured presets and actions call up (spanning all rooms and devices) on the IP devices
in the corresponding rooms.
Example of a user defined action:
Name of the user defined action: Breakfast
consisting of:
Preset "Cook"= Light goes on in the kitchen
Preset "Dining“= Light goes on in the dining room
Action "Black tea"= Kettle goes on (heats up)
Preset "SWR3"= Audio, radio station goes on in the dining room
You can find out how to create a user defined action here: Creating User Defined Actions
Feedbacks
By the intelligent linking of the IP devices in your home the dSS-IP is also able to give
feedbacks to presets or actions that are called up. Thus, for example, Sonos can give a
voice feedback and the Philips Hue lights blink in the kitchen when the water for your tea
is ready. Or you receive a push message when a specific action has been performed in the
home.
You can find out how to set up a feedback here: Creating Feedbacks
The digitalSTROM server apps extend the functionality of the dSS-IP with practical
applications. The apps are preinstalled on the digitalSTROM Configurator and can be
configured directly there. They allow the adjustment of the following functions.
•Timers
•Presence Simulation
•User Defined Actions
•Event Responder
•Push Messenger
•User Defined States
You can find further information and useful tips under "Help" in the relevant app in the
help bar at the bottom of the screen.
dS device bots
As the owner of a dSS-IP you will also have access to the "digitalSTROM device bots" in
the future. The dS device bots are available in the digitalSTROM system as additional
services and can be booked easily. You communicate directly with the device bot by app or
voice command and inform it about your requirements.
Find out more about the dS device bots here: The Concept of dS Device Bots
The dSS-IP offers several options for calling up previously configured presets, actions or
user defined actions.
The following apps are available for operation on the smartphone/tablet:
•iOS App Store:
– digitalSTROM (operation/control)
– dS Dashboard (operation/control)
– dS Listener – (voice control, available in German only)
•Android Play Store:
– dS Home Control (operation/control)
– dS Dashboard (operation/control)
– dS Listener – (voice control, available in German only)
•Windows Store:
– dS Home control (operation/control)
– dS Listener – (voice control, available in German only)
•Amazon Echo (voice control)
Voice control with digitalSTROM is also possible via the Amazon-Echo. You can find
further information on integration of the Amazon-Echo here:
•Compatible IP devices (e.g. Philips Hue, Sonos, Smarter iKettle 2.0)
•Computer or tablet with installed Internet browser
•"my.digitalSTROM" account (free-of-charge)
– Login for registered users: https://www.digitalstrom.com/index.php?cl=account
– Registration for new users: https://www.digitalstrom.com/index.php?cl=register
u Open the digitalSTROM Configurator in the Internet browser via
https://dssip.local
dSSIP_Local
ð When logging on, a certificate security prompt appears. This will have a slightly
different appearance depending on the browser. The local web server on the dSSIP has a self-developed certificate for technical reasons, which is why this must be
confirmed/approved manually.
u Depending on the browser, confirm the security certificate (continue).
The digitalSTROM system is continually being extended and improved. To ensure that you
benefit from new functions and bug fixes, update your system regularly.
u Select in the menu
System > System Update
Check for new updates.
u Select Update System.
ð The updates are installed. This may take a few minutes.
u The web interface must be reloaded. Confirm with OK.
Before you can use the my.digitalSTROM account, you have to create a new password.
Make sure that you use a secure password (lower/upper case letters, numbers and
special characters).
u Create a new password in the menu
u Confirm the new password with Apply.
Changing password
System > Password
.
Set up location
To ensure that the sunrise and sunset can be used when using the timers, the server
requires the location of your home.
u In the menu
System > System Settings
enter your Location.
Installing dS Apps
Before you can integrate IP devices (e.g. Philips Hue, Sonos, Smarter iKettle,…) or
additional functions (e.g. Push Messenger, …), you need the digitalSTROM server apps.
u In the menu
Apps > Install
select the desired apps and install these.
Updating dS Apps
If you have already installed dS Apps, you must update these together with a system
update in order to always benefit from the latest advantages.
u In the menu
u If an update is available, select Update Selected or Update All.
ð The updates will be executed and your apps will be up-to-date again.
To ensure that you can also access your home from outside, create a my.digitalSTROM
account and connect it to the digitalSTROM Server. This remote access is also necessary
in order to access the settings of certain IP devices (such as the iKettle).
u Open the app my.digitalSTROM in the dS Configurator.
my.digitalSTROM app
u If you do not yet have a free my.digitalSTROM account, register here via
Once you have installed all components, your home is ready for numerous functions of the
intelligent control with digitalSTROM in just a few steps. We will show you how to do this
with the simple example of the user defined action "Breakfast". The IP-devices PhilipsHue, Sonos and Smarter iKettle are integrated in this action. This will also work with
individual or other IP devices, however.
Requirements
Hue
•Your Philips Hue lights are configured using the smartphone app
from Philips.
•Your Sonos system is fully configured using the smartphone or PC app
play lists as well as favorites are created.
•Your Smarter iKettle is connected to your home network via the smartphone app
Smarter
(from version iKettle 2.0).
Sonos
, and
Example:
You have three Philips Hue lights and one Smarter iKettle installed in the kitchen. In the
dining room, one Philips Hue light and one Sonos speaker is installed.
When having breakfast, you want the light in the kitchen to appear with the lighting preset
"Cook"
Smarter iKettle should heat the water for
room should play the radio station
and the light in the dining room to appear with the lighting preset
"SWR3"
"Black tea"
simultaneously.
and the Sonos speaker in the dining
"Dine"
. The
The individual steps for the setup will be explained below.
This App integrates the Philips Hue Bridge and all Hue lights into your digitalSTROM
system. The lights are available as devices in the rooms and can be configured
conveniently using the digitalSTROM Configurator or smartphone apps.
Connecting Philips Hue
u Install the server app Hue Controller (Installing dS Apps).
Hue Controller
u Open the Hue Controller app in the dS Configurator.
u Select Connect Hue Bridge.
ð The Hue Bridge is connected to digitalSTROM and the existing lights are detected
automatically.
Assigning Philips Hue Lights to the Rooms
u Open the dS Configurator.
u In the
u Give the room a name (in our example: "Kitchen").
u In the
u Give the room a unique name, e.g.
u You can now drag the individual IP devices into the rooms by drag-and-drop, e.g. the
dining room light into the
ð The Philips Hue lights are now assigned to the rooms.
This app enables Sonos speakers to respond to any digitalSTROM activities. You can either
save audio presets in the room with your favorites or any activities can be used as a
trigger. A current title or the current list can be used or any favorites and playlists can be
selected. Additionally, signal tones can be selected from a library.
Texts can be converted directly into speech and played back if necessary using the "Voice
output" function. Furthermore, the music can be stopped, started or muted via
commands.
Sonos Connection
u Install the server app Sonos Controller (Installing dS Apps).
Sonos Controller
u Open the Sonos Controller app in the dS Configurator.
u In the
ð The existing Sonos speakers are detected and listed automatically.
Sonos Speaker
tab select Automatically discover Sonos speakers.
Assigning Sonos Speakers to the Rooms
u In the
u Select Assign room and assign the desired speaker to the room.
u Confirm your entry with Save.
ð The Sonos speakers are now assigned to the rooms.
Sonos Speaker
tab select the desired Sonos speaker.
Tips:
The Sonos speakers are not visible in the dS Configurator. You can, however, call up audio
presets for rooms.
If the Sonos speaker is in a room that has not yet been created, you can create a new
room during the selection
This app enables the integration of the Smarter iKettle 2.0 into your digitalSTROM system.
In the device settings the behavior can be set and own actions can be created. The device
settings can only opened with an active Internet connection.
Smarter iKettle Connection
u Install the server app Smarter Controller (Installing dS Apps).
Smarter Controller
u Open the Smarter Controller app in the dS Configurator.
u Select Search for devices.
ð The Smarter iKettle is now connected to digitalSTROM and stored in the dS
Configurator under its own room.
Assigning Smarter iKettle to a Room
u Open the dS Configurator.
u In the
ð The Smarter iKettle is displayed.
u You can drag the iKettle into a room by drag-and-drop, e.g.
ð The iKettle is now assigned to the room
u Delete the room
Rooms
tab select the room Room #nnnn created by Smarter.
With the dSS-IP you can set up lighting presets and audio presets and thus predefine your
preferred settings for the IP devices. Presets are room dependent and are called up
room-related.
In order to control household appliances, such as the Smarter iKettle, no presets are set
up in the room, but actions are set up directly on the device instead.
You can call up these presets and actions later directly or you can link them together for
an action and then call them up.
Example:
When having breakfast, you want the light in the kitchen to appear with the preset
and the light in the dining room to appear with the preset
Sonos speaker in the dining room
iKettle should heat the water for
u Open the Smarter Controller in the dS Configurator.
Smarter Controller
u Select Open Device Settings Page.
u Select Custom Actions.
u Create a new action using (+).
u Name the action (e.g.
Black tea
) and set the desired values.
u Confirm your action with Save changes.
ð You have now created the action
Black tea
that you can use later.
Tips:
Alternatively, you can create a "bot". You will find information on this via the link Start thebot here in the
You can also open the device settings on your smartphone/tablet using the digitalSTROM
(iOS) / dS Home Control (Android) app under
This digitalSTROM app defines the actual actions that can be easily executed via other
server apps or via a smartphone app. These actions can be composed of only one activity
or several different activities.
Make sure that you select a meaningful name so that it can also be understood for voice
controls e.g. "I want to have breakfast".
Example:
When you have breakfast, the light should switch on in the kitchen with the preset
and in the dining room with the preset
tea
and the music
SWR3
should be played from your favorites.
Dine
, the iKettle should heat up the water for
Create the following user defined action:
•Breakfast
Cook
Black
u Open the User Defined Actions app in the dS Configurator.
By the intelligent linking of the IP devices in your home the dSS-IP is also able to give
feedbacks to actions or presets that are called up. Thus, for example, Sonos can give a
voice feedback and the Philips Hue lights blink in the kitchen when the water for your tea
is ready.
Example:
You are preparing water for tea with the Smarter iKettle and you want to know when it is
ready. The Sonos speaker in the kitchen should say:
Hue lights in the kitchen should blink.
"Your tea is ready"
and the Philips
Creating Feedbacks with the Sonos Controller
u Open the Sonos Controller in the dS Configurator.
Sonos Controller
u In the
u In the
(Ctrl/Cmd) events.
u In the
u Now write the desired voice output (Your tea is ready) in the output window.
u Here, you can also perform the desired settings (language, voice, ...).
u In the
played.
u Confirm your activity with Save.
ð You will now receive the created feedback the next time you prepare water for tea.
Activities
Trigger
tab create New Activity.
tab Event on Device > Kitchen > iKettle > Events select one or more
What To Play
Where To Play
tab select the Text to Speech.
tab select the room or rooms where the voice output should be
If you have installed Amazon Echo, you can now dispatch voice commands directly to
Alexa.
The Amazon Echo Skill is available in English and German.
Find out more about Amazon Echo: Product Info Amazon Echo
4.2Voice Control with Smartphone App: dS Listener
Note: dS Listener is available in German only. Therefore, the described commands are
written in German.
This app enables you to control your digitalSTROM system simply by speaking. It
recognizes spoken commands such as "Ich will frühstücken" / "Schalte das Licht im
Esszimmer ein" / “Schalte das Licht in der Küche für fünf Minuten ein" etc. After the
system has recognized the command, the user gets a confirmation and the desired
function is executed.
u Open the dS Listener app on your smartphone/tablet.
u Give clearly understandable German voice commands such as
or
"Schalte das Licht im Esszimmer ein"
ð The dS Listener now executes your commands.
.
4.3Smartphone App: dS Dashboard
Create your favorites here so that the user defined action such as
started directly from your dS dashboard app.
u Open the dS Dashboard app on your smartphone/tablet.
u Select Settings.
u Select Add User Defined Action.
ð All available actions will be displayed. In our example the action
up previously.
u Select the desired action, e.g. Breakfast.
ð You can now make the settings for the action (e.g. add images from the library or
your own photos).
u Confirm the settings with Save.
"Ich will frühstücken"
"Breakfast"
Breakfast
can be
as set
ð The new action now appears on the start screen and can be called up with just one
click.
Tips:
Under
favorites.
You can now carry out further user defined actions with different IP devices and
combinations.
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Add Activity
you can also set up presets in rooms or set up actions on devices as
This app allows you to call up all known actions, presets and user defined actions such as
creating and setting new actions, presets and user defined actions.
u Open the digitalSTROM (iOS) / dS Home Control (Android) app on your smartphone/
tablet.
u Select a room, in which you want to call up a preset or action, e.g. Kitchen.
u Select the desired preset, e.g. Cook.
ð The selected preset is now executed.
Tip:
In this app via the settings (
the bottom of the screen.
) you can also create favorites that you can select directly at
Imagine a helpful, intelligent and invisible "butler" who knows and answers your
requests. He knows how to adjust and operate the devices in your household so that
everything meets your individual needs. Your butler is in dialog with you, he learns more
and more every day and can even acquire knowledge from the Internet. Each bot is a
specialist and is only responsible for one device. And with his services in the background
he also ensures that you enjoy more comfort and safety at home with digitalSTROM.
The dS device bots are based on the decentralized cover of digitalSTROM, since these
already give your electrical devices basic intelligence – so that they know how they are
integrated in the network and which tasks they should fulfill in the household. The dS
device bots enhance and optimize this intelligence even more: The devices learn how to
carry out their particular functions better and better and tailored to your individual needs.
How do I install and use a dS device bot?
The dS device bots are available as additional services in your digitalSTROM installation
and can be booked easily. You communicate directly with the bot by app or voice command
and convey your requests to it. It then carries out your requests on the device that it is
responsible for – and continually learns more about your needs at the same time.
What skills do devices obtain from device bots?
The dS device bots can:
•access cognitive services in order to attain more knowledge,
•access information in the house – so that they can know where light is on or off, for
example,
•learn autonomously,
•adapt to individual situations in the house and
•enter into a dialog with the user in order to know and implement their preferences
and requests better.