Head over to IFTTT (IfThisThenThat) and set up a sign-in. IFTTT is an Internet-of-Things site that allows you to connect different devices using easy-to-use applets. Not only can you connect Hue lights to trigger certain colors based on weather conditions, you can also connect microcontrollers that have Wi-Fi capability. With your account now set, hover over your account name in the right-hand corner and choose New Applet from the pull-down menu.
IFTTT wants you to think literally about two things: "this" happens triggering "that". So, we will choose these two things in different steps. Here goes:
- Click on the +this and type space in the search bar
- Click on the Space square that appears
- Now select the square ISS passes over a specific location
- Move the map to select your exact location and click Create Trigger
OK, now we are shifting gears to handle the second part.
- Click on the +that and type Particle in the search bar
- Click on the Particle square that appears
- Now select the square Call a function
- Under Then Call (Function Name) (required), check the dropdown for pixelPIN on "yourdevicename"
- Now go to the bottom and click Complete Action
- You can keep the green light that enables Receive notifications when applet runs
- Hit Finish
- You can Check Now to see that the applet is working, but it will only do the special light sequence if you force the trigger or the ISS actually passes
- If you ever need to check this applet, you'll find it under My Applets on the top menu
- Be aware that if you continue to run the applet without your pin having power, it will eventually automatically shut down
- It's nice to have the IFTTT app installed on your phone to turn applets on/off
Want a Test?
If you need to test what a flyby would be like without waiting long hours, it is good to set up another applet. This one will allow you to send an email to trigger your pin.
- Follow the above directions for creating a new applet
- This time for +this type Email in the search bar
- Choose the Send IFTTT any email box
- Now follow the directions above for doing the +that choosing Particle
- Keep following those directions for all the choices including the function
- Under the function section you'll see +ingredient - select subject
- Hit Create Action and then Finish
This applet will enable you to send an email to [email protected] with anything written in the subject line. In a few seconds the pin will do its special light show as if the ISS had flown by. This is very handy for demos.
