Picture_entity but entity not existing

lalamite · August 18, 2019, 12:26pm

Hi guys,

I have added some picture entities including state_image

As I have some devices which are switched off using the original wall switch, the entity is not available after I restart home assistant (in case the lamp is switched off). Due to this, I always get this error message.

How can I ignore the availability of the entity (light.wohnzimmerlampe)?
Or better so say: If entity is not available, the state off picture shall be displayed.

This is the code:

      - entity: light.stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        state_image:
          'off': /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
          'on': /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
          unavailable: /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
        tap_action:
          action: toggle
        type: picture-entity

Error message:
Home%20Assistant%202019-08-18%2014-25-29

jparthum · August 19, 2019, 8:20am

Instead of state_image you could use conditional cards. Since you’re only using two images you only need two conditions; state: "on" and state_not "on":

    type: conditional
    conditions:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        state: "on"
    card:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        image: /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
        tap_action:
          action: toggle
        type: picture-entity

    type: conditional
    conditions:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        state_not: "on"
    card:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        image: /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
        type: picture-entity

…But if you decide to use a third image for ‘unavailable’ then you’d need four conditions contained in three conditional statements:

    type: conditional
    conditions:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        state: "on"
    card:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        image: /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
        tap_action:
          action: toggle
        type: picture-entity

    type: conditional
    conditions:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        state: "off"
    card:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        image: /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
        tap_action:
          action: toggle
        type: picture-entity

    type: conditional
    conditions:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        state_not: "on"
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        state_not: "off"
    card:
      - entity: light.stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        image: /local/stehlampe-nicht_verfügbar.jpg
        type: picture-entity

lalamite · August 19, 2019, 10:21am

Thank you Jason.

Tried this code first only to check whether it works:

type: conditional
conditions:
  - entity: light.stehlampe
    state: 'on'
card:
  - entity: light.stehlampe
    image: /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
    tap_action:
      action: toggle
    type: picture-entity

If state of the lamp is on, I get the following result:

No card type configured.
[
  {
    "entity": "light.stehlampe",
    "image": "/local/stehlampe-an.jpg",
    "tap_action": {
      "action": "toggle"
    },
    "type": "picture-entity"
  }
]

but card type is configured? Or do I miss anything?

jparthum · August 19, 2019, 7:28pm

Oops, I forgot an array can’t follow card: (that’s why it doesn’t say cards: )…

      - type: conditional
        conditions:
          - entity: light.stehlampe
            state: "on"
        card:
          entity: light.stehlampe
          show_name: false
          show_state: false
          image: /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
          tap_action:
            action: toggle
          type: picture-entity

      - type: conditional
        conditions:
          - entity: light.stehlampe
            state_not: "on"
        card:
          entity: light.stehlampe
          show_name: false
          show_state: false
          image: /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
          type: picture-entity

Edit: But the types do need to be an array.

lalamite · August 20, 2019, 6:34am

Thank you.

Unfortunately the error message (entity unavailable) from the beginning is still there.

it seems to be because of this:

card:
          entity: light.stehlampe

Even if state_not: ‘on’ the system checks the following code and realizes, that this entity is not existing (as I haven’t switched on the lamp after restarting home assistant)

jparthum · August 20, 2019, 7:29am

Hmm, I really thought that would work.

You could try changing state_not: "on" to state: "unavailable" assuming that’s what the state actually shows (you can check under the States tab in Developer Tools). You’d then need a third conditional statement to also cover state: "off"

If that doesn’t work, I know a template_sensor will.

jparthum · August 20, 2019, 7:50am

If the above doesn’t work this should…

sensor:

  - platform: template
    sensors:
      light_stehlampe:
        value_template: "{{ states('light.stehlampe') }}"

(^ requires restart)

lovelace:

  - type: conditional
    conditions:
      - entity: sensor.light_stehlampe
        state: "unknown"
    card:
      entity: sensor.light_stehlampe
      show_name: false
      show_state: false
      image: /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
      type: picture-entity

  - type: conditional
    conditions:
      - entity: sensor.light_stehlampe
        state_not: "unknown"
    card:
      entity: sensor.light_stehlampe
      show_name: false
      show_state: false
      state_image:
        'off': /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
        'on': /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
      tap_action:
        action: toggle
      type: picture-entity

jparthum · August 20, 2019, 10:11am

While working on something else it struck me that this may be the simplest solution for your issue.

Just create a Template Binary Sensor…
binary_sensor:

  - platform: template
    sensors:
      light_stehlampe:
        device_class: light
        value_template: "{{ is_state('light.stehlampe', 'on') }}"

(^ requires restart)

…then keep your original Card configuration (sans the ‘unavailable’ state) and just change the entity to the new sensor name…

      - entity: binary_sensor.light_stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        state_image:
          'off': /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
          'on': /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
        tap_action:
          action: toggle
        type: picture-entity

This sensor configuration will only return on or off, so your (slightly modified) original picture-entity card should always work.

Edit: typo

lalamite · August 20, 2019, 11:59am

Awesome, this should definitely work!
Thanks mate!!!

Now I only need to create an script (toggle lamps) as the toggle action won’t work as changing the status of the template sensor, would not turn of or on the lights

jparthum · August 20, 2019, 12:11pm

Oh, good catch – I totally overlooked that.

This should work though:

      - entity: binary_sensor.light_stehlampe
        show_name: false
        show_state: false
        state_image:
          'off': /local/stehlampe-aus.jpg
          'on': /local/stehlampe-an.jpg
        tap_action:
          action: call-service
          service: light.toggle
          service_data:
            entity_id: light.stehlampe
        type: picture-entity

lalamite · August 20, 2019, 4:01pm

You are the best! Thank you very very much!

Works like a charm

jparthum · August 20, 2019, 7:17pm

No problem, glad to hear it finally works.