unicontrol > Getting Started > API - HTTP

API - HTTP

The unicontrol HTTP API provides a convenient way of integrating devices with this software into any existing ecosystems and platforms. It offers a RESTful interface that allows accessing unicontrol features from a third-party software. In this guide, you will find a detailed technical specification of the various endpoints, commands, and parameters available in the API to help you get started. Whether you are new to unicontrol or an experienced user, this guide will provide you with the essential information required for successful implementation.

Unlike MQTT or Serial communication , HTTP API is designed to allow the user to have a complete control over all aspects of the device. In the broadest terms, to access the required resource, the user needs to send an HTTP GET or HTTP POST request to the local* network URL:
http://[IPv4]/[resource]

* although it is technically possible to map the device to an external address port to be accessible from the internet, this is not recommended due to Security limitations.

To find out more about available resources please see the following Telemetry, Parameters and Commands sections.

Addressing the process

Addressing process can be done in two-ways: the [PROCESS ID] placeholder can be replaced either by the respective process' Name or its index number (all available processes are numbered starting from 1 and ending with a total number of processes - either 5, 15 or 40, depending on the software version). For the HTTP requests both options can be used equivalently at the same time as long as the processes' Names are defined unambiguously.

Any ambiguity in the process Names may lead to undesirable behavior. For example, naming the process #1 as "5" is possible, but addressing it this way will cause the software to operate with the process #5 instead.

Telemetry

To obtain the required telemetry data as a response, the user needs to send an HTTP GET request to the following URL:
http://[IPv4]/reading_request?data=[TELEMETRY]&process=[PROCESS ID]

HTTP API access to the telemetry data listed below is available in all unicontrol versions.

[TELEMETRY]	Payload	Note
`D0`-`D8`	numeric reading (if input) `0` for `LOW`, or `1` for `HIGH` (if output)	If input: Returns current reading as a plain numeric value in the predefined unit (unit symbol not included) If output: Returns current state of the output If system: If the chosen peripheral is used as a system port, the request will return a string `"System"`.
`RE1`-`RE12`	`0` for `LOW`, or `1` for `HIGH`	Returns current state of the output
`I1`-`I8`, `A0`	numeric reading	Returns current reading as a plain numeric value in the predefined unit (unit symbol not included)
`MEM1`-`MEM8`	numeric value	Returns current value saved in the respective memory slot
`process_in`	numeric reading	Returns current reading of the chosen process' input.
`process_out`	`0` for `OFF`, or `1` for `ON`	Returns current state of the chosen process' output.
`in_out_all`	`JSON`	Returns basic summary of all physical peripherals `D0`-`D8`, `A0` and `I1`-`I8` containing current reading or state and unit (if applicable). `[PROCESS ID]` not relevant. Please note that `A0`=`I1`.

Parameters

To set or change the selected parameter, the user needs to send an HTTP POST request to the following URL:
http://[IPv4]/var_set?param=[PARAMETER][SUFFIX]&val=[VAL]

To obtain the selected parameter's saved value as an HTTP response, the user needs to send an HTTP GET request to the following URL:
http://[IPv4]/var_request?param=[PARAMETER][SUFFIX]

For the process variables the [SUFFIX] must be replaced with a string constructed from "_" followed by respective process' [PROCESS ID]. For example, when addressing the Main state of the Process 5 the variable must be referenced as mstr_5. In case of other than process variables the [SUFFIX] must be left out.

Windows command line - HTTP Variables — Example of HTTP var_set & var_request functions for a system variable

System settings

HTTP API access to the system variables listed below is available in all unicontrol versions.

[PARAMETER]	Default value	[VALUE]	Description
`Name` (devicename)	`my_uni`	String of up to 25 characters	Name of the device used for its easier identification in the network. It is also used as an SSID in case of the Wi-Fi `AP mode`.
`SSID 1` (ssid1)	`aya_ssid`		SSID names of the primary and secondary 2.4GHz Wi-Fi access points to connect to. Connection to the secondary network is only attempted if the primary network is not accessible and uses parameters automatically assigned by the router. Please note that 5G bandwidth networks not supported.
`SSID 2` (ssid2)	empty String
`Password 1` (pass1)	`aya_pass`		Wi-Fi Password to the SSID 1 network.
`Password 2` (pass2)	empty String		Wi-Fi Password to the SSID 2 network.
`User` (mqttuser)	`mqtt_user`		SSID name of the selected 2.4GHz Wi-Fi access point to connect to. Please note that 5G bandwidth networks not supported.
`Password` (mqttpass)	`mqtt_pass`		Client password to the MQTT broker.
`Topic L1` (topicL1)	`my_uni`		Defines up to first 3 subtopics of the topic strings used for communication with the device via MQTT protocol. While the 1st level is mandatory, 2nd and 3rd are optional and are used for a unique identification of the user. Should not contain special characters. Learn more...
`Topic L2` (topicL2)	empty String
`Topic L3` (topicL3)	empty String
`Password` (masterpass)	`passw123`		Device administrator password for extended access. This password is also used to access the device in Wi-Fi `AP mode`, but needs to be at least 8 characters long to work properly. Learn more...
`Origin` `(CORS)` (origin)	`null`	String of up to 45 characters	Origin of the web interface from which the device will be accessed. Keep `null` when using an offline local copy of the interface or the app.
`Default Wi-Fi`(1.15) (wifimode)	`STA`	`0` for `STA` or `1` for `AP` or `2`(1.16) for `Off`	Determines the default Wi-Fi mode in which the device begins following the boot. In the `STA` mode the device will try to maintain a connection to one of the saved wireless networks. In the `AP` mode the device will serve as an independent Access Point, allowing other wireless devices to connect to it. In the `Off` mode the Wi-Fi is disabled, but the device will only boot into this mode if the System button is defined on `I8`. The three modes can be arbitrarily switched during runtime.
`IP Mode` (wifiauto)	`Dynamic`	`0` for `Static` or `1` for `Dynamic`	Enables or disables dynamic assignment of local network IP address, Gateway, Subnet mask and DNS by the router. `Static` implies that user-provided values are prioritized.
`IPv4`(Wi-Fi) (localip)	`192.168.1.255`	IPv4 address in the standard decimal format `x`.`x`.`x`.`x`	Device's local network IP address. Only applicable if `Static` IP Mode is selected and only used if the provided address is available.
`Gateway` (gateway)	`192.168.1.1`		Local network gateway. Only applicable if `Static` IP Mode is selected.
`Subnet mask` (mask)	`255.255.255.0`		Local network subnet mask. Only applicable if `Static` IP Mode is selected.
`DNS` (dns)	`8.8.8.8`		IP address of the preferred DNS server. Only applicable if Static IP Mode is selected and an internet connection is available.
`IPv4`(MQTT) (mqttip)	`192.168.1.200`		Internal or external IP address of the MQTT broker.
`Port` (mqttport)	`1883`	integer between `0` and `65535`	Listener port of the MQTT broker. Only non-SSL listeners are supported.
`Connection` (mqttallow)	`Disabled`	`0` for `Disabled` or `1` for `Enabled`	Allow or disable connection to the MQTT broker for publishing sensor readings, output state changes or remote control. Learn more...
`Subscription` (suballow)	`Enabled`		Allow or disable subscribing to and receiving MQTT messages for remote control via MQTT
`Web` `protection` (secure)	`Disabled`		Allow or disable password protection for web access. Only keep this `Disabled` if the device is not accessible outside of your secure and trusted network. Learn more...
`Extended serial` (serial)	`Enabled`		Allow or disable receiving of the Serial port commands. Keep this disabled at all times if physical access to the device is not restricted! Learn more...
`Display` (display)	`Show all`	`0` for `Show all` or `1` for `Hide system info` or `2` for `Hide all`	If physical access to the device is not adequately restricted, the user can use this setting to hide either `System` or `All` information from the Display loop.
`Time-zone` (timezone)	`0` (UTC)	selection of integer between `-12` and `30`	Time-zone relative to UTC in which the device's real time clock should be referenced. (Changed to a drop-down selection in version 1.06)
`DST`(1.06) (dst)	`2` (Auto [EU])	`0` for `Inactive` or `1` for `Active` or `2` for `Auto (EU)` or `3` for `Auto (US)` or `4` for `Auto (Aus)` or `5` for `Auto (NZ)`	When Daylight Saving Time is `Active` or `Auto`(1.14) with the current date falling within a predefined date range, an extra hour is added to the device's real-time clock. Changes effective immediately.
`Units` (unit)	`0` (in/°C)	`0` for `cm`/`°C` or `1` for `in`/`°F` or `2` for `cm`/`°F` or `3` for `in`/`°C`	Chooses between Imperial and SI (International System of Units) measurement units.

Process variables

HTTP API access to the process variables listed below is available in all unicontrol versions.

[PARAMETER]	Default value	Variable	[VALUE]	Note
`pname`	`process_` `[ID]`	Name	String of up to 13 alphanumeric characters	Defines a user-given name for the respective process.
`mstr`	`Inactive`	Main state	`0` for `OFF`, or `1` for `Auto`, or `2` for `ON`, or `3` for `Inactive`	Changes the main state of the process.
`initst`(1.11)	`OFF`	Initial state	`0` or `False` for `OFF` or `1` or `True` for `ON`	Determines the initial state that the process starts in after booting.
`tfrom1`	`00:00`	Process timer	`HH:MM` in 24h format (HH:MM:SS also accepted, although seconds are ignored)	Start times of the respective process timer periods.
`tfrom2`	`08:00`
`tfrom3`	`14:00`
`tfrom4`	`20:00`
`tto1`	`08:00`			End times of the respective process timer periods.
`tto2`	`14:00`
`tto3`	`20:00`
`tto4`	`23:59`
`d1`	`True`		`0` or `False` for disabled or `1` or `True` for enabled	Disables or enables individual days of the process timer, where `d1` represents Monday etc.
`d2`
`d3`
`d4`
`d5`
`d6`
`d7`
`inper`	`99`	Input	`0-8` for `D0-D8` `31-42` for `RE1-12` `51-58` for `MEM1-8` `99` for none Only input: `11` for `A0` `21-28` for `I1-I8`	Determines the physical or virtual peripheral serving as the main process input / output.
`outper`		Primary Output
`cstt1`		Variable constraints - Input peripheral		Defines the Peripheral whose value will be compared to the threshold. The Peripheral is always the left-hand side of the inequality.
`cstt2`
`cstt3`
`outsec1`	`0`	Secondary outputs	`0` for not applied or process # between `1` and `[Max process]`	Chooses the process, output of which will be used as an additional output mirroring the original process' output.
`outsec2`
`outsec3`
`outsecr1`	`1`		`1` for `Same` `2` for `Opposite` `3` for `On -> On` `4` for `On -> Off` `5` for `Off -> Off` `6` for `Off -> On` `7` for `Always On` `8` for `Always Off`	Defines how the selected secondary output will respond to the original process event.
`outsecr2`
`outsecr3`
`inchnl`	`0`	Channel	integer between `0` and `11`	Differentiates between various readings present on a single primary input Peripheral.
`cstv1`		Variable constraints - Test value	integer between `-9999` and `9999`	Sets the Threshold for the constraint conditions. The Threshold is always the right-hand side of the inequality.
`cstv2`
`cstv3`
`inval1`		High/Low input or Condition test value		Defines the lower bound of the input range for the Analog link or the On Condition thresholds, depending on the set-up in the On Event.
`inval2`		High/Low input or Condition test value		Defines the upper bound of the input range for the Analog link or the Off Condition thresholds, depending on the set-up in the On Event.
`outval1`		Low output or Mem value or RGB Speed(1.11) or Folder(1.16)	integer between `0` and `100`	Depending on the On Event and Output setup, this value may define: i) the lower bound of the input range for the Analog link, ii) the Mem value to be set, added to, or deducted from the selected memory slot, iii)(1.11) the RGB program's Speed, or iv)(1.16) the Audio driver's folder number.
`outval2`	`100`	High output or Duty cycle or RGB Brightness(1.11) or Track(1.16)	integer between `0` and `100`	Depending on the On Event and Output setup, this value may define: i) the upper bound of the input range for the Analog link, ii) the `PWM` Duty cycle of the analog output, iii)(1.11) the RGB program's relative Brightness , or iv)(1.16) the Audio driver's track number.
`outcolor`	`#99CC00`	RGB color	standard 6-digit (non-abbreviated) RGB hex code `#RRGGBB`** (web color)	Determines the base color for the RGB program. Only effective for relevant programs.
`outrgbmod`	`1`	RGB mode	Follow here for value reference	Main program Mode of the RGB driver to be rendered by the LED strip.
`onevnt`	`0`	On/Off event	`0` for none `1` for Rising edge `2` for Falling edge `3` for Condition `7` for Timeout `9` for Analog link	Determine the event leading to a change in the respective output's state.
`offevnt`	`0`	On/Off event
`incper`	`0`	Control period	integer between `0` and `255`	Determines the number of time units for the respective time entry. This variable is always provided together with the unit selection (see `[PARAMETER]` = `incperu`, `ondelu`, `offdelu`, `onfadu`, `offfadu`, `ontoutu`, `offtoutu`, `cyonu` and `cyoffu`).
`ondel`		Delay on/off
`offdel`		Delay on/off
`onfad`		Fade in/out
`offfad`		Fade in/out
`ontout`		Idle/Running time (timeout)
`offtout`		Idle/Running time (timeout)
`cyon`		High/Low phase
`cyoff`		High/Low phase
`incperu`		Control period	`0` for tenths of a second (default) `1` for seconds `2` for tens of seconds `3` for minutes `4` for tens of minutes `5` for hours	Determines the unit of the respective time entry. This variable is always provided together with the number of selected units (see `[PARAMETER]` = `incper`, `ondel`, `offdel`, `onfad`, `offfad`, `ontout`, `offtout`, `cyon` and `cyoff`).
`ondelu`		Delay on/off
`offdelu`		Delay on/off
`onfadu`		Fade in/out
`offfadu`		Fade in/out
`ontoutu`		Idle/Running time (timeout)
`offtoutu`		Idle/Running time (timeout)
`cyonu`		High/Low phase
`cyoffu`		High/Low phase
`disp`	`False`	Display	`0` or `False` for disabled or `1` or `True` for enabled	Disables or enables the respective logical switch.
`inpub`		Publish (in)
`outtyp`		Type (out)
`outinv`		Invert (out)
`outpub`		Publish (out)
`frcon`		Force output
`frcoff`	`True`	Force output
`inpubnm*`		Subtopic (in)
`outpubnm*`		Subtopic (out)
`evntopt`(1.13)	`False =Below`	Out on when
`inpubfr`	`5`	Frequency	integer between `0` and `15`	Determines how often the process input value will be published to the MQTT broker if allowed.
`outmem`	`0`	MEM Action	`0` for none `1` for Increase `2` for Decrease `3` for Reset `4` for Set	Defines the operation performed with the assigned memory slot once the relevant On event is triggered.
`cyrep`	`0`	Cycles	integer between `0` and `9999`	Defines how many times the process' output switches between HIGH and LOW states when the process turns `ON`.
`csts1`	`<`	Variable constraints - Operator	`0` or `False` for `<` or `1` or `True` for `>`	Defines the inequality Operator for comparing the analog readings. If the reading is logical then the operator automatically changes to `=` (operator choice has then no effect).
`csts2`
`csts3`
`oncdsgn`		Condition operator
`offcdsgn`		Condition operator

*Default value changed to True in version 1.11

**Do not forget to URL-encode the # character by replacing it with %23 or exclude it completely!

Special variables

HTTP API access to the special variables listed below is available in all unicontrol versions.

[PARAMETER]	Boot value	Variable	[VALUE]	Note
`rgbmod*` `rgbmod1`(1.14) `rgbmod2`(1.14)	`0`	RGB Mode	selected integers between `0` and `99`.	Mode of the RGB driver's currently active program.
`rgbcolor*` `rgbcolor1`(1.14) `rgbcolor2`(1.14)	`#99CC00`	RGB Color	standard 6-digit (non-abbreviated) RGB hex code `#RRGGBB`** (web color)	Color of the RGB driver's currently active program.
`rgbspd*` `rgbspd1`(1.14) `rgbspd2`(1.14)	`100`	RGB Speed	integer between `0` and `100`.	Speed of the RGB driver's currently active program.
`rgbbrt*` `rgbbrt1`(1.14) `rgbbrt2`(1.14)	`100`	RGB Brightness	integer between `0` and `100`.	Brightness of the RGB driver's currently active program.

* Parameters rgbmod, rgbcolor, rgbspd, and rgbbrt have become obsolete as of the version 1.14, replaced by channel-specific parameters rgbmod1, rgbcolor1, rgbspd1, rgbbrt1, rgbmod2, rgbcolor2, rgbspd2, and rgbbrt2, respectively.

** Do not forget to URL-encode the # character by replacing it with %23 or exclude it completely!

Commands

To execute the required command, the user needs to send an HTTP POST request to the following URL:
http://[IPv4]/execute?command=[COMMAND]&process=[PROCESS ID*]&val=[VAL*]&opt=[OPT*]

* optional parameter

Windows command line - HTTP Command — Example of HTTP execute function

HTTP API commands listed below are available in all unicontrol versions.

[COMMAND]	Command parameters	Note
`D0`-`D8`	`[VAL]` can assume values ranging from `0` for `LOW` to `100` for `HIGH`. `[OPT]` and `[PROCESS ID]` are ignored.	If the respective digital pin is listed as output (OUT) on the Peripheral page, execution of the command will change the respective pin's state to `[VAL]`, where `0` stands for logical `LOW`, `100` for logical `HIGH` and values between `1` and `99` will result in a PWM (analog) output with `[VAL]`% duty cycle.
`RE1`-`RE12`	`[VAL]` can assume values `0` for `LOW` and `1` for `HIGH`. `[OPT]` and `[PROCESS ID]` are ignored.	If the Shift register is available, execution of the command will change the respective register pin's state to `[VAL]`.
`MEM1`-`MEM8`	`[OPT]` must be between `1` and `3`. For `[VAL]` only values between `1` and `100` will be accepted. `[PROCESS ID]` is ignored.	Executing this command will modify the respective memory slot based on `[OPT]` parameter. The value stored in the memory is increased by (if `[OPT]`=1), decreased by (if `[OPT]`=2) or set to (if `[OPT]`=3) the value of `[VAL]`.
`process_out`	`[PROCESS ID]` must be greater than 0 and lower of equal to the total number of processes. `[VAL]` can only assume 0 for `ON` state or 1 for `OFF` state. `[OPT]` is ignored.	Sets the output of the process selected in `[PROCESS ID]` to the state provided in `[VAL]`.
`reboot`	`[VAL]`,`[OPT]` and `[PROCESS ID]` are ignored.	Reboots the device.
`reconnect`		Reconnects to the saved wireless network and to the `MQTT broker` if applicable.
`factory`		Resets all device settings to its factory values.