question on mailbox sensor

[johntdyer]

Can you explain why there are two binary sensors for your mailbox package ?

mqtt:
  sensor:
    - name: mailbox
      state_topic: homeassistant/persistence/mailbox

automation:
  - alias: mailbox_count
    id: '2878459556162'
    mode: restart
    trigger:
      platform: state
      entity_id:
        - binary_sensor.mailbox_count_contact
        - binary_sensor.mailbox_reset_contact
      from: 'off'
      to: 'on'
    condition: >
      {% set now = as_timestamp(now()) %}
      {% set last_triggered = as_timestamp(state_attr(this.entity_id, 'last_triggered'), default=now) %}
      {{ (now - last_triggered) > 7 or 'reset' in trigger.entity_id }}
    action:
      service: mqtt.publish
      data:
        topic: homeassistant/persistence/mailbox
        payload_template: >
          {{ iif('reset' in trigger.entity_id, 0, states('sensor.mailbox') | int + 1) }}
        retain: true

How does Reset work exactly ? Based on what I am reading the Xiaomi sensor ( MCCGQ11LM ) operates like a simple contact swiitch

Thanks

[johntdyer]

@matt8707 any thoughts on this one?

[matt8707]

[johntdyer]

@matt8707 yes, but what does reset mean ? I am trying to understand the intent of the sensors and the card... its currently not clear to me. Thanks again !

[matt8707]

{{ iif('reset' in trigger.entity_id, 0, states('sensor.mailbox') | int + 1) }}

if "count" sensor is triggered increment by 1
if "reset" sensor is triggered set count to 0

If I receive mail twice the count is 2, when I go get my mail the count resets

[johntdyer]

@matt8707 so how are you resetting it... I am asking how you are physically resetting it when you are at the mailbox getting your mail

[matt8707]

You're kidding, right? I've explained it with text, code and image.

I open the large door on the box, this triggers the second contact sensor called "reset"

[johntdyer]

sorry to be such a PITA... but I finally got it in your last reply... Your mailbox has two different doors... one for the mailman and one for you.... That didnt click when you posted the picture and didnt occur to me since in the US thats not very common... Traditionally homes have a box on the street