Re: The joys of automation...
The problem with a lot of devices are that the developers/engineers don't get the process flows correct. I bought a cheap £50 after market alarm from China, nearly 20 years ago now, to secure an old school motor.
- Bump alarm
- Shock (hard hit) alarm
- Remote start
- Immobiliser
- Anti Hijack
- Auto lock
- Auto Arm
- Pager with range of 800 meters
You may be thinking, "£50? I bet this story ends with his motor missing or some other woe"... Not even.
Process:
Remote start would start the car but keep all doors locked and the alarm armed. If someone tampered with the car while it was still armed the engine would cut, the alarm would go off, and the immobiliser would activate (would also get a pager alert)
When the car was unlocked, and the engine started, the doors would lock once the driver touched the brake pedal, (which is one of the first actions a driver takes when switching from neutral to first) preventing a GTA type situation. Other brand name alarms (over £400) would lock when the RPM's reached 3000. Anything could happen during that time if done naturally
When the car was switched off, the alarm would wait. The alarm would only auto arm and lock if the driver door was opened, and then closed (process for the driver getting out the car. It would wait 20 second then beep to warn the driver it was about to lock, then another 20 seconds to lock and immobilise. (Other alarms would simply lock the doors with the driver in it should they not get out in time)
If the car was unlocked but then no doors were opened within 45 seconds, it would lock the doors then re-arm.
Needed a key to start and turn off the engine but the process behind the security device was solid.
If the fob failed, one could get into the car with the key. The alarm would sound and the car would remain immobilised but if you knew the pedal and key turn combination, like a safe, one could disarm the alarm and immobiliser and start the engine.
I'm not sure why companies can't simply make things that make sense.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
