App/Device Features and Sensors Overview

Valarm Classic runs on any Android™ phone or tablet with Android version 2.2 or newer, but does not include support for external USB devices. (It DOES however include support for OBDII via Bluetooth)

Valarm Pro runs on any Android™ phone or tablet with Android version 3.1 or newer, which enables support for USB devices. Note: USB/Yoctopuce support requires “USB Host Mode” and “OTG Cable” connectivity. Not every phone or tablet supports this mode, even if it is running Android 3.1 or newer.

Built-in Sensors

Motion Sensor: When the Valarm device is moved or shaken, the accelerometer sensor is triggered. The accelerometer sensitivity is easily calibrated and adjusted.

Maximum Speed: Be alerted by Valarm when a device exceeds your custom desired maximum speed. (e.g., send a text message and a web alert when the Valarm device and hence vehicle exceeds 90mph)

Maximum Range: Valarm can post an alert when the device exceeds a configurable distance from a settable origin, also known as leaving a geofence. (i.e., send a text message and a web alert when the Valarm device and hence vehicle or person are more than a 50 miles away from the depot, or 1000 feet away from home)

Distance to Target: Valarm can post an alert when it comes within a configurable range of any location, also known as entering a geofence. (i.e., send a text message and/or web alert when the Valarm-equipped vehicle or person comes within 2 miles, 1km, or 200 feet of a target)

Ambient Light Sensor: Set a min and/or max brightness level and Valarm will monitor the built-in ambient light sensor as a trigger. (not all devices are equipped with ambient light sensors – see Yoctopuce external sensors below).

Microphone/Audio Sensor: Set a maximum volume-level and Valarm will monitor the built-in microphone as a sensor.

External Power: Valarm can automatically arm and disarm when it is plugged in or unplugged in order to only collect data when needed. (e.g., plugged into a cigarette lighter in a car Valarm will only collect data when the car is on).

Interval Timer: At customizable time intervals, Valarm automatically posts its location, speed, direction, and other sensor values to the Valarm Tools website, or can send you an email or SMS/text message.

External Sensors

OBDII (OBD2) via Bluetooth: (Valarm Classic and Pro) Monitor, record, and trigger alerts based on vehicle speed, engine RPMs, coolant temperature, and throttle position.

Yoctopuce USB Meteo: (Valarm Pro) Connect the Yocto-Meteo device to monitor, record, and alert on the basic weather factors: ambient temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure.

Yoctopuce USB Yocto-Light: (Valarm Pro) Connect the Yocto-Light device to monitor, record, and alert on ambient light levels.

Yoctopuce USB Yocto-Knob: (Valarm Pro) This sensor allows you to monitor and record the status of up to 5 potentiometers. This includes normal rheostats/potentiometers, as well as buttons, switches, and any sensor which operates by altering resistance. This includes force-sensitive resistors (FSR) and garden variety (read: really cheap) photo-resistors. You can use these sensors/switches/dials to trigger alerts and/or record the conditions of a variety of cool stuff you might need to monitor. All without any programming whatsoever: just configure Valarm on the host Android and away you go.

Yoctopuce USB Yocto-CO2: (Valarm Pro) Indoor and outdoor air quality: monitor and alert based on CO2 levels.

Yoctopuce USB Yocto-VOC: (Valarm Pro) Indoor and outdoor air quality: monitor and alert based on VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels.

Responses

Several responses to an alert can be configured by the user, directly on the device.

Email Alerts: Valarm will send emails to a recipient when an alert is triggered, whether by any configured sensor, or by the interval timer. More email options through our web services at tools.valarm.net.

Email Throttle: Adjust how often Valarm sends email, regardless of how often it is being triggered.

SMS Alerts: Valarm will send an SMS/text message to up to three (3) phone numbers when an alert is triggered. The message contains the trigger type and value in addition to the GPS location of the device.

SMS Throttle: Adjust how often Valarm sends SMS messages, regardless of how often it is being triggered.

SMS/Text Remote Control: Valarm can be remote-controlled by sending text messages to the Valarm-equipped device. For example arm, disarm, or request status and location. A settable password prevents Valarm from responding to spurious messages.

Remote Control/CallMe: Send Valarm a special text message and it will turn on its speakerphone and call you back, allowing you to listen in on the location.

Android Toasts: Pops up a message on the device when an alert is triggered.

Android Notifications: Enables Android notifications for alerts to be shown in the status bar on the device.

Take a photo as a response to any trigger.  Note: For devices with Android version 3.1 and higher only Valarm Pro will take photos. 

Record audio as a response to any trigger.

Data Logging

Valarm will record all events to an internal database.The log can be viewed on the device.

  • Alerts can be synced (uploaded) to the tools.valarm.net web service.
  • Upload can be manually triggered or automatically performed as alerts are recorded.
  • Alerts can be automatically deleted from the log after they are successfully uploaded to the tools.valarm.net web service. Or they can remain on the device, even after upload to the servers.
  • Upload/sync can happen over WiFi or cellular EDGE/3G/4G connection.
  • The log can easily record tens of thousands of alerts locally on the device (dependent on available device memory) until they can be synced with the tools.valarm.net web service.