Abstract: A disposable stylus is described. The stylus may include a stem having a grip region and an end having a tip. This stylus may include a conductive path between the grip region and the tip having an electrical conductivity that is greater than a predefined amount. During use, a user may grasp or hold the grip region of the stylus. Then, while maintaining contact with the stylus, the user may touch or contact a surface of, e.g., a touch-sensitive display at a contact point using the tip. The stylus may form a conductive path between the user's fingers and the surface. This conductive path may allow the user to transfer or redistribute electric charge to or in the touch-sensitive display, so that a location of the contact point may be determined by the touch-sensitive display while protecting the user from pathogens on or associated with the surface.

Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes a switching mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the switching mechanism (such as a switch) selectively electrically couples a first electrical-connection node and a second electrical-connection node. For example, using the switching mechanism, an electronic device having a power source may be selectively electrically coupled to a second electronic device having a rechargeable battery. The selective electrical coupling may be based on one or more measurements of an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device by a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device. This environmental condition may be associated with charging of the rechargeable battery. In addition, a control mechanism in the environmental monitoring device selects a charging mode of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measurements of the environmental condition.

Abstract: A mounting system for an electronic device is described. This mounting system includes a base that can be rigidly mounted on or underneath a wall. Moreover, the base can be remateably coupled to the electronic device. The remateable coupling may involve pins that are inserted into corresponding holes and rotated into a lock position. Alternatively, the remateable coupling may involve magnets that mechanically couple to each other so long as the electronic device and the base are within a predefined distance. The electronic device may receive power via the remateable coupling or via inductive charging. In addition, the electronic device may monitor a spatial parameter, such as: a location of the electronic device, a velocity of the electronic device and/or an acceleration of the electronic device. If this spatial parameter changes without the electronic device first receiving a security code, the electronic device provides an alert.

Abstract: A mounting system for an electronic device is described. This mounting system includes a base that can be rigidly mounted on or underneath a wall. Moreover, the base can be remateably coupled to the electronic device. The remateable coupling may involve pins that are inserted into corresponding holes and rotated into a lock position. Alternatively, the remateable coupling may involve magnets that mechanically couple to each other so long as the electronic device and the base are within a predefined distance. The electronic device may receive power via the remateable coupling or via inductive charging. In addition, the electronic device may monitor a spatial parameter, such as: a location of the electronic device, a velocity of the electronic device and/or an acceleration of the electronic device. If this spatial parameter changes without the electronic device first receiving a security code, the electronic device provides an alert.

Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes a switching mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the switching mechanism (such as a switch) selectively electrically couples a first electrical-connection node and a second electrical-connection node. For example, using the switching mechanism, an electronic device having a power source may be selectively electrically coupled to a second electronic device having a rechargeable battery. The selective electrical coupling may be based on one or more measurements of an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device by a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device. This environmental condition may be associated with charging of the rechargeable battery. In addition, a control mechanism in the environmental monitoring device selects a charging mode of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measurements of the environmental condition.

Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes a sensor mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, heat generated by a processor in the environmental monitoring device may result in a convective fluid flow over the sensor mechanism that facilitates measurements of sensor data associated with an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Alternatively, a fluid driver (such as a fan) associated with the processor may produce the fluid flow over the sensor mechanism. Note that the fluid flow may include an airflow and/or a liquid flow. Moreover, the environmental monitoring device may include baffles that direct the fluid flow over a selected sensor in a set of sensors in the sensor mechanism.

Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes a sensor mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the sensor mechanism provides sensor data based on measurements of environmental conditions in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Moreover, a control mechanism assesses if the environmental conditions indicate at least one of a set of threats. If yes, the control mechanism provides a corresponding alert. Furthermore, the environmental monitoring device includes a power source with a primary power source and a secondary power source. The secondary power source has at least a 10-year life and may power at least a subset of the functionality of the environmental monitoring device in the event the primary power source fails. For example, the sensor mechanism may include a smoke detector that is powered by the secondary power source in the event the primary power source fails.

Abstract: A mounting system for an electronic device is described. This mounting system includes a base that can be rigidly mounted on or underneath a wall. Moreover, the base can be remateably coupled to the electronic device. The remateable coupling may involve pins that are inserted into corresponding holes and rotated into a lock position. Alternatively, the remateable coupling may involve magnets that mechanically couple to each other so long as the electronic device and the base are within a predefined distance. The electronic device may receive power via the remateable coupling or via inductive charging. In addition, the electronic device may monitor a spatial parameter, such as: a location of the electronic device, a velocity of the electronic device and/or an acceleration of the electronic device. If this spatial parameter changes without the electronic device first receiving a security code, the electronic device provides an alert.

Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes a sensor mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, heat generated by a processor in the environmental monitoring device may result in a convective fluid flow over the sensor mechanism that facilitates measurements of sensor data associated with an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Alternatively, a fluid driver (such as a fan) associated with the processor may produce the fluid flow over the sensor mechanism. Note that the fluid flow may include an airflow and/or a liquid flow. Moreover, the environmental monitoring device may include baffles that direct the fluid flow over a selected sensor in a set of sensors in the sensor mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes a sensor mechanism is described. During operation of the electronic device, the sensor mechanism provides sensor data based on measurements of an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the electronic device. Based on the sensor data, a control mechanism selects an illumination pattern from a set of illumination patterns, which are associated with illumination of the external environment. For example, at least two of the illumination patterns have: different spatial patterns in the external environment, different wavelengths of light and/or different light intensities. Moreover, an illumination mechanism illuminates at least a portion of the external environment based on the selected illumination pattern.

Abstract: A mounting system for an electronic device is described. This mounting system includes a base that can be rigidly mounted on or underneath a wall. Moreover, the base can be remateably coupled to the electronic device. The remateable coupling may involve pins that are inserted into corresponding holes and rotated into a lock position. Alternatively, the remateable coupling may involve magnets that mechanically couple to each other so long as the electronic device and the base are within a predefined distance. The electronic device may receive power via the remateable coupling or via inductive charging. In addition, the electronic device may monitor a spatial parameter, such as: a location of the electronic device, a velocity of the electronic device and/or an acceleration of the electronic device. If this spatial parameter changes without the electronic device first receiving a security code, the electronic device provides an alert.