Abstract: A controller electronic device selectively associates one or more monitoring electronic devices and a viewing electronic device, so that the viewing electronic device can selectively access content acquired by the one or more monitoring electronic devices, such as captured images and/or measured acoustic information corresponding to sound in environments. In particular, the controller electronic device may receive messages with timestamps and current locations of a monitoring electronic device that is associated with the viewing electronic device. Based on a duration of time the monitoring electronic device is at a fixed or an approximately fixed location, the controller electronic device may establish the associations. For example, a maximum distance associated with the associations may increase as the duration of time increases.

Abstract: A controller electronic device selectively associates one or more monitoring electronic devices and a viewing electronic device, so that the viewing electronic device can selectively access content acquired by the one or more monitoring electronic devices, such as captured images and/or measured acoustic information corresponding to sound in environments. In particular, the controller electronic device may receive messages with timestamps and current locations of a monitoring electronic device that is associated with the viewing electronic device. Based on a duration of time the monitoring electronic device is at a fixed or an approximately fixed location, the controller electronic device may establish the associations. For example, a maximum distance associated with the associations may increase as the duration of time increases.

Abstract: An electronic device executes a program module that sets an operating mode of the electronic device as a monitoring mode or a viewing mode. When the electronic device is in the monitoring mode, the electronic device at least selectively captures images and measures acoustic information corresponding to sound in an environment, and then communicates the images and the acoustic information to a second electronic device. Alternatively, when the electronic device is in the viewing mode, the electronic device at least selectively receives visual information and additional acoustic information from the second electronic device, presents the visual information on a display, and outputs additional sound corresponding to the additional acoustic information using an acoustic transducer. For example, the electronic device may be a previous model and/or may execute a previous version of an operating system.

Abstract: An electronic device executes a program module that determines whether a power supply in the electronic device provides power from an external power source or an internal power source. When the power supply provides power from the external power source, the electronic device may remain in a monitoring mode without transitioning to a power-saving mode when the electronic device is inactive. Note that in the monitoring mode the electronic device at least selectively captures images and measures acoustic information corresponding to sound in an environment, and then communicates the images and the acoustic information to a second electronic device. Alternatively, when the power supply provides power from the internal power source, the electronic device selectively provides an activity signal that keeps the electronic device in the monitoring mode without transitioning to the power-saving mode when the electronic device is inactive.