Method and apparatus for providing a remote lost-and-found service

Abstract

An approach is provided for a remote lost-and-found service. A local sensor manager causes, at least in part, pairing of a device and a local sensor. The local sensor manager then determines when the local sensor is beyond a predetermined distance from the device, and causes, at least in part, a change in a profile status of the local sensor based on the determination. The profile status specifies, at least in part, a visibility of the local sensor to one or more other devices.

1 . A method comprising:
 causing, at least in part, pairing of a device and a local sensor;   determining when the local sensor is beyond a predetermined distance from the device; and   causing, at least in part, a change in a profile status of the local sensor based on the determination,   wherein the profile status specifies, at least in part, a visibility of the local sensor to one or more other devices.   
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving location information associated with the local sensor from the one or more other devices.   
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein the determination of when the local sensor is beyond a predetermined distance is based, at least in part, on a short range communication link between the device and the local sensor, and wherein the receiving of the location information from the one or more other devices is based, at least in part, on a long range communication link between the device and the one or more other devices. 
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 causing, at least in part, presentation of a first user interface for the determination of when the local sensor is beyond a predetermined distance; and   causing, at least in part, presentation of a second user interface for the location information from the one or more other devices.   
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 4 , wherein the first user interface and the second interface respectively include a navigation indicator user interface, a mapping service user interface, a navigation service user interface, a location service user interface, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining when the local sensor is within the predetermined distance from the device based on the location information;   causing, at least in part, activation of a short range communication link between the device and the local sensor; and   determining a location of the local sensor over the short range communication link.   
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 granting a visibility right to the one or more other devices,   wherein the visibility of the local sensor to the one or more other devices is based, at least in part, on the visibility right, the profile status of the local sensor, or a combination thereof   
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a request to the one or more other devices to locate the local sensor;   receiving a response from the one or more other devices; and   granting a visibility right to the one or more other devices based on the response,   wherein the visibility of the local sensor to the one or more other devices is based, at least in part, on the visibility right, the profile status of the local sensor, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 8 , wherein the request includes an incentive for locating the local sensor, contact information associated with the device, an anonymous reference identifier, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the local sensor includes a near field communication (NFC) tag. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
 cause, at least in part, pairing of a device and a local sensor; 
 determine when the local sensor is beyond a predetermined distance from the device; and 
 cause, at least in part, a change in a profile status of the local sensor based on the determination, 
 wherein the profile status specifies, at least in part, a visibility of the local sensor to one or more other devices. 
   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 receive location information associated with the local sensor from the one or more other devices.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the determination of when the local sensor is beyond a predetermined distance is based, at least in part, on a short range communication link between the device and the local sensor, and wherein the receiving of the location information from the one or more other devices is based, at least in part, on a long range communication link between the device and the one or more other devices. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 cause, at least in part, presentation of a first user interface for the determination of when the local sensor is beyond a predetermined distance; and   cause, at least in part, presentation of a second user interface for the location information from the one or more other devices.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first user interface and the second interface respectively include a navigation indicator user interface, a mapping service user interface, a navigation service user interface, a location service user interface, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 determine when the local sensor is within the predetermined distance from the device based on the location information;   cause, at least in part, activation of a short range communication link between the device and the local sensor; and   determine a location of the local sensor over the short range communication link.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 grant a visibility right to the one or more other devices,   wherein the visibility of the local sensor to the one or more other devices is based, at least in part, on the visibility right, the profile status of the local sensor, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 generate a request to the one or more other devices to locate or retrieve the local sensor;   receive a response from the one or more other devices; and   grant a visibility right to the one or more other devices based on the response,   wherein the visibility of the local sensor to the one or more other devices is based, at least in part, on the visibility right, the profile status of the local sensor, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the request includes an incentive for locating the local sensor, contact information associated with the device, an anonymous reference identifier, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising:
 user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and   a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone.   
     
     
         21 .- 63 . (canceled)