Abstract:
A first smartphone or electronic device may predict the location of a second electronic device using low power wireless interfaces, trilateration techniques, and global positioning system coordinates. A smartphone may detect the presence of a second electronic device using low power wireless interfaces and then communicate the predicted location to another smartphone. The low-power wireless interface may communicate in conformance with DASH7, Bluetooth, or RFID. Additional smartphones may join a search for a second electronic device with the assistance of a social networking application.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This patent application makes reference to, claims priority to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/796,494 entitled “Method for Location Detection Using Low-Power Wireless Communications and Smartphones” and filed on Nov. 13, 2012. 
         [0002]    The above stated application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0003]    This patent application also makes reference to: 
         [0004]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0087267 titled “Method and Apparatus for Adaptive Searching of Distributed Datasets” and filed on Oct. 6, 2011; 
         [0005]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0087350 titled “Method and Apparatus for Low-Power, Long-Range Networking” and filed on Oct. 6, 2011; 
         [0006]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0088449 titled “Method and Apparatus for A Multi-band, Multi-mode Smartcard” and filed on Oct. 11, 2011; 
         [0007]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0086615 titled “Method and Apparatus for an Integrated Antenna” and filed on Oct. 11, 2011; 
         [0008]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0116887 titled “Method and Apparatus for Electronic Payment and Authentication” and filed on 4, 2011; 
         [0009]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0116694 titled “Method and Apparatus for Tire Pressure Monitoring” and filed on Nov. 4, 2011; 
         [0010]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0118952 titled “Method and Apparatus for Interfacing with a Smartcard” and filed on Nov. 16, 2011; 
         [0011]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0191901 titled “Method and Apparatus for Memory Management” and filed on Jan. 20, 2012; 
         [0012]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0191848 titled “Method and Apparatus for Discovering People, Products, and/or Services via a Localized Wireless Network” and filed on Jan. 20, 2012; 
         [0013]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2013/0017788 titled “Protective Case for Adding Wireless Functionality to A Handheld Electronic Device” and filed on Jul. 13, 2012; 
         [0014]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0207141 titled “Method and Apparatus for Plug and Play, Networkable ISO 18000-7 Connectivity” and filed on Feb. 15, 2012; 
         [0015]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0209716 titled “Method and Apparatus for Serving Promotions in a Low-Power Wireless Network” and filed on Feb. 15, 2013; 
         [0016]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0226955 titled “Method and Apparatus for Forward Error Correction (FEC) in a Resource-Constrained Network” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012; 
         [0017]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0224491 titled “Method and Apparatus for Adaptive Traffic Management in a Resource-Constrained Network” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012; 
         [0018]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0224590 titled “Method and Apparatus for Dynamic Media Access Control in a Multiple Access System” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012; 
         [0019]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0224530 titled “Method and Apparatus for Rapid Group Synchronization” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012; 
         [0020]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0226822 titled “Method and Apparatus for Addressing in a Resource-Constrained Network” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012; 
         [0021]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0224543 titled “Method and Apparatus for Query-Based Congestion Control” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012; and 
         [0022]    United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2012/0225687 titled “Method and Apparatus for Power Autoscaling in a Resource-Constrained Network” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012. 
         [0023]    Each of the above-referenced applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless networking. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for locating a low-power wireless device using one or more smartphones. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Existing methods and systems for using wireless communications to determine the location of an object are impractical for small, mobile, and inexpensive devices. Further limitations and disadvantages of such approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    A system and/or method is provided for determining the location of a given object containing a low-power wireless communications interface and utilizing a smartphone similarly equipped with a low-power wireless communications interface and onboard positioning capabilities (e.g., GPS), substantially as illustrated by and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
         [0027]    These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of a GPS-enabled smartphone or comparable device operable to derive the relative location of a Target Wireless Device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of a GPS-enabled smartphone or comparable device operable to derive the relative location of one or more Target Wireless Devices. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1C  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of a GPS-enabled smartphone moving geographically in order to obtain additional and distinct instances of signal information to improve the predicted location of a target wireless device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1D  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic device operable to display predicted location of one or more target wireless devices. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of GPS-enabled smartphones or comparable devices operable to derive the relative location of one or more Target Wireless Devices. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary arrangement of GPS-enabled smartphones or comparable devices operable to derive the relative location of one or more Target Wireless Devices. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2C  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of GPS-enabled smartphones moving geographically in order to obtain additional and distinct instances of signal information to improve the predicted location of a target wireless device 
           [0035]      FIG. 3A  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for the location of one or more Target Wireless Devices using GPS-enabled smartphones distributed across large distances. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3B  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps locating one or more Target Wireless Devices using a social networking or comparable application to facilitate the recovery of missing or stolen objects. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3C  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for locating one or more Target Wireless Devices using a dedicated individual or “bounty hunter”. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer to physical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/or firmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the terms “block” and “module” refer to functions than can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of one or more thereof As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example,” introduce a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of a single GPS-enabled smartphone or comparable device operable to derive the relative location of one or more target wireless devices. Referring to  FIG. 1A  there is shown device  101 , Target Wireless Device  201 , and communications between the two shown as signal information  300 . Also shown is network  106  and communications between network  106  and device  101  as wireless link  400 . 
         [0040]    In an exemplary embodiment, the device  201  may be an end-user device such as, for example an RFID tag, an object containing an embedded RFID tag, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a wearable computer, or a tablet computer. 
         [0041]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device  101  may be a smartphone, a laptop computer, a wearable computer, or a tablet computer. 
         [0042]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, Device  101  and Device  201  both comprise a low-power wireless interface  114 . The low-power wireless interface  114  comprises circuitry operable to communicate using one or more low-power wireless protocols such as protocols set forth in ISO 18000-7, DASH? Mode 2, Bluetooth Low Energy, and protocols set forth in above-incorporated U.S. Patent Application 61/464,376. 
         [0043]    Device  101  may also comprise a network interface  110  which enables communicating via a wired or wireless link  400  to the network  106 . Exemplary protocols which may be utilized by the interface  110  comprise Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular protocols, Universal Serial Bus, etc. 
         [0044]    Device  101  may also comprise a positioning system interface  116  that provides real-time location coordinates  122  (see  FIG. 1B ) of device  101 . Exemplary protocols or systems which may be utilized by interface  116  comprise a Global Positioning System (GPS), Assisted GPS, Indoor GPS, Real Time Locating Systems, and comparable systems. 
         [0045]    Device  101  also comprises a location application  118  which consists of, for example, data and lines of code stored in memory of the Device  101 , the code being executable by a processor of Device  101 . In operation (i.e., when the processor of Device  101  is executing the lines of code such that the application  118  is “running” on the Device  101 ), the location application  118  receives signal strength, signal quality, and/or other signal information  300  from Target Wireless Device  201  via the low power wireless interface  114  present on device  101  along with location coordinates  122  (See  FIG. 1B ). In operation, the location application  118  causes circuitry of the Device  101  to perform mathematical computations  1001  using said inputs in order to create the predicted location  901  output. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1B  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an owner or end user of Target Wireless Device  201  is unable to locate Target Wireless Device  201 . The owner or end user of Target Wireless Device  201  is also the end user of device  101 . The end user of device  101  initiates a search for the location of Target Wireless Device  201  utilizing location application  118  running on device  101 . 
         [0047]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the Location Application  118  receives Signal Information  300  from Target Device  201 , receives location coordinates  122  from positioning interface  118 , and then Location Application  118  computes a predicted location  901  (See  FIG. 1D ) of Target Wireless Device  201  using mathematic computations  1001 . The mathematic computations  1001  incorporate as input Signal Information  300  and location coordinates  122  from positioning interface  118  in order to generate as output predicted location  901  of Target Device  201 . 
         [0048]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, for device  101  the process depicted in this  FIG. 1B  is repeated and location application  118  improves the accuracy of the predicted location  901  based on newer and/or more accurate data. 
         [0049]      FIG. 1C  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the invention whereby to improve the accuracy of the predicted location  901 , additional and distinct instances of signal information  300  are required by location application  118 . To improve the probability that additional instances of signal  300  are of a higher quality than previous instances captured by location application  118 , the end user of device  101  is encouraged to move device  101  to a new geographic location by carrying the device while traveling in a vehicle or on foot in the direction of the predicted location  901  of the Target Wireless Device  201 . Alternatively, additional instances of signal information  300  are captured by location application  118  when Target Wireless Device  201  moves or travels while device  101  remains stationary. 
         [0050]    The additional instances of signal information  300  are processed by location application  118  using mathematical computations  1001  including trilateration, triangulation, and comparable techniques. 
         [0051]    As additional instances of signal information  300  are processed by location application  118  using mathematical computations  1001 , the predicted location  901  of Target Wireless Device  201  is updated. 
         [0052]      FIG. 1D  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary device  101  operable to indicate the predicted location of Target Wireless Device  201  to an end user of device  101  searching for the location of wireless device  201 . Device  101  displays user interface element  801  to assist the user in arriving at the actual location of Target Wireless Device  201  based on the iteratively updated inputs of signal information  300 . 
         [0053]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, predicted location  901  is represented as a two-dimensional field on the user interface of device  101 . 
         [0054]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the predicted location  901  may be represented by an image of a circle. 
         [0055]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, user interface element  801  may include text-based, graphical, video, audio, and sensory outputs. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user interface element may provide a visual representation of the distance between the device  101  and the predicted location  901 . For example, the size and/or orientation of the user interface element  801  may change dynamically corresponding to the distance between device  101  and predicted location  901  (e.g., Arrow may dynamically update to point in the direction of the Target Device  201  and the size of the arrow may grow and shrink as the distance changes). As another example, the user interface element may comprise one or more sub-elements and the characteristics of the sub-elements (e.g., how many are visible, how many have a particular color, etc.) may change dynamically corresponding to the distance between device  101  and predicted location  901  (e.g., more sub-elements may light up (e.g., change from an unfilled shape to a filled shape) as the distance to the Device  201  gets smaller). 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 2A  is a diagram illustrating a multiple-user approach to the exemplary illustration presented in  FIG. 1A . Referring to  FIG. 2A  there are shown devices  101 ,  102 , and  103 , and Target Wireless Device  201 . Communications with Target Wireless Device  201  by and between device  101 ,  102 , and  103  are shown as signal information  300 . Also shown are network  106  and communications with network  106  by devices  101 ,  102 , and  103 [,] represented as wireless link  400 . 
         [0057]    In an exemplary embodiment, the device  201  may be an end-user device such as, for example an RFID tag, a device containing an embedded RFID tag, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a wearable computer, or a tablet computer. 
         [0058]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  may be a smartphone, a laptop computer, a wearable computer, or a tablet computer. 
         [0059]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, device  101 ,  102 ,  103  and device  201  all comprise a low-power wireless interface  114 . The low-power wireless interface  114  comprises circuitry operable to communicate using one or more low-power wireless protocols such as protocols set forth in ISO 18000-7, DASH? Mode 2, Bluetooth Low Energy, and/or protocols set forth in above-incorporated U.S. Patent Application 61/464,376. 
         [0060]    Devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  may also comprise a network interface  110  which enables communicating via a wired or wireless link  400  to the network  106 . Exemplary protocols which may be utilized by the interface  110  comprise Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular protocols, Universal Serial Bus, etc. 
         [0061]    Devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  also comprise a positioning system interface  116  that provides real-time location coordinates of device  101 . Exemplary protocols or systems which may be utilized by interface  116  comprise a Global Positioning System (GPS), Assisted GPS, Indoor GPS, Real Time Locating Systems, and comparable systems. 
         [0062]    Devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  also comprise a location application  118 . In operation, the location application  118  receives signal strength, signal quality, and/or other signal information  300  from Target Wireless Device  201  via the low power wireless interface  114  present on device  101 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 2B  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the invention whereby an owner or end user of Target Wireless Device  201  is unable to locate Target Wireless Device  201  and enables others to assist in the location of the Target Wireless Device  201 . The owner or end user of Target Wireless Device  201  is also the end user of device  101 . The end user of device  101  initiates a search for the location of Target Wireless Device  201  by requesting the participation of devices  102 ,  103 , in the search, using location application  118  on device  101  to request their participation. 
         [0064]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in order for the other Devices  102  and  103  to be able to participate in searching for Device  201 , Device  101  may share information about device  201  with the other devices  102  and  103 . The information may include, for example, a unique identifier of the device  201  such that the devices  102  and  103  can distinguish signals from the device  201  from signals of other Target Wireless Devices (not shown). As another example, the Device  101  may share an encryption key and/or decryption key necessary for communicating with (and thus determining the location of) Device  201 . In this regard, encryption may be used for privacy/security such that only devices authorized by the owner of Device  201  are able to communicate with (and thus determine the location of) Device  201 . Where the encryption and/or decryption keys are shared with other devices  102  and  103  during a search for Device  201  (when finding the device  201  is more of a concern than the privacy of the device), the security/privacy of the Device  201  may thus be compromised. Accordingly, after the device  201  has been located, the key(s) may be changed in the Device  201  in the location app  118  such that the Device  101  is once again the only device capable of determining the location of Device  201 . 
         [0065]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the location application  118  for each device  101 ,  102 , and  103  processes signal information  300  with location coordinates  122  received from positioning interface  116  at the time signal information  300  is received by the location application  118  and computes a prediction location  901  of target device  201  using mathematical computations  1001 . (See  FIG. 1B ) 
         [0066]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, signal information  300 , predicted locations  901  for the device  201 , and/or location coordinates  122  from each device  101 ,  102 , and  103  are shared between devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  in order to provide each of devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  with data to enable a more accurate predicted location of Target Wireless Device  201 . 
         [0067]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, for each device  101 ,  102 , and  103 , signal information  300  and location information  116  is then processed by the respective location application  118  residing on each device  101 ,  102 , and  103  to provide the individual end users of each device  101 ,  102 , and  103  with the updated predicted location of Target Wireless Device  201 . 
         [0068]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, predicted location  901  is represented as a two-dimensional field on the user interface of device  101 . (See  FIG. 1D ) 
         [0069]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the predicted location  901  may be represented by a depiction of a circle. (See  FIG. 1D ) 
         [0070]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, for each device  101 ,  102 , and  103 , the process depicted in this  FIG. 2B  is repeated and location application  118  improves the accuracy of the predicted location  901  based on newer and/or more accurate data. 
         [0071]      FIG. 2C  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the invention whereby to improve the accuracy of the predicted location  901 , additional and distinct instances of signal information  300 , represented as signal information  300 -A,  300 -B,  300 -C,  300 -D,  300 -E, and  300 -F, are required by location application  118  for each device  101 ,  102 , and  103 . To improve the probability that additional instances of signal  300  are of a higher quality than previous instances captured by location application  118 , the end users of devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  are encouraged to move their respective devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  from one geographic location (e.g. Site A, Site C, Site E) to and/or in the direction of a new geographic location (e.g. Site B, Site D, Site F) by carrying or otherwise transporting the device while traveling in a vehicle or on foot in the direction of the predicted location  901  of the Target Wireless Device  201 . Alternatively, additional instances of signal information  300  are captured by location application  118  when Target Wireless Device  201  moves while devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  are stationary. 
         [0072]    The additional instances of signal information  300  are processed by location application  118  using mathematical computations  1001  including trilateration, triangulation, and comparable techniques. 
         [0073]    As additional instances of signal information  300  are processed by location application  118  using mathematical computations  1001 , the predicted location  901  of Target Wireless Device  201  is updated. 
         [0074]      FIG. 3A  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary variation on the approach to the exemplary illustration presented in  FIG. 2A  whereby devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  are distributed over a large geographic area. 
         [0075]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  are geographically situated no fewer than, for example,  100  kilometers apart 
         [0076]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  are controlled by end users capable of moving the devices in a vehicle or on foot within or across a campus, city, metropolitan, or wider geographic area. 
         [0077]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  are running location application  118 . 
         [0078]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  may be a smartphone, a laptop computer, a wearable computer, or a tablet computer and/or may be an access point and/or other device which resides in a public and/or commercial place. For example, one or more of the devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  may be an access point which resides, for example, in a retail store, at a bus stop, on a bus, on a train, in an airport terminal, etc. 
         [0079]    In operation, the location application  118  for each device  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  is enabled to receive signal strength, signal quality, and/or other signal information  300  from Target Wireless Device  201  via the low power wireless interface  114  present on devices  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104 . 
         [0080]    In operation, the location application  118  is also capable of transmitting and receiving requests for assistance in locating a lost target device  201 . 
         [0081]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device  201  may be an end-user device such as, for example an RFID tag, a device with an embedded RFID tag, a smartphone, a laptop, a wearable computer, or a tablet. 
         [0082]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the owner or end user of Target Wireless Device  201  is also the end user of device  104 . 
         [0083]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an owner or end user of Target Wireless Device  201  discovers that Target Wireless Device  201  is missing. The search for the location of Target Wireless Device  201  is initiated by requesting the participation of devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  in the search using location application  118  on device  104  to request participation. 
         [0084]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in requesting the participation of other devices to participate in the search, location application  118  on device  101  transmits a participation request message to devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  via network  106 . The request message may include, for example, information that enables the devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  to communicate with the Device  201  (e.g., unique identifier, encryption key, decryption key, and/or the like), information about the last known whereabouts of the Device  201 , an image or other identifying information about the Device  201 , and/or other information. 
         [0085]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  receive the participation request generated by device  104 . 
         [0086]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, Devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  are configured to participate in searches for Target Wireless Device  201  on an automatic basis, meaning there is no interaction required on the part of the end user of devices  101 ,  102 , or  103  in order for those devices to participate in a search and participation may optionally occur without active knowledge or intervention by the end users of devices  101 ,  102 , and  103 . 
         [0087]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  may be alternatively be configured to participate in searches for such wireless devices as Target Wireless Device  201  at the option of the user or owner of the devices. 
         [0088]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in the instance of devices  102  and  103  participating on an automatic basis, devices  102  and  103  are engaged in the search process without the active intervention of the end users of devices  102  and  103 . 
         [0089]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and using its low power wireless interface  114 , device  102  receives signal information  300  from device  201 . Device  102  generates a detection alert message  310  that is transmitted via wireless link  400  to Network  106 . Detection message  310  contains information including the confirmation of the detection event, the location of the device  102  at the time of detection, the predicted location of target device  201 , and/or other data relevant to the detection event to assist the search participants. 
         [0090]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the end user of device  104  views the incoming alert message and invokes a web browser following a hyperlink or comparable action included in the alert message. Upon invoking the hyperlink, a map  132  and the predicted location of target device  201  overlaid upon map  132  are presented, along with directions to the predicted location, estimated time of arrival, and other relevant data. 
         [0091]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as device  102  or device  103  provide updated detections of Target Wireless Device  201 , new alerts are transmitted to device  101  in order to refresh the predicted location of  201  and facilitate the recovery of Target Wireless Device  201 . 
         [0092]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, upon recovering Target Wireless Device  201 , the owner or end user of device  104  terminates the search using location application  118 , resulting in a termination message sent to devices  102  and  103  which upon receipt, results in the termination of the search for target device  201 . Upon termination information for communicating with Device  201  may be deleted from the non-owner devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  and/or may be changed in the Device  201  and Device  104  such that Devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  can no longer track the location of Device  201 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 3B . is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for locating Target Wireless Device  201  using a social networking application like Facebook, a network-enabled software application designed to facilitate the recovery of lost or stolen objects, or comparable networking application, hereafter referred to as networking application  120 , in conjunction with a low power wireless interface  114  and other location methods illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0094]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the owners or end users of devices  101 ,  102 , and  103  may be notified or otherwise made aware of the search for Target Wireless Device  201  via networking application  120 . 
         [0095]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, upon being notified of the search for Target Wireless Device  201  via networking application  120 , users of the application invoke location application  118  on their devices  101 ,  102 , and  103 , or the location application  118  is invoked automatically through a hyperlink or other call to action present in the social networking application. 
         [0096]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, location application  118  may optionally be integrated with networking application  120  as a single application. 
         [0097]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the networking application  120  may also award points, badges, or comparable incentives to users of that networking application  120  that participate in the search for Target Wireless Device  201 . 
         [0098]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the networking application  120  may facilitate between its users the advertisement and payment, of rewards for the successful recovery of Target Wireless Device  201 . Rewards may be monetary or non-monetary and may change based on the number of users of a networking application  120  using the system, the age of the search in hours or days, the geographical breadth or density of the networking application  120  users involved in the search, and the reputation of the networking application  120  users involved in the search. Similarly, the networking application  120  may facilitate between its users the scoring of participant reputations and dispute resolution. 
         [0099]      FIG. 3C . is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for locating Target Wireless Device  201  using a dedicated individual, hereafter referred to as bounty hunter  110 , participating in networking application  120 . 
         [0100]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the networking application  120  facilitates the recruitment of one or more specific bounty hunters  110  dedicated to locating Target Wireless Device  201 . For example, networking application  120  may present bounty hunter  110  with an opportunity to earn a reward for a successful search or recovery of missing Target Wireless Device  201 , wherein the opportunity matches or corresponds to pre-set preferences or criteria created by bounty hunter  110  including but not limited to types of searches bounty hunter  110  might find attractive, minimum reward values, temporal availability, geographic availability, exclusivity of the opportunity relative to other bounty hunters  110 , etc. 
         [0101]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each bounty hunter  110  may require unique contractual terms for participating in a search for Target Wireless Device  201  and may advertise those terms within the networking application  120 . 
         [0102]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the owner of Target Wireless Device  201  may utilize networking application  120  to negotiate contractual terms for participating in a search for Target Wireless Device  201  with bounty hunter  110 . Similarly, and in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, bounty hunter  110  may bid against other bounty hunters to secure exclusive or semi-exclusive participation in the search for Target Wireless Device  201 . For example, networking application  120  may present multiple bounty hunters  110  with the opportunity to earn a reward for a successful search or recovery of missing Target Wireless Device  201 , wherein multiple bounty hunters  110  respond to the presentation and indicate their respective minimum reward requirements, out of pocket expense requirements, exclusivity requirements, and the owner of Target Wireless Device  201  may either accept one or more responses or request modifications in the responses from one or more bounty hunters  110 . 
         [0103]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the networking application  120  may facilitate voice, text, graphical, or video communications between the owner or end user of Target Wireless Device  201  and the bounty hunter  110 . 
         [0104]    Upon successful recovery of Target Wireless Device  201 , networking application  120  may facilitate the payment of a reward to the bounty hunter  110 .