Apparatus and method for detecting proximate devices

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

receive a first orientation input applied to a device associated with the apparatus, wherein the first orientation input is indicative of a movement of the device from a first position to a second position made by tilting of the device associated with the apparatus in a first direction along a tilt plane;

initiate a scanning mode in response to receipt of the first orientation input during which one or more devices proximate the apparatus are determined;

receive a second orientation input applied to the device associated with the apparatus, wherein the second orientation input is indicative of a movement of the device from the second position to the first position made by tilting of the device associated with the apparatus in a second direction along the tilt plane;

terminate the scanning mode in response to receipt of the second orientation input; and

provide for communication with at least one selected device of the one or more devices determined to be proximate the apparatus,

wherein the device comprises an antenna disposed such that, in the first position, the antenna is prevented from carrying out the scanning mode and such that movement of the device from the first position towards the second position serves to expose the antenna of the device such that the antenna is able to carry out the scanning mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive a sweep input and to maintain the scanning mode through a duration of the sweep input.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sweep input is indicative of a rotating of the device associated with the apparatus along a sweep plane that is perpendicular to the tilt plane.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to provide for communication with the at least one selected device by providing for content to be shared with the at least one selected device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive an indication from at least one of the one or more devices determined to be proximate the apparatus and to provide for communication with the at least one device from which the indication is received.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises an array of antennas.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the array of antennas is configured to detect the one or more devices proximate the apparatus via directional radio frequency sensing that is enabled by alignment of a radiation beam pattern of the array of antennas.

8. A method comprising:

receiving a first orientation input applied to a device associated with the apparatus, wherein the first orientation input is indicative of a movement of the device from a first position to a second position made by tilting of the device associated with the apparatus in a first direction along a tilt plane;

initiating, via a processor, a scanning mode in response to receipt of the first orientation input during which one or more devices proximate the apparatus are determined;

receiving a second orientation input applied to the device associated with the apparatus, wherein the second orientation input is indicative of a movement of the device from the second position to the first position made by tilting of the device associated with the apparatus in a second direction along the tilt plane;

terminating the scanning mode in response to receipt of the second orientation input; and

providing for communication with at least one selected device of the one or more devices determined to be proximate the apparatus,

wherein the device comprises an antenna disposed such that, in the first position, the antenna is prevented from carrying out the scanning mode and such that movement of the device from the first position towards the second position serves to expose the antenna of the device such that the antenna is able to carry out the scanning mode.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving a sweep input and maintaining the scanning mode through a duration of the sweep input.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing for communication with the at least one selected device by providing for content to be shared with the at least one selected device.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the antenna comprises an array of antennas.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the array of antennas is configured to detect the one or more devices proximate the apparatus via directional radio frequency sensing that is enabled by alignment of a radiation beam pattern of the array of antennas.

13. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein, the computer-executable program code portions comprising program code instructions for:

receiving a first orientation input applied to a device associated with the apparatus, wherein the first orientation input is indicative of a movement of the device from a first position to a second position made by tilting of the device associated with the apparatus in a first direction along a tilt plane;

initiating a scanning mode in response to receipt of the first orientation input during which one or more devices proximate the apparatus are determined;

receiving a second orientation input applied to the device associated with the apparatus, wherein the second orientation input is indicative of a movement of the device from the second position to the first position made by tilting of the device associated with the apparatus in a second direction along the tilt plane;

terminating the scanning mode in response to receipt of the second orientation input; and

providing for communication with at least one selected device of the one or more devices determined to be proximate the apparatus,

wherein the device comprises an antenna disposed such that, in the first position, the antenna is prevented from carrying out the scanning mode and such that movement of the device from the first position towards the second position serves to expose the antenna of the device such that the antenna is able to carry out the scanning mode.

14. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the program code instructions are further configured for receiving a sweep input and maintaining the scanning mode through a duration of the sweep input.

15. The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein the sweep input is indicative of a rotating of the device associated with the apparatus along a sweep plane that is perpendicular to the tilt plane.

16. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the program code instructions are further configured for providing for communication with the at least one selected device by providing for content to be shared with the at least one selected device.

17. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the program code instructions are further configured for receiving an indication from at least one of the one or more devices determined to be proximate the apparatus and to providing for communication with the at least one device from which the indication is received.

18. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the antenna comprises an array of antennas.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 , wherein the array of antennas is configured to detect the one or more devices proximate the apparatus via directional radio frequency sensing that is enabled by alignment of a radiation beam pattern of the array of antennas.