Portable electronic device with proximity sensors and identification beacon

An electronic device includes a housing, a user interface, and one or more processors operable with the user interface. At least one proximity sensor component is operable with the one or more processors and can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. At least one proximity detector component can be operable with the one or more processors and can include a signal emitter and a corresponding signal receiver. The one or more processors can actuate the at least one proximity detector component when the at least one proximity sensor component receives the infrared emission from the object, thereby causing the signal emitter to transmit a beacon having a unique identifier encoded therein. The beacon allows the device to determine the number and identity of other devices or persons within a thermal detection radius.