Interactive base and token capable of communicating with computing device

Abstract

A smart charm bracelet that includes an elongated band or other base, at least one smart charm or other token that may be coupled to or otherwise associated with the elongated band or base, wherein the elongated band is able to communicate with the charm. The band and/or charm may also be able to communicate with a computing device, including but not limited to a mobile device. In addition, the band and/or charm may produce a light, sound, and/or vibration indication to a user upon the occurrence of an event.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method in a server, the method comprising:
 receiving registration information over a network from a computing device, the registration information including a token identifier identifying a smart token and a base identifier identifying a smart base, the token identifier being associated with the base identifier;   querying a database for a user identifier that is associated with the base identifier included in the registration information; and   storing the token identifier in association with the base identifier and the user identifier in the database.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the server sends an acknowledgement to the computing device indicating a successful storing of the token identifier in the database. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the acknowledgement includes an instruction to at least one of the smart token and the smart base to generate a notification indicating the successful storing of the token identifier in the database. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the instruction includes an instruction to generate at least one of a visual, audible, and tactile notification. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising updating lineage information in the database relating to the token identifier to reflect the association between the token identifier and at least one of the base identifier and the user identifier. 
     
     
         6 . A server comprising:
 a communications subsystem configured to:
 receive registration information from a computing device, the registration information including a token identifier identifying a smart token and a base identifier identifying a smart base, the token identifier being associated with the base identifier; and 
   a processor configured to:
 query a database for a user identifier that is associated with the base identifier included in the registration information; and 
 store the token identifier in association with the base identifier and the user identifier in the database. 
   
     
     
         7 . A method in a smart token, the method comprising:
 communicating a token identifier identifying the smart token to a smart base;   receiving information from the smart base;   generating a notification in response to receiving the information from the smart base.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the notification is in the form of at least one of a visual, audible, and tactile notification. 
     
     
         9 . A smart token comprising:
 a memory capable of storing a token identifier identifying the smart token;   an engagement mechanism for engaging a smart base; and   a communication interface configured to communicate the token identifier to the smart base.   
     
     
         10 . The smart token of  claim 9  wherein the communication interface comprises a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         11 . The smart token of  claim 9  wherein the communication interface is further configured to receive information from the smart base. 
     
     
         12 . The smart token of  claim 11  further comprising at least one mechanism capable of generating at least one of a visual, audible, and tactile notification. 
     
     
         13 . The smart token of  claim 12  wherein the notification is generated in response to information received from the smart base. 
     
     
         14 . The smart token of  claim 9  wherein the memory is further capable of storing game information for use in gameplay, and the communication interface is further configured to communicate the game information to the smart base. 
     
     
         15 . A method in a computing device, the method comprising:
 receiving first information from a smart base, the first information including a base identifier identifying the smart base, and a token identifier identifying a smart token associated with the smart base; and   sending second information to a server, the second information comprising the token identifier and the base identifier.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the first information and the second information includes an indication that the smart token identified by the token identifier has been one of engaged with or disengaged from the smart base identified by the base identifier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein at least the first information includes a type of the smart token identified by the token identifier. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 at least one smart base having a base identifier;   at least one smart token having a token identifier, the smart token being engageable with and configured to communicate with the smart base;   at least one server configured to maintain registrations of at least one of token identifiers and base identifiers with user identifiers;   at least one computing device configured to communicate with the smart base and with the server;   such that when a smart token is engaged with a smart base, the token identifier is communicated from the smart token to the smart base, then from the smart base to the computing device, and then from the computing device to the server, where the server stores the token identifier in association with the base identifier and the user identifier.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the smart base and the computing device communicate over a wireless interface.