Video game controller with rechargeable battery system

Abstract

A wireless computer game controller with rechargeable batteries that may be recharged while the batteries are installed on the controller and/or while the controller is in operation. Disposable batteries may also power the controller. In one embodiment, a communication cable connects the controller with a stand-alone computer game console such that the rechargeable battery pack is recharged directly from the game console through the communication cable. The cable not only establishes a communication link to facilitate the transmission of both command signals and audio/video signals between the controller and computer device, but it also deliver a recharge signal to the battery pack through the game controller. In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery pack is recharged through a stand-alone cradle that receives either the controller while the batteries are mounted to the controller or the battery pack separate from controller. The cradle may be part of an adapter assembly that converts the game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver.

1 . A wireless computer game controller, comprising: 
 at least one control button for selectively controlling a signal delivered to a game console, wherein said game console is adapted to display an image on a monitor;    wireless transmitter/receiver circuitry for sending and receiving control signals to and from said game console;    a battery compartment for receiving at least one of a disposable battery and a rechargeable battery;    at least one battery charge port for electrical connection to a power source to recharge said rechargeable battery.    
   
   
       2 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein said rechargeable battery may be recharged through the controller while the batteries are installed on the controller.  
   
   
       3 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein said rechargeable battery may be recharged while the controller is in operation transmitting control signals to said game console.  
   
   
       4 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication cable connects the controller with said game console such that the rechargeable battery is recharged directly from the game console through the communication cable.  
   
   
       5 . The controller of  claim 4 , further comprising a controller cable port adapted to communicate with a communication cable, wherein said communication cable establishes a wired communication link to facilitate the transmission of both command signals and audio/video signals between the controller and said game console, and said communication cable simultaneously delivers a recharge signal to the battery pack through the game controller.  
   
   
       6 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein said communication cable supersedes said wireless transmitter/receiver circuitry as a primary component for sending and receiving control signals to and from said game console.  
   
   
       7 . The controller of  claim 6 , further comprising a detection circuit for detecting a voltage supplied via said communication cable to select transmission through the wired communication link, said detection circuit adapted to isolate the wireless transmitter/receiver circuitry during connection of said communication cable.  
   
   
       8 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the detection circuit is adapted to shunt/divert voltage to recharging circuitry to facilitate charging of the rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       9 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein said rechargeable battery is recharged through a stand-alone cradle that is electrically connected to either the controller while the batteries are mounted to the controller or the battery pack separate from controller.  
   
   
       10 . The controller of  claim 9 , wherein said cradle is formed as part of an adapter assembly that converts the game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver.  
   
   
       11 . The controller of  claim 9 , further comprising a power cord, wherein said at least one battery charge portion is electrically connected through said power cord to a power source that is formed as part of an adapter assembly that converts the game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver.  
   
   
       12 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical actuator for activating a charging circuitry provided in said controller.  
   
   
       13 . A battery recharging system for a wireless computer game controller, comprising: 
 at least one rechargeable battery disposed on said wireless computer game controller;    at least one battery charge port for electrical connecting a power source to recharge said at least one rechargeable battery;    at least one power cable for delivery power to said rechargeable battery while the batteries are installed on the controller in such a manner that said rechargeable battery may be recharged through the controller while the controller sends and receives control signals to a game console.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said power cable defines a communication cable that connects the controller with said game console such that the rechargeable battery is recharged directly from the game console through the communication cable.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said controller comprises a controller cable port adapted to communicate with a communication cable, wherein said communication cable establishes a wired communication link to facilitate the transmission of both command signals and audio/video signals between the controller and said game console, and said communication cable simultaneously delivers a recharge signal to the battery pack through the game controller.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said communication cable supersedes said wireless transmitter/receiver circuitry as a primary component for sending and receiving control signals to and from said game console.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a detection circuit for detecting a voltage supplied via said communication cable to select transmission through the wired communication link, said detection circuit adapted to isolate the wireless transmitter/receiver circuitry during connection of said communication cable.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the detection circuit is adapted to shunt/divert voltage to recharging circuitry to facilitate charging of the rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said rechargeable battery is recharged through a stand-alone cradle that is electrically connected to either the controller while the batteries are mounted to the controller or the battery pack separate from controller.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said cradle is formed as part of an adapter assembly that converts the game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a power cord, wherein said at least one battery charge portion is electrically connected through said power cord to a power source that is formed as part of an adapter assembly that converts the game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver.