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 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A battery recharging system in combination with a wireless computer game controller, said combination comprising: 
 at least one rechargeable battery adapted to be electrically connected to said wireless computer game controller for powering said wireless computer game controller;    a wireless adapter that converts the game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver by sending and receiving wireless control signals with said wireless computer game controller and delivering said control signals to a control port of a game console; said wireless adapter being electrically connected to an electrical power supply for recharging said rechargeable battery, said wireless adapter also electrically connected to said at least one rechargeable battery and recharging said rechargeable battery simultaneously while the wireless controller is in operation and said adapter is sending and receiving wireless control signals with said wireless computer game controller and delivering said control signals through said control port.    
   
   
       23 . The combination according to  claim 22 , wherein said wireless adapter is configured to connect to said power supply by direct connection to a voltage source through said game port of said game console.  
   
   
       24 . The combination of  claim 22 , wherein said wireless controller communicates with said game console solely by wireless communication through said adapter.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said wireless adapter is configured to deliver power directly to said at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       26 . The controller of  claim 22 , further comprising a detection circuit for detecting a voltage supplied via said game console and adapted to shunt/divert voltage to a recharging circuitry to facilitate recharging the at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein said rechargeable battery is recharged through a cradle formed as part of the wireless adapter and being the battery pack separate from controller.  
   
   
       28 . The combination of  claim 23 , wherein said wireless controller communicates with said game console solely by wireless communication through said adapter.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said wireless adapter is configured to deliver power directly to said at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said wireless adapter is configured to deliver power directly to said at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein said wireless adapter is configured to deliver power directly to said at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       32 . A battery recharging system in combination with a wireless computer game controller and associated dedicated computer gaming console, said combination comprising: 
 at least one rechargeable battery adapted for connection to and powering said on said wireless computer game controller;    an adapter for converting a game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver by sending and receiving wireless control signals with said wireless computer game controller and delivering said control signals to a control port of a game console, said adapter being in electrical connection to a power source through said game port to recharge said at least one rechargeable battery;    
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a detection circuit for detecting a voltage supplied via said game port of said console, said detection circuit adapted to divert/shunt voltage to recharging circuitry to facilitate charging of the rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein said rechargeable battery is recharged through a cradle formed as part of said adapter while the rechargeable battery is either mounted to the controller or separate from controller.