Game console remote controller integration

The present invention relates to remote controllers for video game consoles. The invention more particularly although not exclusively relates to the integration of several remote controllers for use with the Nintendo™ Wii™ console.

Sony PlayStation™, Microsoft Xbox™ and Nintendo Wii™ are popular video game console systems with which interactive video games are played. Such systems have various controller devices such as joysticks, remote controllers, steering wheels and other input devices.

The Nintendo Wii™ console receives wireless signals from a hand-held remote controller. An optional feature for connection by cable to the wireless remote controller is known as a “Nunchuk™ attachment”. A Nunchuk™ attachment 10 is shown connected by its cable 12 to a standard Wii™ remote controller 11 in FIG. 1. The standard remote controller 11 is provided with a socket 14 into which the plug 13 upon cable 12 is inserted. It is intended that the user hold and manipulate the remote controller 11 with one hand and the Nunchuk™ attachment 10 with the other hand.

The cable extending between the two hand-held controllers is cumbersome and can therefore interfere with gameplay.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage and/or more generally to provide improved integration of a pair of controller devices for a game console.

There is disclosed herein a system for controlling a game console, comprising:

• • a first hand-held controller comprising a first transmitter for wirelessly transmitting first control signals corresponding to user input at the first controller to the game console, and a receiver; and
  • a second hand-held controller comprising a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting second control signals corresponding to user input at the second controller to the receiver of the first controller; wherein:
  • the receiver is tuned to receive said second control signals from the second transmitter, and the first transmitter also transmits the second control signals to the game console.

Preferably, the receiver is plugged into the first controller.

Preferably, the second controller is plugged into the second transmitter.

Typically, the system further comprises clock a cradle for receiving the second controller.

Preferably, the second transmitter is located in the cradle.