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Video game controller with rechargeable battery systemRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Player-actuated Control Structure (e.g., Brain-wave Or Body Signal, Bar-code Wand, Foot Pedal, Etc.)Video game controller with rechargeable battery system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070021209, Video game controller with rechargeable battery system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/071,591 filed on Mar. 4, 2005 and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/647,800 filed Jan. 31, 2005, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to video game controllers and more specifically to a wireless controller with rechargeable battery pack that may be recharged while installed on the wireless controller, or a wireless controller with disposable batteries that may be powered by a power cable if the batteries become depleted. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Computer video games are well known in the art. Such devices range from small hand held all-in-one units, to larger stand-alone units which interact with stand alone controllers and stand alone video display devices. Small hand held devices are very portable. However, the graphics and sophistication game play are substantially inferior to stand alone units due limited processing power and associated peripherals. For more sophisticated play, stand alone computer units provide tremendous processing power and work with associated peripheral devices, such as a remote controller and television display in an attempt to bring the player a more dramatic gaming experience to that of hand held devices. These devices are widely available on the market and are well know in the art. [0006] A central stand-alone console contains all the essential processing components to run a computer game. A controller is connected to communicate operation control commands from a user. A separate display is connected to the gaming device to display interactive video gaming images. As previously mentioned, this conventional arrangement is well known in the art. [0007] With the tremendous commercial success of stand alone computer gaming systems, and entire peripheral market has emerged ranging from advanced video controllers, joysticks, steering wheel devices for racing games, multi-tap controllers, vibrating controllers, video stands, audio systems and the like. Programmable controllers are also available which allow a user to customize the operation of control buttons and to even store and retrieved such customized arrangements. [0008] As a game is played, a player or players control various visual aspects of the game using either the hard-wired or wireless controllers. All of the controllers require power to operate but power sources can be cumbersome or inefficient, especially for wireless controllers. The need exists for a wireless controller that can accommodate alkaline batteries and/or a rechargeable batteries where the rechargeable batteries can be recharged in an efficient and useful manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention is directed to 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. [0010] 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 delivers a recharge voltage to the battery pack through the game controller. [0011] 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. The adapter/receiver can act as the rechargeable cradle while the controller is not being used and may require to be recharged during breaktime. [0012] In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery pack is recharged by connecting a power cable directly to the controller and/or directly to the battery pack while the battery pack is mounted to the controller. [0013] In another embodiment, the controller may be powered with disposable (e.g., alkaline) batteries that may be powered by connecting a power cable directly to the controller when the disposable batteries are depleted. [0014] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following drawings and associated description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 shows an example interactive computer graphics system with wireless controllers. [0016] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a controller according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a controller shown in FIG. 2. [0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the front of the controller as viewed along view line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. [0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of the controller of FIG. 2. [0020] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the controller of FIG. 2 shown in conjunction with a controller cable used to both sending two-way communication signals between the game console and the controller as well as sending a charging signal to recharge to batteries of the controller. [0021] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the front of the controller as viewed along view line VII-VII shown in FIG. 6. Continue reading about Video game controller with rechargeable battery system... Full patent description for Video game controller with rechargeable battery system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Video game controller with rechargeable battery system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Video game controller with rechargeable battery system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Poker training devices and games using the devices Next Patent Application: Voice input in a multimedia console environment Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Video game controller with rechargeable battery system patent info. 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