VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER CHARGING SYSTEM

• US 20080150480A1
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OKYN Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NYKO Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Navid, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 8,143,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/113
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A video game controller charging system is provided. The video game controller charging system includes a base; at least one structure on the base for providing physical support to at least one video game controller while it is being charged; and at least one DC port on the base configured to couple to and provide DC power to a power input port of the at least one video game controller. The video game controller charging system may also include a current detector, a charging status indicator, at least one docking bay, and/or an AC-to-DC converter adapted to convert externally supplied power to the DC power provided to the power input port of at least one video game controller. The base of a charging station may include a recess having at least one electrical contact and a power input for connection to a power supply.

Claims

1. A video game controller charging system for charging at least one video game controller using externally supplied power, the video game controller charging system comprising:

a base;

at least one structure on the base for providing physical support to the at least one video game controller while the at least one video game controller is being charged; and

at least one DC port on the base, the at least one DC port configured to couple to and provide DC power to a power input port of the at least one video game controller.

2. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one DC port comprises at least one male mini-USB connector.

3. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, further comprising:

a current detector electrically coupled to the at least one DC port; and

an indicator electrically coupled to the current detector, the indicator configured to indicate a charging status of the video game controller charging system.

4. The video game controller charging system of claim 3, wherein the indicator comprises at least one LED.

5. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one structure on the base comprises at least one docking bay, each configured to receive one of the at least one video game controller.

6. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one structure on the base comprises opposite surfaces configured to align one of the at least one video game controller such that the power input port of the one of the at least one video game controller couples to one of the at least one DC port.

7. The video game controller charging system of claim 6, wherein the opposite surfaces comprise spring-loaded locating buttons configured to align the one of the at least one video game controller.

8. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one DC port comprises a plurality of DC ports;

the at least one video game controller comprises a plurality of video game controllers; and

the plurality of DC ports is configured to concurrently couple to and provide the DC power to the plurality of video game controllers.

9. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, further comprising an AC-to-DC converter adapted to convert the externally supplied power to the DC power provided to the power input port of the at least one video game controller.

10. The video game controller charging system of claim 9, wherein the AC-to-DC converter is in the base.

11. The video game controller charging system of claim 9, wherein the AC-to-DC converter is external to the base.

12. The video game controller charging system of claim 9, wherein the AC-to-DC converter is adapted to convert an AC voltage in the range of 100 V to 240 V corresponding to the externally supplied power into a DC voltage corresponding to the DC power.

13. The video game controller charging system of claim 12, wherein the DC voltage is DC 5 V.

14. A charging system for at least one accessory device having a power input port, the charging system comprising:

a base;

at least one male mini-USB connector supported by the base and adapted to provide DC power to the at least one accessory device;

at least one docking structure configured to receive and align the at least one accessory device to couple to the at least one male mini-USB connector; and

a power input for connecting to a power supply, the power input electrically coupled to the at least one male mini-USB connector.

15. The charging system of claim 14, wherein the charging system further comprises an AC-to-DC converter electrically coupled between the power input and the at least one male mini-USB connector.

16. The charging system of claim 14, wherein the charging system further comprises an AC-to-DC converter external to the base and electrically coupled to the power input.

17. The charging system of claim 14, further comprising:

a current detector electrically coupled to the at least one male mini-USB connector; and

an indicator electrically coupled to the current detector, the indicator configured to indicate a charging status of the charging system.

18. The charging system of claim 17, wherein the indicator comprises at least one LED.

19. A video game controller charging system for at least one video game controller having a power input port, the charging system comprising:

a base;

at least one male mini-USB connector supported by the base and adapted to provide DC power to the power input port of the at least one video game controller; and

at least one docking structure having opposite surfaces configured to receive and align the at least one video game controller to couple the power input port of the at least one video game controller to the at least one male mini-USB connector.

20. The video game controller charging system of claim 19, further comprising an AC-to-DC converter adapted to convert an AC power received from an AC power supply to the DC power provided to the power input port of the at least one video game controller.

21. A charging system for charging at least one accessory device having a power input port, the charging system comprising:

a base comprising at least one recess having at least one electrical contact, the base further comprising a power input for connection to a power supply, the power input being electrically coupled to the at least one electrical contact; and

at least one external adapter comprising a connector configured to couple to the power input port of the at least one accessory device, the at least one external adapter further comprising at least one electrical lead;

wherein the at least one recess is dimensioned to receive the at least one external adapter, the at least one electrical lead of the at least one external adapter contacting the at least one electrical contact of the at least one recess when the at least one external adapter is received by the at least one recess.

22. The charging system of claim 21, further comprising:

a current detector electrically coupled to the at least one electrical contact of the at least one recess; and

an indicator electrically coupled to the current detector, the indicator adapted to indicate a status of the charging system.

23. The charging system of claim 22, wherein the indicator comprises at least one LED.

24. The charging system of claim 21, wherein:

the at least one external adapter further comprises an angled edge; and

the at least one recess comprises an angled corner dimensioned to match the angled edge of the at least one external adapter and adapted to orient the at least one external adapter with respect to the at least one recess.

25. The charging system of claim 21, wherein:

the at least one electrical contact of the at least one recess comprises four electrical contacts; and

the at least one electrical lead of the at least one external adapter comprises four electrical leads.

26. The charging system of claim 21, wherein the connector of the at least one external adapter comprises a male mini-USB connector.

27. The charging system of claim 21, further comprising an AC/DC converter electrically coupled between the power input of the base and the at least one electrical contact of the at least one recess.