Video game controller charging system having a docking structure

• US 9,174,121 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OKYN Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NYKO Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Navid, Amir
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US14/158,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20140235359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 a plurality of video game controllers, each having a female power input receptacle, the video game controller charging system comprising:

a base having a plurality of recesses;

a plurality of substantially protruding male DC ports, each of the DC ports being electrically coupleable to a single power input interface and configured to plug into and provide DC power to the female power input receptacle of a respective one of the plurality of video game controllers without the use of an external or retractable cable; and

a plurality of intervening portions, each being receivable in a respective one of the recesses to electrically couple a respective one of the DC ports to the single power input interface,

wherein each of the intervening portions comprises an adapter configured to mount and remain attached to a respective one of the video game controllers when the respective one of the video game controllers is in use during operation of a video game,

wherein the single power input interface is spaced apart from the recesses; and

wherein the video game controller charging system is configured to concurrently charge the plurality of video game controllers when the intervening portions are received in the recesses.

2. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein the male DC ports comprise male mini-USB connectors.

3. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein the DC ports are indirectly connectable to the base through the intervening portions.

4. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein the intervening portions are removably connectable to the base.

11. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one electrical contact in each of the respective recesses, and each of the adapters comprises at least one electrical lead configured to contact and electrically connect the respective one of the DC ports to the at least one electrical contact when the intervening portion is received in the respective recess.

12. The video game controller charging system of claim 1, wherein each of the adapters comprises a body receivable in a respective one of the recesses, and the respective one of the DC ports is coupled to the body.

13. The video game controller charging system of claim 12, wherein the body includes an orienting portion configured to orient the adapter in the respective one of the recesses together with a corresponding orienting portion in the respective one of the recesses.

14. The video game controller charging system of claim 13, wherein the orienting portion of the body comprises an angled surface.

5. A video game controller charging system for charging a plurality of video game controllers, each having a female power input receptacle, the video game controller charging system comprising:

a base including a plurality of recesses and at least one electrical contact in each of the respective recesses;

a single power input interface;

a plurality of adapters, each comprising at least one electrical lead and being receivable in a respective one of the recesses such that the at least one electrical lead contacts the at least one electrical contact in the respective recess; and

a plurality of male DC ports electrically coupleable to the single power input interface, each of the DC ports being disposed on a respective adapter of the plurality of adapters, each of the DC ports being configured to electrically and mechanically couple to the female power input receptacle of a respective one of the plurality of video game controllers to provide DC power to the female power input receptacle without the use of an external or retractable cable when the respective adapter is received in the respective recess, and such that the adapter may remain attached to the video game controller when the video game controller is in use during operation of a video game,

wherein the video game controller charging system is configured to concurrently charge the plurality of video game controllers when the adapters are received in the recesses.

6. The video game controller charging system of claim 5, wherein each of the DC ports comprises a male mini-USB connector.

7. The video game controller charging system of claim 5, wherein each of the DC ports is indirectly supported on the base through the respective adapter when the respective adapter is received in the respective recess.

15. The video game controller charging system of claim 5, wherein each of the adapters comprises a body, and a respective one of the DC ports is disposed on the body, and wherein the body has a shape corresponding to a shape of the respective recess.

16. The video game controller charging system of claim 15, wherein the body includes an orienting portion configured to orient the adapter in the respective one of the recesses together with a corresponding orienting portion in the respective one of the recesses.

17. The video game controller charging system of claim 16, wherein the orienting portion of the body comprises an angled surface.

18. The video game controller charging system of claim 5, wherein each of the adapters is removably attachable to the base in the respective recess.

8. A video game controller charging system for charging a plurality of video game controllers, each having a female power input receptacle, the video game controller charging system comprising:

a base including a plurality of recesses and at least one electrical contact in each of the respective recesses;

a single power input interface; and

a plurality of adapters, each comprising a base, at least one electrical lead, and a substantially protruding male DC port, the base being receivable in a respective one of the recesses such that the at least one electrical lead contacts the at least one electrical contact in the respective recess to electrically connect the DC port to the single power input interface,

wherein the DC port of each of the adapters is configured to plug into the female power input receptacle of a respective one of the plurality of video game controllers without the use of an external or retractable cable to provide DC power to the female power input receptacle when the adapter is received in the respective recess, and such that the adapter may remain attached to the video game controller when the video game controller is in use during operation of a video game, and

wherein the video game controller charging system is configured to concurrently charge the plurality of video game controllers when the adapters are received in the recesses.

9. The video game controller charging system of claim 8, wherein each of the DC ports comprises a male mini-USB connector.

10. The video game controller charging system of claim 8, wherein each of the DC ports is indirectly supported by the base through the body of a respective one of the adapters when the respective adapter is received in one of the recesses.

19. The video game controller charging system of claim 8, wherein the body includes an orienting portion configured to orient the adapter in the respective one of the recesses together with a corresponding orienting portion in the respective one of the recesses.

20. The video game controller charging system of claim 19, wherein the orienting portion of the body comprises an angled surface.