Patent Description:
Wireless battery chargers conveniently permit recharging battery-powered devices. Previously proposed arrangements are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>. "<NPL>, discloses a charging adapter which can be connected to the the game controller and which has keys corresponding to keys of the game controller by which a user can send commands to a game console during charging.

The present invention provides an assembly according to claim <NUM>, a system according to claim <NUM>, and methods according to claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

As understood herein, adapters for interfacing battery-powered game controllers with a wireless charging base may be located on the game controller in a position that can be used to leverage the adapters for additional purposes than charging. Combining a wireless charging adaptor with the ability to strategically locate duplicate game controller button controls on the adaptor, which is mounted on the back side of the controller, enhances and improve games play and provide a one-product solution to address two problems for computer gamers at the same time. Or, some implementations may omit the charging feature on the adapter.

An adapter that couples to an electronic device through a USB or equivalent connection is combined with one or more control buttons to interact with the electronic device. While it should be appreciated that this adapter in some examples is able to charge and/or interact with a multitude of electronic devices, in an illustrative example the adapter mounts on PlayStation® Dual Shock <NUM> (DS4) video game controller. This adapted connection enables the ability to wirelessly charge the DS4 game controller in some implementations and also copy or map one or more of the existing game controller interaction buttons if so desired. In this embodiment the adapter plugs into an input/output port of the game controller and mounts onto the back/bottom of the controller. In an example, the adapter includes a Qi-standard wireless charging coil and electronic circuitry to allow for wireless charging on any Qi standard charging pad. In addition, the adapter includes one or more buttons positioned so that they are located on the back or bottom side of the controller when the adapter is engaged with the controller and strategically positioned such that the buttons are easily accessible by one or more fingers that are normally not engaged with the controller interaction. Button mapping can be changed and mapped to any existing digital button on the game controller.

In some embodiments the charging base has a flat mat-like surface on which the adapter is positioned to charge the battery. If desired, the adapter can be electrically engaged with the electrical component in the controller housing through at least one electrical wire engaged with an input/output port such as a universal serial bus (USB) port or extension port on the game controller.

In some implementations the controller housing includes a front portion holding the plural keys and a rear portion facing away from the front portion, and the adapter is mechanically engageable with the rear portion of the controller housing. The adapter can be snappingly engageable and disengageable with the controller housing by hand without tools and without requiring connectors to hold the adapter on the controller housing.

In non-limiting examples, the charging base is configured to hold plural game controllers at one time for charging the plural game controllers simultaneously. In addition to the first key to generate the first command, the adapter can include at least a second key manipulable to input a second command to a computer game console. In some embodiments the adapter may include conversion circuitry to convert AC power received from inductive coupling with the base to DC power to provide to the battery.

If desired, the adapter can include one or more lamps to indicate a state of a battery in the game controller, and/or to indicate a functional mapping of game controller keys to adapter keys.

The details of the present application, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:.

This disclosure relates generally to computer ecosystems including aspects of consumer electronics (CE) device networks such as but not limited to computer game networks. A system herein may include server and client components, connected over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices including game consoles such as Sony PlayStation® or a game console made by Microsoft or Nintendo or other manufacturer virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets, wireless battery rechargers, portable televisions (e.g. smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices including smart phones and additional examples discussed below. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some of the client computers may employ, as examples, Linux operating systems, operating systems from Microsoft, or a Unix operating system, or operating systems produced by Apple Computer or Google. These operating environments may be used to execute one or more browsing programs, such as a browser made by Microsoft or Google or Mozilla or other browser program that can access websites hosted by the Internet servers discussed below. Also, an operating environment according to present principles may be used to execute one or more computer game programs.

Servers and/or gateways may include one or more processors executing instructions that configure the servers to receive and transmit data over a network such as the Internet. Or, a client and server can be connected over a local intranet or a virtual private network. A server or controller may be instantiated by a game console such as a Sony PlayStation®, a personal computer, etc..

Information may be exchanged over a network between the clients and servers. To this end and for security, servers and/or clients can include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storages, and proxies, and other network infrastructure for reliability and security. One or more servers may form an apparatus that implement methods of providing a secure community such as an online social website to network members.

As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system.

A processor may be any conventional general-purpose single- or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and registers and shift registers.

Software modules described by way of the flow charts and user interfaces herein can include various sub-routines, procedures, etc. Without limiting the disclosure, logic stated to be executed by a particular module can be redistributed to other software modules and/or combined together in a single module and/ or made available in a shareable library.

Present principles described herein can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof; hence, illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are set forth in terms of their functionality.

The functions and methods described below, when implemented in software, can be written in an appropriate language such as but not limited to Java, C# or C++, and can be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage such as digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices including removable thumb drives, etc. A connection may establish a computer-readable medium. Such connections can include, as examples, hard-wired cables including fiber optics and coaxial wires and digital subscriber line (DSL) and twisted pair wires. Such connections may include wireless communication connections including infrared and radio.

Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.

"A system having at least one of A, B, and C" (likewise "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" and "a system having at least one of A, B, C") includes systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc..

Now specifically referring to <FIG>, an example system <NUM> is shown, which may include one or more of the example devices mentioned above and described further below in accordance with present principles. The first of the example devices included in the system <NUM> is a consumer electronics (CE) device such as an audio video device (AVD) <NUM> such as but not limited to an Internet-enabled TV with a TV tuner (equivalently, set top box controlling a TV). However, the AVD <NUM> alternatively may be an appliance or household item, e.g. computerized Internet enabled refrigerator, washer, or dryer. The AVD <NUM> alternatively may also be a computerized Internet enabled ("smart") telephone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable computerized device such as e.g. computerized Internet-enabled watch, a computerized Internet-enabled bracelet, other computerized Internet-enabled devices, a computerized Internet-enabled music player, computerized Internet-enabled head phones, a computerized Internet-enabled implantable device such as an implantable skin device, etc. Regardless, it is to be understood that the AVD <NUM> is configured to undertake present principles (e.g. communicate with other CE devices to undertake present principles, execute the logic described herein, and perform any other functions and/or operations described herein).

Accordingly, to undertake such principles the AVD <NUM> can be established by some or all of the components shown in <FIG>. For example, the AVD <NUM> can include one or more displays <NUM> that may be implemented by a high definition or ultra-high definition "<NUM>" or higher flat screen and that may be touch-enabled for receiving user input signals via touches on the display. The AVD <NUM> may include one or more speakers <NUM> for outputting audio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additional input device <NUM> such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. entering audible commands to the AVD <NUM> to control the AVD <NUM>. The example AVD <NUM> may also include one or more network interfaces <NUM> for communication over at least one network <NUM> such as the Internet, an WAN, an LAN, etc. under control of one or more processors <NUM>. A graphics processor 24A may also be included. Thus, the interface <NUM> may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface, such as but not limited to a mesh network transceiver. It is to be understood that the processor <NUM> controls the AVD <NUM> to undertake present principles, including the other elements of the AVD <NUM> described herein such as e.g. controlling the display <NUM> to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface <NUM> may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc..

In addition to the foregoing, the AVD <NUM> may also include one or more input ports <NUM> such as, e.g., a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port or a USB port to physically connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the AVD <NUM> for presentation of audio from the AVD <NUM> to a user through the headphones. For example, the input port <NUM> may be connected via wire or wirelessly to a cable or satellite source 26a of audio video content. Thus, the source 26a may be, e.g., a separate or integrated set top box, or a satellite receiver. Or, the source 26a may be a game console or disk player containing content such as computer game software and databases. The source 26a when implemented as a game console may include some or all of the components described below in relation to the CE device <NUM>.

The AVD <NUM> may further include one or more computer memories <NUM> such as disk-based or solid-state storage that are not transitory signals, in some cases embodied in the chassis of the AVD as standalone devices or as a personal video recording device (PVR) or video disk player either internal or external to the chassis of the AVD for playing back AV programs or as removable memory media. Also, in some embodiments, the AVD <NUM> can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter <NUM> that is configured to e.g. receive geographic position information from at least one satellite or cellphone tower and provide the information to the processor <NUM> and/or determine an altitude at which the AVD <NUM> is disposed in conjunction with the processor <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that another suitable position receiver other than a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used in accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location of the AVD <NUM> in e.g. all three dimensions.

Continuing the description of the AVD <NUM>, in some embodiments the AVD <NUM> may include one or more cameras <NUM> that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the AVD <NUM> and controllable by the processor <NUM> to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the AVD <NUM> may be a Bluetooth transceiver <NUM> and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element <NUM> for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element. Zigbee also may be used.

Further still, the AVD <NUM> may include one or more auxiliary sensors <NUM> (e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command), etc.) providing input to the processor <NUM>. The AVD <NUM> may include an over-the-air TV broadcast port <NUM> for receiving OTA TV broadcasts providing input to the processor <NUM>. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that the AVD <NUM> may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver <NUM> such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the AVD <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, in addition to the AVD <NUM>, the system <NUM> may include one or more other CE device types. In one example, a first CE device <NUM> may be a computer game console used to send computer game audio and video to the AVD <NUM> via commands sent directly to the AVD <NUM> and/or through the below-described server while a second CE device <NUM> may include similar components as the first CE device <NUM>. In the example shown, the second CE device <NUM> may be configured as a VR headset worn by a player <NUM> as shown, or a hand-held game controller manipulated by the player <NUM>. In the example shown, only two CE devices <NUM>, <NUM> are shown, it being understood that fewer or greater devices may be used.

In the example shown, to illustrate present principles all three devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are assumed to be members of an entertainment network in, e.g., a home, or at least to be present in proximity to each other in a location such as a house. However, present principles are not limited to a particular location, illustrated by dashed lines <NUM>, unless explicitly claimed otherwise.

The example non-limiting first CE device <NUM> may be established by any one of the above-mentioned devices, for example, a portable wireless laptop computer or notebook computer or game console, and accordingly may have one or more of the components described below. The first CE device <NUM> may be a remote control (RC) for, e.g., issuing AV play and pause commands to the AVD <NUM>, or it may be a more sophisticated device such as a tablet computer, a game controller communicating via wired or wireless link with the AVD <NUM>, a personal computer, a wireless telephone, etc..

Accordingly, the first CE device <NUM>. may include one or more displays <NUM> that may be touch-enabled for receiving user input signals via touches on the display. The first CE device <NUM> may include one or more speakers <NUM> for outputting audio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additional input device <NUM> such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. entering audible commands to the first CE device <NUM> to control the device <NUM>. The example first CE device <NUM> may also include one or more network interfaces <NUM> for communication over the network <NUM> under control of one or more CE device processors <NUM>. A graphics processor 58A may also be included. Thus, the interface <NUM> may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface, including mesh network interfaces. It is to be understood that the processor <NUM> controls the first CE device <NUM> to undertake present principles, including the other elements of the first CE device <NUM> described herein such as e.g. controlling the display <NUM> to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface <NUM> may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc..

In addition to the foregoing, the first CE device <NUM> may also include one or more input ports <NUM> such as, e.g., a HDMI port or a USB port to physically connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the first CE device <NUM> for presentation of audio from the first CE device <NUM> to a user through the headphones. The first CE device <NUM> may further include one or more tangible computer readable storage medium <NUM> such as disk-based or solid-state storage. Also in some embodiments, the first CE device <NUM> can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone and/or GPS receiver and/or altimeter <NUM> that is configured to e.g. receive geographic position information from at least one satellite and/or cell tower, using triangulation, and provide the information to the CE device processor <NUM> and/or determine an altitude at which the first CE device <NUM> is disposed in conjunction with the CE device processor <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that another suitable position receiver other than a cellphone and/or GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used in accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location of the first CE device <NUM> in e.g. all three dimensions.

Continuing the description of the first CE device <NUM>, in some embodiments the first CE device <NUM> may include one or more cameras <NUM> that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the first CE device <NUM> and controllable by the CE device processor <NUM> to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the first CE device <NUM> may be a Bluetooth transceiver <NUM> and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element <NUM> for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.

Further still, the first CE device <NUM> may include one or more auxiliary sensors <NUM> (e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command), etc.) providing input to the CE device processor <NUM>. The first CE device <NUM> may include still other sensors such as e.g. one or more climate sensors <NUM> (e.g. barometers, humidity sensors, wind sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) and/or one or more biometric sensors <NUM> providing input to the CE device processor <NUM>. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that in some embodiments the first CE device <NUM> may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver <NUM> such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the first CE device <NUM>. The CE device <NUM> may communicate with the AVD <NUM> through any of the above-described communication modes and related components.

The second CE device <NUM> may include some or all of the components shown for the CE device <NUM>. Either one or both CE devices may be powered by one or more batteries.

Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server <NUM>, it includes at least one server processor <NUM>, at least one tangible computer readable storage medium <NUM> such as disk-based or solid state storage, and at least one network interface <NUM> that, under control of the server processor <NUM>, allows for communication with the other devices of <FIG> over the network <NUM>, and indeed may facilitate communication between servers and client devices in accordance with present principles. Note that the network interface <NUM> may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, Wi-Fi transceiver, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver.

Accordingly, in some embodiments the server <NUM> may be an Internet server or an entire server "farm" and may include and perform "cloud" functions such that the devices of the system <NUM> may access a "cloud" environment via the server <NUM> in example embodiments for, e.g., network gaming applications. Or, the server <NUM> may be implemented by one or more game consoles or other computers in the same room as the other devices shown in <FIG> or nearby.

Further to what has been alluded to above, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described below can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor can be implemented by a controller or state machine or a combination of computing devices. Thus, the methods herein may be implemented as software instructions executed by a processor, suitably configured application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA) modules, or any other convenient manner as would be appreciated by those skilled in those art. Where employed, the software instructions may be embodied in a non-transitory device such as a hard disk drive, CD ROM or Flash drive. The software code instructions may also be downloaded over the Internet.

<FIG> illustrates an example assembly according to present principles. A computer game controller <NUM> such as a PlayStation® Dual Shock <NUM> controller or other controller, including XBox® controllers, includes a hand-holdable controller housing <NUM> that contains one or more batteries <NUM> and plural control keys <NUM> that are manipulable to input commands via wired and/or wireless paths to a computer game console <NUM>, such as a Sony PlayStation® console or Microsoft XBox® game console. The game console <NUM> presents computerized video games on a display <NUM> such as any suitable display described herein.

A wireless charging adapter (WCA) <NUM> is mechanically engageable with the game controller housing <NUM> and is electrically engageable with an electrical component in the controller housing <NUM> such as a signal transceiver assembly <NUM> (which may include a microprocessor) for purposes to be shortly disclosed. The WCA is also electrically connected to the battery <NUM> to charge the battery <NUM>. In an example, charging current and signals from manipulating the keys on the WCA <NUM> may be sent through a wired or wireless link <NUM> to a universal serial bus (USB) port <NUM> of the game controller <NUM>.

As shown, the WCA <NUM> includes one or more WCA keys <NUM> manipulable to input a command to the computer game console <NUM>. The WCA keys <NUM> have corresponding functions to respective keys <NUM> on the game controller housing <NUM> and may have the same shape and size as the respective keys <NUM>.

The example WCA <NUM> in <FIG> may also include a processor <NUM> accessing instructions on a memory <NUM> for executing logic embodied as code according to present principles. The WCA <NUM> may also include one or more communication transceivers <NUM> such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or other communication interfaces. Also, the WCA <NUM> includes circuitry <NUM> for charging the battery <NUM> in the game controller <NUM>. The circuitry <NUM> may include a Qi coil and associated circuitry or it may include wireless recharging circuitry using standards other than Qi. The circuitry <NUM> may include conversion circuitry to convert AC power received from inductive coupling with the charging base described below to DC power to provide to the battery.

A charging base <NUM> is provided on which the WCA <NUM> while mechanically engaged with/to the game controller housing <NUM> can be placed to inductively couple the WCA with the charging base to supply charging power, e.g., from a wall socket "S" as shown, through the WCA to the battery <NUM> over a wireless charging path to recharge the battery. To this end, the base <NUM> may include a processor <NUM> and computer storage <NUM> for executing logic embodied as code according to present principles. The base <NUM> also includes inductive charging circuitry <NUM> that couples with the circuitry <NUM> in the WCA <NUM> to convey charge current to the battery <NUM> of the game controller <NUM>.

In cross-reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the charging base <NUM> includes a flat mat-like surface <NUM> on which the WCA <NUM> is positioned to charge the battery <NUM> of the game controller <NUM>. The charging base can be configured to hold plural game controllers with respective adapters as shown at one time for charging the plural game controllers simultaneously, and to this end outlines <NUM> of the game controllers may be printed or otherwise formed on the surface <NUM> to aid in proper placement of the controller/adapter assembly on the base.

<FIG> shows that the controller housing <NUM> includes a front portion <NUM> holding the plural controller keys <NUM> and a rear portion <NUM> facing away from the front portion <NUM>. The WCA <NUM> with WCA keys <NUM> is mechanically engageable with the rear portion <NUM> of the controller housing <NUM>. The WCA <NUM> may be formed with structure to engage corresponding structure on the game controller housing <NUM> in an interference fit, or a snapping fit, so that the WCA <NUM> may be engaged and disengaged with the controller housing <NUM> by hand without the need for connectors such as threaded fasteners. In other embodiments, fasteners may be used.

<FIG> illustrate an example embodiment of a WCA <NUM>. As shown best in <FIG>, the example WCA may be a unitarily-formed lightweight plastic or metal structure with a generally parallelepiped-shaped body <NUM> bounded on its rear side <NUM> by left and right flanges <NUM> that are thinner than the body <NUM> as shown. Respective left and right grip legs <NUM> may extend rearwardly away from the body (relative to the rear side <NUM>) from each flange <NUM>, with the flanges <NUM>/legs <NUM> forming "L"-shaped engagement members as shown.

The WCA <NUM> may be mounted onto the game controller body <NUM> as shown in <FIG> by pushing the WCA <NUM> onto the body <NUM> such that the "L"-shaped engagement members of the WCA <NUM> engage respective structure on the body <NUM> in an interference fit.

In the discussions herein, it is to be understood that the divulged functionalities including illuminating lamps, transferring game commands from WCA key <NUM> manipulations, etc. may be effected by one or more processors in the WCA, one or more processors in the game controller that receive information from the WCA, one or more processors in the game console that communicate with the game controller and/or WCA, or any combination of the above.

<FIG> illustrates additional features that may be provided on a WCA according to present principles in example implementations. <FIG> illustrates one or more of the WCA keys <NUM> discussed above in reference to <FIG>, showing one key on each respective flange <NUM>, it being understood that other key locations on the WCA may be used. In general, each WCA key <NUM>, when manipulated, causes a signal to be generated to command a function through the controller to the game console that is a copy the functionality of the commands when one or more dedicated keys of the game controller are manipulated. Thus, the same command functionality may be input by manipulating wither a WCA key or the game controller key copied by the WCA key. Preferably, the WCA keys <NUM> are strategically located on the WCA for accessibility by one or more fingers of the user when, for example, the user holds the game controller naturally in the orientation intended with his or her fingers at rest, hovering over the WCA keys <NUM>. Note that one or more of the WCA keys <NUM> may be simple toggle-like buttons or may be pressed bi-directionally, i.e., pulled like a trigger and pushed towards the front/outside of the WCA to establish two separate commands, one for each action.

As also shown in <FIG>, the WCA <NUM> may support one or more lamps <NUM>. In an example, the lamps <NUM> may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) each with multiple illuminating elements to emit respective different colors, e.g., red and green. The lamps <NUM> may be used for multiple purposes. For example, the lamps <NUM> can be selectively illuminated to indicate which WCA keys <NUM> are mapped to which controller keys <NUM>. For example, a set pattern of illumination or sequence of lamp flashing can be used in an intuitive and informative manner to the user to know what controller keys are mapped to the WCA keys. As but one example, the lamps <NUM> may be illuminated left to right to indicate that the function of the right-most controller key <NUM> is mapped to a WCA key <NUM>, such as the right-most WCA key. Or, the lamps <NUM> may be arranged on the WCA <NUM> in the same pattern as the controller keys <NUM> are arranged on the controller, with the lamps in corresponding locations of controller keys whose functions are mapped to WCA keys being illuminated and the remaining lamps remaining off.

The lamps <NUM> may also be selectively illuminated to indicate that the adapter/controller is in charging mode. For example, one or more green lamps may be flashed on and off to indicate charging. The lamps may also be selectively illuminated to indicate a level of charge of the battery in the game controller. For example, one green lamp illuminated may indicate a relatively low level of charge while two green lamps illuminated may indicate a higher amount of charge remaining, and so on. Selective lamp illumination may also indicate both conditions of the controller with WCA being on the charging mat and charging and also being distanced from the mat and not charging but the controller is turned on and in use. Still further, the lamps <NUM> may be selectively illuminated to indicate that the adapter/controller not placed correctly on the charging mat to charge correctly or efficiently, e.g., by causing one or more red lamps <NUM> to flash.

In some implementations, the functions of the WCA keys <NUM> are established by the manufacturer to have default functions, e.g., the functions of predetermined keys "A" and "B" of the game controller <NUM>. If desired, the functional mapping of the WCA keys <NUM> can be changed to the functionality of any game controller key <NUM> as desired by the user. To this end, a settings key <NUM> may be provided on the WCA <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, with attention now turned to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, as mentioned above the functions of the WCA keys <NUM> are established by, e.g., the manufacturer to have default functions corresponding to the functions of respective keys on the game controller <NUM>. Moving to block <NUM>, a setup command may be received. In one implementation, a setup command may be generated by a certain sequence of WCA key presses, if desired in combination with manipulation of the settings key <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Correlation commands may be received at block <NUM> to correlate WCA key functions with game controller key functions. These commands may be established by simultaneously pressing a WCA key and the key on the game controller whose function is desired to be mapped to the manipulated WCA key. Based on these correlation commands, at block <NUM> the WCA keys are accorded the functions of the game controller keys to which they have been mapped.

<FIG> illustrates that once WCA key functions have acquired the desired game controller key functions, at block <NUM> a WCA key manipulation may be received during game play. This causes a signal representing the function of the manipulated WCA key to be input to the game console, typically through the game controller, at block <NUM>. Manipulation of the corresponding game controller key also causes the same command function to be input to the game console.

<FIG> show alternate techniques for mapping game controller key functionality to the WCA keys <NUM>. In <FIG>, a WCA <NUM> that is in all essential respects identical to those described previously is shown, with the following exceptions. The WCA <NUM> in <FIG> may include a touch sensitive display <NUM> with "soft" keys <NUM> presented on the display <NUM> in an arrangement that is the same arrangement <NUM> as that of the game controller keys on the game controller. Indeed, an outline of the game controller may be provided as shown. The WCA keys <NUM>. have the same functions as the corresponding game controller keys have that are in the corresponding locations of the key arrangement on the game controller.

In <FIG>, the display <NUM> shown in <FIG> is caused by the game console to present an image <NUM> of the game controller with modeled game controller keys <NUM>. The modeled game controller keys <NUM> can, for example, be caused to flash (as indicated at <NUM>) one at a time for a short period each, with a prompt <NUM> being presented to indicate that a press of a WCD key will result in the pressed key being given the function of the game controller key that corresponds to the flashing modeled game controller key <NUM>. A user thus may view the display <NUM> and wait until a desired game controller key flashes, then press the WCA key that the user wishes to be accorded the function of the game controller key corresponding to the flashing image on the display <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an implementation of an adapter <NUM> which omits the battery charging feature, and which is formed with a bay <NUM> on a front side to receive a game controller. It is to be appreciated that the bay <NUM> may be configured complementarily to the back surface of the game controller.

The bottom or rear <NUM> surface of the adapter <NUM> is opposite the bay <NUM> as shown, any may include a set key <NUM> and left and right command keys <NUM>, <NUM>. Indicators <NUM> such as light emitted diodes (LEDs) may be visible on the bottom or rear surface <NUM> as shown, and next to each indicator a respective icon <NUM> may be printed or molded or etched or otherwise formed. The icons <NUM> can represent respective keys on the game controller and can be presented with the same shape and features of the game controller keys.

To map a game controller key to one of the left or right adapter keys <NUM>, <NUM>, a user can press the set key <NUM> and then press the left or right key <NUM>, <NUM> sought to be mapped. The first press of the key sought to be mapped may illuminate a first one of the indicators <NUM>. The user can look at the illuminated indicator and corresponding icon and if the user wishes to map the corresponding game controller key to the adapter key sought to be mapped, release both the set key and the adapter key sought to be mapped. If the user wishes to map a different controller key to the adapter key sought to be mapped, he presses the adapter key sought to be mapped again, which causes another indicator <NUM> to be illuminated for mapping the controller key represented by the icon <NUM> associated with the indicator to the adapter key sought to be mapped according to principles above. The user can scroll through the indicators (and hence game controller keys) in this fashion by holding down the set key <NUM> and toggling the adapter key sought to be mapped until the indicator representing the sought-after game controller key is illuminated, at which time the user releases the adapter keys to establish the mapping.

In other implementations, instead of a toggle-like set key <NUM>, a multi-position toggle may be implemented and positioned to one of multiple settings, with each setting corresponding to a respective game controller key, to map the respective game controller key to whichever of the left and right adapter keys <NUM>, <NUM> is being pressed.

Returning to <FIG>, an electrical connector <NUM>, which may be removably engaged with the adapter <NUM>, may extend away from the adapter <NUM> into the bay <NUM> to mechanically and electrically engage a complementarily-configured fitting on the game controller to mechanical stability plus an electrical connection pass-through, e.g., for a headphone connection. The connector <NUM> is electrically connected to an electrical port <NUM> that may receive, e.g., a headphone jack to establish electrical connection between the headphone jack and the game controller through the electrical connector <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An assembly, comprising:
at least one game controller (<NUM>), the game controller comprising a hand-holdable controller housing comprising at least one battery and plural control keys manipulable to input commands including at least a first key manipulable to input a first command to a computer game console, the game controller being different from the computer game console;
at least one adapter (<NUM>) mechanically engageable with the game controller and electrically engageable with at least one electrical component in the controller housing, the adapter comprising at least one adapter key manipulable to input the first command to the computer game console, wherein the adapter is electrically engageable to the battery of the game controller to charge the battery.