Patent ID: 7653771

Claim:
A control docking apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a body portion; a mechanical interface coupled to the body portion and configured to couple to a portable gaming platform; a control module having a first plurality of controls positioned on the body portion, a configuration of the first plurality of controls having a size and orientation substantially corresponding to a control configuration for a gaming console; and a control interface module coupled to the control module and configured to provide input to the portable gaming platform in response to operation of at least one of the first plurality of controls, the portable gaming platform having a second plurality of controls differing in at least one of size, number, and orientation from the first plurality of controls, wherein the control interface module is configured to indicate to the portable gaming platform a presence of the control docking apparatus when the mechanical interface is coupled to the portable gaming platform, wherein the portable gaming platform is operable to execute an application having a first version developed for execution on the gaming console and a second version developed for execution on the portable gaming platform, and wherein the second version of the application when executing on the portable gaming platform is operable to utilize a first control scheme for the first plurality of controls when the control docking apparatus is coupled to the portable gaming platform, the first control scheme substantially corresponding to a console control scheme utilized by the first version of the application when executing on the gaming console, and operable to utilize a second control scheme for the second plurality of controls when the control docking apparatus is not coupled to the portable gaming platform.