Wireless chargeable gaming controller

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12531439-B2
Application number	US-202318109949-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 15, 2023
Priority date	Feb 15, 2022
Publication date	Jan 20, 2026
Grant date	Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

New systems for the wireless recharging of the batteries of game controllers, without the need for placing the game controller on a dedicated charging device such as an inductively coupled charging pad or its charging docking station. Wireless charging can continue even when the gaming controllers are being moved, when in use during the gaming session, and certainly when the controller is left by the user in some random location in the area in which the system is installed. A transmitter beams optical power, such as a laser beam, to an optical power receiver located on the controller itself, which, using a photovoltaic cell and an appropriate voltage converter, converts the optical beam power to a current for charging the battery. A beam aiming mechanism, such as a scanning mirror, is provided to ensure correct tracking of the game controller, according to the outputs of a beam tracking application.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A wireless chargeable gaming controller system comprising:
a charger comprising:
a photovoltaic cell adapted to receive a beam of optical power from a transmitter, and to convert the optical power into an output current, and,
a DC/DC converter, adapted to convert the voltage of the current generated by the photovoltaic cell, to a voltage for charging a rechargeable battery; and
at least one gaming controller circuits operated by using input current derived from the charger unit at a first voltage, wherein the rechargeable battery, connected to receive charging current derived from the charger at a second voltage, is adapted to provide current to the gaming controller circuits; and wherein the charger is also connected through a virtual junction to the gaming controller circuits, such that the gaming controller circuits can continue to be operated at said first voltage while the battery is drawing current from the charger at said second voltage to replenish the charge of the battery.

2 . The wireless chargeable gaming controller system according to claim 1 , further including a voltage converter converting either said first voltage to said second voltage or said second voltage to said first voltage.

3 . The wireless chargeable gaming controller system according to claim 1 , wherein the charger either outputs a current at the first voltage and the charging current to the battery is provided by a voltage converter to output a current at the second voltage, or the charger outputs a current at the second voltage and the input current to the gaming controller circuits is provided by a voltage converter to output a current at the first voltage.

4 . The wireless chargeable gaming controller system according to claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic cell is aligned on the gaming controller, such that the photovoltaic cell is directed in the general direction of the transmitting unit, when the gaming controller is held for use by the user.

5 . The wireless chargeable gaming controller system according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for communicating to the transmitter information regarding the impingement of the beam of optical power on the photovoltaic cell input aperture.

6 . The wireless chargeable gaming controller system according to claim 5 , wherein the information is used in order to align the beam of optical power to impinge on the photovoltaic cell input aperture.

7 . The wireless chargeable gaming controller system according to claim 1 , wherein the rechargeable battery, the photovoltaic cell and the charger comprise a detachable module adapted to convert a game controller for remote wireless charging.

8 . A wireless charging gaming controller system having a charger, the system comprising:
a photovoltaic cell adapted to receive an optical beam from a laser transmitter, and to convert the optical power into a charging current; gaming controller circuits powered by using an externally provided input current; a rechargeable battery, connected to receive charging current through a virtual junction from the charger and to provide current though the virtual junction to the gaming controller circuits; and at least one DC/DC voltage converter to supply the charging current to either the gaming controller circuits or to the rechargeable battery, wherein the charger is connected through the virtual junction to the gaming controller circuits, such that the gaming controller circuits can operate using the externally provided input current from the charger, while the battery is also connected through the virtual junction to the charger, drawing current to replenish the charge of the battery.

Assignees

• Wi Charge Ltd

Inventors

• Mor Ori Rafael
• Levin Zohar
• Slepoy Alexander
• Zlatkin Eli
• Simon Nir

Classifications

• A63F13/98

  Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers · CPC title

• H02J50/80 Primary

  involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices · CPC title

• H02J7/35

  with light sensitive cells · CPC title

• H02J50/90

  involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment · CPC title

• A63F13/24

  Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles · CPC title