Could this be the Wii U controller dock?

Wii U charging dockA Neogaf user recently posted a patent drawing that shows what appears to be a charging dock for the Wii U controller.

Judging from the patent, the design would work in the same fashion as the Nintendo 3DS charging dock. In addition, the design of the Wii U controller looks unchanged from the version we were introduced to at E3 2011. No surprise, but Nintendo could easily make some alterations.

So, if the Wii U controller will need a charging dock, does this solidify the possibility of only ONE controller being used for one Wii U console? Discuss!

Harrison Milfeld is a writer, editor, and freelance journalist from Missouri. Ever since he could walk, Harrison has been an avid fan of the world of Nintendo. For years, he has purchased every one of the company's subsequent products (yes, including the Virtual Boy and eReader). It wasn't until he was a young teen when he bought a PS2 that he began to embrace cross-console relations, a decision he doesn't regret. When he's not gaming, Harrison is looking to break into the magazine journalism industry and realize his dream of becoming a features reporter.