Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 7,812,476 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Inventors: Menas, Gregory W., Spano, Steve, Miller, Brent A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parries, Dru M
• Application Number:
  US11/777,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20070252436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 307/11
• US Class Current: 307/11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/22 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

An automatic sensing power system automatically determines a power requirement for an electrical device, converts power to the required level, and outputs the power to the electrical device when the electrical device is connected to the automatic sensing power system.

Claims

1. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one first connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, the power system comprising a plurality of first direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

configuring the receiving connector to convey the AC power;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one first AC to DC regulator;

determining a first selected DC power level at the first processor and, in response, configuring the at least one first DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level at the at least one first DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level for at least one of the plurality of first DC receptacles;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising at least one second DC receptacle, a communication system, at least one second AC to DC regulator, at least one second DC to DC regulator, and a second processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator;

receiving at least one externally transmitted communication at the communication system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level;

processing the communication at the second processor, determining the second selected DC power level based on the configuration data, and configuring the at least one second DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level at the at least one second DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one second DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises another communication system; and

the method further comprises;

receiving at the other communication system another communication comprising other configuration data that, when processed, identifies the first selected DC power level; and

processing the other communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the first selected DC power level.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the communication from an electrical device.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

connecting an electrical device to the at least one second DC receptacle; and

receiving the other DC power at the second selected DC power level at the connected electrical device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the electrical device comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the configuration data comprises at least one member of another group consisting of the second selected DC power level and an identification of the at least one second DC receptacle.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identifier;

the power device comprises memory comprising a plurality of identifiers and corresponding power requirements; and

the method further comprises processing the communication with the particular device identifier at the second processor and, in response thereto, searching the plurality of identifiers to determine the second selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identifier.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface of the power device, the at least one second DC receptacle, and the second connector.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the communication system comprises at least one modulator; and

the method further comprises receiving the communication at the at least one second DC receptacle, receiving the communication at the at least one modulator from the at least one second DC receptacle, and transmitting the communication from the modulator to the second processor for processing.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the communication in at least one format selected from another group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power device comprises a plurality of second DC receptacles;

the at least one second DC to DC regulator comprises a plurality of second DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the second DC receptacles; and

the method further comprises;

receiving a plurality of other communications at the communication system, each communication comprising other configuration data, that when processed, identifies at least one other selected DC power level;

receiving the other communications from the communication system at the second processor;

at the second processor, processing the other communications to determine each corresponding selected DC power level based on the other configuration data of a corresponding communication;

receiving the other DC power from the second AC to DC regulator at each of the plurality of second DC to DC regulators;

at the second processor, configuring each of the second DC to DC regulators to convert the other DC power to a corresponding selected DC power level; and

converting the other DC power to the corresponding selected DC power level for a corresponding DC receptacle at each of the second DC to DC regulators and generating the DC power at the corresponding selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, the corresponding DC power level not initially preset.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power device comprises at least one AC receptacle; and

the method further comprises conveying the AC power from the at least one AC receptacle at an AC power level.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power device comprises an AC receptacle and a switch; and

the method further comprises;

generating an enable signal at the second processor; and

receiving the AC power and the enable signal at the switch and, in response to the enable signal, enabling the AC power to the AC receptacle.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected DC power level comprises a selected voltage level.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power device comprises a plurality of second DC receptacles; and

the method further comprises selecting, at the second processor, the at least one second DC receptacle at which the second selected DC power level is to be generated from the plurality of second DC receptacles.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising selecting the selected DC receptacle as a next available receptacle at the second processor.

27. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

connecting the at least one second DC receptacle with a connection from an electrical device; and

detecting the connection at the second processor and, in response thereto, selecting the at least one second DC receptacle to receive the second selected DC power level.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power device comprises memory comprising firmware; and

the method further comprises;

receiving an update for the firmware at the communication system;

storing the update in the memory; and

processing the firmware at the second processor to perform at least one function.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises at least one third member of a second group consisting of a power strip, a rack mount system, and a cabinet mount system.

30. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a second communication at the second processor, the second communication comprising status data for the power device, the status data comprising at least one member of a second group consisting of an operation of the power device, an event log of the power device, a disable of the at least one second DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one second DC receptacle, a state of the at least one second DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one second DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one second DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one second DC receptacle, another received communication, the communication received through the communication system, a device identification received for an electrical device, the second selected DC power level to be generated, a power surge, a critical event for the power device, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power device;

receiving the second communication from the second processor at the communication system; and

transmitting the second communication from the power device.

14. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one first connector selected from a first group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, the power system comprising at least one first direct current (DC) receptacle, at least one first power converter, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

configuring the receiving connector to convey the AC power;

determining a first selected DC power level at the first processor and, in response thereto, configuring the at least one first power converter to convert the AC power to DC power at the first selected DC power level;

converting the AC power to the DC power at the first selected DC power level at the at least one first power converter and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level for the at least one first DC receptacle;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to at least one second member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising at least one second DC receptacle, a communication system, at least one second power converter, and a second processor;

receiving at least one externally transmitted communication at the communication system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level;

processing the communication at the second processor, determining the second selected DC power level based on the configuration data, and configuring the at least one second power converter to convert the AC power to other DC power at the second selected DC power level; and

converting the AC power to the other DC power at the second selected DC power level at the at least one second power converter and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one second DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset, the second selected DC power level not initially preset.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the power system comprises another communication system; and

the method further comprises;

receiving another communication at the other communication system, the other communication comprising other configuration data that, when processed, identifies the first selected DC power level; and

processing the other communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the first selected DC power level.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving the communication from an electrical device.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

connecting an electrical device to the at least one second DC receptacle; and

receiving the other DC power at the second selected DC power level at the electrical device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the electrical device comprises at least one third member of a third group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the configuration data comprises at least one third member of a third group consisting of the second selected DC power level and an identification of the at least one second DC receptacle.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identifier;

the power device comprises memory comprising a plurality of identifiers and corresponding power requirements; and

the method further comprises processing the communication with the particular device identifier at the second processor and, in response thereto, searching the plurality of identifiers to determine the second selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identifier.

21. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving the communication through at least one third member of a third group consisting of a communication interface of the power device, the at least one second DC receptacle, and the second connector.

22. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the communication system comprises at least one modulator; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the communication from the at least one second DC receptacle through the at least one modulator; and

transmitting the communication from the at least one modulator to the second processor.

23. The method of claim 14 wherein the communication is received in at least one format selected from a third group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.

31. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the power device comprises a plurality of second DC receptacles; and

the method further comprises;

determining a particular selected DC power level for each corresponding second DC receptacle at the second processor and configuring the at least one second power converter to convert the AC power to the other DC power at a the particular selected DC power levels; and

converting the AC power to the other DC power at the particular selected DC power levels at the at least one second power converter and generating the other DC power at the particular selected DC power levels for each corresponding second DC receptacle, the particular selected DC power levels not initially preset.

32. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the at least one second power converter comprises at least one AC to DC regulator and at least one DC to DC regulator; and

the method further comprises;

converting the AC power to the other DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level at the second processor; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one second DC receptacle.

33. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the power device comprises a plurality of second DC receptacles;

the at least one second power converter comprises at least one AC to DC regulator and a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the second DC receptacles; and

the method further comprises;

converting the AC power to the other DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

at the second processor, configuring each of the plurality of DC to DC regulators to convert the other DC power to a particular DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle; and

converting the other DC power to the particular DC power level at each of the DC to DC regulators and generating the other DC power at the particular DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle.

34. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through a first connector, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one AC to DC regulator, a processor, and a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

determining a selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle at the processor and configuring each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the corresponding selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the corresponding selected DC power level at each DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacles, the selected DC power levels not initially preset;

receiving the AC power at a detachable power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the power system and to an AC power source, the detachable power device comprising at least one other DC receptacle, a communication system, at least one other AC to DC regulator, at least one other DC to DC regulator, and another processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one other AC to DC regulator;

receiving at least one externally transmitted communication at the communication system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level;

receiving the communication at the other processor from the communication system;

processing the communication at the other processor;

determining another selected DC power level based on the second configuration data for the at least one other DC receptacle at the other processor and, using the other processor, configuring the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the other selected DC power level;

converting the other DC power to the other selected DC power level at the at least one other DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the other selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the other selected DC power level not initially preset.

35. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through a first connector, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one AC to DC regulator, a processor, at least one DC to DC regulator, and a receiving connector;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

determining a selected DC power level to be generated for at least one of the DC receptacles at the processor and generating a signal to configure a DC power output for the at least one DC receptacle at the selected DC power level;

receiving the signal from the processor at the at least one DC to DC regulator and, in response thereto, converting the DC power to the selected DC power level and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset;

receiving the AC power at a detachable power device through a second connector configured to removably connect to at least one other member of another group consisting of the receiving connector and an AC power source, the detachable power device comprising at least one other DC receptacle, a communications system, at least one second AC to DC regulator, at least one second DC to DC regulator, and a second processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator;

receiving at least one externally transmitted communication at the communication system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level;

processing the communication at the second processor;

determining a second selected DC power level based on the second configuration data to be generated for the at least one other DC receptacle at the second processor and generating a second signal from the second processor to configure a second DC power output to the at least one other DC receptacle at the second selected DC power level; and

receiving the second signal from the second processor at the at least one second DC to DC regulator and, in response thereto, converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset.

36. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one connector, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, and a receiving connector;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one first AC to DC regulator and transmitting the DC power to the at least one first DC to DC regulator;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising at least one second DC receptacle, at least one second AC to DC regulator, at least one second DC to DC regulator, at least one communication system, and at least one processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator and transmitting the other DC power to the at least one second DC to DC regulator;

receiving an externally transmitted communication at the at least one communication system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a selected DC power level;

processing the communication at the at least one processor and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, selecting at least one member of a second group consisting of the first DC to DC regulator and the second DC to DC regulator, each DC to DC regulator receiving a corresponding DC power, and generating a signal for the selected DC to DC regulator to configure the selected DC to DC regulator to convert the corresponding DC power to the selected DC power level; and

converting the corresponding DC power to the selected DC power level at the selected DC to DC regulator upon receiving the signal and generating the selected DC power level for at least one corresponding DC receptacle.

37. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one connector selected from a first group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

configuring the receiving connector to convey AC power;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one first AC to DC regulator and transmitting the DC power to the at least one first DC to DC regulator;

determining a first selected DC power level at the first processor and, in response thereto, configuring the at least one first DC to DC regulator to converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level at the at least one first DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level for at least one first DC receptacle;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising a plurality of second DC receptacles, a communication system, at least one second AC to DC regulator, a second processor, and a plurality of second DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the second DC receptacles;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator;

receiving a plurality of externally transmitted communications at the communication system, each of the plurality of communications corresponding to one of the second DC receptacles and each comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level;

processing each communication at the second processor and, in response thereto, to determining each second selected DC power level and configuring each second DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to a second selected DC power level for each corresponding second DC receptacle; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle at each second DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle, each second selected DC power level for each corresponding second DC receptacle independent of other second selected DC power levels for other corresponding second DC receptacles, each second selected DC power level not initially preset.

38. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through first connector, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

configuring the receiving connector to convey AC power;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one first AC to DC regulator and transmitting the DC power to the at least one first DC to DC regulator;

determining a first selected DC power level at the first processor and, in response thereto, configuring the at least one first DC to DC regulator to converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level at least one first DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level for at least one first DC receptacle;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising a plurality of second DC receptacles, each configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level, at least one second AC to DC regulator, a second processor, a communication system, and a plurality of second DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the second DC receptacles;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator;

receiving the communication at the second DC receptacles;

receiving the communications from the DC receptacles at the communication system and transmitting the communications to the second processor;

processing the communications at the second processor and, in response thereto, to determining each second selected DC power level and configuring each second DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to a second selected DC power level for each corresponding second DC receptacle; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle at each second DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle, each second selected DC power level for each corresponding second DC receptacle independent of other second selected DC power levels for other corresponding second DC receptacles, each second selected DC power level not initially preset.

39. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through first connector, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

configuring the receiving connector to convey AC power;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one first AC to DC regulator and transmitting the DC power to the at least one first DC to DC regulator;

determining a first selected DC power level at the first processor and, in response thereto, configuring the at least one first DC to DC regulator to converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level at least one first DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level for at least one first DC receptacle;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising at least one second AC to DC regulator, a second processor, a communication system, at least one second DC to DC regulator, and a plurality of second DC receptacles, wherein at least one second DC receptacle is configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator;

receiving the communication at the at least one second DC receptacle;

receiving the communication from the at least one second DC receptacle at the communication system and transmitting the communication to the second processor;

processing the communication at the second processor and, in response thereto, determining the second selected DC power level and configuring the at least one second DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level at the at least one second DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one second DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset.

40. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one first connector, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, a first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

converting the AC power to DC power at the first AC to DC regulator;

determining a first selected DC power level at the first processor, and in response, configuring the at least one first DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level at the first DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level for the at least one first DC receptacle;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising a plurality of second DC receptacles, a communication system, a second AC to DC regulator, a plurality of second DC to DC regulators, and a second processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the second AC to DC regulator;

receiving at least one externally transmitted communication at the communication system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level;

processing the communication at the second processor, and, in response, determining the second selected DC power level based on the configuration data and configuring the second DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level; and

converting the other DC power to the corresponding second selected DC power level at the second DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the second DC receptacle.

41. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one first connector, the power system comprising at least one first direct current (DC) receptacle, a first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

converting the AC power to DC power at the first AC to DC regulator;

determining the a first selected DC power level at the first processor, and in response, configuring the at least one first DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level at the at least one first DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level to the at least one first DC receptacle;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising a plurality of second DC receptacles, a communication system, at least one second AC to DC regulator, a plurality of second DC to DC regulators, and a second processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator;

receiving at least one externally transmitted communication at each of the plurality of second DC receptacles, each communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level;

receiving, at the communication system, the communications from the plurality of second DC receptacles;

transmitting the communications from the communication system to the second processor;

processing the communications at the second processor and, in response, determining each second selected DC power level based on the configuration data of a corresponding communication and configuring each second DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level for the corresponding second DC receptacle at a corresponding second DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power levels to the corresponding second DC receptacles.

42. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one first connector, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, a first AC to DC regulator, at least one first DC to DC regulator, a first processor, and a receiving connector;

configuring the receiving connector to convey the AC power;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one first AC to DC regulator;

determining a first selected DC power level at the first processor, and in response, configuring the at least one first DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the first selected DC power level and generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level for the at least one first DC receptacle;

receiving the AC power at a power device through a second connector configured to removably connect alternately to the receiving connector and an AC power source, the power device comprising at least one second DC receptacle, a communication system, at least one second AC to DC regulator, at least one second DC to DC regulator, and a second processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one second AC to DC regulator;

receiving, an externally transmitted communication at the at least one second DC receptacle, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level;

receiving, at the communication system, the communication from the at least one second DC receptacle;

transmitting the communication from the communication system to the second processor;

processing the communication at the second processor and, in response, determining the second selected DC power level based on the configuration data and configuring the at least one second DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level for the at least one second DC receptacle; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level for the at least one second DC receptacle at the at least one second DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one second DC receptacle.