Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 7,816,810 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, LLC
• Original Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Inventors: Menas, Gregory W., Miller, Brent A., Spano, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parries, Dru M
• Application Number:
  US11/777,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 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 rack mount power system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the rack power system comprising:

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a communication system configured to receive a plurality of externally transmitted communications, each communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles and each configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, each selected DC power level independent of other selected DC power levels, each selected DC power level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to receive the communications from the communication system, to process the communications to determine each selected DC power level based on the configuration data of a corresponding communication, to configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

each DC receptacle is configured to receive at least one of the communications;

the communication system is configured to receive each communication from each corresponding DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to receive each communication received at each DC receptacle from the communication system and to process each communication to determine the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electrical devices, each configured to receive the DC power for at least one of the selected DC power levels from at least one corresponding DC receptacle.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one electrical device comprises at least one member of a 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.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one first DC receptacle is configured to receive at least one first communication, the first communication comprising first configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one first selected DC power level;

the communication system is configured to receive the first communication from the first DC receptacle and to transmit the first communication for reception by the processor; and

the processor is configured to receive the first communication from the communication system, to process the first communication, and, in response thereto, to determine a first selected DC power level based on the first configuration data, to dynamically configure at least one first DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level to the first DC receptacle.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising an electrical device configured to transmit the first communication for reception by the first DC receptacle.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein:

the processor is configured to generate data for reception by the communication system;

the communication system is configured to generate the data for reception by the first DC receptacle; and

the first DC receptacle is configured to transmit the data for reception by the electrical device.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the first configuration data comprises an identification of the first selected DC power level; and

the processor is configured to process the first communication with the first selected DC power level identification and, in response thereto, to dynamically configure the first DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the first selected DC power level to the first DC receptacle.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the first configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification selected from a group consisting of a device name, a model name, and another device identification;

the system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processor is configured to process the first communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the first selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein each selected DC power level comprises a selected voltage level.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one AC receptacle wherein the processor is configured to generate an enable signal and the system further comprises a switch configured to receive the AC power, to receive the enable signal, and, in response to the enable signal, to enable the AC power to the at least one AC receptacle.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one DC receptacle is configured to connect with a connector and the system comprises a detector configured to detect the connector connecting with the at least one DC receptacle.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a feedback loop configured to feedback a first selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to process the feedback and, in response thereto, to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to maintain the first selected DC power level.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one AC receptacle and at least one switch configured to enable and to disable at least one receptacle selected from a group consisting of the at least one AC receptacle and at least one DC receptacle, the at least one switch comprising at least one other member of another group consisting of a software switch and a hardwired switch.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising at least one indicator configured to indicate when the at least one receptacle is enabled and disabled.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one AC receptacle and at least one protection device configured to terminate the flow of AC power through at least one component of the rack mount power system selected from the at least one AC receptacle and the AC to DC regulator when another selected power level is at least approximately reached, the at least one protection device comprising at least one member of a group consisting of a resettable switch and a fuse.

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising a reset to reset at least one configuration of at least one DC to DC regulator.

18. A rack mount system for configuring power comprising:

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power and selected from a group consisting of a line cord and a plug;

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a communication system configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not selected from an initially preset conversion; and

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to configure the DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the system comprises a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles;

each DC to DC regulator is configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power to a particular selected DC power level, and to generate the particular selected DC power level for the corresponding receptacle; and

the processor is configured to determine the particular selected DC power level for each DC to DC regulator, to configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the particular DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at each particular DC power level to each corresponding DC receptacle.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the system comprises a plurality of DC to DC regulators, one of which corresponds to the at least one DC receptacle and is configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power for the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to configure the corresponding DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

22. The system of claim 18 further comprising an electrical device configured to transmit the communication received by the communication system.

23. The system of claim 18 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

24. The system of claim 23 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.

25. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification selected from another group consisting of a device name, a model name, and another device identification;

the system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

26. The system of claim 18 wherein the communication system is configured to receive the communication through the at least one DC receptacle.

27. The system of claim 18 wherein the communication system is configured to communicate via 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.

28. The system of claim 18 wherein the configuration data identifies at least one member of another group consisting of the selected DC power level and the at least one DC receptacle.

29. The system of claim 18 wherein:

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

the communication system is configured to receive the second communication from the processor and to transmit the second communication from the rack mount power system.

30. A rack mount system for configuring power comprising:

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power;

at least one direct current (DC) receptacle;

a communication system configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to dynamically configure the DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

31. A rack mount power system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the rack mount power system comprising:

at least one connector configured to convey AC power;

at least one of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a communication system configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to receive the communication from the communication system, to process the communication, and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to configure the DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle;

wherein the communication system is configured to receive the communication through at least one member of a group consisting of a communication interface of the rack mount power system and the at least one DC receptacle.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification selected from another group consisting of a device name, a model name, and another device identification;

the system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

33. A rack mount power system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the rack mount power system comprising:

at least one connector configured to convey the AC power;

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles each configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data, that when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert the AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power to a selected DC power level for each of the plurality of DC receptacles, and to generate the DC power at each selected DC power level to each corresponding DC receptacle, the selected DC power levels not initially preset; and

a processor configured to process the communications, and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level for each DC receptacle and to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to generate the DC power at each selected DC power level to each corresponding DC receptacle; and

a communication system configured to receive the communications from the DC receptacles and to transmit the communications to the processor.

34. A rack mount power system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the rack mount power system comprising:

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles each configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles and each configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power to a selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, each selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle independent of other selected DC power levels for other corresponding DC receptacles, each selected DC power level not initially preset;

a processor configured to process the communications to determine each selected DC power level based on the configuration data of a corresponding communication, to configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles; and

a communication system configured to receive the communications from the DC receptacles and to transmit the communications to the processor.

35. A rack mount power system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the rack mount power system comprising:

at least one DC receptacle is configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to convert the DC power to a selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset;

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle;

a communication system configured to receive the communication from the at least one DC receptacle and to transmit the communication to the processor.

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

receiving the AC power at an AC power level at a rack mount power system comprising, a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, a communication system, at least one AC to DC regulator, a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each DC to DC regulator corresponding to one of the plurality of DC receptacles, and a processor;

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

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

receiving the communications at the processor from the communication system;

processing the communications at the processor;

determining at the processor a selected DC power level for each of the plurality of DC receptacles based on the configuration data of a corresponding communication;

using the processor, configuring each of the plurality of DC to DC regulators to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle; and

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

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising:

receiving at least one of the communications at each DC receptacle;

receiving each communication from each DC receptacle at the communication system;

transmitting each communication from the communication system to the processor; and

processing each communication at the processor to determine the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising receiving, at each of a plurality of electrical devices, the DC power for at least one of the selected DC power levels from at least one corresponding DC receptacle.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein at least one electrical device comprises at least one member of a 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.

40. The method of claim 36 further comprising:

receiving at least one first communication through at least one DC receptacle, the first communication comprising first configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one first selected DC power level;

receiving the first communication from the at least one DC receptacle at the communication system;

transmitting the first communication for reception by the processor; and

processing the first communication at the processor and, in response thereto, determining the first selected DC power level based on the first configuration data and configuring at least one first DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising receiving the communication through the at least one DC receptacle and from an electrical device.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

generating data from the processor for reception by the at least one DC receptacle at the processor; and

transmitting the data from the at least one DC receptacle for reception by the electrical device.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein:

the first configuration data comprises an identification of the first selected DC power level; and

the method further comprises processing the first communication with the first selected DC power level identification at the processor and, in response thereto, configuring the first DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the first selected DC power level.

44. The method of claim 40 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification selected from a group consisting of a device name, a model name, and another device identification;

the rack mount power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the method further comprises processing the first communication with the particular device identification at the processor and, in response thereto, searching the memory to determine the first selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

45. The method of claim 36 wherein each selected DC power level comprises a selected voltage level.

46. The method of claim 36 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises a switch and at least one AC receptacle; and

the method further comprises;

generating an enable signal at the 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 at least one AC receptacle.

47. The method of claim 36 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises a detector; and

the method further comprises;

connecting the at least one DC receptacle with a connector; and

detecting the connector connecting with the at least one DC receptacle at the detector.

48. The method of claim 36 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises a feedback loop, the feedback loop configured to feedback a first selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle to the processor; and

the method further comprises processing the feedback and, in response thereto, configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to maintain the first selected DC power level.

49. The method of claim 36 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises at least one AC receptacle and at least one switch, the at least one switch comprising at least one other member of another group consisting of a software switch and a hardwired switch; and

the method further comprises enabling and disabling at least one receptacle with the at least one switch, the at least one receptacle selected from a group consisting of the at least one AC receptacle and at least one DC receptacle.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises at least one indicator; and

the method further comprises indicating when the at least one receptacle is enabled and disabled with the at least one indicator.

51. The method of claim 36 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises at least one AC receptacle and at least one protection device comprising at least one member of a group consisting of a resettable switch and a fuse; and

the method further comprises terminating, at the at least one protection device, the flow of the AC power through at least one component of the rack mount power system selected from the at least one AC receptacle and the AC to DC regulator when another selected power level is at least approximately reached.

52. The method of claim 36 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises a reset; and

the method further comprises resetting at least one configuration of at least one DC to DC regulator with the reset.

53. A method for configuring power comprising:

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

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

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

processing the communication at the processor and determining the selected DC power level based on the configuration data;

using the processor, configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level; and

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator 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.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles; and

the method further comprises;

determining a particular selected DC power level for each DC to DC regulator at the processor and, using the processor, configuring each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the particular DC power level; and

converting the DC power to the particular selected DC power level at each DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at each particular selected DC power level for each corresponding receptacle.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein:

the rack mount power system comprises a plurality of DC to DC regulators, one of which corresponds to the at least one DC receptacle; and

the method further comprises;

configuring the corresponding DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle at the processor; and

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

56. The method of claim 53 further comprising:

generating a second communication from the rack mount power system for reception by a processing device, the second communication comprising status data for the power system, the status data comprising at least one member of another group consisting of an operation of the rack mount power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received, the received communication, a device identification received for an electrical device, the selected DC power level, a power surge, a critical event for the rack mount power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system.

57. A method for configuring power comprising:

receiving alternating current (AC) power through at least one connector of a rack mount power system, the power system comprising at least one direct current (DC) receptacle, a communication system, at least one AC to DC regulator, at least one DC to DC regulator, and a processor, the connector selected from a group consisting of a rack mount and a plug;

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

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

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

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator 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.

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

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

conveying the AC power to the at least one AC receptacle;

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

receiving at least one externally transmitted communication at the communication system through at least one member of a group consisting of a communication interface of the rack mount power system and at least one DC receptacle, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

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

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator 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.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification selected from another group consisting of a device name, a model name, and another device identification;

the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the method further comprises processing the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, searching the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

60. A method for configuring power comprising:

receiving alternating current (AC) power at an AC power level at a rack mount power system comprising at least one AC to direct current (DC) regulator, at least one DC to DC regulator, a communication system, a processor, and a plurality of DC receptacles;

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

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

processing the communications at the processor, determining a selected DC power level for each of the plurality of DC receptacles, and configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to generate the DC power at each selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle using the processor; and

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

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

receiving the AC power at an AC power level at a rack mount power device comprising at least one AC to direct current (DC) regulator, at least one DC to DC regulator, a communication system, a processor and a plurality of DC receptacles;

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

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

transmitting the communication to the processor from the communication system;

processing the communication at the processor, determining a selected DC power level for generation to at least one DC receptacle based on the configuration data, and generating a signal to the at least one DC to DC regulator to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to generate the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle; and

receiving the DC power and the signal at the at least one DC to DC regulator and, in response, converting the DC power at the at least one DC to DC regulator 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.

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

receiving the AC power at an AC power level at a rack mount power device comprising at least one AC to direct current (DC) regulator, a plurality of DC to DC regulators, a communication system, a processor, and a plurality of DC receptacles;

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

receiving the DC power from the AC to DC regulator at the plurality of DC to DC regulators, each of the plurality of DC to DC regulators corresponding to one of the DC receptacle;

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

transmitting each communication to the processor using the communication system;

processing each communication at the processor to determine a selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle and, using the processor, configuring each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle; and

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

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

receiving the AC power at an AC power level at a rack mount power device comprising at least one AC to direct current (DC) regulator, at least one DC to DC regulator, a communication system, a processor, and at least one DC receptacle;

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

receiving the DC power from the AC to DC regulator at the at least one DC to DC regulator;

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

transmitting the communication to the processor using the communication system;

processing the communication at the processor to determine a selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle based on the configuration data;

using the processor, configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle; and

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle at the at least one DC to DC regulator 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.