Patent ID: 7812476

Claim:
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.