Patent attributes
A device includes a connector having first and second signal pins adapted to, when the connector is being connected to a mating connector of another device, make a first connection using the first signal pin prior to making a second connection using the second signal pin, a first circuit operatively coupled to the first signal pin and configured to identify at least three pre-determined signal patterns receivable from the another device using the first connection, wherein each of the at least three pre-determined signal patterns corresponds to one of at least three pre-determined interface protocols, and a second circuit operatively coupled to the first circuit and the second signal pin, wherein the second circuit is configured, responsive to the first circuit identifying a pre-determined signal pattern of the at least three pre-determined signal patterns, to interface with the another device using at least the second signal pin, wherein to interface with the another device is according to a pre-determined interface protocol corresponding to the pre-determined signal pattern, wherein configuring the second circuit responsive to the first circuit identifying the pre-determined signal pattern is prior to the second signal pin making the second connection.