Patent ID: 7423434

Claim:
A system for detecting a cable connection between a first device and a second device, the system comprising: a bi-directional detection logic configured within the first device to generate a first signal that indicates whether a power signal from the second device is present from the cable where the first signal and the power signal are electrically isolated from each other; and the bi-directional detection logic being further configured to generate a second signal that indicates whether the first device is connected and powered where the second signal is configured to be transmitted over the cable to the second device while maintaining ground isolation between the first device and the second device; where the bidirectional detection logic includes: a first optical isolator including a diode configured to be powered by the power signal of the second device, and including a phototransistor configured to generate the first signal while electrically isolating the first signal from the power signal of the second device; and a second optical isolator including a diode configured to be powered by the first device, and including a phototransistor configured to conduct the power signal back to the second device through the cable if the diode is powered.