Patent ID: 8791604

Claim:
A network connection system, comprising: a networking enabled device configured to operate in a power sinking mode or a power sourcing mode based on an operating mode of a remote device coupled to the networking enabled device via a connector, the connector including a sense pin and first and second power pins, the first and second power pins being configured to transfer power between the networking enabled device and the remote device; and a switching module configured to switch a coupling of the first and second power pins between one of a first or a second power rail of the networking enabled device based on whether the sense pin is coupled to the first or the second power pin, wherein the first and second power pins are coupled to the first power rail when the sense pin is coupled to the first power pin to allow the networking enabled device to operate in the power sinking mode, and wherein the first and second power pins are coupled to the second power rail when the sense pin is coupled to the second power pin to allow the networking enabled device to operate in the power sourcing mode.