Patent ID: 8060666

Claim:
A system comprising: a connector component that provides a plurality of signal lines, the connector component being configured to mate with a connector component of a second device to extend communications with the second device using the plurality of signal lines; and a physical layer coupled to the connector component via the plurality of signal lines, wherein when the connector component is mated with the connector component of the second device, the physical layer being configured to (i) identify what type of device the second device is, and (ii) based on the type of device identified, select a mode of operation from a plurality of modes; wherein the physical layer enables use of the plurality of signal lines in each of the plurality of modes, the plurality of signal lines including at least a pair of signal lines and an identity line, and the plurality of modes including (i) a first mode in which the pair of signal lines communicates digital data and the identity line communicates identification information, and (ii) a second mode in which the pair of signal lines and the identity line are configured to communicate an analog media signal concurrently, including analog video data on the identity line.