Selective by-pass of analog mode in communication between digital devices

A digital encoder comprising:

• an input for receiving digital data;
• a communications port for communicating a transmitted signal comprised of an information signal having a format and a format-capable signal indicating an alternative format for communication, and for receiving a format-capable acknowledgement signal;
• an analog converter for converting the digital data at the input to an analog signal;
• a digital converter for converting the digital data at the input to a digital signal;
• a switch having:
• a first input connected to the analog signal,
• a second input connected to the digital signal,
• an output connected to the communications port, and
• a control input for connecting the output to one of either the first input or the second input;
• and,
• a controller comprising:
• a format detector for detecting the format-capable acknowledgement signal, and,
• a mode control for asserting a control signal on the control input of the switch so as to allow communication via said alternative format upon the detection of the format-capable acknowledgement signal.

An apparatus for receiving information from a transmitter via a component interconnection, said transmitter having an ability to communicate a transmitted signal having a format to said apparatus via the component interconnection, said apparatus comprising:

• a switch comprising:
• an input connected to the component interconnection,
• a first output,
• a second output, and
• a control input for connecting said switch input to one of either the first output or the second output;
• a digital device having a first input connected to the first output of the switch;
• an analog converter comprising:
• an input connected to the second output of the switch, and
• an output connected to a second input of the digital device;
• a controller connected to the analog converter and comprising:
• a control output connected to the control input of the switch, and
• a format asserter for communicating a format-capable acknowledgement to the port;
• and
• is configured to assert the control output so as to allow communication via an alternative format for communication, in dependence upon a format-cable signal, indicating said alternative format, in said transmitted signal.

A digital decoder comprising:

• a communications port for receiving a transmitted signal comprised of an information signal having a format and a format-capable signal indicating an alternative format for communication, and for transmitting a format-capable acknowledgement signal;
• an output;
• an analog converter having an input and an output,
• a digital converter having an input and an output,
• a switch having:
• an input connected to the communications port,
• a first output connected to the input of the analog converter,
• a second output connected to the input of the digital converter, and
• a control input for connecting the switch input to one of either the first switch output or the second switch output;
• and,
• a controller connected to the analog converter, comprising:
• a format asserter for creating the format-capable acknowledgement signal, and
• a mode control for asserting a control signal on the control input of the switch so as to allow communication via said alternative format in dependence upon the format-capable signal.