a circuit and a method are presented which allow for the detection of an active communication device connected to the circuit . the circuit output signal can be used to reduce the power consumption of related equipment when communication is not detected for a predetermined period of time . the circuit includes a plurality of input terminals coupled to respective inactive detection blocks . the circuit also includes an accumulated delay block having delay circuits in serial electrical communication . each inactive detection block provides a signal to a respective delay circuit that indicates whether the corresponding input terminal is connected to an active driver in the communication device . each delay circuit provides a delayed output signal to a subsequent delay circuit . the accumulated delay block provides an output signal indicating the presence or absence of the communication device based on the activity at the input terminals over the predetermined period of time .