A monitor device having a sensor interface includes a connector portion configured to mechanically interface with one or more sensors of a pre-defined type. A hardware interface layer is configured to determine a sensor type and establish a communication interface with the sensor type. A hardware abstraction layer is configured to store a plurality of protocols corresponding with the one or more sensors of a pre-defined type. The hardware abstraction layer communicates with the sensor using a selected protocol for that type through the communication interface to permit interaction between the device and the sensor type.