Patent ID: 8040915

Claim:
A method for facilitating communication between devices implementing proprietary features in a broadband communication system, wherein the broadband communication system complies with a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standard, comprising: determining whether a first device implements at least one proprietary feature that is not provided for, or permitted by, the DOCSIS standard; establishing a logical channel, in response to determining that said first device implements said at least one proprietary feature that is not provided for, or permitted by, the DOCSIS standard, for communication between said first device and other devices that implement said at least one proprietary feature, wherein said logical channel is derived from a single physical channel and shares an RF spectrum of the single physical channel with at least one other logical channel; receiving registration information from a second device, wherein said registration information indicates that said second device implements said at least one proprietary feature; and assigning said second device to said logical channel in response to receiving said registration information.