System, method, and computer program product for facilitating communication between devices implementing proprietary features in a DOCSIS-compliant broadband communication system
First Claim
1. 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.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and computer program product that facilitates communication between devices that implement at least one proprietary feature in a DOCSIS-compliant broadband communication system. A logical channel is established for communication between a first device, such as a cable modem termination system (CMTS), that implements at least one proprietary feature, and other devices that also implement the at least one proprietary feature. Registration information is then received from a second device, such as a cable modem, wherein the registration information indicates that the second device also implements the at least one proprietary feature. In response to receiving the registration information, the second device is assigned to the logical channel.
40 Citations
27 Claims
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1. 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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cable modem termination system (CMTS) that implements at least one proprietary feature in a cable modem system, wherein the cable modem system complies with a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standard, the at least one proprietary feature not being provided for, or permitted by, the DOCSIS standard, the CMTS comprising:
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an upstream channel manager configured to establish a logical channel, in response to determining that a first cable modem implements the at least one proprietary feature the at least one proprietary feature not being provided for, or permitted by, the DOCSIS standard, for communication between the first cable modem and other cable modems that implement the 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; and a registration module configured to receive registration information from a second cable modem, wherein said registration information indicates that said cable modem implements the at least one proprietary feature, and to assign said cable modem to said logical channel in response to receiving said registration information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor to facilitate 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, said computer program logic comprising:
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instructions for enabling the processor to determine whether a first device implements at least one proprietary feature that is not provided for, or permitted by, the DOCSIS standard; instructions for enabling the processor to establish 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; instructions for enabling the processor instructions to receive registration information from a second device, wherein said registration information indicates that said second device implements said at least one proprietary feature; and instructions for enabling the processor to assign said second device to said logical channel in response to receiving said registration. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification