Communications system and method with telemetry device identification capabilities

A system for polling communication lines in a communication system having a plurality of communication lines and at least one telemetry device coupled to one of the plurality of network interface units comprising:

• a central office telephonic switch that creates a polling signal;
• a central office telephonic switch transmitter that transmits the polling signal from the central office telephonic switch to one of the communication lines;
• and
• a processor that determines whether the one communication line is associated with the telemetry device;
• wherein the central office telephonic switch establishes a polling rule for polling the communication lines;
• wherein the polling rule is implemented by a status database located at the central office telephonic switch;
• and
• wherein the status database keeps a record of associate directory numbers and office equipment/port information on the central office telephonic switch with the TIU device serial number, type, sub-addresses, special characteristics, service parameters, display type, read only, data storage, transfer rate and maintenance data.

A system for polling communication lines in a communication system having a plurality of communication lines and at least one telemetry device coupled to one of the plurality of network interface units comprising:

• a central office telephonic switch that creates a polling signal;
• a central office telephonic switch transmitter that transmits the polling signal from the central office telephonic switch to one of the communication lines;
• and
• a processor that determines whether the one communication line is associated with the telemetry device;
• wherein the central office telephonic switch establishes a polling rule for polling the communication lines;
• wherein the polling rule is implemented by a status database located external to the central office telephonic switch;
• and
• wherein the status database keeps a record of associate directory numbers and office equipment/port information of the central office telephonic switch with the TIU device serial number, type, sub-addresses, special characteristics, service parameters, display type, read only, data storage, transfer rate and maintenance data.

A method of polling communication lines in a communication system having a central office telephonic switch, a plurality of communication lines and at least one telemetry device coupled to one of the plurality of communication lines comprising the steps of:

• establishing a polling rule that is supported by a status database located at the central office telephone switch;
• creating a polling signal at the central office telephonic switch according to the polling rule;
• transmitting the polling signal from the central office telephonic switch to one of the communication lines;
• determining whether the one communication line is associated with the telemetry device;
• and
• determining that the communication line is not associated with a telemetry device in response to a time out condition;
• wherein the status database keeps a record of associate directory numbers and office equipment/port information on the central office telephonic switch;
• and
• wherein the step of determining that the communication line is not associated with a telemetry device further includes determining that the telemetry device is not in an off hook condition within a specified time.