Patent ID: 6674764
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
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 with the TIU device serial number, type, sub-addresses, special characteristics, service parameters, display type, read only, data storage, transfer rate and maintenance data; 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.