Method and system for remotely servicing a detection device

A system comprising:

• a detection device to locate concealed underground conductors, the detection device being configured to connect to a communications network via a graphical user interface;
• a database management tool configured to connect to the communications network and communicate with the detection device via the communications network;
• and
• a database adapted to store data related to the detection device, the data being configured to be accessed by the database management tool;
• wherein the graphical user interface is configured to permit a user to remotely perform one of updating, analyzing, and diagnosing the detection device based upon the accessed stored data.

An apparatus including a processor, a memory, and a graphical user interface, the apparatus comprising:

• a first interface configured to connect the processor to a removable detection device;
• a second interface configured to connect the processor to a wide area communications network;
• and
• a memory having stored thereon instructions to cause the processor to display at least one web page via the graphical user interface;
• wherein the web page is configured to permit the detection device to receive data via the wide area communication network.

A method for calibrating a detection device in a system, the system including a computer having a graphical user interface, a global communications network, and a communications server positioned in a location remote from the computer and the detection device, the detection device operating based upon stored operating values, the method comprising:

• presenting a list of calibration values to a user via the graphical user interface, the list of calibration values (i) being associated with the detection device and (ii) being extracted from the communications server via the global communications network;
• comparing the presented calibration values to the stored operating values;
• calculating offset values based upon the comparison;
• and
• adjusting the operating values based upon the calculated offset values.

A method for configuring a detection device including a computer readable medium, the detection device being used in a system, the system including a computer having a graphical user interface, a global communications network, and a communications server, the computer being configured for being positioned in a location remote from the communications server, the method comprising:

• connecting the detection device to the computer using a predetermined or selected communications interface;
• connecting the computer to the global communications network via at least one communications node;
• connecting the communications server to the global communications network via another communications node;
• displaying a web page via the graphical user interface when the computer and the communications server are connected to the global communications network, the web page facilitating communication between the computer and the communications server via the global communications network;
• extracting information from the communications server via the displayed web page;
• and
• loading the extracted information into the computer readable medium.

A method for diagnosing a detection device in a system, the system including a computer having a graphical user interface, a global communications network, and a communications server positioned in a location remote from the computer and the detection device, wherein the computer and the communications server are connected to the global communications network, the method comprising:

• connecting the detection to the computer;
• establishing a communications session between the computer and the communications server via the global communications network;
• activating a test mode associated with the detection device, the activating including retrieving historical data related thereto, wherein the historical data is retrieved from the communications server;
• and
• analyzing the detection device connected to the computer based at least upon the retrieved historical data, the analyzing providing analysis data via the graphical user interface.