Abstract: A system is provided for remotely servicing medical diagnostic systems. The diagnostic systems may include a range of modalities and system types. A remote service facility may be contacted by the diagnostic systems, or may contact the diagnostic systems via a network link. Service requests, messages, protocols, data and log files, and so forth, may be transmitted between the diagnostic systems and the service facility. The service requests are handled by the service facility interactively with the medical diagnostic systems. The diagnostic systems are thereby apprised of the status of service requests, service reports, and so forth. A uniform interface and platform are provided for facilitating interactive communications of service requests and data between the diagnostic systems and the service facility.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for communications connectivity failure diagnosis that includes receiving a connectivity failure notice at an on-line center indicative of a communications failure between the on-line center and an in-field product, such as a medical diagnostic device. A software-based non-connect test is manually initiated to confirm a communications failure between the on-line center and the in-field product. Once the communications failure is confirmed, the communications failure is diagnosed by isolating the communications failure through use of the non-connect test and identifying a failure type which indicates what portion of the system failed. The method includes reporting the communications failure for repair, and once repaired, the system conducts a series of tests to confirm proper connectivity and logs the results therefrom.

Abstract: A modular service system is provided for a variety of diagnostic system modalities, manufacturers, and types. The system includes a uniform service platform which incorporates components for interfacing with different system types. The interface components include configuration libraries or files identifying the system type, as well as file names, content, locations, and so forth. One or more connectivity modules are provided for accessing and transferring data files from a modality system. The modular service system may be configured to cooperate with one or more such modality systems in a network arrangement. File translators are provided for converting individual files from modality, type or manufacturer-specific formats to more standard formats needed by the service platform.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing remote service to medical diagnostic systems via a centralized service facility. The service facility is configured to receive service requests from diagnostic systems of different modalities, type, location, and so forth. The service requests are handled by one or more servers, and are directed to work stations or technicians for addressing the service requests. The work stations or technicians are selected in accordance with the modality of the diagnostic system as identified by the service request. A subscription status check may be performed for verifying the service arrangements between the requesting diagnostic systems and the centralized service facility. Reply messages are transmitted from the service facility to the requesting diagnostic systems in response to the service requests, providing interactive service exchange between the facility and the diagnostic systems.