Patent ID: 7725410
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: B64F

Abstract:
1. A machine-readable medium containing at least one sequence of instructions that, when executed, causes a machine to: generate a first estimated total system time of a single aircraft including time waiting in a first queue and a first deicing time for a first deicing system to deice the aircraft, under a first set of real-time deicing initial conditions for the single aircraft, including at least weather data for the type of snow, aircraft type of the single aircraft, particular number, type, and order of any aircraft in front of the single aircraft waiting in the first queue, number of deicing positions in the first deicing system, size restrictions of the deicing positions, and any aircraft and type occupying each of the deicing positions, using a first model relating the first estimated total system time to deice the aircraft to the time of waiting in the first queue and the first deicing time; and generate a second estimated total system time of the single aircraft including time waiting in a second queue and a second deicing time for a second deicing system to deice the aircraft, under a second set of real-time deicing initial conditions for the single aircraft, including at least weather data for the type of snow, aircraft type of the single aircraft, particular number, type, and order of any aircraft in front of the single aircraft waiting in the second queue, number of deicing positions in the second deicing system, size restrictions of the deicing positions, and any aircraft and type occupying each of the deicing positions, using a second model relating the second estimated total system time to deice the aircraft to the time of waiting in the second queue and the second deicing time; and wherein said first deicing system includes a first deicing pad having several deicing positions and the first queue for aircraft waiting before a deicing position at the first pad is available, and wherein said first time of waiting includes time in said first queue; including for an aircraft already in a deicing position of the first deicing pad, utilizing a probability distribution of an amount of time for the aircraft to be deiced for aircraft type and type of snow for generating said first estimated total system time; and wherein said second deicing system includes a second deicing pad having several deicing positions and the second queue for aircraft waiting before a deicing position at the second pad is available, and wherein said second time of waiting includes time in said second queue; including for an aircraft already in a deicing position of the second deicing pad, utilizing a probability distribution of an amount of time for the aircraft to be deiced for aircraft type and type of snow for generating said second estimated total system time.