Patent ID: 7603735
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: B64F

Abstract:
1. A method for aligning an aircraft-engaging end of a passenger boarding bridge to a doorway of an aircraft, the passenger boarding bridge selected from a plurality of passenger boarding bridges at an airport terminal building and having an aircraft parking space defined adjacent thereto, the method comprising: assigning to the aircraft parking space an aircraft having a unique aircraft identifier code associated therewith, the aircraft including a signal-transmitting module for use in automated bridge alignment operations, wherein assigning comprises providing the unique aircraft identifier code to an automated bridge alignment system of the passenger boarding bridge; waiting for the aircraft to park within the parking space; and, encoding a signal with the unique aircraft identifier code for transmission between the aircraft and the automated bridge alignment system, the encoding comprising digitally signing the signal using the unique aircraft identifier code and time-stamping the signal with a time of transmission of the signal.