Patent ID: 7209814

Claim:
A method enabling multistage decision making in preflight dispatch of a mobile platform, the method comprising: extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model to preflight dispatch to accommodate one or more variables associated with preflight dispatch of a mobile platform; receiving at least one input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of one or more failed components of the mobile platform; automatically determining a maintenance action for the mobile platform in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the one or more observed symptoms; wherein the automatically determining includes: correlating the at least one input relating to the one or more observed symptoms with one or more suspect components each capable of causing the one or more observed symptoms upon failure in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model; prioritizing the one or more suspect components based upon a relative likelihood that the respective suspect components caused the one or more observed symptoms; identifying and prioritizing one or more tests that can each be performed to refine the prioritization of the one or more suspect components; and using the prioritized listing of tests to identify a test to perform or determine that testing should stop.