# US 12,180,664 B2 · Control and operation of deicing system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,180,664 B2 - Document ID: US12180664B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/358,925 - Filed: 2021-06-25 - Published: 2022-12-29 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-25 - Assignees: The Toro Company - Applicants: The Toro Company - Inventors: David Voigt; Jordan Smith; Seth Ferkenstad; Derek Meyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180664B2 ## CPC - E01H 10/007: {Mobile apparatus specially adapted for preparing or applying liquid or semi-liquid thawing material or spreading granular material on wintry roads} - G05D 1/0022: {characterised by the communication link (data switching networks in general H04L12/00)} - G05D 1/0276: {using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle (involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058)} - G05D 1/226: Communication links with the remote-control arrangements - G05D 1/247: using signals provided by artificial sources external to the vehicle, e.g. navigation beacons - G06Q 10/063114: {Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group} - G07C 5/008: {communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C)} - H04W 4/40: for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] - E01H: STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING {OR PREVENTING} FOG IN GENERAL {CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS}(cleaning in general B08B) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A method of operating a deicing system remotely, including connecting a control for the deicing system with the deicing system. When the control and the deicing system are connected, the method includes providing functionality for controlling operation of the deicing system, including control of application rates, and managing workflow and operation including job tracking. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating a deicing system remotely, comprising: connecting, by one or more processors of a computing device, a control for the deicing system with the deicing system; providing, by the one or more processors, functionality for controlling operation of the deicing system, wherein, in providing functionality for controlling operation, providing control of application rates by: determining, by the one or more processors, a deicing fluid application rate, and transmitting, by the one or more processors and responsive to the determining, control signals to the deicing system, the control signals instructing the deicing system to apply deicing fluid to a job site in accordance with the deicing fluid application rate; and managing, by the one or more processors, workflow and operation including job tracking, wherein managing the workflow includes: tracking data for hose reel usage of the deicing system; preparing a report for each individual job, including the tracked data; and providing a reporting operation for mobile reporting of a job via wireless communication. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein connecting a control for the deicing system comprises connecting via a wireless connection. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the control of application rates includes automatic control of application rates and, in providing automatic control of application rates: determining a speed of travel of the deicing system; wherein the deicing fluid application rate includes a predetermined area rate based on the speed of travel of the deicing system, a desired spray width, and a desired application rate of the deicing fluid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein applying deicing fluid is modified by a user manually selecting an increased application rate, the increased application rate pre-saved in the deicing system or selectable by a user, for a section of the job site. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the control of application rates includes manual control of application rates and, in providing manual control of application rates: determining a speed of travel of the deicing system; and wherein the deicing fluid application rate includes a user-defined flow rate adjusted by a speed of travel of the deicing system and a desired spray width. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein applying deicing fluid is modified by a user selecting an ice buster application rate manually for a section of the job site. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein in determining the deicing fluid application rate: receiving a manual or automatic application of deicing fluid based on a flow rate or area rate of application; and wherein the manual or automatic application of deicing fluid includes applying at the flow rate adjusted by a speed of travel of the deicing system for manual operation, or applying at the area rate adjusted by a speed of travel of the deicing system for automatic operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the speed of travel of the deicing system is determined by a global positioning system receiver. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing functionality for controlling operation further comprises providing control of operation of a boom system of the deicing system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing functionality for controlling operation further comprises providing control of an engine of the deicing system, including start and stop of the engine, and choke and throttle control. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing functionality for controlling operation further comprises providing control of lights and strobes of the deicing system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing functionality for controlling operation further comprises providing control of a hose reel rewinder of the deicing system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein managing workflow further comprises: tracking all jobs for a defined event; tracking all jobs for a defined season; and providing a report capability for the defined event, the defined season, or both the defined event and the defined season. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing functionality for control of the deicing system further comprises tracking lifetime operation of the deicing system for maintenance purposes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein connecting a control is performed over a wireless connection. ### Claim 16 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computer, cause the computer to: connect a control for a deicing system with the deicing system; provide functionality for controlling operation of the deicing system, wherein, in providing functionality for controlling operation, providing control of application rates by: determining a deicing fluid application rate, and transmitting, responsive to the determining, control signals to the deicing system, the control signals instructing the deicing system to apply deicing fluid to a job site in accordance with the deicing fluid application rate; and manage workflow and operation including job tracking, wherein managing the workflow includes: tracking data for hose reel usage of the deicing system; preparing a report for each individual job, including the tracked data; and providing a reporting operation for mobile reporting of a job via wireless communication. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the control of application rates includes automatic control of application rates and, in providing automatic control of application rates: determining a speed of travel of the deicing system; wherein the deicing fluid application rate includes a predetermined area rate based on the speed of travel of the deicing system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the control of applications rates is manual control of application rates and, in providing manual control of application rates: determining a speed of travel of the deicing system; and wherein the deicing fluid application rate includes a user-defined flow rate adjusted by the speed of travel of the deicing system. ### Claim 19 A mobile application for control of a deicing system, comprising: providing functionality to control functions of the deicing system via a computing device including: controlling, by one or more processors of the computing device, application rate of deicing fluid based upon travel speed of the deicing system; monitoring, by the one or more processors, deicing fluid tank level; controlling, by the one or more processors, lights and strobes on the deicing system; controlling, by the one or more processors, start/stop, choke, and throttle position on a power unit of the deicing system remotely; rewinding, by the one or more processors, a hose reel of the deicing system; tracking, by the one or more processors, jobs, overall system usage, hose reel usage, temperature, travel speed of the deicing system, and average application rate of the deicing system; and sending, by the one or more processors, reports with details of performed deicing jobs including job details remotely. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The mobile application of claim 19, wherein the mobile application provides functionality to send reports as files to email addresses. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The mobile application of claim 19, wherein the mobile application provides functionality to integrate reports into billing systems without need for paper tracking.