# US 2021/0241212 A1 · Rfid based sequencing system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0241212 A1 - Document ID: US20210241212A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/049,184 - Filed: 2019-04-22 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-20 - Assignees: Real TIime Intel, LLC - Applicants: Real Time Intel, LLC - Inventors: David HORVAT - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210241212A1 ## CPC - G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management - G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders - G06K 7/10366: {the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications} - G06Q 10/08778: {for managing mis-shipments, lost items or stolen goods} - 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 - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract A system and method for sequencing of items in a vertical stack is disclosed. The RFID based sequencing system includes first and second towers positioned about a portal, each of the first and the second towers having at least two strategically, vertically spaced antennas configured to acquire information from RFID tags attached to individual assets in a vertical stack of assets. The system further includes an RFID reader in communication with the antenna and with an asset management system that stores computer executable instructions configured to determine a vertical position of each RFID tag in the vertical stack of assets as it moves through the portal between the first and second towers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An RFID based sequencing system comprising: a first tower comprising at least two vertically spaced antennas configured to transmit RFID signals to acquire information from RFID tags attached to individual assets in a vertical stack of assets; a second tower comprising at least two vertically spaced antennas configured to transmit RFID signals to acquire information from RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets; an RFID reader in communication with each antenna of the first and second towers; and an asset management system comprising at least one processor configured to communicate with the RFID reader, and a memory that stores an inventory manifest and computer-executable instructions configured to determine a vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets, wherein the first and second towers are stationary and are horizontally spaced apart from each other such that the vertical stack of assets can pass therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vertical order of individual RFID tags is determined by comparison of a signal strength from each RFID tag received by the vertically spaced antennas and a known elevation of each antenna in the first and second towers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vertically spaced antennas on the first tower are configured to acquire a signal strength from a first RFID tag attached to each asset in the vertical stack of assets, and the vertically spaced antennas on the second tower are configured to acquire a signal strength from a second RFID tag attached to each asset in the vertical stack of assets, and wherein the computer-executable instructions of the asset management system are configured to compare the signal strengths acquired from the first and second RFID tags on each asset and a known elevation of each antenna in the first and second towers, respectively, to determine the vertical order of individual assets in the vertical stack of assets. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second RFID tags are attached at sides of the individual assets closest to the first and second towers, respectively. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an indicator light configured to indicate a pass state and a fail state, wherein: the pass state indicates the vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets matches a desired order as listed in the inventory manifest; and the fail state indicates the vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets does not match the desired order as listed in the inventory manifest. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader comprises a memory that stores computer-executable instructions, and at least one processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to at least: read the individual RFID tags associated with the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a first RFID reader in communication with the vertically spaced antennas in the first tower, and a second RFID reader in communication with the vertically spaced antennas in the second tower. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second towers comprise at least three antennas positioned vertically at known elevations. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second towers comprise at least four antennas positioned vertically at known elevations. ### Claim 10 An RFID based sequencing system comprising: a first tower comprising at least two vertically spaced antennas configured to transmit RFID signals to acquire information from RFID tags attached to individual assets in a vertical stack of assets; a second tower comprising at least two vertically spaced antennas configured to transmit RFID signals to acquire information from RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets, wherein the first and second towers are stationary and are horizontally spaced apart from each other such that the vertical stack of assets can pass therebetween; an RFID reader in communication with each antenna of the first and second towers; an asset management system comprising at least one processor configured to communicate with the RFID reader, and a memory that stores an inventory manifest and computer-executable instructions configured to determine a vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets, wherein the vertical order of individual RFID tags is determined by comparison of a signal strength from each RFID tag received by the vertically spaced antennas and a known elevation of each antenna in the first and second towers; and an indicator light configured to indicate a pass state and a fail state, wherein: the pass state indicates the vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets matches a desired order as listed in the inventory manifest, and the fail state indicates the vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets does not match the desired order as listed in the inventory manifest. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second towers comprise at least four antennas positioned vertically at known elevations. ### Claim 12 A method for vertical sequencing of assets, the method comprising: providing a vertical stack of assets comprising at least two assets; passing the vertical stack of assets between at least two horizontally spaced apart towers, each tower comprising at least two vertically spaced apart RFID antenna; reading, via an RFID reader in electronic communication with the RFID antenna, signals from a plurality of RFID tags associated with the vertical stack of assets; transmitting data related to a signal strength from the RFID tags to an asset management system comprising at least one processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions to determine a vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the assets in the vertical stack of assets. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining the vertical order of individual RFID tags by comparison of the signal strength from each RFID tag received by the vertically spaced RFID antennas and a known elevation of each antenna in the towers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the vertically spaced apart RFID antennas on a first of the at least two towers are configured to acquire the signal strength from a first RFID tag attached on a first side of each asset in the vertical stack of assets, and the vertically spaced apart RFID antennas on a second of the at least two towers are configured to acquire the signal strength from a second RFID tag attached on a second side of each asset in the vertical stack of assets, wherein the method further comprises: determining the vertical order of individual RFID tags by comparison of the signal strengths acquired from the first and second RFID tags on each asset and a known elevation of each antenna in the first and second towers to determine the vertical order of individual assets in the vertical stack of assets. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second RFID tags are attached at sides of the individual assets closest to the first and second towers, respectively. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each at least two towers comprise at least three vertically spaced apart RFID antenna. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each at least two towers comprise at least four vertically spaced apart RFID antenna. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the RFID tags comprise a bar code, human readable information, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining, by the asset management system, a pass state or a fail state, wherein: the pass state indicates the vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the assets in the vertical stack of assets matches a desired order as listed in an inventory manifest; and the fail state indicates the vertical order of individual RFID tags attached to the individual assets in the vertical stack of assets does not match the desired order as listed in the inventory manifest. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: when the pass state is found, proceeding with transport of the vertical stack of assets; and when the fail state is found, ceasing transport of the vertical stack of assets.