Abstract: An apparatus for locating an item at a node includes an item-specific location device disposed in association with the item and that includes a circuit that uniquely identifies the item. A fixed mesh network communication device, in communication with a computer, is in an item storage portion of the node. The computer is programmed to execute the following steps: if an item identification request is received from a requester via a global computer network including a requested item identification, then send an item identification message to the fixed mesh network communication device. If an item identified message is received from the fixed mesh network communication device indicating that the item-specific location device corresponds to the requested item identification, then transmit to the requester, via the global computer network, an item identified notification and a location identification that identifies the node.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating an item includes a mesh network communication device, a global positioning satellite chipset, a cellular telecommunications modem, a digital memory that stores a unique identification and a processor. The processor is programmed to determine the location of the item based on an input from the global positioning satellite chipset. If a mesh network connection is available, then processor transmits the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the mesh network, otherwise the processor registers with a wireless communication network with the cellular telecommunications modem and transmits the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the wireless communication network.