A tracking system for tracking a plurality of items or boxes of items
defines a plurality of levels that may be physically and logically
organized in a hierarchy. Each level of the hierarchy only communicates
with the next hierarchically lower level (if it exists) and/or a next
hierarchically higher level (if it exists). The lowest hierarchical level
includes a wireless tag coupled to each of the plurality of items. Each
of the wireless tags may be configured to provide a unique identifier
when queried. Remaining hierarchical levels may each include one or more
uniquely identified computing devices that are configured to query the
wireless tags or computing devices of the next hierarchically lower
level, to store information including the unique identifier and any other
information provided by the queried next hierarchically lower level and
to provide the stored information to the computing device(s) of the next
hierarchically higher level (if it exists). A sealed box or document may
form a part of the hierarchy and may include a conductive mesh coupled to
a wireless tag, repeater or computing device that is configured to report
on the state of the conductive mesh.