Abstract: A method for providing data to a group of devices on a pallet includes: positioning a set of NFC antennas at different locations around a perimeter of the pallet, each antenna of the set of NFC antennas being configured to surround the pallet; broadcasting, by an NFC reader/writer utilizing the set of NFC antennas, an identification command simultaneously to the group of devices on the pallet, each device of the group of devices including an NFC tag storing a unique ID indicator; receiving, by the NFC reader/writer, unique ID indicators from each device of the group of devices that receives the identification command, transmitting, by the NFC reader/writer, individual commands to each device of the group of devices to enable energy harvesting by the NFC tag. The energy harvested by each device provides power to operate a processor and a nonvolatile memory of the device in a low power mode.

Abstract: A method for providing data to a group of devices on a pallet includes: positioning a set of NFC antennas at different locations around a perimeter of the pallet, each antenna of the set of NFC antennas being configured to surround the pallet; broadcasting, by an NFC reader/writer utilizing the set of NFC antennas, an identification command simultaneously to the group of devices on the pallet, each device of the group of devices including an NFC tag storing a unique ID indicator; receiving, by the NFC reader/writer, unique ID indicators from each device of the group of devices that receives the identification command, transmitting, by the NFC reader/writer, individual commands to each device of the group of devices to enable energy harvesting by the NFC tag. The energy harvested by each device provides power to operate a processor and a nonvolatile memory of the device in a low power mode.

Abstract: Technologies for implementing edge intelligence for utility communication networks are provided. For example, a system includes a mesh network and a utility fog configured to manage the mesh network. The utility fog includes a secure utility system configured for executing a private utility application and a first edge intelligence device configured for executing a first subset of software applications. Each software application is configured to manage endpoints in the mesh network or process data collected by the mesh network. The mesh network includes the endpoints and an edge intelligence device configured for executing a second subset of the software applications that is different from the first subset of software applications.

Abstract: Technologies for implementing edge intelligence for utility communication networks are provided. For example, a system includes a mesh network and a utility fog configured to manage the mesh network. The utility fog includes a secure utility system configured for executing a private utility application and a first edge intelligence device configured for executing a first subset of software applications. Each software application is configured to manage endpoints in the mesh network or process data collected by the mesh network. The mesh network includes the endpoints and an edge intelligence device configured for executing a second subset of the software applications that is different from the first subset of software applications.

Abstract: An implementation of a utility meter is connected to a resource and to a customer premises. The utility meter includes a sensor, a converter, and a radio. The sensor is configured to detect a characteristic of resource usage by the customer premises. The converter is configured to convert the characteristic to raw consumption data describing the resource usage. The radio is configured to transmit the raw consumption data output by the converter to a remote processing system. The remote processing system includes one or both of a fog and a cloud. The fog is associated with a geographic region of the utility meter and performs data processing on the raw consumption data and on regional raw consumption data received from other endpoints in the geographic region. The cloud performs data processing on the raw consumption data as well as on data received from other endpoints across various geographic regions.

Abstract: A method for providing data to a group of devices on a pallet includes: positioning a set of NFC antennas at different locations around a perimeter of the pallet, each antenna of the set of NFC antennas being configured to surround the pallet; broadcasting, by an NFC reader/writer utilizing the set of NFC antennas, an identification command simultaneously to the group of devices on the pallet, each device of the group of devices including an NFC tag storing a unique ID indicator; receiving, by the NFC reader/writer, unique ID indicators from each device of the group of devices that receives the identification command, transmitting, by the NFC reader/writer, individual commands to each device of the group of devices to enable energy harvesting by the NFC tag. The energy harvested by each device provides power to operate a processor and a nonvolatile memory of the device in a low power mode.

Abstract: Technologies for implementing edge intelligence for utility communication networks are provided. For example, a system includes a mesh network and a utility fog configured to manage the mesh network. The utility fog includes a secure utility system configured for executing a private utility application and a first edge intelligence device configured for executing a first subset of software applications. Each software application is configured to manage endpoints in the mesh network or process data collected by the mesh network. The mesh network includes the endpoints and an edge intelligence device configured for executing a second subset of the software applications that is different from the first subset of software applications.

Abstract: A method for responding to a voice activated request includes receiving a speech input request from a smart speaker requesting energy management data associated with energy consumption at a premises of the smart speaker. The method also includes generating a voice service request including a first query for a first data source. The first query includes a request for the energy management data. Additionally, the method includes communicating the first query to the first data source and receiving a first response to the first query from the first data source. Further, the method includes generating an audible speech output in response to the speech input request based on the first response to the first query and transmitting the audible speech output to the smart speaker. The smart speaker audibly transmits the audible speech output.

Abstract: An electricity meter assembly includes a meter and a module assembly. The meter includes a meter cavity, at least one electrical component within the meter cavity, and a module compartment having a module cavity. The module compartment is within the meter cavity and the meter cavity is isolated from the module cavity. The module assembly includes at least one supplemental board configured to supplement the at least one electrical component. The module assembly is removably positioned within the module cavity such that the module assembly is field-removable, and wherein the module assembly is hot pluggable with the meter.

Abstract: A method for responding to a voice activated request includes receiving a speech input request from a smart speaker requesting energy management data associated with energy consumption at a premises of the smart speaker. The method also includes generating a voice service request including a first query for a first data source. The first query includes a request for the energy management data. Additionally, the method includes communicating the first query to the first data source and receiving a first response to the first query from the first data source. Further, the method includes generating an audible speech output in response to the speech input request based on the first response to the first query and transmitting the audible speech output to the smart speaker. The smart speaker audibly transmits the audible speech output.

Abstract: An electricity meter assembly includes a meter and a module assembly. The meter includes a meter cavity, at least one electrical component within the meter cavity, and a module compartment having a module cavity. The module compartment is within the meter cavity and the meter cavity is isolated from the module cavity. The module assembly includes at least one supplemental board configured to supplement the at least one electrical component. The module assembly is removably positioned within the module cavity such that the module assembly is field-removable, and wherein the module assembly is hot pluggable with the meter.

Abstract: An electricity meter assembly includes a meter and a module assembly. The meter includes a meter cavity, at least one electrical component within the meter cavity, and a module compartment having a module cavity. The module compartment is within the meter cavity and the meter cavity is isolated from the module cavity. The module assembly includes at least one supplemental board configured to supplement the at least one electrical component. The module assembly is removably positioned within the module cavity such that the module assembly is field-removable, and wherein the module assembly is hot pluggable with the meter.

Abstract: A method for responding to a voice activated request includes receiving a speech input request from a smart speaker requesting energy management data associated with energy consumption at a premises of the smart speaker. The method also includes generating a voice service request including a first query for a first data source. The first query includes a request for the energy management data. Additionally, the method includes communicating the first query to the first data source and receiving a first response to the first query from the first data source. Further, the method includes generating an audible speech output in response to the speech input request based on the first response to the first query and transmitting the audible speech output to the smart speaker. The smart speaker audibly transmits the audible speech output.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heating element adapted to be disposed on a substrate. The heating element includes electrodes and a multi-layer conductive coating of nano-thickness disposed between the substrate and electrodes. The multi-layer conductive coating has a structure and composition which stabilize performance of the heating element at high temperatures. The multi-layer conductive coating may be produced by spray pyrolysis.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heating element adapted to be disposed on a substrate. The heating element includes electrodes and a multi-layer conductive coating of nano-thickness disposed between the substrate and electrodes. The multi-layer conductive coating has a structure and composition which stabilize performance of the heating element at high temperatures. The multi-layer conductive coating may be produced by spray pyrolysis.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heating element adapted to be disposed on a substrate. The heating element includes electrodes and a multi-layer conductive coating of nano-thickness disposed between the substrate and electrodes. The multi-layer conductive coating has a structure and composition which stabilize performance of the heating element at high temperatures. The multi-layer conductive coating may be produced by spray pyrolysis.

Abstract: An electric iron includes a soleplate and at least one heating element. The heating element includes multi-layer conductive coating of nano-thickness disposed on the soleplate. The heating element further includes electrodes disposed on the multi-layer conductive coating. The multi-layer conductive coating has a structure and composition which stabilize performance of the heating element at high temperatures. The soleplate can be made of ceramic glass. The electric iron can perform heating and ironing functions using alternating current electrical power, direct current electrical power, solar energy power, or one or more batteries.

Abstract: An electric iron includes a soleplate and at least one heating element. The heating element includes multi-layer conductive coating of nano-thickness disposed on the soleplate. The heating element further includes electrodes disposed on the multi-layer conductive coating. The multi-layer conductive coating has a structure and composition which stabilize performance of the heating element at high temperatures. The soleplate can be made of ceramic glass. The electric iron can perform heating and ironing functions using alternating current electrical power, direct current electrical power, solar energy power, or one or more batteries.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heating element adapted to be disposed on a substrate. The heating element includes electrodes and a multi-layer conductive coating of nano-thickness disposed between the substrate and electrodes. The multi-layer conductive coating has a structure and composition which stabilize performance of the heating element at high temperatures. The multi-layer conductive coating may be produced by spray pyrolysis.