# US 10,873,792 B2 · Data communication apparatus, 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 10,873,792 B2 - Document ID: US10873792B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/566,359 - Filed: 2019-09-10 - Published: 2020-01-02 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-20 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.; Vaughn G. Amann; Lars Schrix; Jens Weichold; Anne-Maud B. Laprais; David H. Redinger; Ronald D. Jesme; David J. Badzinski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873792B2 ## CPC - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - G05B 15/02: electric - H04B 1/40: Circuits - H04L 63/0428: {wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload} - H04Q 2209/40: using a wireless architecture - H04Q 2209/88: Providing power supply at the sub-station - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A data communication apparatus, system, and method are described. The data communication system comprises a transceiver disposed on an entrance port to an enclosure, such as an underground enclosure. The transceiver includes a housing, the housing mountable to the entrance port, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with a network outside of the underground enclosure. The data communication system also includes a monitoring device disposed in the underground enclosure that provides data related to a real-time condition within the underground enclosure. The data communication system also includes a sensor analytics unit to process the data from the monitoring device/sensor and generate a processed data signal and to communicate the processed data signal to the transceiver. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of communicating information related to an asset disposed in an enclosure to a network outside of the enclosure, comprising: providing a data communication system that includes a transceiver including active electronics, an antenna, and Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry, disposed on an entrance port to an underground vault, the transceiver including a housing mountable to the entrance port, a monitoring device disposed in the enclosure that provides data related to a real-time condition within the enclosure, and a sensor analytics unit to process the data from the monitoring device and generate a processed data signal and to communicate the processed data signal to the transceiver, wherein the sensor analytics unit is configured to load software, communicating a first data signal from the monitoring device to the sensor analytics unit, processing the first data signal by the sensor analytics unit to generate a second data signal, and communicating the second data signal to the network via the transceiver. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data communication system receives at least one command signal from an upstream node. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one command signal comprises at least one of “transmit status,” “perform action,” “set configuration parameter,” and “load software.” ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending aggregated information upstream to an aggregation node or cloud server above ground. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the aggregated information comprises at least one of periodic status and asynchronous alarm notifications. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second data signal is communicated to one of a cloud data service and a SCADA. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second data signals correspond to a fault. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second data signal corresponds to real-time fault location information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data communication system provides a classification of a detected fault. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data communication system provides a severity level of a detected fault. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data communication system responds to a load software command sent from upstream. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data communication system provides for a utility to communicate directly to the underground vault. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data communication system reconfigures based on a communication from a utility. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data communication system updates at least one of system settings, tables, and thresholds for power and environmental sensing based on a communication from a utility.