System using a lockbox device for releasing financial information from an information embargo setting

A method comprising:

• (a) transporting a set of computing equipment into an information embargo setting, the set of computing equipment comprising a computing platform, a first communication device, and a second communication device, the first communication device being physically distinct from the computing platform;
• (b) interconnecting the personal computing device, the first communication device, the second communication device, and a lockbox device such that the first communication device is electrically interposed between the computing platform and the lockbox device, and such that the lockbox device is interposed between the first communication device and the second communication device;
• (c) supplying electrical power to the computing platform, the first communication device, and the second communication device;
• (d) transmitting a signal from the personal computing device to the first communication device, the signal conveying an information payload including financial information;
• (e) storing, to electronic storage included with the first communication device, the information payload;
• and
• (f) transmitting the stored information payload from the first communication device to a second communication device through a lockbox device.

A communication device configured to transmit an information payload received from a computing platform through a lockbox device that selectively connects and disconnects the communication device with a second communication device configured to electronically disseminate information, the communication device comprising:

• an upstream communication port configured to communicate information between the communication device and the computing platform;
• a plurality of downstream communication ports configured to communicate information through the lockbox device, wherein the downstream communication ports comprise a first downstream communication port, and a second downstream communication port, and wherein the first downstream communication port and the second downstream communication port each include a plurality of differential signal paths that enable communication of information through the lockbox device;
• and
• a processor, the processor being configured to determine a current connection status of the lockbox device, and responsive to a determination that the lockbox device is currently connecting the communication device with the second communication device, to transmit an information payload to the second communication device through the lockbox device, wherein the processor is further configured such that the transmission of the information payload comprises a separate serial transmission of the information payload over each of a plurality of differential signal paths, the plurality differential signal paths being included in the first downstream communication port and/or the second downstream communication port.

A communication device configured to receive an information payload from a second communication device through a lockbox device that selectively connects and disconnects the communication device with the second communication device, the communication device comprising:

• a downstream communication port configured to communicate information between the communication device and a network device configured to electronically disseminate information;
• a plurality of upstream communication ports configured to communicate information through the lockbox device, wherein the upstream communication ports comprise a first upstream communication port, and a second upstream communication port, and wherein the first upstream communication port and the second upstream communication port each include a plurality of differential signal paths that enable communication of information through the lockbox device;
• and
• a processor, the processor being configured to receive separate serial transmissions of the information payload over each of a plurality of differential signal paths, the plurality differential signal paths being included in the first upstream communication port and/or the second upstream communication port, to convert the information payload to a packet-based format, and to transmit the information payload in the packet-based format to the network device.

A communication device configured to transmit an information payload received from a computing platform through a lockbox device that selectively connects and disconnects the communication device with a second communication device configured to electronically disseminate information, the communication device comprising:

• an upstream communication port configured to communicate information between the communication device and the computing platform;
• a plurality of downstream communication ports configured to communicate information through the lockbox device;
• electronic storage configured to electronically store information;
• and
• a processor, the processor being configured to receive an information payload from the computing platform via the upstream communication port, to manage storage of a copy of the received information payload to the electronic storage, to determine a current connection status of the lockbox device, and responsive to a determination that the lockbox device is currently connecting the communication device with the second communication device, to access the stored copy of the information payload, and to transmit the information payload to the second communication device through the lockbox device via the downstream communication ports.