Transportable network-attached data storage device with updateable electronic display

Abstract

A transportable network-attached data storage device having an updateable electronic display is disclosed. The updateable electronic display is used to display shipping destination information. The device can be initialized by a service provider (e.g., prepared to receive data, and the updateable electronic shipping display is set to the shipping destination) and shipped as a separate shipping unit according to the displayed destination address. The device can be installed on the network at the destination and loaded with data. The display can also be updated with the next destination address so that the device is shipped to the updated destination address (e.g., shipped back to the service provider, or to another destination before being sent back to the service provider). When the device is received back at the service provider, the data is transferred from the device to the service provider storage facility, erased and prepared to be sent out again.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an application date of June 30, 2016, application number 201680038541.0, and invention name "Transportable network-attached data storage device with updateable electronic display". Background Art

[0002] The growth of data storage capacity and big data has far outstripped the growth of data transmission bandwidth capable of transmitting the big data. This disparity is so great that transferring big data from one storage facility to another can be very expensive (e.g., requiring expensive system upgrades) or very lengthy (e.g., the transfer takes months to years). Physically moving the storage media can leave the data on legacy hardware or may not be an available option (e.g., when the data is stored on behalf of a customer by a storage service). Some solutions have involved transferring the data to a portable storage device (e.g., a network-attached storage device) and transporting the portable storage device to another storage facility (where the data is transferred to another storage system).

[0003] However, when it comes to shipping, placing items in boxes and putting labels on the boxes provides many opportunities for human error that can prevent the correct items from being shipped to the correct destination. For example, the wrong item may be placed in a box, or the wrong label may be placed on the box, causing the customer to receive the wrong item.

[0004] Specifically, when an order is placed for an item, the item is picked up and a box is selected for shipping the item. Sometimes items are packed in an area with other items, and human error or other errors may cause the item to be placed in a box that is not suitable for the item. In another example, a label for a shipping box may be printed and placed on the box. Furthermore, human error or other errors may cause the label to be printed incorrectly or placed on a box that is not suitable for the label. Furthermore, disposable shipping boxes, such as cardboard shipping boxes, may not be the best use of resources because they are typically used only once or a few times before being disposed of.

[0005] Furthermore, some such errors may occur at the business location where the order is fulfilled or at a customer location (e.g., a customer location returning an item to the business location where the order was placed). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 Systems and processes are shown for a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments.

[0007] Figure 2 A transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments.

[0009] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a process for using a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments.

[0010] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a provisioning process associated with a transportable data storage device having a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments.

[0011] Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a client process associated with a transportable data storage device having a network-updatable electronic ink transport display at a customer location according to some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a service provider data extraction process associated with a transportable data storage device having a network-updatable electronic ink shipping display according to some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 8 A transportable suitcase / transport case with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display is shown according to some embodiments.

[0014] 9A to 9D Various types of information displayed via an updateable electronic display are shown according to some embodiments.

[0015] Fig.10 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system that may implement some or all of the techniques described herein, according to various embodiments.

[0016] Although embodiments are described herein by way of example to several embodiments and illustrative drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments are not limited to the described embodiments or drawings. It should be understood that the drawings and their specific embodiments are not intended to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims. The titles used herein are only for organizational purposes and are not meant to limit the scope of the specification or claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to ...) rather than a mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the word "include" means including but not limited to. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Various embodiments describe systems and processes associated with a transportable data storage device that includes an electronic shipping display for displaying a destination shipping address for the transportable data storage device.

[0018] In some cases, the stand-alone device may include a housing suitable for transporting the storage device so that no additional packaging is required. For example, the housing may include an updateable electronic display that displays transportation information so that the carrier can scan or read the transportation information from the display and deliver the device to the destination based on the displayed transportation information. In an embodiment, the device can be used to move a large amount of data from one large data storage facility to another large data storage facility. When the data transmission network cannot move data quickly enough, the device can be used to move data from one storage facility to another storage facility. For example, a petabyte of data may take several years to be transmitted through certain network connections, and transferring data from a storage facility to a device may take several days or less, and the physical transportation of the transportable storage device may be overnight at the fastest. When a highly secure transmission method is required, the device can also be used to move data from one storage facility to another facility.

[0019] In an embodiment, importing or exporting may be related to a service provider that owns or controls a device or stores data on behalf of a client. For example, moving data from a client to a storage service provider via a transportable data storage device may be referred to as importing, and moving data from a storage service provider to a client via a transportable data storage device may be referred to as exporting. In some embodiments, data may be multicast, for example, sent from a client to a storage service provider where data is uploaded to a storage service, and then the device is further transported to the client's client (e.g., after data is uploaded at a storage service provider, it continues from the storage service provider via the device together with the data). Multicast scenarios may also be applied in export embodiments. Multicast embodiments may refer to a single device that is loaded with data at a source and then sent to multiple different destinations to distribute copies at multiple different destinations, or may refer to multiple different transportable data storage devices that are loaded with the same copy of data and each of which is sent to different destinations. In some multicast embodiments, multiple different devices (each device is used to transmit a portion of a large amount of data) may be transported to a first destination as a group, and then transported to another destination, thereby leaving a copy of a large amount of data at each destination (e.g., sowing in different offices), and then returning to the service provider. For example, a customer may request an export of data to multiple locations or customers from a service provider storage network.

[0020] For example, some large data storage facilities store large amounts of data but have no means of transferring large amounts of data outside the facility. In some cases, enterprise storage facilities may grow over time, with data used exclusively within the enterprise such that external data transfer facilities sufficient to reasonably move large amounts of data are never implemented. Moving such large amounts of data to a cloud-based storage solution in a cost-effective and timely manner may be difficult, or even impossible.

[0021] In a specific example, moving large data (e.g., terabytes or petabytes of data, etc.) from one storage facility to another may take months or years to transfer using current bandwidth solutions. An alternative is to transfer the data locally on one storage system to multiple data transfer devices over days or weeks, and then transfer the multiple transfer devices to another storage system, and transfer the data locally from the multiple transfer devices to the destination storage system.

[0022] The device may be equipped with an electronic display as part of or incorporated into the housing of the device. In an embodiment, the display may be a low-power display, such as an electronic ink display, and the display may be updated with any of a variety of information, including a destination address where the device is being transported. The device may be equipped with various sensors, such as a GPS sensor for tracking the progress of the device's transport, or environmental sensors, such as accelerometers, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, etc. In an embodiment, data associated with the sensors may be displayed by the display. In an embodiment, the device may be rugged so that the device is less likely to be damaged during transport.

[0023] In an embodiment, the transportable device is configured so that the solid housing around the permanent storage device and incorporated with the electronic display acts as an independent entity. Such an arrangement can reduce transportation errors. For example, since the permanent storage device, the display and the housing are coupled as an independent entity, it is impossible to mismatch the permanent storage device suitable for a box in different boxes. Similarly, since the display is built in the transportable entity, it is impossible to mistakenly mark the transportable unit (for example, by placing an incorrect label on the device). Therefore, the errors associated with mismatched labels, boxes and articles can be reduced by this transportable storage device.

[0024] For example, various processes, such as processes for maintaining data security, may be created by a service provider or customer using the device. For example, a service provider, such as a storage service provider with multiple devices, may implement a provisioning process that associates a particular device with a particular request for a data transfer service. In an embodiment, the service provider may install security information on the device and instruct the device's display to display the shipping destination associated with the request and provide the device to the carrier as a separate shipping box.

[0025] In another process, such as when a client who has requested a service receives the device, the client may connect the device to a client network and download a proprietary application corresponding to the device. When the application is executed by a client computer on the client network, the application may discover the connected device on the network and authenticate the data transfer device. In some embodiments, the application may be used to identify data on the client network to be transferred to the device, and the application may encrypt the identified client data and load the encrypted data onto the device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the destination information of the device can be updated. For example, the updated address information can be obtained through the customer network or from the device's memory and displayed on the electronic display. In some embodiments, the device can realize (e.g., based on a GPS sensor) that it is located at the customer's location and changes the displayed address information from the customer's location to the next destination. The customer can then provide the device to the carrier as a stand-alone shipping box for transportation without any other additional packaging or labeling.

[0027] In another process, for example, when the device is received back at the service provider (according to the address or a code indicating the address displayed by the display), an extraction process can be performed. For example, the data transfer device can be connected to the service provider network, the data on the device is decrypted and stored to the service provider's storage service, and the data transfer device is ready for reuse.

[0028] In some embodiments, the electronic display can be configured to turn on or off based on logic. For example, to hide the location of a service provider's storage network, the device can be configured to not display the service provider's destination address until the device has left the customer facility (e.g., and is received by the carrier). Program logic can rely on GPS or cellular data to determine the device location and adjust the display accordingly.

[0029] In some embodiments, the entire device may be configured to act as a user interface for the device. For example, the device may be configured to respond to shaking of the device by waking up the display from a sleep mode in which the display is blank. In an embodiment, shaking of the device may cause the display to display a destination address or message.

[0030] The device may be configured with a keypad (eg, a physical keypad or a virtual keypad configured via a display), or may be configured to respond to or provide audible commands, instructions, or messages.

[0031] Figure 1Systems and processes for a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display are shown according to some embodiments. The illustrated embodiment depicts the movement of the transportable data storage device from a service provider location 120 to an enterprise location x110 and back to the service provider location 120 and various processes AG performed by various entities along the way. In an embodiment, Figure 1 The device 130 depicted in FIG. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 and Figures 9A-9D The same as the device 130 depicted in FIG.

[0032] Figure 1 110 is depicted in FIG. However, in some embodiments, the enterprise may have other locations, and the transportable data storage device 130 may be transported to these locations instead of, in addition to, before, or after the depicted transport B. In some embodiments, multiple different devices may be transported to various locations simultaneously with the depicted transport. The transportable data storage device may be transported to entities outside the enterprise, such as, but not limited to, customers, government entities, other service providers, etc. In an embodiment, a computer (such as a server or desktop computer at the enterprise location x110) may execute Figure 4 and Figure 6 In an embodiment, a computer (such as a server or desktop computer at service provider location 120) may execute Figure 5 and Figure 7 Some or all of the processes shown in .

[0033] In the depicted embodiment, (A) a client creates, generates, or requests a job to be performed. The job creation or request may be performed via a web-based webpage or website console of a service provider, such as accessed by the enterprise via one or more networks (e.g., network 108). At (B), the service provider supplies a specific transportable data storage device 130, instructs the device to display an address associated with the enterprise location x110 (e.g., an address obtained during job creation (A)), and transports the device to the requesting customer based on the job information (e.g., in some embodiments, the job information may be determined during job generation at the time of request). At (C), the device is received at the enterprise location x110, and the customer data is transmitted to the device at the customer location. At (D), the electronic display is updated with the new destination of the device. For example, in an embodiment, the service provider may send an updated address via network 108, or the device may recognize that it is at the enterprise location and automatically update the displayed destination address from a memory storage area programmed with the next destination during the provisioning step (B). At (E), the device is provided to the transportation carrier by the enterprise or customer, and the device is shipped back to the provider. In some embodiments, the device may be sent to one or more other customer locations to acquire additional data before the device is sent back to the service provider. At (F), the device is received back at the service provider, connected to the service provider network, and the customer data is extracted from the device into the service provider system. At (G), the device is wiped and stored until it is provisioned for another job.

[0034] It is conceivable that other various use cases, for example, after the device has been received by the storage service provider and the data has been uploaded at the storage service provider, the device can be transported to other entities, such as the customer's customer. In some embodiments, the device may be sent to other customers different from the customer who sent the device to the storage service provider. In an embodiment, the device can be used to distribute the same data to multiple different locations of the same customer. For example, in an export or import embodiment, the device may be instructed to display various addresses at different times so that the device is used for multicast data. It is conceivable that, for example, various addresses may be stored on the device once, such as when the device is supplied, or various addresses may be sent to the device via a network (such as a cellular network) or via a customer or provider network or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the device may include logic that is configured to update the displayed address based on the geographical location or location of the device sensing the device. For example, a device that determines (for example, based on a GPS sensor or cellular triangulation) that it has arrived at a location may be configured to display the next address stored in the memory of the device.

[0035] Figure 2A transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display is shown according to some embodiments. For example, the depicted transportable storage device 130 can be used to move large amounts of customer data from a customer storage network or server to other storage networks or servers when other forms of transmission (e.g., broadband data transmission) are unavailable or cost or time-prohibitive. In embodiments, embodiments of the transportable storage device may include more, fewer, or different features or components than those depicted.

[0036] In the depicted embodiment, the transportable data storage device 130 includes a housing 215 surrounding the permanent storage device 290. The permanent storage device may include any type of storage device, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive, optical media, magnetic tape, a memristive storage device, a permanent RAM, or a solid-state storage device. The housing may be reinforced (e.g., according to various standards, such as military standards or electronic industry standards), and may be configured with an outward-facing electronic display 214, so that when enclosed by the housing, the permanent storage device, the housing, and the electronic display form an independent shipping box suitable for transportation without any additional packaging, labels, etc., and the electronic display 214 is used to display the destination location (e.g., in place of a shipping label). In an embodiment, the housing 215 and the display 214 act as reusable shipping components to replace a cardboard box and a shipping label. The housing may include various mechanisms (such as rollers, handles, etc.) that facilitate the movement of the device 130.

[0037] Device 130 is shown with a battery 260 and a power connector 250 for powering some or all of the components of the transportable device that require power to operate. In an embodiment, the power connector 250 can be configured to connect the transportable device to an external power source. In some embodiments, the power connector can power a permanent storage device. Other power sources can be envisioned, such as kinetic energy sources, solar energy sources, etc. that rely on movement during transportation to power the transportable storage device. Any different power source can power the electronic devices (e.g., displays or storage devices) of the transportable storage device 130.

[0038] Device 130 is depicted as having a display 214. The display may incorporate any of a variety of display technologies, such as low-power electronic ink (E-ink), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), active matrix organic light emitting diodes (AMOLED), flexible displays, or touch-sensitive displays (as non-limiting examples). Low-power electronic ink displays may provide the benefit of reduced power consumption for transportation environments where small batteries are preferred (e.g., batteries with lower shipping costs will be cheaper or take up less shipping space). In some embodiments, device 130 may be configured with multiple displays 214. For example, some carriers or operations centers label three sides of shipping boxes so that the destination of the box can be scanned or read regardless of the direction of the box. Similarly, multiple displays may be incorporated into multiple sides of the housing 215 of the device. For example, in some embodiments, the housing may be configured with 1-6 or more displays. Various displays may be configured so that the display is computer readable (e.g., via a scanner).

[0039] Device 130 is shown with a network interface 240. Network interface 240 may serve as an interface (e.g., via various protocols, such as iSCSI or Ethernet) between transportable storage device 130 and various networks (such as LANS, WANS, etc.). In some embodiments, network connector 240 may serve as an interface directly to another device (e.g., via SCSI).

[0040] Device 130 is shown with switch 230. In some embodiments, switch 230 may act as a switch to turn on-off power or act as a switch for starting a display. Device 130 is also shown with antenna 220. Antenna may be configured to facilitate wireless communication between a service provider or client and the device. For example, wireless communication may be performed through various cellular networks, Wi-Fi, etc. (e.g., network 108). For example, when device 130 is on the way to a certain location, a service provider may send updated address information to transportable storage device 130 via a cellular network. For example, updated address information may be displayed via display 214 so that device 130 is rerouted in flight. In other embodiments, a wireless communication channel may be used to send updated transportation information for display when the device is located at a client location. In an embodiment, a cellular network may be used to track the device.

[0041] Device 130 is shown with a radio frequency identification (RFID) 280. In some cases, an RFID can help track the device. For example, the device can be identified during the provisioning process via a corresponding RFID, or the device can be identified when received at a customer or when returned to a service provider by a corresponding RFID. RFID can be used to track a transportable storage device as the device is routed through a facility, such as through a service provider-operated facility (e.g., when routed on a conveyor system).

[0042] The device 130 is shown with various sensors 222, 224. The device may be equipped with any of a variety of sensors, including a global positioning sensor (GPS), a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an accelerometer, all of which are non-limiting examples. Data may be collected from the sensors and used in various ways, such as to record the environment of the device (e.g., hot, cold, warm, and wet) or to record various events associated with the device 130, such as deceleration, rapid movement, direction, or location of the device 130. The sensor data may be stored locally, sent over the network 108, or displayed via the display 214.

[0043] Device 130 may be configured with multiple security layers. For example, data stored on the device may be encrypted one or more times with one or more keys. The keys may be determined, stored, controlled, or maintained by the parties and applied at various steps of the process shown. For example, some keys used to encrypt data stored on the device may be stored separately from the device, while other keys used to encrypt data on the device may be stored with the device. In an embodiment, encryption keys may be applied in multiple layers.

[0044] For example, the device 130 may be configured as one or more other types of network-based devices or other electronic devices, such as transient local hardware. In one exemplary, non-exhaustive list, the device 130 may be configured as various combinations of cryptographic hardware and software (e.g., as a type 1 cryptographic device), as a storage gateway, as a web service, a firewall, a high-assurance protection device, a server, a virtual machine image, one or more dongles, a data warehouse solution, or a database service box, etc.

[0045] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a transportable data storage device 130 having a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments. Figure 3 Various components and modules of transportable storage device 130 are shown. The device may be configured with fewer or additional components or modules. Some components or modules may be replaced by other components or modules. For example, in an embodiment, processor 310 and memory 312 may be replaced by firmware. In an embodiment, various components or modules may perform some or all of the processes shown in the figures.

[0046] exist Figure 3, the device 130 is shown with a display 214, a network interface 306, and a permanent storage device 350. In the illustrated embodiment, a display driver 302 provides an interface function between the processor 310 and the display 214. For example, to instruct the display to display an address, the processor 310 executes computer instructions from the memory 312 that send a message to the display driver 302, which is interpreted by the display driver and causes the display driver to display the address on the display 214.

[0047] The network interface 306 acts as an interface between an external network (e.g., a customer network or a service provider network or network 108) and the device. In an embodiment, the network interface is configured to transmit instructions to the device or to transmit encrypted data to a permanent storage device 350. The wireless interface 308 can be configured to receive instructions from a service provider (e.g., via a cellular or Wi-Fi network). For example, the service provider 120 can send updated address information to the device 130 via a cellular network so that the display address of the device is updated en route, thereby changing the destination of the device in flight so that the device is transported to the updated address instead of the previous address.

[0048] Input / output (I / O) interface 304 may be configured to coordinate I / O traffic between processor 310, memory 312, display driver, network interface 306, wireless interface 308, sensor interface (s) 320, and permanent storage device 350 or peripheral interface. In some embodiments, I / O interface 304 may perform any necessary protocol, timing, or other data conversion to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory 312) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor 310). In some embodiments, for example, I / O interface 304 may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses (such as variants of the peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the universal serial bus (USB) standard). In some embodiments, for example, the functionality of I / O interface 340 may be divided into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge. Moreover, in some embodiments, some or all of the functionality of I / O interface 304 (e.g., an interface to system memory 312) may be directly incorporated into processor 310.

[0049] Device 130 is depicted as having a permanent data storage device 350. Persistent data storage device 350 may include any combination of non-volatile storage devices such as hard drives or flash memory. Persistent storage device 350 may be configured (e.g., during a provisioning process) to store large amounts of encrypted data (e.g., from a large data storage device such as a customer storage system) during transportation from a customer location to a service provider location (where the data is transferred to a service provider storage system).

[0050] The device 130 is depicted as having a power supply 330, a sensor 340, and a sensor interface 320 that can power the various electronic components of the device 130. As described above, any of a variety of sensors can be incorporated into the device 130. The device 130 may also include various sensor interfaces 320 that act as an interface between the sensor 340 and the I / O interface 304. In an embodiment, the sensor interface can be a proprietary interface customized for a specific sensor. The sensor interface can perform various functions, such as data conversion, analysis of sensor output, and output of information based on the analysis, etc.

[0051] Data transmission device life cycle

[0052] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a process for using a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments. In an embodiment, Figure 4 The data transfer device life cycle is shown. The processes shown may be performed in the context of a transportable storage device 130, a service provider 120, and a customer enterprise location 110.

[0053] At 402, a service provider (e.g., service provider 120) supplies a transportable storage device (e.g., device 130) and sets an electronic display of the device. For example, the service provider may set the electronic display (e.g., via a device user interface or via an external connection through a network interface) to display a customer destination address. In an embodiment, the service provider may also store a return address or an address of another customer facility in a memory of the device so that the display may be updated with the stored address at some point.

[0054] At 404, the device 130 is shipped as a standalone shipping case to a destination indicated by the electronic display of the device. For example, a service provider may provide the device with a housing, display, permanent storage device, and network interface to a common carrier without any additional packaging or labeling. In an embodiment, the common carrier may ship the device to the destination through a carrier network without packaging or labeling, except for the housing and electronic display.

[0055] At 406, the device is received at a customer location (e.g., enterprise location x110), the device is installed to the network at the customer location and the data is loaded to the device 130. At 408, the electronically displayed destination may be updated and the device 130 is shipped as a separate shipping box to the updated destination indicated by the device's electronic display. The display may be updated with a destination address or code stored in the device 130's memory at the time of provisioning or received over the network (network 108) en route or at the customer location. The updated address may be a return address for returning the device to the service provider or an address for another location for the same or different customer (e.g., security precautions may be implemented so that data from multiple customers may be stored on the device).

[0056] At 410, the device is shipped to the next customer location where it can be installed and more data is encrypted and loaded onto the device 130 (similar to 406), and the process can continue to 408 and 410 one or more times until the device updates the service provider address and the device is given to the carrier to ship to the service provider network location. At 412, the data from the device 130 is extracted or transmitted to the storage service of the service provider 120. For example, the device is received by the service provider 120, connected to the service provider network, the data from the device is not encrypted, and the data is stored to the service provider storage service.

[0057] At 414, the device is wiped clean (eg, customer data and security information are deleted or rewritten) and prepared for reuse. The process may start again at 402 and continue.

[0058] Figure 5-7 Various processes associated with device 130 are shown. Figure 5 A provisioning process is shown that may be performed by a service provider to associate a particular device 130 with a particular customer job. Figure 6 A client-side process is shown for connecting a device to a client's storage device, loading data onto the device, and updating an electronic display with the next destination. Figure 7 A process is shown that may be performed by a service provider to offload data from a device when the device 130 is received back by the service provider. The process shown depicts an alternative import / export implementation where appropriate.

[0059] supply

[0060] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a provisioning process associated with a transportable data storage device having a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments. In an embodiment, one or more portions of the process shown may be performed by one or more processes executing on a provider computer or network. The process shown may be performed on a Figure 1-3 The method is executed on the device 130 shown.

[0061] In box 502, one or more requests for client data import or export operations are received via a console. The console may be configured to provide access and management of data transfer projects or operations through a web-based user interface. In an embodiment, the web-based user interface may be provided by a service provider. The console may be configured to receive various project data from the client and provide the data to the service provider. In an embodiment, when the device is connected to a client network, the service provider may use the data as part of a supply process and a part of an authentication process on the client network.

[0062] At block 504, the data transfer device is provisioned and security information is installed on the device. For example, a particular data transfer device may be removed from storage associated with a customer project or job and loaded with keys, security certificates, etc. so that the device 130 may be shipped to the customer making the request.

[0063] In an export implementation (eg, when a customer requests to export data from a storage service provider system via a data transfer device), the data may be loaded from the service provider's storage network onto the data transfer device.

[0064] At block 506, the electronic display 214 of the data transfer device 130 may be provided with a customer-provided shipping address (e.g., an address obtained via a console). For example, a service provider may set the display via a network interface of the device. At block 508, the data transfer device 130 is provided to a carrier as a standalone shipping case. For example, the data transfer device may be provided to and shipped by a common carrier without any additional packaging or labeling of the housing and the exterior of the electronic display device. In some embodiments, the device 130 may be configured to receive a command from a common carrier or from a service provider to cause the device to display a bar code or the like used by the common carrier for routing the device through a carrier network.

[0065] Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a client process associated with a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display at a customer location, according to some embodiments. Portions of the process may be performed by a server or other computer on a customer network (e.g., enterprise location x110) as part of moving data from the customer network to device 130. In some embodiments, portions of the process may be performed by executing a downloaded proprietary application on the customer hardware. In an embodiment, the proprietary application may be downloaded from a service provider.

[0066] At block 602, a data transfer device is received from a carrier. For example, the device 130 may be received from a customer location of a common carrier (e.g., enterprise location x 110). The data transfer device is connected to the customer network (block 604). This may include physically connecting the device 130 to the customer's network (e.g., via Ethernet or SATA, etc.).

[0067] At block 606, the client server discovers and authenticates the data transfer device (e.g., via execution of the downloaded application). For example, the client server may authenticate the data transfer device 130 based on one or more security certificates. At some point, for example, the destination information displayed during the transportation of the data transfer device may be updated via the network 108, via a cellular network, or based on a stored address within the device (607).

[0068] If the job is an export job (e.g., exporting data from a service provider storage network via a data transfer device), the data may be moved from the data transfer device to a customer-specified storage device (block 609). If the job is an import job (e.g., importing data from a customer to a service provider), the customer server may encrypt the customer data and load the encrypted customer data onto the data transfer device (block 610), and the electronic display may be set as the next destination based on the updated destination information (block 612), e.g., as described above.

[0069] As described herein, the data transfer device may be disconnected from the customer network (block 614), and the data transfer device may be provided to a carrier as a standalone shipping case (block 616). In some embodiments, the device 130 may be sent to another customer to load more data onto the device before sending it back to a service provider (e.g., provider 120).

[0070] Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a service provider data extraction process associated with a transportable data storage device having a network-updatable electronic ink transport display according to some embodiments. In an embodiment, for example, after receiving the device back from customer 110, an application executing on the service provider 120 network executes Figure 7 A portion of the entire process shown in .

[0071] At block 702, a data transfer device is received from a carrier at a service provider (e.g., as a standalone shipping case 130). The data transfer device may be connected to the service provider network (block 704), and customer data from the data transfer device is read, decrypted, and stored to the service provider's storage service (block 706). For example, the data transfer device may be prepared for reuse, such as by erasing customer data and / or security information from the permanent storage of the device 130.

[0072] Figure 8 A transportable suitcase / transport case with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display is shown according to some embodiments. Figure 8 The suitcase or transport case 810 shown in FIG. 8 may include Figure 2 and Figure 3 The device 130 shown may have more, the same, or fewer components or modules. Suitcase 810 is shown with a housing 215 that can be opened so that items can be placed into the housing of the suitcase. In some embodiments, some suitcases can be opened without snaps.

[0073] Suitcase 810 is shown with antenna 220, sensor 222, RFID 280, display 214, switch 230, and battery 260. These features may be implemented with respect to Figure 2 , and similar functionality as described above for the transportable data transmission device 130 shown in . In some example embodiments, the suitcase 810 may be filled with groceries and shipped to a customer. The sensor 222 may record the temperature of the environment of the suitcase 810 when shipped to the customer. In some embodiments, the temperature or a related message or warning may be displayed by the suitcase 810 on the display 214, for example: the suitcase was kept below a certain temperature or the suitcase was in a warm environment for a period of time. In another example, the suitcase 810 may be configured with an accelerometer sensor 222 that records data indicating that the shipping box was abandoned, and may be further configured to display a message via the display 214 confirming the abandonment or indicating when and where the abandonment occurred.

[0074] Suitcase 810 may be configured to carry a variety of different items, such as high-value items (e.g., wine or diamonds), live items (e.g., livestock or poultry), groceries, or any other items that fit into the case. For example, the suitcase may be configured with various other features to tailor the case to specific contents, such as insulation for carrying frozen foods.

[0075] 9A to 9D Various types of information displayed via an updateable electronic display according to some embodiments are shown. The examples shown are applicable to various device embodiments, including but not limited to Figure 1-3 Those shown in and described above.

[0076] Fig.9AAn updateable device display of a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink shipping display is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 214 of the device 130 is displaying the sender (1400 Ave. A, STEC) and consignee address information (BLDG 2, 123 HWY 14), tracking information (e.g., a tracking barcode and associated tracking number 1ksd949...), a routing code DL 787 902 (e.g., telling how to route the package within a carrier network or facility), a postal barcode featuring the postal code of the destination of the package (e.g., 1234abcd), and a QR code that can encode various information (e.g., postal code, country code, class of service (1DA, etc.), tracking number, Julian date, package quantity and weight, address verification, and delivery street, city and country).

[0077] In some embodiments, various information may be hidden or masked or displayed in a code rather than directly displayed on the display. For example, an address may be encoded to make the destination easily recognizable without computer assistance (such as a scanner). For example, Fig. 9B An updateable device display of a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink shipping display is shown, where the display 214 of the device 130 displays only a single QR code. Any of a variety of information may be encoded into the QR code and decoded via a scanner or image processing device (such as address information, etc.). In some embodiments, information may be hidden or masked or not displayed based on geographic location. For example, when at a customer location, the data transfer device may not display the address of the service provider, but may display instructions to provide the data transfer device to the carrier. In an embodiment, once the device has left the customer's premises, the device may switch the display to display the address of the service provider, or may display an encoded version of the destination address that is only computer readable.

[0078] Fig. 9C An updateable device display of a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 214 of the device 130 is displaying a warning message: the destination address intended to be displayed via the electronic display does not match the security credentials. Various other messages or information may be displayed, such as sensor data, instructions (e.g., instructions to use the device), other warnings, etc.

[0079] Fig.9DAn updateable device display of a transportable data storage device with a network-updatable electronic ink transport display is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 214 of the device 130 has been instructed to display messages associated with various sensors of the device 130. The sensor information displayed may include metadata associated with the sensed data. In the illustrated example, the display has been instructed to display the message: "The box environment reached 47 degrees Celsius at location 30.282180, -97.824945 at 9:15 AM on May 5, 2015. In an embodiment, other messages associated with other sensors may be instructed to be displayed on the device 130. For example, the display may be instructed to display instructions for using the device, such as from a user manual stored on the device or instructions sent to the device via a network. Other messages may also be displayed, such as messages associated with a lost or stolen device are also contemplated.

[0080] Any of a variety of computer systems may be configured to implement processes associated with a transportable data storage device having a network-updatable electronic ink transport display (e.g., provisioned or retrieved by a service provider or executed as a download application on a customer server). Fig.10 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a computer system suitable for implementing some of the systems and methods described herein. In various embodiments, a service provider's storage service at a storage service location 120, or a client computer (e.g., a client server) at an enterprise location 110, may each include a server such as Fig.10 The computer system 1000 shown in FIG.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, computer system 1000 includes one or more processors 1010 coupled to system memory 1020 via an input / output (I / O) interface 1030. Computer system 1000 also includes a network interface 1040 coupled to I / O interface 1030. In some embodiments, computer system 1000 may illustrate a server that implements enterprise logic or downloadable applications, while in other embodiments, the server may include more, fewer, or different elements than computer system 1000.

[0082] In various embodiments, computer system 1000 may be a uniprocessor system including one processor 1010, or a multiprocessor system including a number of processors 1010 (e.g., two, four, eight, or other suitable number). Processor 1010 may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments, processor 1010 may be an embedded processor implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as x106, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISAs. In a multiprocessor system, each of processors 1010 may typically, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

[0083] The system memory 1020 may be configured to store instructions and data accessible to the processor 1010. In various embodiments, the system memory 820 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), non-volatile / flash type memory, or any other type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment, program instructions and data that implement the desired functionality, such as those methods and techniques described above for service providers or downloadable proprietary software, are shown as stored within the system memory 1020 as program instructions 1025. In some embodiments, the system memory 1020 may include data 1035 that may be configured as described herein.

[0084] In one embodiment, I / O interface 1030 may be configured to coordinate I / O traffic between processor 1010, system memory 1020, and any peripheral devices in the system, including through network interface 1040 or other peripheral interfaces. In some embodiments, I / O interface 1030 may perform any necessary protocol, timing, or other data conversion to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory 1020) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor 1010). In some embodiments, for example, I / O interface 1030 may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. In some embodiments, for example, the functionality of I / O interface 1030 may be divided into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge. Moreover, in some embodiments, some or all of the functionality of I / O interface 1030 (e.g., an interface to system memory 1020) may be directly incorporated into processor 1010.

[0085] For example, the network interface 1040 may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between the computer system 1000 and other devices (such as other computer systems) attached to the network. Specifically, the network interface 1040 may be configured to allow communication between the computer system 1000 and / or various I / O devices 1050. As described herein, the I / O device 1050 may include a scanning device, a display device, an input device and / or other communication devices. The network interface 1040 may generally support one or more wireless networking protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi / IEEE 802.11 or another wireless networking standard). However, in various embodiments, for example, the network interface 1040 may support communication via any suitable wired or wireless general data network (such as other types of Ethernet networks). In addition, the network interface 1040 may support communication via telecommunications / telephone networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber optic communication networks, via storage area networks such as fiber channel SANs, or via any other suitable types of networks and / or protocols.

[0086] In some embodiments, system memory 1020 can be an embodiment of a computer-accessible medium configured to store program instructions and data as described above. However, in other embodiments, program instructions and / or data can be received, sent or stored on different types of computer-accessible media. In general, a computer-accessible medium may include a computer-readable storage medium or memory medium, such as a magnetic or optical medium, such as a disk or DVD / CD-ROM coupled to the computer system 1000 via an I / O interface 1030. The computer-readable storage medium may also include any volatile or non-volatile medium, such as RAM (e.g., SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc., which may be included in some embodiments of the computer system 1000 as system memory 1020 or another type of memory. In addition, a computer-accessible medium may include a transmission medium or signal, such as an electrical, electromagnetic or digital signal, which may be transmitted via a communication medium (such as a network and / or a wireless link), such as may be implemented via a network interface 1040.

[0087] In some embodiments, I / O device 1050 may be a relatively simple or "thin" client device. For example, I / O device 1050 may be configured as a dumb terminal having a display, data input, and communication capabilities but otherwise having little computing functionality. However, in some embodiments, I / O device 1050 may be a computer system configured similarly to computer system 1000, including one or more processors 1010 and various other devices (although in some embodiments, computer system 1000 implementing I / O device 1050 may have slightly different devices or different classes of devices).

[0088] In various embodiments, the I / O devices 1050 (e.g., scanners or display devices and other communication devices) may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following according to various embodiments: handheld devices, devices worn by or attached to a person, and devices integrated into or installed in any mobile or fixed equipment. The I / O devices 1050 may also include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: personal computer systems, desktop computers, rack-mount computers, laptop or notebook computers, workstations, network computers, "dumb" terminals (i.e., computer terminals with little or no integrated processing capabilities), personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones or other handheld devices, proprietary devices, printers, or any other device suitable for communicating with the recommendation engine 195 or device 130. In general, the I / O devices 1050 (e.g., cursor control devices, keyboards, or displays) may be any device that can communicate with elements of the computing system 1000. In one embodiment, at least some of the I / O devices 1050 may be configured to scan or otherwise read or receive codes or identifiers of various objects and communicate the codes to the recommendation engine 195. These components may include, but are not limited to, one or more of an item, an order, a shipping box, or a suitcase.

[0089] The above content can be better understood in view of the following terms:

[0090] 1. A network-attachable data transmission device, comprising:

[0091] a housing configured to transport the network-attachable data transmission device as a separate transport unit;

[0092] an updateable electronic display coupled to the housing and visible externally of the housing to provide shipping destination information, wherein the updateable electronic display is updateable to change the shipping destination information;

[0093] a permanent storage medium located within the housing, the permanent storage medium being configured to store data during transport;

[0094] a network connection accessible through the housing and configured to provide access to the permanent storage medium as a network-attached storage device; and

[0095] An internal power source is configured to provide power to at least the updateable electronic display.

[0096] 2. A network-attachable data transfer device as described in clause 1, wherein the updateable display includes an electronic ink screen, and the electronic ink screen is configured to maintain displaying the shipping destination information during transportation in the absence of power.

[0097] 3. The network-attachable data transmission device of clause 1, said device further comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID), such that said network-attachable device can be uniquely identified and tracked by said RFID.

[0098] 4. A network-attachable data transmission device as described in claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer configured to detect a force applied to the shell, and wherein the network-attachable device is configured to display information about the force applied to the shell on the electronic display.

[0099] 5. A network-attachable data transfer device as described in clause 1, wherein the updateable display includes a touch screen, and the touch screen is configured to receive touch-based input to configure the network-attachable data transfer device for data transfer over a network.

[0100] 6. A network-attachable data transmission device as described in clause 1, wherein the network-attachable device is supplied with a key store, the key store comprising one or more certificates for authenticating the network-attachable device and one or more keys for encrypting data stored in the permanent storage medium of the network-attachable data transmission device.

[0101] 7. A network-attachable data transmission device as described in clause 1, wherein the device also includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a humidity sensor, which are configured to sense corresponding characteristics of the environment of the network-attachable data transmission device, and wherein the network-attachable device is configured to display information obtained from the at least one sensor on the electronic display.

[0102] 8. A network-attachable data transfer device as described in clause 1, wherein the network-attachable data transfer device is ruggedized according to one or more standards including MIL STD 810 (MIL-SPEC) or IPXX (Ingress Protection) for dust and water resistance.

[0103] 9. A network-attachable data transfer device as described in clause 1, wherein the permanent storage medium comprises one or more hard disk drives, optical media, tapes, or solid-state storage devices, and wherein the network-attachable data transfer device is configured to indicate one or more operating characteristics of the permanent storage medium via the updateable electronic display.

[0104] 10. A method comprising:

[0105] receiving, by one or more computers of a service provider, a request for a customer data import job, wherein the request specifies a customer location and an amount of data to be imported from the customer location to the service provider;

[0106] Based on the customer data import operation, a certain amount of data transmission devices are supplied, wherein for each of the certain amount of data transmission devices, the supplying includes:

[0107] installing security information on the supplied data transmission device, wherein the security information can be used to protect customer data stored on the data transmission device, and

[0108] indicating a shipping address of the customer location to be displayed on an electronic display of a housing of the data transmission device; and

[0109] For each of the certain number of data transfer devices, transportation is directed to the customer according to the shipping address displayed on the electronic display of the housing of the data transfer device, wherein the housing provides an independent shipping unit for the data transfer device, and wherein the data transfer device is configured to be installed on a network at the customer location in the housing.

[0110] 11. The method as described in clause 10,

[0111] wherein, for a given data transfer device, directing transportation to the customer comprises directing a common carrier to transport the given data transfer device to the customer; and

[0112] The method further comprises:

[0113] receiving from said common carrier a code for said transportation specific to said common carrier; and

[0114] The given data transfer device is instructed to display the common carrier code via the electronic display of the given data transfer device.

[0115] 12. The method according to clause 10, further comprising:

[0116] receiving, via a wireless network and subsequent to said directing transportation of a given one of said data transfer devices to said customer, sensor data obtained from one or more sensors of said data transfer devices; and

[0117] The data transmission device is rerouted or an electronic message is sent to the client based at least in part on the sensor data.

[0118] 13. The method according to clause 10, further comprising:

[0119] After directing the shipment of a given one of the data transfer devices to the customer and before receiving the data transfer device back at the service provider,

[0120] sending the updated shipping address information to the given data transmission device via the wireless network; and

[0121] The data transfer device is instructed to display the updated shipping address information via the electronic display of the housing of the data transfer device such that the data transfer device is routed to the updated shipping address, wherein the updated shipping address includes another customer location.

[0122] 14. The method according to clause 10, further comprising:

[0123] After the shipping is directed to the customer for a given data transfer device according to the shipping address displayed on the electronic display of the housing of the data transfer device,

[0124] receiving the given data transmission device at the service provider;

[0125] connecting the given data transmission device to the storage service of the service provider;

[0126] reading, decrypting, and transmitting the customer data from the given transmission device to the service provider's storage service; and

[0127] The given data transfer device is prepared for reuse, the preparation comprising erasing the customer data and security information from the given data transfer device.

[0128] 15. A method comprising:

[0129] Upon receiving shipment of a data transfer device, wherein the data transfer device comprises a housing having an electronic display and a storage medium within the housing configured to store data, and wherein the electronic display is configured to display a shipping address:

[0130] connecting the data transmission device to a network via the housing;

[0131] loading data onto the data transmission device via the network;

[0132] changing the electronic display of the data transfer device to the next shipping destination; and

[0133] The data transmission device is transported to the next transportation destination according to the transportation address displayed on the electronic display of the housing of the data transmission device, wherein the housing provides an independent transportation unit for the data transmission device.

[0134] 16. The method according to clause 15, further comprising:

[0135] receiving updated shipping address information by the data transmission device via the wireless network; and

[0136] The updated shipping address information is displayed via the electronic display of the housing of the data transfer device such that the data transfer device is rerouted to the updated shipping address.

[0137] 17. The method as described in clause 16,

[0138] wherein the updated shipping information is authenticated relative to a security certificate provided with the shipping information, and

[0139] The method further includes instructing the electronic display to display a warning message when the updated shipping information fails to pass authentication with respect to the security certificate.

[0140] 18. The method of clause 15, further comprising displaying, via the electronic display of the data transfer device, instructions for connecting the data transfer device to the network.

[0141] 19. A method as described in clause 15, wherein when the next shipping destination is a service provider serving as the destination of the data, the data transmission device is configured to encode the corresponding displayed shipping address and display the encoded shipping address so that the shipping address of the service provider is obfuscated.

[0142] 20. The method of clause 15, wherein the method further comprises:

[0143] Determining the progress of the data transmission device connection and data transmission; and

[0144] An indication of the progress is displayed via the electronic display of the data transmission device.

[0145] 21. A method comprising:

[0146] receiving, by one or more computers of a service provider, a request for a customer data export job, wherein the request specifies customer data to be exported from a data storage service of the service provider;

[0147] Provisioning one or more data transmission devices based on the customer data export job, wherein for each of the one or more data transmission devices, the provisioning comprises:

[0148] connecting the data transmission device to a network via a housing of the data transmission device;

[0149] installing security information on the supplied data transmission device, wherein the security information can be used to protect customer data stored on the data transmission device;

[0150] loading the customer data onto the data transmission device via the network; and

[0151] indicating a shipping address of a customer-specified location to be displayed on an electronic display of said housing of said data transmission device; and

[0152] For each of the one or more data transmission devices,

[0153] The shipment is directed to the customer-specified location based on the shipping address displayed on the electronic display of the housing of the data transmission device, wherein the housing provides an independent shipping unit for the data transmission device, and wherein the data transmission device is configured to be installed on a network at the customer location in the housing.

[0154] 22. The method according to clause 21, further comprising:

[0155] After directing the shipment to the customer-specified location according to the shipping address displayed on the electronic display,

[0156] For each of the one or more data transmission devices:

[0157] indicating another shipping address for another customer-specified location on an electronic display of the housing of the data transmission device; and

[0158] The shipment is directed to the other customer-specified location based on the shipping address displayed on the electronic display of the housing of the data transmission device.

[0159] 23. The method according to clause 21, further comprising:

[0160] For each of the one or more data transmission devices, and

[0161] After directing the shipment to the customer-specified location according to the shipping address displayed on the electronic display of the housing:

[0162] sending the updated shipping address information to the data transmission device via the wireless network; and

[0163] The data transfer device is instructed to display the updated shipping address information via the electronic display of the housing of the data transfer device so that the data transfer device is rerouted to the updated shipping address while en route to the shipping address at the customer location.

[0164] The various methods shown in the drawings and as described herein represent illustrative embodiments of the methods. These methods can be implemented manually, with software, hardware or a combination thereof. The order of any method can be changed, and various elements can be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. For example, in one embodiment, the method can be implemented by a computer system, and the computer system includes a processor that executes program instructions, and the program instructions are stored on a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the processor. The program instructions can be configured to implement the functions described herein (for example, the functions of enterprise logic, packaging services, product databases, devices and / or other communication devices, etc.).

[0165] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that various modifications and changes may be made. The present disclosure is intended to encompass all such modifications and changes, and therefore the foregoing description is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense.

[0166] Various embodiments may also include receiving, sending or storing instructions and / or data implemented according to the foregoing description on a computer-accessible medium. In general, a computer-accessible medium may include a storage medium or memory medium, such as a magnetic or optical medium (e.g., a disk or DVD / CD-ROM), a volatile or non-volatile medium, such as a RAM (e.g., SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), a ROM, etc., and a transmission medium or signal (such as an electrical, electromagnetic or digital signal) delivered via a communication medium (such as a network and / or a wireless link).

Claims

1. A network-attachable data transmission device, the network-attachable data transmission device transporting a permanent storage medium, the network-attachable data transmission device comprising: a housing configured to transport the network-attachable data transmission device as a self-contained transport unit; an updateable electronic display coupled to the housing and visible externally of the housing to provide shipping destination information, wherein the updateable electronic display is updateable to change the shipping destination information; The permanent storage medium is located inside the housing and is configured as follows: acts as a network-attached storage device when attached to a network, and storing data to be transmitted by the network-attachable data transmission device during transportation of the network-attachable data transmission device; a physical network connection accessible through the housing and configured to provide access to the permanent storage medium as the network attached storage device; and An internal power source is configured to provide power to at least components of the network-attachable data transmission device.

2. The network-attachable data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the updateable electronic display comprises: an electronic ink screen configured to maintain display of the shipping destination information during shipping in the absence of power; or A touch screen is configured to receive touch-based input to configure the network-attachable data transfer device for data transfer over a network.

3. The network-attachable data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the network-attachable data transfer device is ruggedized according to one or more standards including MIL STD 810 MIL-SPEC or IPXX ingress protection for dust and water resistance.

4. A network-attachable data transmission device as described in claim 1, wherein the network-attachable device is supplied with a key library, the key library including one or more certificates for authenticating the network-attachable data transmission device and one or more keys for encrypting data stored in the permanent storage medium of the network-attachable data transmission device.

5. The network-attachable data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the network-attachable data transfer device is configured to receive and store encrypted data.

6. The network-attachable data transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network-attachable data transfer apparatus is configured as a Type 1 encryption device.

7. The network-attachable data transmission device as described in claim 1 further includes a temperature sensor, which is configured to sense the temperature of the environment of the network-attachable data transmission device, and wherein the network-attachable data transmission device is configured to display information obtained from the temperature sensor on the updateable electronic display.

8. The network-attachable data transmission device of claim 1, wherein the permanent storage medium comprises: One or more hard disk drives, or One or more solid-state storage devices.

9. The network-attachable data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the network-attachable data transfer device is configured to direct display of one or more operational characteristics of the permanent storage medium via the updateable electronic display.

10. The network-attachable data transmission device of claim 1, further comprising: A power connector is configured to provide power from an external power source to one or more components of the network-attachable data transmission device.

11. The network-attachable data transfer device of claim 1 further comprising a network interface configured to serve as an interface between the network-attachable data transfer device and one or more networks using at least one of an iSCSI protocol or an Ethernet protocol.

12. The network-attachable data transmission device of claim 1, further comprising: A switch to turn the power on and off, or A switch for activating the updateable electronic display.

13. The network-attachable data transmission device of claim 1, configured to: receiving from a common carrier a common carrier code specific to said common carrier for said transportation; and The updateable electronic display via the network-attachable data transmission device displays the common carrier code.

14. The network-attachable data transmission device of claim 1, further comprising an antenna, wherein the network-attachable data transmission device is configured to: receiving, via the antenna, updated shipping address information for the network-attachable data transmission device; and The updateable electronic display of the housing via the network-attachable data transmission device displays the updated shipping address information.

15. The network-attachable data transmission device of claim 1, wherein the network-attachable data transmission device is configured to: authenticating the updated shipping information against a security certificate provided with the updated shipping information, and The updateable electronic display is instructed to display a warning message when the updated shipping information is not authenticated relative to the security certificate.

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