Abstract: A cooling system for an electronic display may include a heat collector plate with internal gas and liquid phase lines. The cooling plate may be thermally isolated together with electronic components of the display within an enclosure of the display, while external lines carry liquid and gas phase refrigerant outside the enclosure to and from the heat collector plate. The external lines may be similar in size to each other and may be connected to the heat collector outside the heat collector plate by a manifold. The heat collector plate contacts a base plate of the electronic display in a thermally conductive relation to transfer heat from electronic components within the display to the gas phase refrigerant. Fans may be included for additional convective heat transfer. A single compressor may be fluidly connected to multiple heat collector plates in respective electronic displays.

Abstract: A heat collector includes a heat sink. A recess in the heat sink either forms or receives internal gas and liquid phase lines. A manifold may be integrally formed in the heat sink or may be added on. The manifold combines separate input and output connections into a composite input and output connection. An internal composite line may include the internal gas and liquid phase lines and may be connected to the composite connection of the manifold. The internal liquid phase line is fluidly connected to the internal gas phase line in a transition region of the composite line. Advantageously, the internal liquid phase line may be disposed inside the internal gas phase line for protection and positive heat transfer effects. A cover may hold the composite line in the recess and provide good thermal contact between the lines and the heat sink.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electronic display may include a heat collector plate with internal gas and liquid phase lines. The cooling plate may be thermally isolated together with electronic components of the display within an enclosure of the display, while external lines carry liquid and gas phase refrigerant outside the enclosure to and from the heat collector plate. The external lines may be similar in size to each other and may be connected to the heat collector outside the heat collector plate by a manifold. The heat collector plate contacts a base plate of the electronic display in a thermally conductive relation to transfer heat from electronic components within the display to the gas phase refrigerant. Fans may be included for additional convective heat transfer. A single compressor may be fluidly connected to multiple heat collector plates in respective electronic displays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electronic display comprises a guest controller transparently linked to an existing host computer system or network. The host computer network is typically a serial network of point-of-sale (POS) electronic cash registers wherein one register functions as the network server. Nevertheless, the various preferred embodiments of the present invention are readily adapted for use with a variety of host computer systems. The guest controller “listens” to information transferred in the host computer system or network and produces output to the electronic display according to predetermined preferences and formats. The guest controller and the electronic display system are manipulated and programmed using existing host input devices, such as a register keypad, without any obvious effect upon the existing computer system or network.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting equipment in an outdoor communication structure from adverse weather conditions, vibration, and vandalism includes a housing that possesses hidden lip door edges and is assembled such that no screws, nuts, hinges, etc. are left exposed. Also, any speakers and/or microphones are largely isolated from potential vibration by surrounding them with vibration dampeners such as foam or other padding or insulation. Heat, dust intake, vibration, and electricity usage are reduced by providing convection venting wherein the internal cavity of the housing narrows at a top region of the housing. Vents in the top region of the housing allow air from the narrowed internal cavity to escape as it heats and expands. As hot air is displaced from the narrowed internal cavity, cooler ambient air is drawn into the internal cavity through bottom vents in a bottom region of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic display unit includes: 1) a sealed display housing; 2) an electronic display inside the display housing; 3) circuit boards inside the display housing; 4) a heat collector inside the display housing; 5) a heat dissipater outside the display housing; and 6) a thermally conductive link between the heat collector and the heat dissipater. Various apparatus and methods allow gathering heat inside the display housing and transferring heat either to outside the display housing or to the electronic display inside the display housing. The transfer occurs without exposing electronic components inside the display housing to dust and moisture. Thus, exposure of the electronic components to excessive heat is avoided and exposure of the electronic display to excessive cold is also avoided. The electronic display, along with the circuit board, are positioned to at least partially define a front chamber, a center chamber, and a rear chamber.