Abstract:
Various techniques for detachably connecting a commercially-available convention picture frame to an electronic display panel, such as one used in a digital picture frame. The electronic display panel includes a display and a bordering housing surrounding the display and having an opening, that in combination with the opening in the conventional picture frame, allow the display to be visible through the openings. The height, width, and thickness of the bordering housing are configured to allow the electronic display panel to be engaged with multiple commercially-available conventional picture frames.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/094,652 filed on Sep. 5, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to display devices such as digital picture frames, and more particularly to techniques for engaging commercially-available conventional picture frames to an electronic display panel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A digital display device, such as digital picture frame, is an increasingly popular product that allows a user to display multiple digital images with one single framed device. Traditional digital picture frames include an electronic display panel and a frame that is designed specifically for the electronic display panel. To allow users to be able to vary the look of a digital picture frame, some digital picture frame producers sell a limited number of frames that have each been designed to fit a particular model of a digital picture frame. Consequently, a user has limited options when customizing the look of a digital picture frame. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Various techniques are disclosed for detachably engaging a commercially-available conventional picture frame to an electronic display panel. The electronic display panel includes a display and a bordering housing surrounding the display. The height, width, and thickness of the bordering housing are configured to allow the electronic display panel to be engaged with multiple commercially-available conventional picture frames. One embodiment for detachably engaging a conventional picture frame to the electronic display panel includes deflectable clips affixed to a backside of the bordering housing, where the deflectable clips move into a slot formed in the commercially-available conventional picture frame in response to a force being applied to each clip. Another embodiment uses rotatable clips affixed to the picture frame to detachably engage the commercially-available conventional picture frame to the electronic display panel. Yet another embodiment employs corner clips inserted into two or more corners of the commercially-available conventional picture frame so that each corner clip is disposed between a backside of the bordering housing and the commercially-available conventional picture frame. A holdback plate having movable tabs can also be used to detachably engage the conventional picture frame to the electronic display panel. Pressure connectors, adhesive connectors, tab connectors, and a slot connector can also be used to detachably engage a commercially-available conventional picture frame to the electronic display panel. One or more of the techniques can further employ one or more expansive layers positioned between the backside of the bordering housing and the clips or connectors used to engage the commercially-available picture frame to the electronic display panel. 
       ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT 
       [0005]    The present invention includes the advantage of allowing an electronic display panel of a digital display device, such as a digital picture frame, to be detachably engaged with a plurality of commercially-available picture frames. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a conventional picture frame engaged to the front of an electronic display panel in an embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a back view of conventional picture frame engaged to the back of an electronic display panel in an embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a first embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a second embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a third embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective rear view of one corner of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a fourth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  a perspective rear view of one corner of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a fifth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a sixth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a seventh embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  depicts a cross-sectional view of a side of a conventional picture frame having alternative connection means that can be used to engage the conventional picture frame to an electronic display panel; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  depicts a cross-sectional view of a side of a conventional picture frame having alternative connection means that can be used to engage the conventional picture frame to an electronic display panel; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  depicts a cross-sectional view of a side of a conventional picture frame having alternative connection means that can be used to engage the conventional picture frame to an electronic display panel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” The term “connected” means either a direct connection between the items connected or an indirect connection through one or more intermediary devices. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a conventional picture frame engaged to the front of an electronic display panel in an embodiment in accordance with the invention.  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 . Electronic display panel includes display  100  and bordering housing  102 . Display  100  can be implemented with any type of display, including, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, digital light processing type (DLF), organic light emitting diode (OLED), liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), and surface-conduction electron-emitter (SED). Bordering housing  102  can be fabricated with plastic, metal, wood, graphite fiber, composite, or any other suitable material. 
         [0022]    Display  100  and bordering housing  102  are constructed as a single entity to form an electronic display panel  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Bordering housing  102  can be configured as a single entity that attaches directly to frame  104  or, alternately, be configured as a panel and an adapter or other intermediary device that connects to frame  104 . 
         [0023]    Conventional picture frame  104  includes an opening  106  that allows display  100  and at least a portion of the front side of bordering housing  102  to be viewable in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Conventional picture frame  104  is a picture frame that is constructed for a known photograph size. For example, conventional picture frame  104  can be a 4×6, 5×7 or 8×10 picture frame. 
         [0024]    Electronic display panel  200  is constructed to have a height, width, and thickness that allows panel  200  to be engaged with multiple conventional picture frames of a given size. The width and height of electronic display panel  200  are within a tenth of an inch of the stated width and height for a conventional picture frame in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. The tolerances of the height and width of electronic display panel  200  can have different values in other embodiments in accordance with the invention. For example, the height and width of panel  200  is within three or two tenths of an inch of the stated width and height of a conventional picture frame in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. And in yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the width and height are less than a tenth of an inch of the stated width and height of a conventional picture frame in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0025]    Moreover, the tolerances of the height and width of electronic display panel  200  do not have to be the same value. By way of example only, the height of panel  200  can be within two tenths of an inch of the stated height of a conventional picture frame while the width is less than a tenth of an inch of the stated width of the frame. As discussed earlier, electronic display panel  200  is designed to have a height and width that allows panel  200  to be engaged with two or more different conventional picture frames of a given size. 
         [0026]    Bordering housing  102 , or at least the outer portion of the edges of bordering housing  102 , is designed with a thickness that allows the electronic display panel  200  to fit into multiple picture frames of a given size. The thickness of bordering housing  102 , or at least the outer portions of the edges of bordering housing  102 , is less than two tenths of an inch in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. The thickness of at least the outer portions of the edges of bordering housing  102  can be different in other embodiments in accordance with the invention. For example, the thickness of the edges is less than three tenths of an inch in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. And in yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the thickness of the edges is less than a tenth of an inch. 
         [0027]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a back view of conventional picture frame engaged to the back of an electronic display panel in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. The back of electronic display panel  200  includes housing  300  that surrounds the back of display  100  and the electronics needed to operate, or interact with, display  100 . Such electronics can include, but are not limited to, memory, processing devices, wireless and wired network devices, power supplies including electrical and battery supplies, and connectors for one or more input/output (I/O) ports and memory slots. 
         [0028]    The back of electronic display panel  200  may also include a conventional hinged stand  302  that enables the combination of electronic display panel  200  and conventional picture frame  104  to rest or stand upright on a surface. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the back of bordering housing  102  includes multiple deflectable clips  304  that are used to engage or connect conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . Different types of connection means, described herein in conjunction with  FIGS. 4-13 , are used to engage frame  104  to panel  200 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a first embodiment in accordance with the invention. Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes an L-shaped shelf  402  and a slot  404 , both of which are formed in all four sides of frame  104  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Other embodiments in accordance with the invention can form slot  404  and shelf  402  in three or fewer sides of frame  104 . 
         [0030]    When placed in opening  106 , edge  406  of bordering housing  102  and a portion  408  of the front side of bordering housing  102  are positioned or rest in L-shaped shelf  402 . For the sake of clarity and ease of understanding, housing  300  (see  FIG. 3 ) is not shown on the back of electronic display panel  200  in  FIGS. 4-10 . Electronic display panel  200  may be placed in conventional picture frame  104  by sliding panel  200  into frame  104  or by dropping electronic display panel  200  into frame  104  in embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
         [0031]    Deflectable clip  304  is designed to position edge  410  of clip  304  at a given distance away from the back side of bordering housing  102  when no force is applied to clip  304 . To engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 , a sideway force can be applied to deflectable clip  304  to cause clip  304  to rotate away from slot  404 . A downward force is then applied to clip  304  to cause edge  410  to deflect or bend toward the back side of bordering housing  102 . Next, edge  410  is rotated into slot  404  and the downward force removed from clip  304 . Removal of the force causes edge  410  to move upward within slot  404  until edge  410  restrainably rests on side  412  of slot  404 . Edge  410  of clip  304  is held in slot  404  by the spring-like functionality of clip  304 . This process is repeated for each clip  304  on electronic display panel  200 . Electronic display panel  200  is engaged with frame  104  when all of the deflectable clips  304  have been inserted into slot  404 . 
         [0032]    To disengage conventional picture frame  104  from electronic display panel  200 , a downward force is applied to clip  304  to cause edge  410  to deflect away from side  412  of slot  404 . A sideway force is then applied to clip  304  to cause edge  410  to rotate out of slot  404 . This process is repeated for each clip  304  on electronic display panel  200 . When all of the deflectable clips  304  have been disengaged from slot  404 , electronic display panel  200  can be removed or separated from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0033]    Bordering housing  102  includes two or more deflectable clips  304  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. These clips  304  can be located anywhere on bordering housing  102 . For example, in one embodiment in accordance with the invention, deflectable clips  304  are positioned at each corner of bordering housing  102 . 
         [0034]    In other embodiments in accordance with the invention, deflectable clip  304  does not rotate into slot  404 . Instead, clip  304  is a slidable clip or a fixed clip that requires a downward force to deflect the clip and allow it to be inserted into slot  404 . The different types of deflectable clips can be used individually or in combination with one another to engage frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a second embodiment in accordance with the invention. Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes L-shaped shelf  500  that is formed in all four sides of the frame in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0036]    When placed in opening  106 , edge  502  of bordering housing  102  ( FIG. 1 ) and a portion  504  of the front side of bordering housing  102  are positioned or rest in L-shaped shelf  500 . Electronic display panel  200  may be placed in conventional picture frame  104  by sliding panel  200  into frame  104  or by dropping electronic display panel  200  into frame  104  in embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
         [0037]    Clip  506  is affixed to the back side of frame  104 . Clip  506  is designed to rotate around fixed pin  508  in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . To engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 , a force is applied to clip  506  to cause clip  506  to rotate and be positioned over bordering housing  102 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , clip  506  rests against bordering housing  102  when clip  506  is positioned over bordering housing  102 . 
         [0038]    To disengage conventional picture frame  104  from electronic display panel  200 , a force is applied to clip  506  to cause clip  506  to rotate and be positioned over frame  104  (shown in  FIG. 5  with dashed lines). This process is repeated for each clip  304  on electronic display panel  200 . When all of clips  506  have been rotated to a position over frame  104 , electronic display panel  200  can be removed or separated from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0039]    Conventional picture frame  104  includes two or more clips  506  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Clips  506  can be located anywhere on frame  104 . For example, in one embodiment in accordance with the invention, clips  506  are affixed on each side of the back side of conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0040]    Clip  506  does not rotate in other embodiments in accordance with the invention. Instead, clip  506  is a slidable clip that slides over bordering housing  102  to engage frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . Alternatively, clip  506  is configured as another type of clip that is positioned over bordering housing  102  to engage frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a third embodiment in accordance with the invention. Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes L-shaped shelf  600  that is formed in all four sides of the frame in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0042]    When placed in opening  106  of conventional picture frame  104 , edge  602  of bordering housing  102  and a portion  604  of the front side of bordering housing  102  are positioned or rest in L-shaped shelf  600 . But in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the height of side  606  of L-shaped shelf  600  is greater than the thickness of bordering housing  102  of electronic display panel  200 . Thus, clip  506  does not rest against bordering housing  102  when clip  506  is positioned over bordering housing  102 . 
         [0043]    Expansion layer  608  is placed on, or affixed to, a portion of bordering housing  102  that corresponds to the location of clip  506 . This allows clip  506  to rest against the top surface of expansion layer  608  when clip  506  is positioned over expansion layer  608 . Thus, the combination of clip  506  and expansion layer  608  is used to engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . 
         [0044]    Conventional picture frame  104  includes two or more clips  506  and bordering housing  102  a correspondingly number of expansion layers  608  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Expansion layer  608  can be formed with one or more layers of any type of material or combination of materials. For example, expansion layer  608  can be fabricated using foam, rubber, spring steel, molded plastic, springs, or any combination thereof. 
         [0045]    In other embodiments in accordance with the invention, expansive layer  608  can be located around the outer edge of bordering housing  102 . Alternatively, expansive layer  608  can be molded to avoid any permanent attachments to bordering housing  102 . Expansive layer  608  can have a hard skin on each side with a softer expansive material in between. Expansive layer  608  can have adhesive on one or both sides to help secure it to bordering housing  104 , or conventional picture frame  104 , or both. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a perspective rear view of one corner of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a fourth embodiment in accordance with the invention. Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes L-shaped shelf  700  that is formed in all four sides of the frame in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0047]    When placed in opening  106 , the edges of bordering housing  102  and portions of the front side of bordering housing  102  are positioned or rest in L-shaped shelf  700 . Electronic display panel  200  ( FIG. 2 ) may be placed in conventional picture frame  104  by sliding panel  200  into frame  104  or by dropping electronic display panel  200  into frame  104  in embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
         [0048]    Corner clip  702  is inserted into the back side of frame  104 . Clip  702  is designed to be inserted into a corner of convention picture frame and the two corresponding sides of frame  104  that form the corner. Expansion layer  608  is positioned between corner clip  702  and electronic display panel  200  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the combination of corner clip  702  and expansion layer  608  is used to engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . 
         [0049]    To disengage conventional picture frame  104  from electronic display panel  200 , corner clip  702  is removed from the corner of conventional picture frame  104 . If necessary, expansion layer  608  is also removed from the corner. This process is repeated for each corner clip  702 . When all of the corner clips  702  have been removed from the corners of frame  104 , electronic display panel  200  can be removed or separated from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0050]    Two or more corner clips  702 , and if necessary expansion layers  608 , are used to engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. For example, in one embodiment in accordance with the invention, a corner clip  702  can be inserted into each corner of conventional picture frame  104 . In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, a corner clip  702  can be inserted into each of two diagonal opposing corners of conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0051]    In other embodiments in accordance with the invention, expansive layer  608  is not used with corner clip  702 . Instead, corner clip  702  includes a loop or spring or some other type of device that is positioned between clip  702  and the back of electronic display panel  200 . And in yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention, corner clip  702  is used by itself to engage frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  a perspective rear view of one corner of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a fifth embodiment in accordance with the invention. Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes L-shaped shelf  800  and a slot  802  that are formed in all four sides of the frame in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0053]    When placed in opening  106  of conventional picture frame  104  ( FIG. 1 ), the edges of bordering housing  102  and portions of the front side of bordering housing  102  are positioned or rest in L-shaped shelf  800 . Electronic display panel  200  may be placed in conventional picture frame  104  by sliding panel  200  into frame  104  or by dropping electronic display panel  200  into frame  104  in embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
         [0054]    Holdback plate  804  is placed on top of at least the outer portions of bordering housing  102  and includes tabs  808 . Tabs  808  can be above or below the viewable surface of holdback plate  804 . Tab  808  can be a slider, rotating clip, or other attachment device in embodiment in accordance with the invention. There may be one or more expansive layers added between plate  804  and bordering housing  102  to accommodate when slot  802  is a different height from surface  800 . 
         [0055]    To engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 , a force is applied to button  806  to cause tab  808  to extend into slot  802 . This process is repeated for each tab  808  included with holdback plate  804 . Two or more tabs  808  can be used with holdback plate  804  to engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0056]    To disengage conventional picture frame  104  from electronic display panel  200 , a force is applied to button  806  to cause tab  808  to retract towards holdback plate  804 . When all of tabs  808  are retracted, electronic display panel  200  can be removed or separated from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a sixth embodiment in accordance with the invention. Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes L-shaped shelf  900  that is formed in all four sides of frame  104  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0058]    When placed in opening  106  of conventional picture frame  104 , the edges  902  of bordering housing  102  and portions  904  of the front side of bordering housing  102  are positioned or rest in L-shaped shelf  900 . Electronic display panel  200  may be placed in conventional picture frame  104  by sliding panel  200  into frame  104  or by dropping electronic display panel  200  into frame  104  in embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
         [0059]    Pressure connector  906  is included within, or affixed to the back of, electronic display panel  200 . Pressure connector  906  is designed to be extendable to apply a force against at least one side of L-shaped shelf  900 . By way of example only, pressure connector  906  can be implemented as a screw, a set screw, a slider, or any combination thereof. Two or more pressure connectors  906  are used to engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. For example, in one embodiment in accordance with the invention, two pressure connectors  906  on opposing sides of electronic display panel  200  are used to engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . 
         [0060]    To disengage conventional picture frame  104  from electronic display panel  200 , each pressure connector  906  is shortened or withdrawn from the one or more sides of L-shaped shelf  900 . When all of the pressure connectors  906  have been withdrawn, electronic display panel  200  can be removed or separated from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0061]    Frictional material (not shown) can be added around edge  902  or in the corners of frame  104 , bordering housing  102 , or both, to enhance the strength of the engagement of frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 . The frictional material can be formed from rubber, non-slip fabric, electronic display housing finish texture, or any other material with frictional properties. 
         [0062]      FIG. 10  is a perspective rear view of one side of the conventional picture frame and the electronic display panel in a seventh embodiment in accordance with the invention. Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes L-shaped shelf  1000  that is formed in all four sides of frame  104  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
         [0063]    When placed in opening  106 , the edges of bordering housing  102  and portions of the front side of bordering housing  102  are positioned or rest in L-shaped shelf  1000 . Electronic display panel  200  may be placed in conventional picture frame  104  by sliding panel  200  into frame  104  or by dropping electronic display panel  200  into frame  104  in embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
         [0064]    Adhesive connector  1002  is used to affix one or more edges of electronic display panel  200  to one or more sides of L-shaped shelf  1000 . For example, adhesive connector  1002  is implemented as a hook and loop connector, such as Velcro®, in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Thus, one or more strips of the hook or loop material is affixed to at least one side of L-shaped shelf  1000  and the loop or hook material, respectively, is affixed to edge  1004  of electronic display panel  200 . Conventional picture frame  104  is engaged with electronic display panel  200  when all of the edges of electronic display panel  200  having an adhesive connector are attached to corresponding adhesive connectors on conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0065]    To disengage conventional picture frame  104  from electronic display panel  200 , the edges of electronic display panel  200  having an adhesive connector are separated from their corresponding adhesive connectors on conventional picture frame  104 . Electronic display panel  200  is now removable from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0066]    In other embodiments in accordance with the invention, different types of adhesive connectors can be used. For example, temporary glue or other temporary liquid adhesive or two-sided tape can be used as an adhesive connector. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 11-13  depict cross-sectional views of a side of a conventional picture frame having alternative connection means that can be used to engage the conventional picture frame to an electronic display panel.  FIG. 11  illustrates a tab connector  1100  that is included in two or more sides of conventional picture frame  104 . For example, each side of the back side of conventional picture frame  104  can include one or more tab connectors  1100 . 
         [0068]    Surface  400  is the front side of conventional picture frame  104 . Conventional picture frame  104  includes L-shaped shelf  1102  that is formed in all four sides of frame  104  in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. To engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 , an upward force is applied tab connector  1100  to cause tab connector  1100  to lift up and away from surface  1104  (shown in  FIG. 11  with dashed lines). 
         [0069]    This process is repeated for each tab connector  1100  in frame  104 . When all tab connectors  1100  are lifted away from surface  1104 , electronic display panel  200  can be placed in conventional picture frame  104  such that the front side edges of electronic display panel  200  rest upon surface  1104 . A downward force is then applied to each tab connector  1100  until the tab connectors  1100  rest against the back side of electronic display panel  200 . The steps of the engagement process are reversed to disengage electronic display panel  200  from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 12  depicts a slot connector  1200  that is included in one side of conventional picture frame  104 . Slot connector  1200  is used in conjunction with the rotatable clips  506  ( FIG. 5 ) or tab connectors  1100  ( FIG. 11 ) in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. To engage conventional picture frame  104  to electronic display panel  200 , electronic one edge of electronic display panel  200  is inserted into slot  400  prior to placing the front side edges of electronic display panel on surface  1202 . 
         [0071]    Rotatable clips  506  or tab connectors  1100  are located on the back side of conventional picture frame at a side of conventional picture frame  104  that opposes slot  1200 . If desired, additional rotatable clips  506  or tab connectors  1100  can be located on the other sides of conventional picture frame  104 . Once the front side edges of electronic display panel rest on surface  1202 , rotatable clips  506  or tab connectors  1100  are positioned over the back side of electronic display panel  200  to engage electronic display panel  200  to frame  104 . The steps of the engagement process are reversed to disengage electronic display panel  200  to frame  104 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 13  illustrates a slide-in-slot connector that can be used to engage electronic display panel  200  to conventional picture frame  104 . Slot  1300  is formed in three sides of conventional picture frame  104 . The fourth side of frame  104  is open to allow a side of electronic display panel  200  to be inserted into slots  1300  on the two opposing sides of frame  104 . Electronic display panel  200  can then be slid into frame  104 . This process is reversed to remove electronic display panel  200  from conventional picture frame  104 . 
         [0073]    Although the various connection means have been described individually, two or more connection means can be used together in one or more embodiments in accordance with the invention. By way of example only, the deflectable clips  304  (see  FIG. 4 ) can be used with rotatable clips  506  ( FIG. 5 ) or tab connectors  1100  ( FIG. 11 ). Moreover, the different connection means can be fabricated from metal, plastic, wood, or any other appropriate material that can securely fasten the electronic display panel  200  ( FIG. 2 ) to conventional picture frame  104  ( FIG. 1 ). And finally, the expansive layer (e.g.,  608  in  FIG. 6 ) can be used with embodiments other than the embodiments of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . For example, an expansive layer can be used with the tab connector  1100  shown in  FIG. 11  or the slide-in-slot connection of  FIG. 13 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the expansive layer would be positioned between tab  1100  and electronic display panel  200 . With embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the expansive layer is positioned between edge  1305  of the slide-in-slot connection and electronic display panel  200 . 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           100  display 
           102  bordering housing 
           104  conventional picture frame 
           200  electronic display panel 
           300  housing 
           302  hinged stand 
           304  deflectable clips 
           400  surface 
           402  shelf 
           404  slot 
           406  edge of bordering housing 
           408  portion of the front side of bordering housing 
           410  edge of deflectable clip 
           412  side 
           500  shelf 
           502  edge of bordering housing 
           504  portion of the front side of bordering housing 
           506  clip 
           508  fixed pin 
           600  shelf 
           602  edge of bordering housing 
           604  portion of the front side of bordering housing 
           606  side of shelf 
           608  expansion layer 
           700  shelf 
           702  corner clip 
           800  shelf 
           802  slot 
           804  holdback plate 
           806  button 
           808  tabs 
           900  shelf 
           902  edge of bordering housing 
           904  portion of the front side of bordering housing 
           906  pressure connector 
           1000  shelf 
           1002  adhesive connector 
           1100  tab connector 
           1102  shelf 
           1104  surface 
           1200  connector 
           1202  surface 
           1300  slot 
           1305  edge