Abstract:
Provided is a method and system for displaying video from a plurality of video streams on a display. It includes an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. The frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display, and each frame occupying an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. The frame controller displays a channel group on the television display. The channel group comprises a list of channels sharing at least one common attribute.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/731,461 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING MULTIPLE PICTURES ON A TELEVISION” filed on Mar. 30, 2007, which is assigned to a common assignee. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to television, and more particularly, to a system and method for organizing television channel groups. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The introduction of High Definition Television (HDTV) and the flat panel display has led to new and pleasant experience in watching television. The slimness of a flat panel television set saves space and allows a consumer to place a larger television in a room of limited size. HDTV sets support high resolution and better picture quality. Many HDTV sets sold today are flat panel television sets. 
     Along with the improved resolution and picture quality, the trend in HDTV sales has been towards a general increase in the size of the average television display. For example, in United States, the average size of a HDTV set sold is now approximately 30 inches, diagonal. In some Asian countries, the average size is even larger than 32 inches. 
     A large screen allows a consumer to more comfortably view multiple pictures. For example, a consumer may watch the Super Bowl on a large picture on the display screen, while simultaneously viewing an NBA game between the Sacramento Kings and the LA Lakers on a smaller picture, a local college basketball between Stanford and Berkeley on a third picture, and a hockey game between New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks on a fourth picture on the television display. Not to miss any important news, the consumer may view CNN or FOX on a fifth picture. Last but not least, they may also view a sixth picture, such as from a baby monitor their 8-month old baby&#39;s room, at the same time. On a traditional smaller television screen, having six picture frames displaying simultaneously on the screen would necessitate that at least some of the picture frames would be so small as to be difficult to view at an average or normal viewing distance. With the large screen, however, more the larger display area allows for more picture detail to be discerned at the same distance than with a smaller television screen. 
     Currently, there are several ways to view multiple pictures simultaneously on a television set. Picture in picture (PIP) allows two pictures to be shown on a television set at the same time, with a smaller picture displayed on top of, or overlaying, a larger picture. Since the smaller picture overlays the larger picture, the larger picture is not entirely visible. This is often extremely inconvenient, as the overlaid picture may cover a portion of the larger picture of interest to the viewer. For example, the overlaid portion might cover the end zone of a football game. 
     In addition, many cable television and satellite television networks carry numerous channels. A subscriber typically gets over 50 channels, even for basic services, and it is not uncommon for a subscriber to have over 100 channels available with a typical subscription. Particularly in a multiple picture environment, in which the number of channels that can be viewed at one time is increased, a user may desire a means to easily select channels for viewing. 
     Moreover, advances in Internet video and television potentially makes available thousands of channels. Navigating through so many available channels becomes a daunting task. There are a number of ways to deal with the problem. Video on demand (VOD) allows a user to select a television program they want to watch, but this method is most effective only for a small number of television programs. The next time the user wants to watch television, they have to select a television program again. 
     Also, VOD relates to television programs and not to television channels. For example, if Mary wants to watch television programs about homes and gardens, she may use VOD to select a “24 Hour Design” show from House and Garden Television channel (HGTV). On the next day, Mary turns on the television to watch some more house and garden shows, but instead of seeing the HGTV channel, she finds a VOD screen waiting for her to once again select a program. 
     Another way of navigating through the channels is to use the programmed channel list feature of televisions and set-top boxes. A user may remove television channels they do not like. For example, Bob does not shop on television and is not interested in local community affairs. Thus, he removes all home shopping television channels and local community television channels from the programmed channel list. Bob is happy. Mary, Bob&#39;s wife, likes to shop but does not enjoy sports on television. Mary removes sports channels from the programmed channel list. Mary finds the home shopping channels were removed, and adds them back to the programmed channel list. Later that evening, Bob wants to watch a tennis final match on ESPN, a sports channel. Bob cannot find it on the programmed channel list. 
     Thus, particularly in a multiple picture environment, there is a need to organize television channels into a plurality of television channel groups. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a television system and method including an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. Each of the plurality of video streams has a display aspect ratio, and the frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display. Each frame occupies an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. The frame controller further causes display of a channel group comprising a list of channels in at least one of the separate frames on the television display. Each channel includes a plurality of serially-available video streams sharing at least one common attribute. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the input interface receives video data from one or more sources selected from the list including broadcast television, cable television, satellite television, video cassette player (VCR), and digital versatile disk (DVD). 
     In one aspect of the invention, the input interface receives video data in one or more of the following formats: NTSC, PAL, and HDTV. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the input interface includes one or more of a coaxial interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), component interface, composite interface, an Ethernet interface, or a wireless network interface. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the input interface includes a wireless network. Any wireless network may be used, including a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) network, or and Ultra-wideband (UWB) network. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the common attribute for the channel group is one of sports, news, or movies. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the common attribute for the channel group is one of ethnicity, language or culture. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the common attribute for the channel group is one of age appropriateness, age preference, or age restricted. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the common attribute for the channel group is selected by a user. In an aspect of the invention, the user selects the common attribute from a list of common attributes. 
     Another aspect of the invention also allows the user to provide a key to the frame controller and for the frame controller to require the provided key to be used when access to a channel group or to a display channel in the channel group is attempted. 
     Another aspect of the invention also provides that a key must be verified by the frame controller with a multi-access network or data network in order for access to a channel group or to a display channel in the channel group to be allowed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a television set with a multi-picture frame; 
         FIG. 1   a  is a schematic diagram illustrating a picture and a frame controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating controlling operations of a multi-picture frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a schematic diagram depicting a process to swap the television channel of two displayed pictures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a schematic diagram depicting a process to change a television channel of a display picture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a schematic diagram depicting the use of a television channel selection list for selecting a television channel to display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3   b  is a schematic diagram depicting the use of a television channel name list for selecting a television channel to display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a television set displaying a television channel group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a schematic diagram illustrating a channel group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a schematic diagram illustrating a channel group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation on a channel group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram illustrating a television set displaying a television channel group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram depicting a process to configure a channel group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram depicting a process to limit access to a channel group, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     The term “video data” referred to in the descriptions of various embodiments of the invention herein described is intended to generally describe electronic audio and video signals containing or incorporating video for display on a television or other video display device. This term is used in the broadest sense as known in the electronic arts, and may include analog and/or digital signals. Likewise, the term “video stream” is used in a non-limiting fashion and generally refers to the collection of video data, together with any carrier signals, data headers or other electronic information, which singularly or taken together allow the described embodiments to operate. For example, a digital video stream from a given video source might include multiple packets of compressed video data, each packet or group thereof having one or more packet headers. Typically, one or more of the headers includes information relating to the video data, such as the compression algorithm used, the aspect ratio, etc. 
     The term “aspect ratio” referred to in the descriptions of the various embodiments of the invention herein described refers to the ratio of the width of the video display image to the height of the video display image. For most NTSC television display images the current aspect ratio is 4:3. High-definition Television (HDTV) uses an aspect ratio of 16:9, which is similar to the aspect ratio used by motion pictures. Reference herein to displaying a video stream in a frame having a height and a width proportional to the video stream&#39;s aspect ratio means that an HDTV video stream is displayed filling a frame having a width:height ratio of 16:9. Similarly, a standard NTSC television video stream would be displayed filling a frame having a Width:height ration of 4:3. 
     As used herein, the terms “picture frame” and “frame” refer to the borders of a displayed picture. Unless otherwise specified, a picture frame does not necessarily have a border of any particular width, i.e., a displayed picture might occupy the entire area of the picture frame, or the picture frame may include a border. Reference to locations on a display device may be made by referring to either the location of the picture frame or to the location of displayed picture itself, without limitation. Reference to the size of a picture frame refers to the height and width of the frame, and frames of differing width and/or differing height are referred to as being of different sizes. 
     As used herein, the term “picture” refers to the whole of the display image and its picture frame, unless otherwise indicated, without limitation. 
     An embodiment of the present invention advantageously provides for the display of multiple pictures on a high resolution large screen television set without overlaying another picture, while preserving the high resolution and aspect ratio of the displayed pictures. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a television set  100  displaying a multi-picture frame and a frame controller  150 . Television set  100  is an electronic device that receives and displays images and sounds. In one embodiment, television set  100  receives images and sounds as video data or a video stream from a television channel  131 , which may originate from a broadcast television network, a cable television network, a satellite television network, or Internet Protocol television (IPTV) network. Alternatively, the video data may originate from a VCR, a DVD player, a digital video recorder (DVR), a set top box, or any other video source. 
     In an embodiment, television set  100  includes a screen capable of displaying a multi-picture frame  120  large enough for a user to comfortably watch multiple pictures from 6 feet away. In one embodiment television set  100  has a screen size of at least 32 inches, or 80 cm. In another embodiment, a user watches television set  100  from 15 feet away, and the screen size is at least 60 inches or 150 cm. 
     Multi-picture frame  120  includes multiple pictures  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  128 ,  129 . Picture  128  is a major picture having a display size larger than the smaller pictures  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127  and  129 . Multi-picture frame  120  differs from picture-in-picture (PIP) in that a small picture does not overlay over the large picture  128  in multi-picture frame  120 . Moreover, the large picture  128  does not occupy the full screen, as in a conventional PIP. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, television set  100  has a screen size of 32 inches diagonal, picture  128  has a size of 22 inches diagonal, and picture  121  has a size of 9 inches diagonal. In another exemplary embodiment, television set  100  has a screen size of 40 inches diagonal, picture  128  has a size of 27 inches diagonal, and picture  121  has a size of 12 inches diagonal. In still another exemplary embodiment, television set  100  has a screen size of 60 inches diagonal, picture  128  has a size of 42 inches diagonal, and picture  121  has a size of 16 inches diagonal. 
     In various embodiments, picture  128  may have a picture resolution and aspect ratios of NTSC standard, defined by National Television System Committee, Phase Alternating Line (PAL), DVD video, or HDTV. In one embodiment, picture  128  has a better picture resolution than NTSC, PAL or HDTV. 
     The layout of the multiple pictures depicted in  FIG. 1  is exemplary in nature. In various embodiments the number, dimensions and positions of the various pictures or picture frames may differ. For example, in one embodiment the size of large picture  128  is as depicted, but the sizes of the small pictures are different. 
       FIG. 1   a  is a block diagram depicting a picture  124  and a frame controller  150 . Picture  124  can be a larger picture  128  or smaller picture  127 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, picture  124  displays images and sounds, i.e., the video signal of television channel  134 . In one embodiment, picture  124  displays cable television channel  34 , or video from a DVD player. Typically different pictures such as picture  123  and picture  129  display different television channels  133  and  139 . For example, in one embodiment, picture  123  displays cable television channel  34 , picture  129  displays broadcast television channel  48 , picture  123  displays satellite television channel  93 , and picture  127  displays a movie from a VCR. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment of the invention, pictures  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  128 , and  129  display television channels  131 ,  133 ,  135 ,  137 ,  138  and  139 , respectively. 
     In one embodiment, television  120  displays the sounds of the largest picture  128  and not of other pictures. Alternatively, in another embodiment, television  120  may display the sounds of picture  129  or of another picture as selected by the user. 
     Frame controller  150  controls multi-picture frame  120 . In an embodiment, frame controller  150  includes input interface  192  connecting to television channels  131 ,  133 ,  135 ,  137 ,  138  and  139 . Input interface  192  may include any of a coaxial interface, a Radio Frequency (RF) interface, a High-Definition Multimedia interface (HDMI), a component interface such as YPbPr or YCbCr interface, a composite interface, an Ethernet interface, or a wireless network interface. Frame controller  150  receives video streams of the said television channels from the input interface  192 . 
     Frame controller  150  connects to television set  100 . In one embodiment, frame controller  150  includes an output interface  195  connecting to television set  100 . Frame controller  150  sends frame signal  180  for multi-picture frame  120  over output interface  195  to television set  100 . In one embodiment, output interface  195  may include an RF interface, an HDMI interface, an S-video interface, a component interface, or a composite interface. Output interface  195  may includes a wireless network such as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) network. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1   a , frame controller  150  includes a tuner  154  handling a video stream or signal for picture  124 . Based on television channel  134  of picture  124 , tuner  154  selects television channel  134  from input interface  192 , receives the video stream or signal  164  of television channel  134 , transforms channel video stream or signal  164  to sub-frame signal  184 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , frame controller  150  includes multiple tuners  151 ,  153 ,  155 ,  157 ,  158 ,  159  corresponding to multiple pictures  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  128 , and  129 , accordingly. Tuners  151 ,  153 ,  155 ,  157 ,  158  and  159  generate sub-frame signals  181 ,  183 ,  185 ,  187 ,  188  and  189 . Frame controller  150  combines sub-frame signals  181 ,  183 ,  185 ,  187 ,  188  and  189  into frame signal  180 , and transmits frame signal  180  over output interface  195  to television set  100 . Television set  100  subsequently displays frame signal  180 . 
     In one embodiment, television set  100  includes the frame controller  150 . In such an embodiment the output interface  195  may be an internal bus or other connection within the television set  100 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates controlling operations of a multi-picture frame  120 . In an embodiment of the invention, frame controller  150  controls operations of the multi-picture frame  120 , and a user  104  uses a controlling device  106  to instruct frame controller  150 . Frame controller  150  connects to the controlling device  106  through, for example infrared signals, radio signals, or a data network such as Ethernet, WLAN, or WiMax. In alternative embodiments, the controlling device  106  is a remote control, a mobile device such as a cell phone, a personal computer or a laptop. 
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are block diagrams illustrating picture swapping and changing operations, respectively, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     In  FIG. 2   a , frame controller  150  provides a swap operation  115   a  swapping picture  121  with picture  128 . User  104  selects, using controlling device  106 , picture  121  and picture  128 . The user  104  then selects swap operation  115   a . In response to receiving the swap operation  115   a  signal from the controlling device  106 , frame controller  150  informs tuner  151  to transform channel signal  161  to sub-frame signal  181  using a large picture resolution of picture  128 . Frame controller  150  informs tuner  158  to transform channel signal  168  to sub-frame signal  188  using a small picture resolution of picture  121 . When frame controller  150  composes sub-frame signals  181 ,  183 ,  185 ,  187 ,  188  and  189 , frame controller  150  places sub-frame signal  188  to the location of picture  121  and sub-frame signal  181  to the location of picture  128 . 
     The replacement of picture  128  by picture  121  may be performed in several ways. In an embodiment, frame controller  150  informs tuner  158  to select television channel  131 . Tuner  158  receives channel signals  168  from television channel  131 , transforms channel signals  168  to sub-frame signal  188 . In another embodiment, frame controller  150  informs tuner  158  not to transform channel signal  168 . Frame controller  150  informs tuner  151  to transform channel signal  161  to sub-frame signal  188  using picture resolution of picture  128 , in addition to sub-frame signal  181  using current small picture resolution of picture  121 . Frame controller places sub-frame signal  188  to the location of picture  128 . 
     A user  104  may swap two small pictures, such as picture  123  and picture  125 , rather than swapping a small picture and a large picture. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2   b , in an embodiment, frame controller  150  provides a change operation  115   b  to change a television channel of a displayed picture. In exemplary operation, a user  104  selects picture  125 , which is displaying television channel  135 . Next, user  104  selects the change channel operation  115   b  using the controlling device  106 , and further selects another television channel to display. In one embodiment, the user  104  selects the new television channel directly, whereas, in an alternative embodiments, the user  104  selects the next channel in a sequence of channels, or the previous channel, or another video source altogether, such as DVD player. In one embodiment, the user  104  keys in a television channel number or name. Frame controller  150  determines television channel  235  and informs tuner  155  to switch to television channel  235 . 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate the use of a television channel selection list and a television channel name list, respectively, for selecting a television channel to display. 
     In one embodiment, frame controller  150  determines the second television channel  235  based on picture  125 . For example, picture  125  may be associated with a pre-determined television channel list  205  for picture  125 .  FIG. 3   a  illustrates television channel list  205  for picture  125 . Picture  125  is currently displaying television channel  135 . When the user  104  selects the next television channel, frame controller  150  determines the second television channel  235  from television channel list  205  to be cable channel  57 . In another, frame controller  150  connects to a datastore  220  that includes television channel list  205 . Frame controller  150  matches picture  125  against datastore  220  and retrieves television channel list  205 . 
     In another embodiment, frame controller  150  queries a network computing device  222  that includes television channel list  205 . Frame controller  150  sends picture  125  and television channel  135  to computing device  222 . Frame controller  150  obtains television channel  235  from computing device  222 . 
     In an embodiment, the user  104  specifies television channel  235  by channel name  215 , as depicted in  FIG. 3   b . Frame controller  150  matches channel name  215  against television channel name list  207  and retrieves the corresponding television channel  235 . In one embodiment, frame controller  150  connects a datastore  220  that includes television channel name list  207 . Frame controller  150  matches picture  125  against datastore  220  and retrieves television channel name list  207 . 
     In another embodiment, frame controller  150  queries a network computing device  222  that includes television channel name list  207 . Frame controller  150  sends picture  125  and channel name  215  to computing device  222 . Frame controller  150  obtains television channel  235  from computing device  222 . 
     Numerous other operations may be performed by the frame controller  150  as directed by a user  104 . For example, operation  115  can be used to increase or reduce the size of picture  128 . In one embodiment, operation  115  can be to swap the picture whose sounds are audible between picture  123  and picture  128 . In another embodiment, frame controller  150  connects to a recorder such as a DVD recorder, and operation  115  can be used to record television channel  135  of picture  125 . In yet another embodiment, operation  115  can be used to restart a television program of television channel  137  of picture  127 , or to pause, fast forward or fast backward television channel  137  of picture  127 . 
     A television channel, as used herein, includes the common understanding as a source of serially-available video streams, without limitation. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a television set displaying a television channel group. Television set  400  is an electronic device that receives images and sounds. In an embodiment, television set  400  receives images and sounds signals from a television channel  461 , which, in turn, relates to images and sounds signal source  491 . Signal source  491  may be from a broadcast television network, a cable television network, a satellite television network, an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) network, a VCR, a DVD player, a digital video recorder (DVR), a set top box, or another images and sounds signal source. 
     Exemplary television set  400  displays a multi-picture frame  420 , which includes multiple pictures  421 ,  425 , and  428 . In an embodiment of the invention, picture  428  is a major picture having a display size larger than the smaller pictures  421  and  425 . In other embodiments, the layout, size and number of the multiple pictures may be different than shown in the figure. 
     Multi-picture frame  420  is controlled by frame controller  450 , which includes channel group  460 , which further includes a plurality of channels. Channel group  460  relates to an attribute shared by all channels in the channel group  460 . Multi-picture frame  420  displays channel group  460 , although typically channel group  460  includes more channels than number of pictures that are simultaneously displayed in multi-picture frame  420 . For example, in  FIG. 4 , channel group  460  includes channels  461 ,  463 ,  465 ,  468  and  469 . Frame controller  450  displays channel group  460  in multi-picture frame  420 . Frame controller  450  displays channels  461 ,  465  and  468  onto pictures  421 ,  425  and  428  respectively. Channels  463  and  469  are not displayed in multi-picture frame  420 . 
     In an embodiment of the invention, frame controller  450  is included in television set  400 , and connects to television set  400  through an interface, such as an RF interface, a HDMI interface, a S-video interface, a component interface, a composite interface, a network interface, or a wireless network interface such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) network. 
     An exemplary frame controller  450  may connect to television channel input  490 , such as cable television network, satellite television network, IPTV, Internet, DVD player, or other video sources. Television channel input  490  may include a plurality of signal sources such as signal source  491 . The frame controller  450  maps channels in channel group  460  to television channel input  490 . In one embodiment, channel group  460  includes the mapping of channels  461 ,  463 ,  465 ,  468 , and  469  to their corresponding signal sources in television channel input  490 . Typically channel group  460  includes fewer channels than the number of signal sources in television channel input  490 . 
     In a typical embodiment, a user  404  interacts with the frame controller  450  to instruct an operation onto channel group  460 . 
       FIG. 5   a - 5   b  illustrates channel group  460 . In one embodiment, channel group  460  relates to a common theme. Channels  461 ,  463 ,  465 ,  468  and  469  relate to the theme. For example, channel group  460   a  relates to sports; channel group  460   b  relates to news; channel group  460   c  relates to movies. 
     In another embodiment, channel group  460  relates to an ethnic culture. Channels  461 ,  463 ,  465 ,  468  and  469  relate to the ethnic culture. For example, channel group  460   d  relates to Chinese channels; channel group  460   e  relates to Latin American channels. 
     In another embodiment, channel group  460  relates to an age group. Channels  461 ,  463 ,  465 ,  468  and  469  relate to the age group. For example channel group  460   f  relates to channels appropriate for children; channel group  460   g  relates to channels appropriate for seniors; and channel group  460   h  relates to channels having mature content for adults. 
     In another embodiment, channel group  460  relates to common attributes shared by all channels included in channel group  460 . Channel groups are well-suited to include channels having one or more common attributes. For example, exemplary channel groups mentioned herein include common attributes: a sports channel group sharing the sports attribute, a news channel group sharing the news attribute, a movie channel group sharing the movie attribute, a Chinese channel group sharing a Chinese language and/or culture attribute, etc. There are numerous attributes about which channel groups may be formed, all of which are not enumerated herein. 
     In one embodiment, the user  404  may specify the common attributes by inputting it. In another embodiment, the user  404  may select the common attribute from a list. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an operation on a channel group. Frame controller  450  controls operations of multi-picture frame  420 . User  404  uses a controlling device  406  to instruct frame controller  450 . Frame controller  450  connects to controlling device  406  through for example infrared signals, radio signals, or a data network such as Ethernet, WLAN, or WiMax. In one embodiment, controlling device  406  is a remote control, a mobile device such as a cell phone, a personal computer or a laptop. 
     In an embodiment, the user  404  selects picture  421  and selects a second channel  431 . The user  404  may then select the next channel. Frame controller  450  determines second channel  431  based on channel group  460  and channel  461 . In another embodiment, channel  463  is the next channel after channel  461  in channel group  460 . Frame controller  450  determines second channel  431  to be channel  463 . 
     In an embodiment, the user  404  selects the previous channel. Frame controller  450  determines second channel  431  to be channel  469  as channel  469  is the previous channel of channel  461  in channel group  460 . Frame controller  450  then displays second channel  431  onto picture  421 . 
     In another embodiment, the user  404  selects picture  425  or picture  428  before selecting second channel  431 . In this embodiment, frame controller  450  may determine the second channel  431  based on the selected picture. 
     In another embodiment, the user  404  selects second channel  431  by specifying a channel name or a channel number. The frame controller  450  matches the specified channel name or channel number against channel group  460  and sets second channel  431  to a matched channel in channel group  460 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary operation to change to a second channel group. The frame controller  450  includes a channel group list  454 , which includes a plurality of channel groups, particularly channel group  460  and channel group  462 . The user  404  selects channel group  462  to be displayed on multi-picture frame  420 . In one embodiment, user  404  selects a next channel group, and the frame controller  450  matches the channel group  460  against the channel group list  454 , and determines channel group  462  as the next channel group after channel group  460 . In another embodiment, the user  404  selects a previous channel group, and frame controller  450  matches channel group  460  against channel group list  454  and determines channel group  462  as the previous channel group before channel group  460 . In another embodiment, the user  404  selects a name or a number. Frame controller  450  matches the selected name or number against channel group list  454  and determines channel group  462  as a matched channel group in channel group list  454 . 
     After determining channel group  462 , frame controller  450  displays channel group  462  to multi-picture frame  420 . Channel group  462  includes channels  471 ,  473 ,  478  and  479 . In one embodiment, frame controller  450  displays channel  471  onto picture  421 , channel  473  onto picture  425 , and channel  479  onto picture  428 . In one embodiment, frame controller  450  randomly displays channels in channel group  462  onto pictures in multi-picture frame  420 . In another embodiment, channel group  462  includes a display list  467  between channels in channel group  462  and pictures in multi-picture frame  420 . The frame controller  450  then displays based on the display list  467 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary process to configure a channel group. In one embodiment, frame controller  450  includes a datastore  492 . Datastore  492  includes channel group  460 . In another embodiment, channel group  460  is pre-determined by a manufacturer. In one embodiment, channel group  460  is pre-determined by a retailer selling frame controller  450 . In one embodiment, frame controller  450  connects to a multi-channel operator  500 . Multi-channel operator  500  provides television channel input. In one embodiment multi-channel operator  500  is a cable television network operator, a satellite television network operator, a broadcast television network operator, Internet television provider, or an IPTV network operator. Frame controller  450  obtains channel group  460  from multi-channel operator  500 . 
     In another embodiment, frame controller  450  connects to a data network  520 . Frame controller  450  obtains channel group  460  from data network  520 . In one embodiment, frame controller  450  connects to multi-channel operator  500  using data network  520 . In another embodiment, frame controller  450  obtains channel group  460  from an Internet web site where data network  520  includes Internet. 
     User  404  selects name  562 , and frame controller  450  queries the multi-channel operator  500  and obtains channel group  460 , using the user-selected name  562 . In another embodiment, frame controller  450  queries data network  520  for channel group  460 , using name  562 . 
     In another one embodiment, user  404  selects an attribute  564 , and the frame controller  450  queries multi-channel operator  500  using attribute  564  to obtain channel group  460 . In another embodiment, frame controller  450  queries data network  520  using attribute  564  for channel group  460 . 
     In another embodiment, the user  404  creates channel group  460 , such as by specifying a name or number for the channel group  460 . In one embodiment, user  404  specifies a common attribute for channel group  460 . The user  404  specifies channels  461 ,  463 ,  465 ,  468  and  469  to be included in channel group  460 . The frame controller  450  stores the created channel group  460  into datastore  492 . 
     In another embodiment, the frame controller  450  modifies an existing channel group  460  by including channel  461  into channel group  460 . In one embodiment, frame controller  450  obtains channel  461  from data network  520 . Alternatively, frame controller  450  may obtain channel  461  from the user  404 , or from another source. 
     In an embodiment, the frame controller  450  removes channel  463  from channel group  460 . Frame controller  450  may determine to remove channel  463  from information obtained through data network  520 , or by instruction from user  404 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary process to limit access to a channel group. In one embodiment, channel group  460  includes a key  498 . When user  404  selects channel group  460 , user  404  provides a key  505  to the frame controller  450 . The frame controller  450  then matches the key  505  against key  498 , and allows user  404  to access channel group  460  if there is a match. In another embodiment, access to a channel within channel group  460  is controlled by the frame controller  450  using the keys  505 ,  498 . 
     In an embodiment, frame controller  450  sends a key  505  to multi-channel operator  500  or data network  520  to verify the key  505  before allowing user  404  to access channel group  460 . 
     In an embodiment, channel group  460  relates to adult content, and key  498  prevents children from accessing channel group  460 . In another embodiment, channel group  460  relates to premium content, and the user  404  obtains the key  505  and uses it to access channel group  460 . In various embodiments, the user  404  obtains the key  505  from a multi-channel operator  500 , a merchant, or from data network  520 . 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.