Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 9247299, I will examine the "Citations" section of the patent document, which lists references cited by the examiner and/or third parties. These are generally considered by the USPTO to be relevant existing technology that may anticipate or render obvious the claimed invention.

Here are the patent citations listed for US9247299, along with a brief description and potential claim anticipation:

Cited Prior Art for US9247299

1. US20020013941A1

• Full Citation: US20020013941A1 (Ward, Thomas E.)
• Publication Date: 2002-01-31
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a "V-chip plus +" system with an in-guide user interface apparatus and method. It focuses on parental control and program selection within an electronic program guide, allowing users to block or filter content based on ratings. While it involves program selection, its primary focus is not on displaying multiple distinct video streams in separate frames with a grouped channel feature based on common attributes.
• Potential Claim(s) Anticipated (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to directly anticipate the core elements of claims 1 and 13 relating to multiple distinct, non-overlaying video frames and channel groups with common attributes. It might be relevant for general aspects of user interfaces for program selection.

2. US20020067376A1

• Full Citation: US20020067376A1 (Christy, Martin R.)
• Publication Date: 2002-06-06
• Brief Description: This patent application discloses a "portal for a communications system" which appears to relate to content delivery and access within a communication network. The abstract suggests it involves presenting diverse content to users, potentially from multiple sources, but it doesn't explicitly detail the multi-picture display with non-overlapping frames and channel grouping based on common attributes as defined in US9247299.
• Potential Claim(s) Anticipated (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to directly anticipate the specific multi-picture display and channel grouping features of claims 1 and 13. Could be relevant for broader concepts of receiving and presenting video data from multiple sources.

3. US20030229900A1

• Full Citation: US20030229900A1 (Reisman, Richard)
• Publication Date: 2003-12-11
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a "method and apparatus for browsing using multiple coordinated device sets." This likely pertains to systems where multiple devices (e.g., a TV and a tablet) can be used together for content browsing or control. While it involves multiple displays or devices, it doesn't explicitly teach the simultaneous display of multiple, non-overlapping video streams from a "video group" on a single television display with an attribute-based grouping mechanism.
• Potential Claim(s) Anticipated (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to directly anticipate the specific multi-picture, non-overlapping display of video streams from an attribute-based video group on a single TV, as claimed in 1 and 13.

4. US20070011702A1

• Full Citation: US20070011702A1 (Vaysman, Arthur)
• Publication Date: 2007-01-11
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a "dynamic mosaic extended electronic programming guide for television program selection and display." This reference is more relevant as it discusses a mosaic display, which involves multiple program displays. However, the key distinctions for US9247299 would lie in the explicit definition of "separate frames" that are non-overlaying, and the specific mechanism of a "channel group" that comprises channels sharing at least one common attribute, as well as the ability to change a single picture's content from the group.
• Potential Claim(s) Anticipated (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1 and 13 related to displaying multiple programs simultaneously (e.g., "plurality of pictures") and program selection. However, direct anticipation would depend on whether it explicitly teaches "separate frames... separate from an area occupied by any other frame" and the precise definition and functionality of the "video group related to an attribute" as claimed in US9247299.

5. US20100122294A1

• Full Citation: US20100122294A1 (Craner, Michael L.)
• Publication Date: 2010-05-13
• Brief Description: This patent application describes "systems and methods for creating custom video mosaic pages with local content." This appears to be the most relevant among the cited prior art. It directly addresses "video mosaic pages," which aligns closely with the multi-picture display of US9247299. The "custom" aspect suggests user-defined groupings, which could overlap with the "video group related to an attribute" concept. Anticipation would depend on whether it explicitly teaches each element of claims 1 and 13, including the distinct non-overlapping nature of the frames and the specific user interaction to swap a currently displayed stream for an undisplayed stream from the same group.
• Potential Claim(s) Anticipated (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is the most likely to anticipate elements of claims 1 and 13 due to its focus on "custom video mosaic pages." Close examination would be needed to determine if it explicitly teaches the "separate frame" limitation (non-overlaying) and the specific "video group" functionality, particularly the "receiving a second user selection to change the display in a given picture... to a given video stream of the video group, wherein the given video stream is not currently displayed on the display."

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art:

Among the cited prior art, US20100122294A1 (Craner) and US20070011702A1 (Vaysman) appear to be the most relevant. Craner's "custom video mosaic pages" directly addresses displaying multiple video streams, making it a strong candidate for anticipating the multi-picture display and potentially the user-configurable grouping aspects. Vaysman's "dynamic mosaic extended electronic programming guide" also describes multiple program displays. The key for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 would be whether these references explicitly disclose all elements of independent claims 1 and 13 of US9247299, particularly the specific non-overlapping nature of the displayed pictures, the explicit definition and functionality of a "video group related to an attribute," and the interaction allowing a user to swap a displayed video stream with another undisplayed stream from the same group.