Template set for generating a hypertext for displaying a program guide and subscriber terminal with EPG function using such set broadcast from headend

A method of supplying a set of hierarchical text templates for use in displaying a program guide by using program information broadcast from the broadcast station, the method including:

• a first step of preparing a plurality of frame templates for each describing an overall layout of said program guide;
• a second step of preparing channel name templates of different types into which display manners of possible channels are classified, each channel name being for displaying a channel name display section, each channel name template being to be embedded in one of said frame templates eventually;
• and
• a third step of preparing program templates for each displaying a program information for a single program, each program template being associated with one of categories into which possible programs are classified, each program template being to be embedded in one of said frame templates eventually, wherein said first step includes the step of including, in said frame templates, special frame templates, each being suited for a condition in which the special frame template is to be used, each special frame template including a description of said condition.

A television subscriber system capable of displaying a program guide by using a set of hierarchical templates supplied from a broadcasting station, wherein the set includes a plurality of frame templates and component templates adapted to be embedded in said frame templates, the television subscriber system comprising:

• means for storing said set of templates;
• means for permitting a user to issue a program guide request while viewing a program of a channel;
• means for determining a form of program guide in response to said program guide request;
• means, responsive to said determination, for selecting one of said frame templates which selected one is suitable to said form;
• means for generating a text describing said program guide of said form by embedding necessary one(s) of said component templates in said selected frame template while substituting variables of said selected and necessary templates with data which are determined by display conditions and obtained from program information broadcast from the broadcasting station;
• and
• means for executing said text to display program guide in said form.