Conditional access system

摘要

An access control processor provides for display of a message related to an authorization status of an information receiver in a conditional access system for receiving an information segment when the information segment is provided separately by each of a plurality of different service providers. The processor processes a plurality of authorization signals respectively related to the information segment provided separately by the plurality of different service providers; determines which of a plurality of different possible authorization statuses is applicable for the received information segment for each of the respective authorization signals related to the different service providers; selects one of the determined statuses in accordance with a predetermined priority; selects from a plurality of different possible authorization status messages the message applicable to the status determined in accordance with said priority; and provides the selected message for display. The message related to an authorization status of the information receiver is retrieved for display from a plurality of different possible authorization status messages within an information stream received by the information receiver. Computer readable storage media are so configured as to cause the access control processor to perform its various functions.