Method and apparatus for preserving control information embedded in digital data

1 . A method of preserving control information embedded in digital data comprising:

inputting digital data into a data processor, the digital data including real-time samples of recorded data and control information, the control information being organized in a format within the digital data;

separating at least some of the control information from the recorded data;

storing the separated control information in a memory so that it is preserved;

processing the recorded data in the data processor;

re-combining the stored control information with the processed recorded data into modified digital data such that the format in which the control information was organized is preserved in the modified digital data; and

outputting the modified digital data, the modified digital data including the stored control information.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital audio data, and the recorded data is processed by an audio FIFO.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing of the recorded data comprises decimation (downsampling) of at least some of the recorded data.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing of the recorded data comprises replication (upsampling) of at least some of the recorded data.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

outputting the processed recorded data.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital audio data.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital video data.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital measurement data.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the control information comprises a channel status bit.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

inputting the inputted digital data from a packet decoder.

12 . An apparatus for preserving control information embedded in digital data comprising:

an input that inputs digital data into a data processor, the digital data including recorded data and control information, the control information being organized in a format within the digital data, wherein the data processor further processes the recorded data after the separation of the control information from the recorded data;

a control information extractor that separates the control information from the recorded data;

memory that stores the control information so that it is preserved;

a data combiner that re-combines the stored control information with the processed recorded data into modified digital data such that format in which the control information was organized is preserved in the modified digital data; and

an output that outputs the modified digital data, the modified digital data including the stored control information.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital audio data, and the recorded data is processed by an audio FIFO.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the data processor decimates (downsamples) some of the digital data.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the data processor replicates (upsamples) some of the digital data.

17 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

an output that outputs the processed recorded data.

18 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital audio data.

19 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital video data.

20 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the recorded data comprises digital measurement data.

21 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the control information comprises a channel status bit.

22 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the input that inputs digital data is a packet decoder.