Patent ID: 7603495

Claim:
A method of changing an output rate of information for a buffer from a first constant output rate to a second constant output rate, where the buffer receives output data from a processing data source, and the output data is stored in the buffer, the method comprising: the processing data source halting the addition of output data to the buffer and discarding input data; outputting the stored output data of the buffer at the first output rate until the buffer is substantially empty; stopping outputting of the output data of the buffer; on the condition that the buffer is substantially empty, the processing data source resuming the addition of output data to the buffer, and the buffer resuming storing the output data; setting a second constant output rate as the output rate of the buffer; and commencing output of the stored output data of the buffer at the second output rate, when the amount of buffered data is substantially equal to the second constant output rate multiplied by a requested buffer time.