Patent ID: 6988013

Claim:
An audio data signal processing method, in which a supplied audio data signal can be in one of a compressed data state and an uncompressed data state, for performing a process for decoding the supplied audio data signal, comprising the steps of: detecting whether zero data continues for a predetermined period of time in said supplied audio data signal; determining, when zero data are detected to continue for said predetermined period of time, that said supplied audio data are in the compressed data state and determining, when zero data is not detected to continue for said predetermined period of time, that said supplied audio data are in the uncompressed state; performing a first decoding operation on said supplied audio data when said supplied audio data are determined to be in the compressed data state in said step of determining; and performing a second decoding operation on said supplied audio data when said supplied audio data are determined to be in the uncompressed data state in said step of determining, wherein upon detection that zero data continue for said predetermined period of time, said decoding is performed by automatically switching said supplied audio data signal to said first decoding operation based on a sync signal of said supplied audio data signal, and wherein said supplied audio data are stored for said predetermined period during which it is detected whether said zero data continue.