Universal protocol data receiver

A method of receiving a digital data stream from a remote transmitter comprising the steps of

• passing said data through a first receiving stage for processing command codes interspersed in said data stream,
• storing said data in a first-in, first-out storage buffer under the control of said command codes,
• error-processing data stored in said storage buffer,
• removing said data from said storage buffer by a second receiving stage,
• passing said data on to a data utilization device, and
• maintaining a moveable barrier within said storage buffer for rendering a portion of said storage buffer not processed by said error-processing step unavailable to said second receiving stage.

A method for processing data in a receiver including a first-in, first-out buffer storage means and a movable barrier in said storage means for dividing said storage means into two parts, comprising:

• a step of storing received data in one of said parts beginning at a storage location adjacent to said barrier and ending at an end location away from said barrier,
• a step of processing said received data in said one part,
• a step of moving said barrier to said end location after processing by said processing means, and
• a step of limiting access to the other of said two parts.