Processing encoded real-time data

A method of processing packets of encoded real-time data to produce a gradual fade-out or fade-in of a received signal, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a sequence of packets of encoded real-time signal samples from a sending entity, each sample having a segment number and a data value, the segment number specifying one of a plurality of adjacent sub ranges of a range of possible signal amplitude values, and the data value indicating an element in the sub range specified by the segment number;
• detecting a packet loss period having a beginning and an end, the packet loss period corresponding to at least one lost or improperly received packet;
• producing a gradual fade-out of the received signal at the beginning of the packet loss period by:
• replicating a last correctly received packet;
• and
• attenuating the samples of the replicated packet by decrementing the segment number of each sample of the replicated packet by the same decrement value to specify a lower sub range corresponding to a lower signal amplitude value;
• detecting a first correctly received packet after the packet loss period;
• producing a gradual fade-in of the received signal at the end of the packet loss period by:
• attenuating the samples of the first correctly received packet after the packet loss period by decrementing the segment number of each sample of the first correctly received packet by the same decrement value to specify a lower sub range corresponding to a first signal amplitude value;
• replicating the first correctly received packet after the packet loss period;
• and
• attenuating the samples of the replicated packet by decrementing the segment number of each sample of the replicated packet by the a decrement value to specify a lower sub range corresponding to a second signal amplitude value higher than the first signal amplitude value.