This is kind of a odd question. I have a frined who programs in Xilog and he has a big program that can do 16 different features (a shape fully defined by code). The problem he is having is how to send the program a parameter that would describe what combination of the 16 different features he wants cut. He only has a few open parameters to send this feature list encoded into a singel number. I was thinking of having him send a binary number like 1001011100011010 in on 1 parameter. A 1 would say to cut that parameter and a 0 would say skip that paramter. All sounds good so far. Now is where the problem comes in. How do I decode the long binary number into chunks to say yes/no to each feature. I dont know all the math functions he has available but I believe they are just basic addition subtraction etc.
Does any one have any thoughts or ideas on how to go about something like this?
I would appreciate any help you could give me.

Thanks
Scott