Network audio distribution system and method
First Claim
1. A system for distributing audio content from plural audio sources to plural client terminals located on a network, comprising:
- an audio source interface coupled to receive an intermittent sequence of raw audio in real time as it is created from a first audio source, and operable to convert said intermittent sequence of raw audio into a series of digital audio clips that are isolated according to the squelch status of said first audio source, and which are incorporated into a series of related digital audio packets, in real time, each further containing a timestamp and a common channel identity corresponding to said first audio source;
a network audio server coupled to receive said series of related digital audio packets from said audio source interface in real time, and operable to format said series of related digital audio packets into a series of related digital audio files that are compliant with the network, and that are stored at a series of discrete network addresses in a database server, and whereinsaid network audio server is operable to generate a series of directory packets, including said series of discrete network addresses of said series of related digital audio files, said channel identity, and said timestamps, and operable to couple said series of directory packets to a directory server located on the network, and wherein;
said directory server receives and stores said series of directory packets in a directory packet database, and whereina first client terminal submits a directory history request to said directory server, requesting at least a portion of said series of directory packets, which are returned in response, which makes said first client terminal aware that said series of related digital audio files are is stored at said series of discrete network addresses, and whereinsaid first client terminal selectively identifies a least a first one of said series of related directory packets according to a client profile, and subsequently communicates an audio file request through the network to said database server, requesting at least one of said series of related digital audio files, corresponding to said at least one of said series of directory packets, and whereinupon receipt of said audio file request, said database server couples said requested digital audio file is coupled to said client terminal through the network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Audio content distribution from audio sources to client terminals through a network. An audio source interface receives raw audio from an audio source, and converts it into a digital audio clip in a digital audio packet, containing a timestamp and a channel identity corresponding to the audio source. A network audio server formats the digital audio packet into a network compliant digital audio file, which is stored at a network address. The network audio server generates a directory packet including the address of the digital audio file, the channel identity, and the timestamp, and, couples the directory packet to a directory server located on the network. The directory server outputs directory packets to a client terminal on the network, which selects a directory packet and sends an audio file request through the network for the digital audio file. The audio file is then sent to the client terminal.
5 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system for distributing audio content from plural audio sources to plural client terminals located on a network, comprising:
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an audio source interface coupled to receive an intermittent sequence of raw audio in real time as it is created from a first audio source, and operable to convert said intermittent sequence of raw audio into a series of digital audio clips that are isolated according to the squelch status of said first audio source, and which are incorporated into a series of related digital audio packets, in real time, each further containing a timestamp and a common channel identity corresponding to said first audio source; a network audio server coupled to receive said series of related digital audio packets from said audio source interface in real time, and operable to format said series of related digital audio packets into a series of related digital audio files that are compliant with the network, and that are stored at a series of discrete network addresses in a database server, and wherein said network audio server is operable to generate a series of directory packets, including said series of discrete network addresses of said series of related digital audio files, said channel identity, and said timestamps, and operable to couple said series of directory packets to a directory server located on the network, and wherein; said directory server receives and stores said series of directory packets in a directory packet database, and wherein a first client terminal submits a directory history request to said directory server, requesting at least a portion of said series of directory packets, which are returned in response, which makes said first client terminal aware that said series of related digital audio files are is stored at said series of discrete network addresses, and wherein said first client terminal selectively identifies a least a first one of said series of related directory packets according to a client profile, and subsequently communicates an audio file request through the network to said database server, requesting at least one of said series of related digital audio files, corresponding to said at least one of said series of directory packets, and wherein upon receipt of said audio file request, said database server couples said requested digital audio file is coupled to said client terminal through the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of distributing audio content from a first audio source to a first client terminal located on a network, utilizing an audio source interface, a network audio server, and a directory server, comprising the steps of:
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coupling and intermittent sequence of raw audio in real time as it is created from the first audio source to the audio source interface; converting the intermittent sequence of raw audio into a series of digital audio clips by isolating them according to the squelch status of the first audio source, and assembling a series of digital audio packets by the audio source interface, in real time, that each contains one of the series of digital audio clips, a timestamp and a common channel identity corresponding to the first audio source; coupling the series of related digital audio packets, in real time, from the audio source interface to the network audio server; formatting the series of digital audio packets into a series of related digital audio files that are network compliant by the network audio server, and storing the series of related digital audio files at a series of discrete network addresses, and, generating a corresponding series of directory packets, including the series of discrete network addresses, the channel identity, and the timestamps, and, coupling the series of directory packets to the directory server in real time; storing said series of directory packets in a directory packet database by the directory server; submitting a directory history request by the first client terminal to the directory server, requesting at least a portion of said series of directory packets; returning said portion of said series of directory packets by the directory server to the first client terminal; selectively identifying at least a first one of said portion of said series of related directory files according to a user profile, and subsequently communicating an audio file request through the network from the first client terminal requesting said at least a first one of said portion of said series of related directory files, and coupling the requested digital audio file from the audio server to the first client terminal in response to receipt of the audio file request. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification