Network audio distribution system and method
First Claim
1. A method of obtaining and reproducing audio content by client terminals that are coupled through the Internet to receive directory streams of directory packets from directory servers, wherein each directory packet includes a channel identity, a timestamp, and a network address of a discrete audio file stored on a network audio server, and wherein the discrete audio files are produced by audio source interfaces that are coupled to receive intermittent sequences of raw audio from the audio sources, and wherein the discrete audio files are isolated from the intermittent sequences according to a squelch status of the audio sources, and wherein the network audio servers generate corresponding directory packets for each stored discrete audio file that are communicated to the directory servers for serving to client terminals within the directory streams, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first series of directory packets in a first directory stream, thereby notifying a first client terminal that a first series of discrete audio files are available for download from a first series of discrete network addresses on a first network audio server;
identifying matching portions of the first series of directory packets by comparison with filter criteria;
requesting, from the first network audio server, a first series of discrete audio files according to a first series of network addresses within the matching portions of the first series of directory packets;
receiving the requested first series of discrete audio files from the network audio server, andreproducing, by the first client terminal, at least a first discrete audio file from said received first series of discrete audio files.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
4 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining and reproducing audio content by client terminals that are coupled through the Internet to receive directory streams of directory packets from directory servers, wherein each directory packet includes a channel identity, a timestamp, and a network address of a discrete audio file stored on a network audio server, and wherein the discrete audio files are produced by audio source interfaces that are coupled to receive intermittent sequences of raw audio from the audio sources, and wherein the discrete audio files are isolated from the intermittent sequences according to a squelch status of the audio sources, and wherein the network audio servers generate corresponding directory packets for each stored discrete audio file that are communicated to the directory servers for serving to client terminals within the directory streams, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first series of directory packets in a first directory stream, thereby notifying a first client terminal that a first series of discrete audio files are available for download from a first series of discrete network addresses on a first network audio server; identifying matching portions of the first series of directory packets by comparison with filter criteria; requesting, from the first network audio server, a first series of discrete audio files according to a first series of network addresses within the matching portions of the first series of directory packets; receiving the requested first series of discrete audio files from the network audio server, and reproducing, by the first client terminal, at least a first discrete audio file from said received first series of discrete audio files. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification