System and Method for Dynamic Playback Switching of Live and Previously Recorded Audio Content

A system for distributing live and on-demand media to a user, comprising:

• one or more servers configured to:
• receive a pre-modified live digital audio stream including a plurality of alternative content (AC) start tags and AC stop tags;
• modify the pre-modified live digital audio stream by inserting at least a first alternative content into the pre-modified live digital audio stream between a respective AC start/stop tag to produce a live digital audio stream;
• stream the live digital audio stream for playback on a client device;
• store the pre-modified live digital audio stream for transmission of the pre-modified live digital audio stream as a time-shifted digital audio stream available upon request from the client device;
• as the pre-modified live digital audio stream reaches a time that corresponds to a respective AC start/stop tag, identify and store the respective AC start/stop tag for later transmission to the client device, and
• the client device including a processor and a speaker, the client device being configured to:
• receive the live digital audio stream from the one or more servers and output the live digital audio stream via the speaker of the client device, and
• in response to a playback command by the user at the client device, the client device being configured to transmit a time-shifted digital audio stream request to the one or more servers;
• in response to a time-shifted digital audio stream request from the client device, the one or more servers being configured to:
• stream the time-shifted digital audio stream and at least a second alternative content to the client device for playback on the client device;
• while outputting the time-shifted digital audio stream via the speakers the client device being configured to:
• receive the second alternative content, and
• when an upcoming alternative content period matches a current period of the time-shifted digital audio stream:
• cease outputting, at the speaker, the time-shifted digital audio stream, and
• output the second alternative content for the time-shifted digital audio stream.

A system, comprising:

• a client device comprising:
• a processor
• a display and
• a speaker,
• the processor configured to:
• receive a live digital audio stream from one or more remote servers and output the live digital audio stream via the speaker of the client device,
• in response to a playback command by a user at an audio playback graphical user interface on the display, request and output a time-shifted digital audio stream received from the one or more remote servers;
• and
• when an upcoming alternative content period matches a current period of the time-shifted digital audio stream:
• cease outputting, at the speaker, the time-shifted digital audio stream, and
• output a second alternative content for the time-shifted digital audio stream.

A method of distributing live and on-demand media to a user, comprising:

• at one or more servers:
• receiving a pre-modified live digital audio stream including a plurality of alternative content (AC) start tags and AC stop tags,
• modifying the pre-modified live digital audio stream by inserting at least a first alternative content into the pre-modified live digital audio stream between a respective AC start/stop tag to produce a live digital audio stream and stream the live digital audio stream for playback on a client device;
• storing the pre-modified live digital audio stream for transmission of the pre-modified live digital audio stream as a time-shifted digital audio stream upon request from the client device;
• as the pre-modified live digital audio stream reaches a time that corresponds to a respective AC start/stop tag, identifying and storing the respective AC start/stop tag for later transmission to the client device, and
• at the client device including a processor and a speaker:
• receiving the live digital audio stream from the one or more servers and outputting the live digital audio stream via the speaker of the client device, and
• in response to a playback command by the user at the client device, the client device transmitting a time-shifted digital audio stream request to the one or more servers;
• in response to the time-shifted digital audio stream request from the client device, the one or more servers;
• streaming the time-shifted digital audio stream and at least a second alternative content to the client device for playback on the client device
• while outputting the client-specific time-shifted digital audio stream via the speakers, the client device:
• receiving the second alternative content, and
• when an upcoming alternative content period matches a current period of the client-specific time-shifted digital audio stream:
• ceasing to output, at the speaker, the client-specific time-shifted digital audio stream, and
• outputting the second alternative content for the client-specific time-shifted digital audio stream.