Network audio distribution system and method

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:

• 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, in real time, 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;
• generating a directory stream by the directory server that includes at least a portion of the series of directory packets, and coupling the directory stream to the client terminal located on the network;
• receiving the directory stream by the first client terminal, and thereby making the first client terminal aware that said series of related digital audio files containing said intermittent sequence of raw audio are stored at said series of discrete network addresses, and selectively identifying at least a first one of the series of related directory files, corresponding to said at least one of said series of directory packets, according to a user profile, and subsequently communicating an audio file request through the network from the first client terminal to the network audio server requesting the at least one of the series of digital audio 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.