Network audio distribution system and method

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 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.