Method and system for creation and distribution of narrated content

Abstract

An electronic content generation and distribution method and system generates and distributes audio content from time-sensitive written content having a defined time sensitivity. The method and system includes accessing a narrator data database having narrator data therein and selecting a narrator using the narrator data from the narrator data database for generating an audio narration of the time-sensitive written content. The narrator is different from the author of the written content and narrator selection is based on-educational familiarity of the narrator with a subject matter of the time-sensitive written content based on a comparison of the subject matter of the time-sensitive written content and availability of the narrator based on the time sensitivity of the time-sensitive written content. The method and system includes distributing the written content to the selected narrator and within a defined time period, receiving an audio narration generated by the selected narrator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic content generation and distribution method for generating and distributing audio content from time-sensitive written content having a defined time sensitivity, the method comprising:
 accessing a narrator data database having narrator data therein;   selecting a narrator using the narrator data from the narrator data database for generating an audio narration of the time-sensitive written content, wherein the narrator is different from the author of the written content, the selecting of the narrator is based on-educational familiarity of the narrator with a subject matter of the time-sensitive written content based on a comparison of the subject matter of the time-sensitive written content and availability of the narrator based on the time sensitivity of the time-sensitive written content;   electronically distributing the written content to the selected narrator;   within a defined time period, the time period based on the time sensitivity of the time-sensitive written content, receiving an audio narration generated by the selected narrator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 assigning a plurality of content identifiers to the audio narration based on at least one of: the written article and the narrator; 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 associating the audio narration with at least content aggregation service; and 
 distributing the audio narration via the at least one content aggregation service. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 accessing a subscriber database including subscriber information and subscriber preference data; 
 electronically comparing the plurality of content identifiers to the subscriber preference data to determine a distribution list for the audio narration; and 
 distributing the audio narration to subscribers designated in the distribution list. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 associating advertising content with the written content; and 
 distributing the advertising content with the audio narration. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the distributing the audio narration includes distributing an active link for user access to the written content. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the distributing the audio narration further includes an electronic distribution selection option for the subscribers to at least one of: electronically forward the audio narration, electronically forward an active link to the audio narration, electronically forward a copy of the written content, and electronically forward an active link to the written content. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein distributing the audio narration includes distributing identifying information enabling the subscriber to engage with the narrator, the contact information includes at least one of: an audio introduction by the narrator; and a link to an electronic profile page of the narrator. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of narrators are students. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the educational familiarity of the narrator is based on a field of study for each of the students, the field study being related to the subject matter of the time-sensitive written content. 
     
     
         11 . A system for generating and distributing audio content from time-sensitive written content having a defined time sensitivity, the system comprising:
 computer readable medium having executable instructions stored therein; and   at least one processing device, in response to the executable instructions, operative to:   access a narrator data database having narrator data therein;   select a narrator using the narrator data from the narrator data database for generating an audio narration of the time-sensitive written content, wherein the narrator is different from the author of the written content, the selecting of the narrator is based on-educational familiarity of the narrator with a subject matter of the time-sensitive written content based on a comparison of the subject matter of the time-sensitive written content and availability of the narrator based on the time sensitivity of the time-sensitive written content;   electronically distribute the written content to the selected narrator;   within a defined time period, the time period based on the time sensitivity of the time-sensitive written content, receive an audio narration generated by the selected narrator;   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , the at least one processing device further operative to:
 assign a plurality of content identifiers to the audio narration based on at least one of: the written content and the narrator.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , the at least one processing device further operative to:
 associate the audio narration with at least content aggregation service; and   distribute the audio narration via the at least one content aggregation service.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , the at least one processing device further operative to:
 access a subscriber database including subscriber information and subscriber preference data;   electronically compare the plurality of content identifiers to the subscriber preference data to determine a distribution list for the audio narration; and   distribute the audio narration to subscribers designated in the distribution list.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , the at least one processing device further operative to:
 associate advertising content with the written content; and   distribute the advertising content with the audio narration.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the distributing the audio narration includes distributing an active link for user access to the written content. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the distributing the audio narration further includes an electronic distribution selection option for the subscribers to at least one of: electronically forward the audio narration, electronically forward an active link to the audio narration, electronically forward a copy of the written content, and electronically forward an active link to the written content. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein distributing the audio narration includes distributing identifying information enabling the subscriber to engage with the narrator, the contact information includes at least one of: an audio introduction by the narrator; and a link to an electronic profile page of the narrator. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of narrators are students. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the educational familiarity of the narrator is based on a field of study for each of the students, the field study being related to the subject matter of the time-sensitive written content.