Apparatus and method for providing and updating recorded audio messages for telecommunications systems

Abstract

A method and system for effecting production, approval and downloading of audio programs via the Internet. An order for an audio program is placed by a customer using a personal computer connected by the Internet to a server system. The server system receives the customer order and sends to the customer options for preparing a script and selecting music types that are to be dubbed into the audio program. A draft audio program is prepared by a service provider and downloaded to the server system. The customer accesses the server system and previews the draft audio program. If the customer wants the draft audio program changed, the customer inputs the changes to the server system. A redrafted audio program is prepared and loaded on the server system. This process is repeated until the customer approves an audio program for downloading to a memory device for later reproduction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for ordering, approving and downloading an audio program comprising the steps of: 
 a customer ordering production of an audio program;    the customer storing a script to be used for production of the audio program;    the service provider preparing a proposed audio program using the stored script and storing the proposed audio program.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the service provider uses artificial text-to-speech means for preparing the proposed audio program from the stored script.  
     
     
         3 . A method for ordering, approving and downloading an audio program comprising the steps of: 
 a customer ordering preparation of a script for production of an audio program;    a service provider preparing a proposed script for the audio program and storing the proposed script;    the customer retrieving, reviewing and approving the stored proposed script;    the service provider preparing a proposed audio program using the stored script and storing the proposed audio program;    the customer retrieving, reviewing and approving the proposed audio program for downloading to a recording device capable of reproducing the downloaded audio program.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the service provider uses artificial text-to-speech means for preparing the proposed audio program from the stored script.