An interactive radio system is provided for use with broadcast radio
stations wherein feedback is provided to subscribers of the system via the
Internet. Interactive radio mobile units are mounted within vehicles or at
other locations. Each mobile unit includes a receiver for receiving radio
broadcasts, a GPS system for determining the location of the vehicle, and
a wireless transmitter for transmitting interactive radio control signals
to a network operation center. While listening to a radio broadcast, the
subscriber selects program segments of interest by pressing an interactive
radio control button on the mobile unit. The program segments are, for
example, individual musical selections, advertisements or the like. In
response, the mobile unit transmits the carrier frequency of the radio
broadcast, the date and time, the geographical location of the vehicle,
and a subscriber identification signal to the network operation center
using the wireless transmitter. The network operations center determines
the identity of the selected program segment based upon the information
transmitted from the mobile unit. Then, the network operation center
accesses databases providing information pertaining to the selected
program segment and provides the information to the subscriber via the
Internet, such that the information can later be retrieved by the
subscriber using a home or office computer or the like. By providing
feedback via the Internet, the subscriber need not make decisions
immediately regarding purchase of goods or services while listening to a
radio broadcast. Moreover, a vast amount of information may be provided to
the subscriber facilitating the purchase of goods or services or the like.