(12) United States Patent
`Crosby et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII 11111 11111 11111 1111111111 11111111
`US006628928B 1
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,628,928 Bl
`Sep.30,2003
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`INTERNET-BASED INTERACTIVE RADIO
`SYSTEM FOR USE WITH BROADCAST
`RADIO STATIONS
`
`Inventors: Stephen P. Crosby, Brookline, MA
`(US); Gary Keith Noreen, La Canada
`Flintridge, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: eCARmerce Incorporated, Altadena,
`CA(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/459,025
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 10, 1999
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Int. Cl.7 .................................................. H04B 1/40
`U.S. Cl. ...................... 455/77; 455/150.1; 455/503;
`455/154.1; 455/414.1
`Field of Search ................................. 455/414, 456,
`455/77, 552, 557, 575, 550, 150.1, 154.1,
`161.1, 346, 503; 725/24; 705/26; 370/352,
`353; 701/213
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,788,675 A
`5,134,719 A
`5,303,393 A
`5,388,101 A
`5,392,353 A
`5,408,686 A
`5,455,823 A
`5,457,739 A
`5,539,635 A
`5,557,541 A
`5,564,073 A
`5,627,549 A
`5,633,872 A
`5,654,719 A
`5,659,890 A
`5,689,245 A
`
`11/1988 Jones et al.
`7/1992 Mankovitz
`4/1994 Noreen et al.
`2/1995 Dinkins
`2/1995 Morales
`4/1995 Mankovitz
`10/1995 Noreen et al.
`10/1995 Le Cheviller
`7/1996 Larson, Jr.
`9/1996 Schulhof et al.
`10/1996 Takahisa
`5/1997 Park
`5/1997 Dinkins
`8/1997 Kunii
`8/1997 Hidaka
`11/1997 Noreen et al.
`
`5,708,478 A
`
`1/1998 Tognazzini
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`
`WO 00/31906
`
`6/2000
`
`Primary Examiner-Nguyen T. Vo
`Assistant Examiner-Temica M. Davis
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Carl A. Kukkonen, III
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An interactive radio system is provided for use with broad(cid:173)
`cast radio stations wherein feedback is provided to subscrib(cid:173)
`ers 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 interac(cid:173)
`tive 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 seg(cid:173)
`ments are, for example, individual musical selections, adver(cid:173)
`tisements 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 sub(cid:173)
`scriber identification signal to the network operation center
`using the wireless transmitter. The network operations cen(cid:173)
`ter 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.
`
`34 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`116
`
`BROADCAST
`RADIO
`RECEIVER
`
`GPS
`UNIT
`
`WIRELESS
`TRANSMITTER
`
`120
`
`118
`
`123
`
`122
`
`\
`
`INTERACTWE
`RADIO
`MOBILE UNIT
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0001
`
`

`

`US 6,628,928 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,742,893 A
`5,758,293 A
`5,790,423 A
`5,796,728 A
`5,818,441 A
`5,832,223 A
`5,857,149 A
`5,857,156 A
`5,864,753 A
`5,864,823 A
`5,884,140 A
`5,898,680 A
`5,905,865 A
`5,907,793 A
`5,918,158 A
`5,926,108 A
`5,949,492 A
`
`4/1998 Frank
`5/1998 Frasier
`8/1998 Lau et al.
`8/1998 Rondeau et al.
`10/1998 Throckmorton et al.
`11/1998 Hara
`1/1999 Suzuki
`1/1999 Anderson
`1/1999 Morita
`1/1999 Levitan
`3/1999 Ishizaki
`4/1999 Johnstone et al.
`5/1999 Palmer
`5/1999 Reams
`6/1999 LaPorta
`7/1999 Wicks
`9/1999 Mankovitz
`
`9/1999 Redford et al.
`5,957,695 A
`10/1999 Brunts
`5,964,821 A
`11/1999 Tracy
`5,979,757 A
`11/1999 Anderson
`5,991,601 A
`11/1999 Chen
`5,991,737 A
`1/2000 Bottum
`6,014,569 A
`1/2000 Schultz
`6,018,522 A
`3/2000 Miyake
`6,038,434 A
`5/2000 Nelson
`6,061,718 A
`6/2000 Wicks
`6,081,693 A
`6,246,672 Bl * 6/2001 Lumelsky ................... 370/310
`6,253,069 Bl * 6/2001 Mankovitz ............... 455/186.1
`6,256,498 Bl * 7/2001 Ludwig ...................... 455/433
`6,282,412 Bl * 8/2001 Lyons
`..................... 455/186.1
`6,300,880 Bl * 10/2001 Stinik . .. ... ... ... ... .. ... 340/825.25
`6,314,094 Bl * 11/2001 Boys .......................... 370/352
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0002
`
`

`

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`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0003
`
`

`

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`INTERACTIVE
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`123
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`125 \
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`TRANSMITTER
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`
`I
`
`11s
`
`UNIT
`OPS
`
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`RADIO
`
`116
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0004
`
`

`

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`PROGRAM SEGMENf H
`DEfERMINATION UNIT H BROAOCASTER H
`
`l.110
`
`205
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`
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`VENDOR
`
`I
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`
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`
`SUBSCRIBER ID
`MOBILE ID OR
`
`I
`
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`
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`
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`
`RECEIVER
`SIGNAL
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0005
`
`

`

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`IDENTIFICATION
`ROGRAM SEGMENT
`
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`
`FIG. 5
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`
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`.
`.
`
`DATE AND TIME
`
`SEGMENT#2
`SEGMENT#l
`BROADCASfER ID PROO. SEG. ID
`
`IDENTIFICATION
`BROAOCASTER
`
`DATABASE
`
`FIG. 4
`
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`
`BROAOCASTER N
`
`.
`.
`.
`
`RANGE
`
`LOCATION
`
`BROAOCAST 112
`BROADCAST #1
`BROAOCASTER ID CARRIF.R FREQ.
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0006
`
`

`

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`
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`
`PROO. SEG. ID
`
`CD TITLE; PRICE~ ASSOCIATED
`
`E..coMMERCE SITES
`
`PERFORMER· SONGTITLE·
`URL FOR RECORD I.ABa~
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0007
`
`

`

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`
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`BROAOCASTFR &
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`
`PERf-ORMffi
`
`SONG TITLE AND
`
`CDTITLE
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.30,2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,628,928 Bl
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`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 2003
`Sep.30,2003
`
`Sheet 8 0f 9
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,628,928 Bl
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`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1006, 0010
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep.30,2003
`Sep. 30, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`Sheet 9 0f 9
`
`US 6,628,928 Bl
`US 6,628,928 B1
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`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1OO6, 0011
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0011
`
`
`
`

`

`US 6,628,928 Bl
`
`1
`INTERNET-BASED INTERACTIVE RADIO
`SYSTEM FOR USE WITH BROADCAST
`RADIO STATIONS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`the example wherein the broadcasts are encoded with sub(cid:173)
`signals identifying the particular product being offered for
`sale, the encoded information may be displayed on the
`graphic display for viewing by the subscriber while listening
`to the broadcast.
`Thus, interactive radio is enabled using radio
`broadcasters, such as satellite radio broadcasters or conven(cid:173)
`tional AM/FM or digital land-based radio broadcasters.
`Hence the audio content need not be transmitted via cables,
`10 teleph~ne lines, or other narrow-casting techniques.
`Moreover, because broadcast radio is employed, operators
`of the interactive radio system can reach potentially millions
`of subscribers, including subscribers at remote locations
`who may not have access to narrow-cast interactive systems
`15 such as cable-based systems. Moreover, those who possess
`only a conventional radio can receive radio broadcasts as
`normal. Those who possess one of the mobile interactive
`radio units and are subscribers to the interactive radio
`system receive the additional benefits provided by the inter-
`20 active radio system. Hence, the radio broadcasters can reach
`both subscribers and non-subscribers to the mobile interac(cid:173)
`tive radio system. Another advantage of the system is that
`the only signals that need to be transmitted from the mobile
`units to the network operations center are relatively infre-
`25 quent subscriber command signals generated, for example,
`when the subscriber selects a product to purchase. Hence,
`very little bandwidth is required by the wireless communi(cid:173)
`cation system to communicate transmissions from the
`mobile unit to the network operations center.
`Although the systems of the Noreen et al. patents have
`many advantages over non-broadcast-based interactive radio
`systems, such as cable-based radio sy~tems or other narr~w(cid:173)
`cast radio systems, room for further improvement remams.
`For example, it would be desirable to provide an alternative
`35 method for providing text or graphic information to the
`subscriber which does not require that the text or graphic
`information be transmitted to the mobile unit and displayed
`on the mobile unit. By providing a method that does not
`require that the information be displayed on the mobile unit,
`40 the mobile unit thereby need not include a graphic display.
`By eliminating the need to provide a graphic display in the
`mobile unit, the mobile unit may be less expensive and
`perhaps less distracting to the subscriber, which is part~cu(cid:173)
`larly advantageous if the mobile unit is mounted withm a
`45 motor vehicle for use by the driver of the vehicle. Also, it
`would be desirable to provide an interactive radio system
`which is capable of providing vast amounts of text or
`graphic information to the subscriber pertaining to selected
`program segment without requiring that the informat~on be
`50 be transmitted to the mobile unit via the two-way w1reless
`communication device. Also, it would be desirable to pro(cid:173)
`vide an interactive radio system wherein the subscriber need
`not make immediate decisions while listening to the radio
`about whether to purchase goods or services, contribute to
`55 charities or the like. Rather, it would be desirable to permit
`the subscriber to select advertisements, songs, or other
`program segments of interest and then review in_formation
`pertaining to those program segments at a later time.
`It is to these and other ends that aspects of the present
`invention are primarily directed.
`
`I. Field of the Invention
`The invention generally relates to interactive radio sys(cid:173)
`tems and in particular to interactive radio systems for use
`with broadcast radio.
`II. Description of Related Art
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,303,393, 5,455,823 and 5,689,245 to
`Noreen et al. describe various interactive radio systems for
`use with broadcast radio. In one example, individual mobile
`interactive radio units are installed in motor vehicles or other
`locations for use by subscribers of the interactive radio
`system. Each mobile unit includes a radio broadcast
`receiver such as a standard automobile radio, and a two-way
`wireles; communication device, such as a satellite-based
`wireless telephone. Radio broadcasts received by the mobile
`unit are listened to by the subscriber, perhaps while driving
`the vehicle. The subscriber may respond to advertisements,
`solicitations, promotional segments or the like by ente_ring
`commands through the mobile unit, which are transmitted
`by the wireless telephone to a network operations center. As
`one specific example, if the subscriber wishes to purcha~e a
`product advertised during a radio broadcast, the subscnber
`enters an order or purchase command into the mobile unit
`and the command is forwarded to the network operations 30
`center which coordinates the purchase of the product on
`behalf of the subscriber. To this end, the broadcast signal
`may be encoded with sub-signals which identify the product
`offered for sale during the segment of the broadcast. The
`mobile unit extracts the product identification from the
`broadcast signal and generates a purchase command, which
`identifies the product being purchased along with the iden(cid:173)
`tity of the subscriber associated with the mobile unit. The
`network operations center maintains a credit card number or
`other purchase authorization information for the subscriber
`for completing the purchase. If the broadcast signal is a
`standard radio broadcast signal not encoded with sub(cid:173)
`signals, the mobile unit determines the carrier frequency of
`the broadcast, the date and time of the broadcast, and the
`geographical location of the mobile unit and then transmits
`this information along with the purchase command and
`identity of the subscriber associated with the mobile unit to
`the network operations center. In response, the network
`operations center determines the identity of the broadca~ter
`based upon the carrier frequency and the geogra_Phic~l
`location of the mobile unit, then accesses databases identi(cid:173)
`fying particular program segments broadcast by the_ broad(cid:173)
`caster at various dates and times. With this informat10n, the
`network operations center determines the goods or services
`that the subscriber wishes to purchase and completes the
`purchase on behalf of the subscriber.
`Although summarized with respect to an example involv(cid:173)
`ing the purchase of goods or services advertised during radio
`broadcasts, the interactive radio systems of the Noreen et al.
`patents provide a wide range of other interactive services as
`well. In other examples, the subscriber may respond to
`opinion polls solicited through radio broadcasts, or donate
`money to charities or political causes solicited through the
`radio broadcast. Additionally, the mobile interactive radio
`unit may be provided with a graphic display for providing 65
`information identifying particular songs broadcast over the
`radio or particular products advertised in radio broadcasts. In
`
`60
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the invention, an interactive broadcast
`system is provided for use with a mobile unit ha:'i~g a
`broadcast receiver for receiving broadcast transmiss10ns
`from broadcasters or other broadcast program originators
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0012
`
`

`

`US 6,628,928 Bl
`
`3
`and a wireless transmitter for transmitting wireless signals to
`the system. The system includes a means for receiving a
`broadcast attribute signal transmitted from the mobile unit.
`The broadcast attribute signal identifies at least one attribute
`of a broadcast transmission selected by a user of the mobile
`unit. The system also includes means, responsive to receipt
`of the broadcast attribute signal, for providing information
`to the user associated with the mobile unit via the Internet.
`The information provided via the Internet is selected based
`upon the content of the broadcast transmission selected by 10
`the user.
`In an exemplary embodiment, the broadcasts are radio
`broadcasts. The broadcast receiver is a radio, such as an
`AM/FM automobile radio or a mobile satellite radio. The
`wireless transmitter is a two-way wireless communication
`device, such as a satellite wireless communication device or
`a cellular telephone. The user of the mobile unit is a
`subscriber of the interactive radio system. The term
`subscriber, as used herein, refers to a subscriber of the
`interactive radio system, rather than a subscriber to a par- 20
`ticular radio broadcast service, such as a satellite digital
`radio broadcast service. Depending upon the particular
`implementation, the individual user of a particular mobile
`unit may be both a subscriber to the interactive radio system
`and a subscriber to particular radio broadcast systems. The
`subscriber may be charged a fee for accessing the interactive
`radio system. Alternatively, the subscriber may be able to
`access the system without paying a fee. In still other
`implementations, users of the interactive radio system need
`not necessarily subscribe to the system. The broadcast
`attribute signal transmitted by the wireless communication
`device identifies the date and time of a program segment
`selected by the subscriber, the carrier frequency of the
`broadcast, and the geographical location of the radio as
`determined using a global positioning system ("GPS")
`device or, in the case of a mobile unit using a cellular
`telephone, the geographical location of the cellular base
`station receiving the wireless transmission. The wireless
`communication device of the mobile unit also transmits a
`client identifier signal which identifies either the subscriber
`using the mobile unit or the mobile unit itself. If the signal
`identifies the mobile unit, the system accesses client infor(cid:173)
`mation databases to determine the identity of the subscriber
`associated with the mobile unit. The system determines the
`identity of the broadcaster or other program originator based 45
`upon the carrier frequency and the geographical location of
`the mobile unit. Then, the system accesses a database of
`information provided by the broadcaster, which identifies
`the date and time of various program segments. From this
`information, the system identifies the particular program 50
`segment selected by the subscriber. The program segment
`may be an advertisement, charity solicitation, musical selec(cid:173)
`tion or the like. Once the program segment has been
`identified, the system provides information pertaining to the
`program segment to the subscriber within a web site acces- 55
`sible by a home or office computer of the subscriber or
`within e-mails transmitted directed to an email account of
`the subscriber.
`In this manner, the subscriber can select various
`advertisements, musical selections or the like while listening
`to the radio, then access the Internet at a later time to review
`information pertaining to the various program segments that
`have been selected. For program segments that comprise
`musical selections, the information provided through the
`Internet identifies such things as the name of the song, the
`performer, and the compact disk (CD) or other compilation
`containing the song. Hyper links are provided within the
`
`4
`web page or e-mail for linking the subscriber directly to web
`sites provided by the performer, record company or the like.
`The CD may be purchased directly through the web site.
`Alternatively, links are provided for permitting the CD to be
`5 purchased through other e-commerce web sites. Also, either
`the web site of the interactive radio system or other
`e-commerce sites permit the subscriber to generate and
`purchase a customized CD containing a group of songs that
`have been selected by the subscriber or permitting custom(cid:173)
`ized digital music files, such as MP3 files, to be generated
`containing songs that have been selected. For program
`segments containing advertisements, the information pro(cid:173)
`vided via the e-mail or web page identifies the advertiser and
`provides links directly to e-commerce web sites providing
`15 further information regarding the advertiser or its products
`and permitting immediate purchase of the products. As can
`be appreciated, a wealth of information may be provided to
`the subscriber via the Internet pertaining to broadcast radio
`segments selected by the subscriber.
`One advantage of the Internet feedback system of the
`invention is that the subscriber need not necessarily make
`decisions immediately regarding purchase of goods or ser(cid:173)
`vices while listening to the radio broadcast but may defer
`decisions until a later time. Alternatively, though, the system
`25 may be configured such that the subscriber may immediately
`purchase goods or services via the mobile unit. If so,
`confirmation of the purchase is provided via the Internet. In
`still other implementations, the subscriber may enter a
`purchase order through the mobile unit then, if desired,
`30 cancel the order via the Internet at a later time. Another
`advantage of the Internet feedback system is that the sub(cid:173)
`scriber is directly linked to e-commerce sites permitting ease
`of purchase of the goods or services. Also, much more
`information may be provided to the subscriber pertaining to
`35 selected program segments than can easily be accommo(cid:173)
`dated via two-way wireless transmissions to the mobile unit.
`Moreover, by providing text and graphic information
`through the Internet to a home or office computer of the
`subscriber, the mobile unit need not necessarily include a
`40 graphic display and hence may be less expensive and
`thereby more desirable for some potential subscribers.
`Although, in other implementations, a graphic display is
`provided in some mobile units to permit at least a portion of
`the Internet content to be browsed directly via the mobile
`unit.
`As noted, in the exemplary implementation, the system
`identifies specific program content selected by the subscriber
`by examining the carrier frequency of the broadcast in
`combination with the geographical location of the mobile
`unit and programming information provided by the broad(cid:173)
`casters. In the alternative, the broadcast itself includes
`information encoded therein identifying the program seg(cid:173)
`ments. If so, the mobile unit, in response to subscriber
`commands, generates a program attribute signal which spe(cid:173)
`cifically identifies the content of the program segment and
`also provides the identity of the subscriber or the identity of
`the mobile unit, such that the system need not determine the
`identity of the broadcaster or the program segment. Insofar
`as providing program information is concerned, the system
`60 may either receive information from various broadcasters
`for storage in dedicated databases maintained by the system
`or the system may merely access databases maintained by
`the broadcasters containing play-lists or other program
`information. In this regard, many broadcasters provide web
`65 pages which provide play-lists specifying the date and time
`of day of the various songs that have been played. The
`system may access those web pages to identify specific
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0013
`
`

`

`US 6,628,928 Bl
`
`5
`
`5
`program segments selected by the subscriber. Also, in the
`exemplary embodiment, GPS is employed for determining
`the geographical location of the mobile unit. Other tech(cid:173)
`niques for determining the location of the mobile unit, either
`precisely or approximately, may be employed. In one
`example, wherein a cellular communication system is
`employed, the location of the mobile unit is approximated
`based upon the location of a cellular base station receiving
`signals from the mobile unit. Alternatively, a regional inter(cid:173)
`active radio system may be provided for use within a
`particular region accessible only by broadcasters within that
`region. In such an implementation, the identity of the
`broadcaster may be determined based upon the carrier
`frequency of the broadcast, rather than based upon both
`carrier frequency and geographical location.
`As can be appreciated, a wide range of embodiments are
`consistent with the general principles of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary interactive radio sys(cid:173)
`tem employing land-based broadcast radio stations, a satel(cid:173)
`lite wireless communications systems, and a GPS system,
`and providing interactive feedback to subscribers via the
`Internet.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating pertinent compo(cid:173)
`nents of a mobile interactive radio unit for use with the
`system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating pertinent compo(cid:173)
`nents of a network operations center of the system of FIG.
`1.
`
`6
`102 are received by interactive radio mobile units or mobile
`stations mounted within vehicles 104, with each mobile unit
`operated by a subscriber or other user (not separately
`shown.) While listening to a radio broadcast, the subscribers
`transmit commands or other responsive signals from the
`mobile units via a communications satellite 106 to an
`interactive radio network ground station 108, which for(cid:173)
`wards the commands to an interactive radio network opera(cid:173)
`tions center 110. In response to commands received from the
`10 subscribers, the network operations center provides infor(cid:173)
`mation feedback to the subscribers via the Internet 111, with
`the information being received at individual subscriber
`computers 112. In this manner, subscribers operating mobile
`units mounted within automobiles, trucks, planes, trains or
`15 the like, may request information pertaining to program
`segments broadcast by the various broadcasters, then review
`the information later via the Internet using home computers,
`work computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or the
`like. As one specific example, a subscriber selects individual
`20 songs of interest, then reviews information pertaining to the
`songs at a later time using his or her home computer. The
`subscriber thereby obtains information such as the song
`name and performer name for various musical selections of
`interest and, if desired, purchases any or all of the songs via
`25 e-commerce Internet sites accessible via the computer. As
`another example, the subscriber responds to opinion polls
`solicited via broadcast radio segments, with a summary of
`the poll results provided to the subscriber via the Internet. In
`yet another example, the subscriber responds to solicitations
`30 for charitable donations requested via radio program
`segments, with further information pertaining to the chari(cid:173)
`ties provided to the subscriber via the Internet, such that the
`subscriber may then make a final decision regarding whether
`to donate to the charity in question. Many additional appli(cid:173)
`cations of the interactive radio system are possible. In one
`other application, the system is configured to permit a
`subscriber to immediately enter a purchase order via the
`mobile unit, then review confirmation information via the
`Internet. At that time, the subscriber may choose to cancel
`the order. If, for example, the order is not canceled within
`twenty-four hours, the order is automatically completed.
`Now considering the system of FIG. 1 in greater detail, a
`set of land-based radio broadcasters 102 1 , to 102N each
`broadcast radio signals which, depending upon the indi-
`45 vidual broadcaster, are conventional AM or FM analog radio
`signals, digital radio signals, or radio signals encoded with
`specific program information, such as the information iden(cid:173)
`tifying individual program segments. The various broadcasts
`are received at mobile units mounted within automobiles,
`50 trucks, or the like, denoted 1041 to 104N. Each mobile unit
`includes a broadcast radio receiver and a wireless transmit(cid:173)
`ter. The broadcast radio receiver is a conventional AM/FM
`radio receiver, a digital radio receiver or similar device. The
`wireless transmitter is a satellite wireless communications
`55 device, which transmits signals via satellite 106 to interac(cid:173)
`tive radio ground station 108. (Herein-below, alternative
`implementations utilizing cellular telephone base stations or
`dedicated localized communication systems are described.)
`The mobile unit also includes a GPS receiver for receiving
`signals from a set of GPS satellites 114 and for determining
`the geographical location of the mobile unit therefrom.
`(Also herein-below, alternative implementations are
`described for determining the geographical location of the
`mobile unit without requiring the use of GPS.)
`The primary components of the mobile unit are illustrated
`in FIG. 2 and include a radio receiver 116, a GPS unit 118,
`a wireless satellite telephone transmitter 120 and a sub-
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates a broadcaster identification database
`employed by the network operations center of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a broadcast program segment identifi(cid:173)
`cation database employed by the network operations center 35
`of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a vendor information database employed
`by the network operations center of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary display screen presented
`by a web site generated by the network operations center of 40
`FIG. 3.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a second exemplary interactive radio
`system employing land-based broadcast radio stations and a
`cellular communications system, and also providing inter(cid:173)
`active feedback to subscribers via the Internet.
`FIG. 9 illustrates a third exemplary interactive radio
`system employing land-based broadcast radio stations and a
`dedicated localized communications system, and also pro(cid:173)
`viding interactive feedback to subscribers via the Internet.
`FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth exemplary interactive radio
`system employing satellite-based broadcasters, a satellite
`wireless communications system, and a GPS system, and
`also providing interactive feedback to subscribers via a
`computer feedback network.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
`With reference to the figures, preferred and exemplary
`embodiments of the invention will now be described. The 60
`invention is described primarily with respect to an exem(cid:173)
`plary interactive radio system for use with standard land(cid:173)
`based AM/FM radio broadcasters, a satellite wireless com(cid:173)
`munication system, a GPS system, and the Internet. Several
`other exemplary systems are also described.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive radio network 100
`wherein signals broadcast by land-based radio broadcasters
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1006, 0014
`
`

`

`US 6,628,928 Bl
`
`7
`scriber interface 122 for receiving control signals from an
`subscriber via one or more input buttons or other input
`devices. In the example of FIG. 2, only a single interactive
`radio control button 123 is provided. In other
`implementations, to be described in greater detail below,
`additional buttons are provided. The radio receiver may
`include one or more individual radio receiving compon