System and method to associate broadcast radio content with a transaction via an internet server

Abstract

A system and method for providing services to users in vehicles based on radio broadcasts received by a vehicle's radio receiver. The system includes a computer-based vehicle unit located in a vehicle, a gateway configured to wirelessly send and receive information to and from the vehicle unit, and a computer-based server in communication with the gateway over a network. The vehicle unit includes a user interface component that presents the received content and radio broadcast and records user requests. The server processes the requests and sends confirmation messages back to the unit via the gateway when a request is completed or other information needs to he sent to the unit. The vehicle unit wirelessly receives a radio broadcast from a radio station, transmits user requests and vehicle information to the server via the gateway, and receives content back from the server.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a radio broadcast at a vehicle;   wirelessly transmitting content from a server to the vehicle via a data network based on radio broadcast information associated with the received radio broadcast;   presenting content over a user interface at the vehicle;   recording any requests made by a user based on the presented content;   wirelessly transmitting the recorded requests to the server over the data network;   processing each sent request, wherein processing comprises generating a confirmation message upon completing a transaction based on the request;   wirelessly transmitting the generated confirmation message to the vehicle over the data network; and   presenting the sent confirmation message over the user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting vehicle information from the vehicle to the server over the data network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the content transmitted from the server to the vehicle via a data network is based on radio broadcast information associated with the vehicle information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein presenting comprises presenting at least a portion of the content or the message audibly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein presenting comprises displaying visually at least a portion of the content or the message. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein recording comprises recording a phonation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein processing comprises performing voice recognition processing of the phonation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein completing comprises:
 contacting a bank system; and   executing a monetary transfer based on user information and the request.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein completing comprises:
 contacting a business system; and   sending information from the business system to the server relating to the request,   wherein the confirmation information comprises at least a portion of the information sent by the business system.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a recorded request is a request to purchase an item offered for purchase in one or more of the received radio broadcast or the sent content. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 receiving a radio broadcast at a vehicle;   wirelessly transmitting vehicle information from the vehicle to a server over a data network;   wirelessly transmitting content from the server to the vehicle via the data network based on prestored radio broadcast information associated with the received radio broadcast and associated vehicle information;   presenting content over a user interface at the vehicle;   recording any requests made by a user based on the presented content;   wirelessly transmitting the recorded requests to the server over the data network;   processing each sent request, wherein processing comprises generating a confirmation message upon completing a transaction based on the request and prestored user information;   wirelessly transmitting the generated confirmation message to the vehicle over the data network; and   presenting the sent confirmation message over the user interface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein presenting comprises presenting at least a portion of the content or the message audibly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein presenting comprises displaying visually at least a portion of the content or the message. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein recording comprises recording a phonation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein processing comprises performing voice recognition processing of the phonation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein completing comprises:
 contacting a bank system; and   executing a monetary transfer based on user information and the request.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein completing comprises:
 contacting a business system; and   sending information from the business system to the server relating to the request,   wherein the confirmation information comprises at least a portion of the information sent by the business system.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a recorded request is a request to purchase an item offered for purchase in one or more of the received radio broadcast or the sent content. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 receiving a radio broadcast at a vehicle;   wirelessly transmitting vehicle information from the vehicle to a network gateway;   sending the vehicle information from the gateway to a server over a data network;   sending content from the server to the vehicle via the network and the gateway based on prestored radio broadcast information associated with the received. radio broadcast and associated vehicle information;   presenting content over a user interface at the vehicle;   recording any requests made by a user interface at the vehicle;   sending recorded requests to the server via the gateway and the network;   processing each sent request, processing comprises:
 completing a transaction based on the request and prestored user information; and 
 generating a confirmation message based on the completed transaction; 
   sending the generated confirmation message to the vehicle via the network and the gateway; and   presenting the sent confirmation message over the user interface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein presenting comprises presenting at least a portion of the content or the message audibly. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein presenting comprises displaying visually at least a portion of the content or the message. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein recording comprises recording a phonation. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein processing comprises performing voice recognition processing of the phonation. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein completing comprises:
 contacting a bank system; and   executing a monetary transfer based on user information and the request.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein completing comprises:
 contacting a business system; and   sending information from the business system to the server relating to the request, wherein the confirmation information comprises at least a portion of the information sent by the business system.