System and apparatus for broadcasting, capturing, storing, selecting and then forwarding selected product data and viewer choices to vendor host computers

A handheld control unit for use with a broadcast receiver, such as a radio or television, said handheld control unit comprising:

• means within said handheld control unit for generating control signals that are selectively transmitted via a wireless link to the broadcast receiver, said control signals including control signals for turning the broadcast receiver ON or OFF and selecting the station/channel to which the broadcast receiver is tuned;
• and
• memory means within said handheld control unit for storing startup control data provided by a broadcast marketer;
• means within said handheld control unit for transmitting a power ON signal to the broadcast receiver via the wireless link in response to a power ON/OFF button of the handheld control unit being depressed, wherein the power ON signal causes the broadcast receiver to be turned ON;
• means within said handheld control unit for automatically generating a startup control signal based on the startup control data stored in said memory means that directs the tuner of the broadcast receiver to a channel or station identified by the startup control data whenever the handheld control unit is used to turn the broadcast receiver ON;
• and
• means within said handheld control unit for automatically transmitting the startup control signal to the broadcast receiver via the wireless link in response to the power ON/OFF button of the handheld control unit being depressed, wherein the startup control signal causes the broadcast receiver to be tuned to the channel or station identified by the startup control data.