Chris Catignani Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's the reverse engineered code:
>
>
> From LogRhythm :
>
> "...the software assigned letters of the alphabet
> to high-pitch tones, eg: an 18kHz sound translates
> into an 'A', and 19.125kHz is a 'P'. Pairs of
> these characters are used to identify TV ads: 'AP'
> is used to recognize a Geico ad and display an
> image and link to the insurance biz, we're told.
> Sound-playing online adverts appear to use a
> fingerprint of five characters."
>
> Oh...and straight from the horses mouth the
> SilverPush homepage
>
>
>
> Edited 1 times. Last edit at 11/21/15 01:18AM by
> KatDawg.

So now I see how it is theoretically possible - and bringing the sounds down to letter codes at pitching it above most peoples hearing certainly makes it more feasible...
Although it also explains why 'advertisements' have become 'more' annoying ;0

However, it does rely on the microphone in the device being able to pickup the sound. Even in as little as a jeans pocket, that's unlikely from a physical standpoint. Then again, it presumes that the mic is active -- e.g. you've enabled your phone for voice commands or it is otherwise listening to its environment. Which a lot of people have I suppose. Finally, you must have the software installed... which I will adamantly refuse to give any installable app access to my microphone ;0

Still a bit scary though... and how do they fly under the subliminal advertisement laws?? Presumably the 'coded' messages... still seems like a breach of privacy. None the less, at least now I see how it is possible. Silverpush seems to be the only 'mainstream' people tracking this currently - presumably it's not too successful.

Even Nielsen Audio (arbitron) gave people specific devices for it.