Abstract: A method whereby a communication can be readily determined to be from an authorized sender or, conversely, identified as being from an imposter, wherein a digital token is created according to a set of at least two rules known to the creator and intended recipient of the communication, further wherein the digital token comprises a recognizable factor such as an image, word, or audio segment, and a system comprising means for implementing the method of the disclosure; wherein fraudulent messages may readily be identified by recognizing whether or not the digital token associated with the message complies with one or more pre-determined rules, even if the system presenting the message is unaware of the rules or even of the authentication process as a whole.

Abstract: The invention relates to an audio recording system designed for use in conjunction with an optical instrument—typically a pair of binoculars. By attaching the device to the binoculars and arranging the user controls and indicators so that the device may be operated whilst looking through the binoculars, naturalists and others are able to dictate their observations whilst watching their subject. By including a directional microphone, automatically aligned in the direction that the binoculars are pointing, the user can also record the sounds made by the subject being watched—again without taking their eyes off the subject. An associated software package uploads the recordings to a computer and facilitates the transcription and archiving of the recordings. Said software can also download audio recordings to the device allowing the user to play these for comparison with the sound made by the subject being watched.