Abstract: A method for verifying the authenticity of an object, e.g. a bank note or a cheque, is described. The object is provided with a primary identifier in the form of a plurality of identification elements embedded in the object. The identification elements are visually detectable when illuminated by infrared or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation but are visually indistinguishable from the rest of the object when illuminated with visible light. The object has a reference point in the form of a printed symbol defining an area of the object in which at least some of the identification elements are provided. The method includes the step of identifying a sub-area of the object defined by the reference point, and recording information relating to the positions of the identification elements in the sub-area relative to the reference point. A detector that can be used to carry out this method is also described.

Abstract: A method of distributing telephone and/or telephone subscriber status/availability information comprises receiving information at a relay centre from each of a multiplicity of status/availability terminals. This information corresponds to the status/availability of a telephone and/or telephone subscriber and/or telephone line associated with the sending status/availability terminal. Information received at the relay centre from each sending status/availability terminal is immediately relayed to a group of other status/availability terminals associated with the sending terminal. At each receiving status/availability terminal, the received status/availability information is displayed on a display of the terminal to advise the subscriber of the current status/availability of other subscribers in which he is interested.

Abstract: A method of distributing telephone and/or telephone subscriber status/availability information comprises receiving information at a relay centre from each of a multiplicity of status/availability terminals. This information corresponds to the status/availability of a telephone and/or telephone subscriber and/or telephone line associated with the sending status/availability terminal. Information received at the relay centre from each sending status/availability terminal is immediately relayed to a group of other status/availability terminals associated with the sending terminal. At each receiving status/availability terminal, the received status/availability information is displayed on a display of the terminal to advise the subscriber of the current status/availability of other subscribers in which he is interested.