Abstract: An article identification method can comprise: determining a signature from an article based upon an intrinsic characteristic of the article; and comparing the determined signature to a stored signature. The method can also comprise splitting the determined signature into blocks of contiguous data, performing a comparison operation between each block and respective blocks of the stored signature, and comparing an attribute of a comparison result from each block comparison to an expected attribute of the block comparison to determine a compensation value for use in determining a comparison result. The method can also comprise determining a similarity result between the determined signature and the stored signature, using the compensation value to adjust the determined signature. Thus an article damaged by stretching or shrinking can be successfully identified. Also, a non-linear signature determination can be accommodated without losing identification accuracy.

Abstract: A method for authenticity verification. The method can comprise conducting a transaction between first and second parties, the parties being respectively located at first and second locations remote one-another, the outcome of the transaction being the transfer of title to goods and/or services from the first party to the second party. Data describing a value entitlement token of the second party can be captured to create a signature for the value entitlement token, the signature being based upon an intrinsic property of the value entitlement token. The signature can be transmitted from the second party to a third party which can compare the signature to a database of stored signatures. A validation result indicating whether the value entitlement token corresponds to a value entitlement token signature in the database can be transmitted from the third party to the first party.

Abstract: A method for authenticity verification. The method can comprise conducting a transaction between first and second parties, the parties being respectively located at first and second locations remote one-another, the outcome of the transaction being the provision by the first party to the second party of the right to an entitlement token. Following the transaction outcome, data describing a written format for the entitlement token can be transmitted from the first party to the second party. The entitlement token can be written at the second location using the data describing the written format. The method can further comprise creating a first signature for the written entitlement token at the second location, the signature being based upon an intrinsic property of the written entitlement token, and storing the first signature in a signature database.

Abstract: Disclosed in a security device (700) comprising two or more magnetic elements (702). The magnetic elements (702) are responsive to an applied magnetic field to provide a characteristic response that is difficult to reproduce. The security device (700) finds application in detecting forgeries.

Abstract: A security device (100) comprises at least one magnetic element (102). The magnetic element (102) is responsive to an applied magnetic field to provide a characteristic response. The characteristic response can be used to identify a particular security device (100) when interrogated by a security system, thereby aiding in prevention of copying of the security device (100).

Abstract: A data storage device for storing digital information in a readable form is described made up of one or more memory elements, each memory element comprising a planar magnetic conduit capable of sustaining and propagating a magnetic domain wall formed into a continuous propagation track. Each continuous track is provided with at least one and preferably a large number of inversion nodes whereat the magnetisation direction of a domain wall propagating along the conduit under action of a suitable applied field, such as a rotating magnetic field, is changed.

Abstract: A logic device formed at least one chain of dots of magnetic material. Each dot has a width of 200 nm or less and is spaced at a distance that is sufficiently small to ensure magnetic interaction of adjacent dots.

Abstract: A memory element comprising nanomagnets having a rotational symmetry selected in order to provide high remanence and a suitable coercivity. There is also a sensor element comprising nanomagnets having a rotational symmetry selected such that they are superparamagnetic and exhibit substantially zero hysteresis so that a magnetisation of the nanomagnets depends only on the current value of applied field and not on the field history.