The Runtime Object is the actual object in the application under test. The Test Object is a set of properties that UFT uses to identify and check the Runtime Object.
The set of properties is usually a sub-set of the full Runtime Object properties. Test Objects are stored in the Object Repository.
You can get the Test Object Properties using GetTOProperty:
object.GetTOProperty (Property)
You can get the Runtime Object properties using GetROProperty:
object.GetROProperty (Property, [PropertyData])
Always use GetROProperty to get the *actual value* of *current properties* of the object in the Application Under Test.