Hexagonal information encoding article, process and system.

摘要

An optically readable label (30) stores encoded information in the form of a data array of a multiplicity of information-encoded hexagons (20) contiguously arranged in a honeycomb pattern, and having at least two different optical properties (e.g. black and white). A process for encoding information in the optically-readable data array comprised of a honeycomb of contiguous hexagons (20) encoded by assigning optical properties to individual hexagons in a predetermined pattern consists of ordering the hexagons (20) in a predetermined sequence, and printing the hexagons (20) with at least two optical properties (e.g. black and white). A process for retrieving information by optically scanning the information-encoded data array of contiguous polygons, preferably hexagons (20), comprises creating an optical replica of the digital bit stream representative of the optical properties of the information encoded polygons, decoding that optical replica and retrieving the decoded bit stream.