Document printed with graphical symbols which encode information

A method of printing a document with graphical symbols which are selected from a set of printable graphical symbols, each member of the set having a different shape;

• the method comprising the step of computer generating the graphical symbols, wherein the graphical symbols each individually encode information by virtue of their shape;
• and the method comprises the further step of forming the graphical symbols into the fine internal structure of some or all of a visible, decorative element and printing the element onto the document, the appearance of the decorative element being compatible with the appearance of the document so that the presence of the decorative element does not detract from the overall appearance of the document.

A method of retrieving information from a printed document, in which the printed document comprises graphical symbols which are selected from a set of printable graphical symbols, each member of the set having a different shape;

• wherein the graphical symbols (a) each individually encode information by virtue of their shape and (b) are formed into the fine internal structure of some or all of a visible, decorative element printed onto the document, the appearance of the decorative element being compatible with the appearance of the document so that the presence of the decorative element does not detract from the overall appearance of the document;
• the method comprising the steps of scanning the decorative element and then recovering the information by decoding the graphical symbols which make up some or all of the decorative element.

Computer software able to control a decoding system to retrieve information from a printed document, in which the printed document comprises graphical symbols which are selected from a set of printable graphical symbols, each member of the set having a different shape;

• wherein the graphical symbols (a) each individually encode information by virtue of their shape and (b) are formed into the fine internal structure of some or all of a visible, decorative element printed onto the document, the appearance of the decorative element being compatible with the appearance of the document so that the presence of the decorative element does not detract from the overall appearance of the document;
• wherein the software can control the decoding system to scan the decorative element and then recover the information by decoding the graphical symbols which make up some or all of the decorative element.