The article of the invention is an optically readable label for storing encoded information, said label comprising a data array of a multiplicity of information-encoded polygons arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern, and said polygons having at least two different optical properties.a process for encoding information in an optically-readable data array comprised of information-encoded polygons by assigning optical properties to individual polygons in a predetermined pattern, ordering the polygons in a predetermined sequence, and printing the polygons with at least two optical properties.A process for retrieving information by optically scanning a data array of information-encoded polygons, preferably hexagons, 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.A system for performing the foregoing encoding and decoding processes.