Abstract: Documents that contain content information and script information that controls user-interactivity with the document are encoded as a content section that is separate from the script information. The script information contains references to the content section, which typically comprises text information. By segregating the text information from the script, all text applications are able to display an undisturbed copy of the text information. In a preferred embodiment, the script is appended to the text information segment of the document, so that the direct display of the initial portion of the document is an immediately readable version of the text. In a second encoding method, which can be independent or combined with the first method, the script information is encoded using “invisible” sequences of characters. In one example embodiment, unique sequences of invisible characters, such as space, backspace, tab, etc., are used to encode each script element.

Abstract: Meta-information, such as a digital watermark, that is associated with a document is encoded by using characters, or sequences of characters, that are “invisible” when rendered. Characters such as spaces, tabs, carriage returns, backspaces, line feeds, and so on are used to encode the watermark. The encoded “invisible” meta-information item is preferably appended to the document. A receiving device that is compatible with this encoding is able to decode and process the meta-information, for example, to verify the contents and/or the originator of the document. A receiving device that is not compatible with this encoding will merely display or print additional “white space” corresponding to the “invisible” meta-information. By appending this invisible encoding to the document, this additional white space will occur after the display or printing of the document, in a visually unobtrusive form.