Abstract: An optical memory for storing human readable pictorial information and machine readable digital information within the same format together with a method and apparatus for recording such information. In accordance with the invention, information is formatted as human readable imagery with the machine readable digital data being stored as picture elements of the image.In accordance with a presently most preferred embodiment, each of the many picture elements (pixels), which together comprise the image, are formulated as a plurality of spots, the modulation level of each of which are independently controllable among several levels for recording information digitally within the picture elements, while at the same time, providing the picture elements with the proper optical density values to provide a visual analog presentation of the image.