Security element with discoloration

Abstract

A data carrier (1) for a security item, such as a passport, comprises a carrier body (2) and at least one security element (3) provided on the carrier body (2). The security element (3) comprises at least one surface structure extending along at least one direction of extension (E) and at least one print (5) arranged at least partially on the surface structure. In the region of the surface structure, the security element (3) is configured to exhibit a different appearance when viewed at different angles of view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a data carrier according to claim 1 , a security article according to claim 13 comprising or consisting of a data carrier, and a method for producing a data carrier according to claim 14 . Background Art

[0002] Most identity and travel documents are based on a polycarbonate substrate that is personalised using a laser into the inner layer of the document, making it inaccessible to counterfeiters to alter or remove it. This type of personalisation usually results in only a greyscale image, whereas parts of the market require colour photographs.

[0003] A new trend in personalizing polycarbonate documents with color is to use inkjet printing onto the surface of the document. This approach makes the personalization vulnerable to removal and tampering attempts. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a data carrier comprising a printed matter which increases security.

[0005] This object is achieved with a data carrier according to claim 1. That is, a data carrier for a security article such as a passport is provided, wherein the data carrier comprises a carrier body and at least one security element arranged on the carrier body. The security element comprises at least one surface structure extending along at least one extension direction and at least one print arranged at least partially on the surface structure. In the region of the surface structure, the security element is configured to exhibit different appearances when viewed at different viewing angles.

[0006] The print particularly preferably corresponds to an inkjet print. However, inkjet is not the only option. On the contrary, other prints are also conceivable, such as UV-curable varnish prints or screen prints, etc. In this regard, any explanations made herein about inkjet prints also apply to other prints, and vice versa.

[0007] The inkjet print is provided by inkjet printing, as is known in the art. It is particularly preferred that the inkjet print is provided by drop-on-demand (DoD) inkjet printing, wherein ink drops are propelled from an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer is preferably a commercially available inkjet printer. Furthermore, it is preferred that the inkjet print is reproduced based on a data set input to the inkjet printer. This step may be referred to as a pre-processing step. In other words, the inkjet print is preferably a reproduction of a digital image and / or digital alphanumeric characters.

[0008] Therefore, the printed matter, such as an inkjet print, preferably has the shape of an image and / or alphanumeric characters. Non-exhaustive examples of images are, for example, a portrait or a photograph of the holder of the data carrier or biometric information (such as a fingerprint), a national outline, a national emblem, a national flag, a signature field, geometric objects (such as lines, circles), a graphic representation of coded information (such as a barcode or a QR code), etc. Non-exhaustive examples of alphanumeric characters are, for example, the date of birth, name, social security number, expiration date, etc. of the holder of the data carrier. Therefore, the printed matter is preferably used for the purpose of attributing personalized information (such as personal data of the holder of the data carrier) to the data carrier.

[0009] Providing the print at least partially on the surface structure results in the one or more parts of the print appearing as a so-called optically variable print. That is, the appearance of the print in the one or more parts depends on the viewing angle from which an observer views the security element. For example, when the print corresponds to a blue color, the print may appear as a light blue color at a first viewing angle and may be divided into darker blue and still lighter blue parts at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle. In this case, the light blue appearance may be referred to as a first appearance, while the darker and still lighter blue appearances may be referred to as a second appearance different from the first appearance. Thus, the security element may be considered to exhibit a color change.

[0010] The printer is configured to eject droplets of a specific size and a specific density. The density of the droplets is also referred to as, for example, dots per inch (DPI), lines per inch (LPI), or pixels per inch (PPI), which are measures of the printing resolution of the printer. For example, a print may be considered to include pixels printed at a resolution of PPI (pixels per inch), which is applied in two spatial directions, such as the x-direction and the y-direction of the print, while LPI defines the resolution / repeatability of the pixels in one spatial direction (e.g., the y-direction) (the lines are horizontal or along the x-direction).

[0011] The print resolution, in particular the DPI or LPI, is preferably defined relative to the extension direction, eg the print preferably comprises a DPI or LPI extending along the extension direction.

[0012] The printed matter can be printed while the print head of the printing press is stationary and the data carrier is moved relative to the print head. The movement of the data carrier can be used to control the resolution of the printed matter in the printing direction. This is usually referred to as single-pass printing. However, it is also conceivable that the print head is moved (ie, scanned) while the printed matter is being printed.

[0013] The extension direction preferably extends parallel to a surface plane of the data carrier. The surface plane of the data carrier in turn preferably extends along a surface of the data carrier, for example through a top surface of the data carrier. The top surface of the data carrier preferably provides a top side of the data carrier.

[0014] The appearance preferably corresponds to a color appearance, such as the color itself, the intensity or brightness of the color or the like.

[0015] The surface structure preferably comprises elevations extending away from the carrier body and / or depressions extending toward the carrier body.

[0016] The carrier body preferably comprises a surface, wherein the surface structure is preferably provided on the surface.

[0017] For this purpose, it is particularly preferred that the surface structure is provided in the form of elevations and / or depressions, respectively, which extend away from the surface of the carrier body and towards the outside of the data carrier and which extend oppositely and towards the surface of the carrier body. In other words, the surface structure preferably comprises a non-planar surface.

[0018] The size of the protrusions and / or the size of the depressions is preferably associated with the size of the droplets and / or the density of the droplets (i.e., dots per inch (DPI) and / or lines per inch (LPI) and / or pixels per inch (PPI)) and / or the printing resolution of the printer.

[0019] In particular, it is preferred that the size of the droplet and / or DPI and / or LPI defines the size of the protrusions and / or depressions.

[0020] The printed matter can be printed with various printing resolutions. For example, the printed matter can include 300dpi, 360dpi, 600dpi, 720dpi, etc., and up to 1200dpi, 1440dpi or even twice of these resolutions, such as 2400dpi or 2880dpi.

[0021] The printing resolution preferably defines the line width of the print. For example, a printing resolution of 600 dpi produces a line width of 42.3 μm, wherein higher printing resolutions result in correspondingly smaller line widths.

[0022] As will be explained in more detail below, the surface structures are preferably associated with a surface structure spacing. The surface structure spacing of the surface structures is preferably equal to or substantially equal to one or more line widths, i.e., a multiple of the line width. For example, the surface structure spacing of the surface structures may be 2, 4 or 8 times the line width, etc. It should be noted that odd multiples of the line width (1, 5, ...) are also conceivable.

[0023] Furthermore, it is preferred that the dot resolution of the printer is greater than the print resolution in pixels per inch or lines per inch to achieve variable tones per pixel. For example, a print may have a print resolution of 600 or 720 pixels per inch and lines per inch, while the dot resolution of the printer may be 2400 dpi so that each pixel has a 4x4 grid / matrix of dots to represent the different tones in that pixel.

[0024] The surface structure is defined in three dimensions. One dimension is preferably associated with the size of the security element, which may be the size of the print, or slightly larger to allow for small misalignments of the print, or smaller. The second dimension is preferably associated with the width of the members making up the surface structure, for example the depressions or protrusions of the surface structure or individual ridges (see further below), and this second dimension is preferably also a dimension related to the print resolution.

[0025] As will be explained in more detail further below in the context of the surface structure pitch and its connection to the print resolution, different operating procedures may be applied. For example, the second dimension may be matched to the print, wherein the different appearance of the security element is preferably a flip effect. However, it is also preferred that the surface structure pitch and the pitch of the print are mismatched to induce other effects, such as line moire effects. The moire effect is characterized by a moire period, which is preferably at most the size of the security element, for a clear motion effect. The moire period p_M is calculated from the pitch p_st (surface structure) and p_lpi (print) as p_M=p_st*p_lpi / |p_st-p_lpi|, where the denominator is the absolute value of the difference of the two pitches. This in turn gives the following example for two almost matched pitches: a 10% mismatch (p_lpi=0.9*p_st) results in p_M=9*p_st, while a 1% mismatch gives p_M=99*p_st. If, for example, p_st = 171 μm (4 times the line width of a 600 lpi print + 1%), these periods turn out to be 1.5 mm and 16.9 mm respectively. The preferred mismatch between the pitches is preferably in the range of 1-5%. It should be noted that if the pitch is halved, for example to 85.5 μm (2 times the line width of the print), the same moire period is achieved with a mismatch of 0.5-2.5%, so the physical dimensions depend on each other.

[0026] The third dimension is preferably associated with the height of the surface structures (e.g. how much a protrusion extends from the surface of the carrier body, or how much a recess extends towards the carrier body, see below), which typically depends on the process for manufacturing the surface structures (such as embossing) and has an influence on the viewing angle, and thus the actual optically variable effect. The height of the surface structures is preferably in the range of 10-100% of p_st, more preferably in the range of 10-50%, and particularly preferably in the range of 15-30%. These ranges preferably apply to surface structures having the shape of ridges. Other shapes of surface structures may be associated with the same or different ranges.

[0027] In any case, the surface structures preferably have a surface structure spacing of up to 1 mm and / or in the range of 100 μm to 1 mm, for example in the range of 100 μm to 400 μm, more preferably in the range of 150-200 μm. Furthermore, in any case, it is preferred that the surface structures preferably have a height of up to 400 μm and / or in the range of 1 μm to 400 μm, for example in the range of 15-50 μm. Particular values ​​preferably depend on the material from which the data carrier, in particular the carrier body, is manufactured. For example, if the data carrier corresponds to a laminated plastic such as a polycarbonate product, the surface structures preferably have a surface structure spacing of up to 400 μm and / or the height of the surface structures is preferably up to 40 μm and / or the line width of the surface structures is preferably up to 400 μm. If the data carrier corresponds to a paper product, the surface structure spacing is preferably up to 1 mm and / or the height (such as the height of the protrusions / recesses) is preferably up to 200 μm.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the height at which the protrusions extend from the surface of the carrier body is preferably in the range of 1 micrometer to 1 millimeter or less. To this end, the protrusions can have the same height or different heights.

[0029] Likewise, the height with which the depressions extend towards the carrier body is preferably in the range of 1 micrometer to 1 millimeter or less.The depressions may have the same height or different heights.

[0030] The size of the surface structure is preferably variable. For example, the surface structure can cover the entire data page / card area, which would mean a maximum size of 125x85 or 85.6x54 mm, respectively. However, smaller sizes such as 50 mmx50 mm or less are preferred. The size preferably corresponds to the maximum size of a printed matter (such as a portrait and some additional space for registration purposes). For paper products, the surface structure can technically also cover, for example, an entire passport page (125x85 mm). However, smaller sizes such as 50 mmx50 mm or less are preferred. However, it is also conceivable that only parts of the printed matter are arranged on the surface structure.

[0031] Furthermore, and as mentioned earlier, the line width of the surface structure lines is preferably in the range of 25 μm to 400 μm in the case of plastic products and in the range of 25 μm to 1 mm in the case of paper products, respectively.

[0032] Various designs of the surface structure can be envisaged. For example, when viewed in cross section, the surface structure can have a substantially circular shape, a pyramidal shape, a curved shape, a sloped or stepped shape, a sawtooth shape, etc. In the latter case, the surface structure can be considered to have a sawtooth or zigzag shape. The design of the surface structure is preferably defined by a special arrangement of its protrusions and depressions, respectively. In addition, the surface structure can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

[0033] For example, the surface structure may include ridges arranged close to each other with respect to the extension direction. This arrangement of ridges is understood as a surface structure extending along the extension direction, wherein the ridges themselves may extend along another direction, for example, along a direction extending perpendicular to the extension direction of the surface structure. In addition, the ridges may extend parallel or non-parallel to each other. In addition, the ridges may be different from each other, or may have a type of ridge profile and spacing (referred to herein as surface structure spacing) repeated across the entire surface structure, or may be composed of different zones. These explanations are of course equally applicable to surface structures comprising another profile other than the ridges.

[0034] The distance between the protrusions and / or the surface area and / or the slope of the protrusions relative to the extension direction remains constant or changes. Additionally or alternatively, the distance between the recesses and / or the surface area and / or the slope of the recesses relative to the extension direction remains constant or changes.

[0035] The changed distance and / or the changed surface area and / or the changed slope may exist between continuous protrusions and / or depressions. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the changed distance and / or the changed surface area and / or the changed slope exist between discontinuous protrusions and / or discontinuous depressions.

[0036] The distance between consecutive elevations or consecutive depressions is preferably in the range of 25 μm to 400 μm in the case of plastic products and / or in the range of 25 μm to 1 mm in the case of paper products.

[0037] The slope of a protrusion refers to the slope of the protrusion extending from the carrier body, in particular from its surface, when viewed along the extension direction. Similarly, the slope of a recess refers to the slope of the recess extending toward the carrier body, in particular toward its surface. The slope of the protrusion and / or recess is preferably in the range of 0 to 50 degrees, more preferably between 5 and 30 degrees. In other words, the protrusion can be considered to enclose an angle between the surface of the protrusion and the surface of the carrier body. Similarly, the recess can be considered to enclose an angle between the surface of the recess and the surface of the carrier body.

[0038] The surface structure is preferably associated with a surface structure pitch and the print is associated with a print resolution, wherein the surface structure pitch and the print resolution match or mismatch one another.

[0039] Matching the surface structure pitch to the printing resolution means that the print is aligned with the surface structure pitch.As explained earlier, the printing resolution is associated with the size of the droplets and / or the DPI and / or the LPI and / or the PPI.

[0040] In other words, it is preferred that the size or phase of the surface pattern matches or substantially matches the size or phase of the printed matter. However, it is also conceivable that the surface structure spacing does not match the printing resolution. In other words, it is also preferred that the size or phase of the surface pattern does not match the size or phase of the printed matter. The latter case is particularly preferred for generating security elements that exhibit a moire effect.

[0041] Furthermore, to produce the desired effect in appearance, matching of the pitch preferably also requires matching of the position of the print, so that in each printed data carrier the first line is located exactly on, for example, the upper or lower side of the ridge. Otherwise, any two data carriers will differ randomly from each other and may show only minimal optical variability, if any.

[0042] The print preferably comprises at least a first color. The density of the first color on the surface structure preferably remains constant or varies with respect to the extension direction. Additionally or alternatively, the first color and the surface structure are preferably arranged in a spatial relationship to each other.

[0043] The colors preferably correspond to the basic inks as commonly used in printing, ie the colors are preferably cyan, magenta, yellow or black.

[0044] The density of the first color is understood to be the amount of droplets of the first color per surface area of ​​the surface structure. In other words, the number of dots per inch of the first color on the surface structure preferably remains constant or varies with respect to the extension direction.

[0045] The changed density may be a density that changes continuously relative to the extension direction, or a density that changes intermittently relative to the extension direction. For example, in the former case, the amount of liquid droplets of the first color may decrease continuously relative to the extension direction. In the latter case, the amount of liquid droplets of the first color may increase relative to the extension direction, then decrease, and then increase again.

[0046] For this purpose, it is preferred that the density of the first color on the protrusions and / or depressions of the surface structure remains constant or changes relative to the extension direction. That is, it is preferred that the amount of droplets of the first color of each surface area of ​​the protrusion or depression remains constant or changes relative to the extension direction. For example, the same amount of droplets of the first color may be provided on all protrusions (depressions) relative to the extension direction. Similarly, the amount of droplets of the first color may be provided on the protrusions (depressions) relative to the extension direction. For example, every other protrusion (depression) may include droplets of the first color, while other protrusions (depressions) do not include droplets of the first color. In other words, the density of the first color on the first group of protrusions is preferably different from the density of the first color on the second group of protrusions. Additionally or alternatively, the density of the first color on the first group of depressions is preferably different from the density of the first color on the second group of depressions.

[0047] In other words, and as mentioned earlier, the surface structure may comprise protrusions and depressions, respectively, and wherein the protrusions may be seen as ridges having a "positive" slope and a "negative" slope in the extension direction, and wherein the depressions may be seen as grooves having a "negative" slope and a "positive" slope in the extension direction. To this end, the print is preferably controlled and varied such that, for example, the density of the first color increases on a positive slope, while the density of the first color decreases on a negative slope.

[0048] In particular, the security element is particularly preferably configured such that when viewed at different viewing angles (e.g. when tilting the data carrier), a changing appearance, such as a change in the color of the security element, is observed. In this regard, it is particularly preferred that one or more colors are provided on top of the ridges of the surface structure, which do not disappear when tilted, and furthermore, one or more colors are provided at the bottom of the grooves, which are not hidden by the structure. If the density of the ink varies between the upper and lower bevels, an observer sees a clearer change when tilting (the bevel towards the observer remains visible, while the visibility of the ink on the bevel away from the observer decreases rapidly with the tilting movement).

[0049] The spatial relationship is preferably based on the printing resolution of the printing press and / or is preferably associated with the size of the droplets and / or the DPI and / or the LPI and / or the PPI. For this purpose, it is particularly preferred that the first color and the protrusions and / or the depressions are arranged in a spatial relationship to each other. The preferred spatial relationship between the first color and the surface structure (in particular the protrusions and / or the depressions) preferably corresponds to a single or multiple times the printing resolution of the printing press and / or the size of the droplets and / or the DPI and / or the LPI. For example, if the first color is blue and the width of the line is 50 microns, the pre-treatment may or may not have a blue line or a blue pixel in one such line. Then, for example, only every other such line may be printed in blue.

[0050] It should be noted that these explanations also apply to the case where the printed matter includes two or more colors.

[0051] The print may comprise at least a first colour and a second colour different from the first colour. The density of the first colour on the surface structure is preferably equal to or different from the density of the second colour on the surface structure with respect to the extension direction.

[0052] That is, it is contemplated that the print includes more than one color, such as two colors, for example red and blue.

[0053] In this regard, it should be noted that the droplets ejected from the printer preferably include two or more colors. For example, a droplet may include at least two of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Furthermore, the print must not necessarily consist of very structured pixels or printed lines. Instead, the print may include one or more arrays of droplets of different CMY(K) colors.

[0054] To this end, the density of the two or more colors, i.e. the amount of droplets of the individual colors, may be identical or different relative to the extension direction. In other words, the dots per inch of the colors on the surface structure may be identical or different relative to the extension direction. For example, the first color and the second color may be arranged with a uniform density on a first area of ​​the surface structure and with a varying density on another area of ​​the surface structure, i.e. the density of the color components of the print, such as red and blue, may vary.

[0055] However, and as will be explained in more detail below, it is also conceivable that the initial image and / or initial alphanumeric characters to be applied as a print (such as a photograph) for example comprise an appearance consisting of predetermined colors, and wherein the density of the colors in the print is then changed so that the local color appearance of the security element does not appear to change. For example, one pixel color may be changed to be darker, while the adjacent color pixels may be changed to be lighter, while at the same time keeping their average value the same as the initial image and / or initial alphanumeric characters. Furthermore, the print is preferably arranged according to and depending on the surface structure, so that the local color changes match the surface structure, and at the same time when the security element is observed at a first viewing angle (such as from directly above), the appearance of the security element remains unchanged, while when the data carrier is tilted and the security element is observed at different viewing angles, the security element exhibits a variable color effect.

[0056] In an initial state before printing on the surface structure, the image and / or alphanumeric characters to be printed as print are preferably associated with an initial appearance provided by at least a first color and a second color. Furthermore, the first color and the second color are preferably arranged on the surface structure with different densities, so that the security element, when viewed at a first viewing angle, exhibits an appearance corresponding to the initial appearance, and when viewed at a different viewing angle, exhibits a different appearance.

[0057] That is, before printing, the image and / or alphanumeric characters to be printed may be pre-processed by changing one or more of the colors or color channels (cyan, magenta, yellow) at the position(s) where one desires a color-variable effect in the security element. In said pre-processing step, the density (i.e., color intensity) of certain pixels (such as adjacent pixels) is changed such that an average hue is maintained, while the color intensity is increased at one or more locations of the surface structure, while the color intensity is reduced at one or more other locations of the surface structure. In the case where the surface structure comprises ridges or the like mentioned above, it is of course likewise conceivable to change the density or color intensity of pixel lines. For example, in the case where the surface structure comprises a pattern of parallel x-direction ridges, the intensity of the pixel lines (assuming that the image and / or alphanumeric characters consist of x-direction lines, which can be identified by means of line indices in the y-coordinate direction y1, y2, ...) is such that an average hue is maintained, while the intensity of, for example, every other line is increased, while the intensity of every other line is reduced.

[0058] In the case where the exemplary surface structure includes the above-mentioned ridges, the surface structure may be composed of parallel ridges having a surface structure spacing and cross-sectional profile that remain constant, and further, the ridges extend in a direction referred to herein as the x-direction. In the case where the print is aligned with the surface structure, the surface structure spacing matches the printing resolution in the extension direction (referred to herein as the y-direction), where, for example, darker lines may be arranged on the upper slope of each ridge, and lighter lines may be arranged on the lower slope (upper / lower in the y-direction) for maximum color change effects. However, it is also conceivable that the print and the surface structure spacing are not completely aligned, that is, there is a mismatch or misalignment. In this case, there is a mismatch between the printing resolution and the surface structure spacing. In this way, there may be a situation in which, at the bottom of the image and / or alphanumeric characters (or the portion overlapping the surface structure), the darker lines coincide with the lower slope, but when moving upward, they first move toward the top of the ridge, then cross over to the upper slope, then to the grooves between the ridges, etc., to produce a moire effect. In the following, examples are given for each case. Assume that the goal is a print with 500 lines per inch along the extension direction or y direction, respectively. This corresponds to a line width of 50.8 microns, and a perfectly matched surface structure pitch would be a single or multiple of this, i.e. 50.8 microns, 101.6 microns, etc. To generate a moire effect, for example, a mismatch is created by adjusting the pitch to an offset, such as 50 microns or 52 microns. The exact offset value will define the parameters of the moire effect, such as the moire period (the spatial period / distance at which the darker tone repeats itself). Furthermore, it is preferred that the profile of the surface structure is symmetrical and has a straight slope or a curved slope, with a straight slope emphasizing the effect more. The height of the ridge is then defined by the width, shape and desired angle of the bevel.

[0059] In any case, it is also conceivable that the surface structure and pre-processing of the image and / or alphanumeric characters varies both in the x-direction and in the y-direction.

[0060] The data carrier preferably further comprises at least one marking material which is configured to interact with incident laser radiation and wherein the surface structure corresponds to a laser marking generated in the marking material, or wherein the surface structure corresponds to an embossing.

[0061] The carrier body and / or the surface structure preferably comprises or consists of one or more paper-based composites and / or one or more paperboard-based composites and / or one or more plastics and / or one or more polymers, preferably one or more thermoplastics and / or amorphous polymers, particularly preferably polycarbonate and / or polycarbonate mixtures and / or polycarbonate coextrudates.

[0062] The carrier body preferably comprises one or more layers of at least one of a paper-based composite, a paperboard-based composite, a plastic or a polymer. Two or more layers are preferably connected to each other by means known in the state of the art. For example, if the carrier body comprises two or more layers, which comprise or consist of a polymer and / or plastic, these layers may be connected to each other via lamination. In this case, the carrier body preferably corresponds to a so-called card body, as known in the card industry. However, other types of layers and / or connection means may also be envisioned. For example, the layers of the paper-based composite may be glued to each other. In this respect, it should be noted that typical applications for paper-based composites are visa pages or passport books, where the only occasion for connecting the paper layer to other elements is in the cover, and then, the other elements may be inlays, which may be constructed using paper, "artificial paper" or plastic layers, and which may be directly a passport cover, which may again have a material layer different from it. Nevertheless, the attachment in each case is by gluing.

[0063] In the case where the data carrier comprises a marking material, it is preferred that the marking material is provided on the surface of the carrier body, in particular on the top surface of the carrier body, after the carrier body has been generated. For this purpose, it is preferred that the marking material is also provided as one or more layers. The marking material particularly preferably corresponds to polycarbonate or another plastic preferably comprising a laser-sensitive additive. Once the marking material is provided on the carrier body, it is preferred that a surface structure is generated in the marking material by irradiating laser radiation onto the marking material. In the area where the laser radiation is incident, the marking material preferably changes color around the laser-sensitive additive, and a strong reaction therein can result in a foam-like structure extending upward from the surface of the data carrier. Such markings are typically black and are generally referred to as tactile laser markings. With some lasers and / or laser settings, it is possible to also achieve whitish tactile markings.

[0064] However, it is likewise conceivable that no such marking material is present. In this case, it is preferred that the surface structure is produced in the carrier body itself, preferably by embossing the structure into the carrier body, particularly preferably into the top surface of the carrier body. For example, the structure can be provided on a laminate for laminating the layers of the card body, wherein the structure is embossed into the carrier body and the surface structure is generated in the form of an embossing. In this regard, it is preferred that the surface structure is an integral component, i.e. is formed in the top surface of the carrier body.

[0065] However, the surface structure may likewise correspond to a print, preferably an inkjet print. The print is preferably printed on the surface of a carrier body as just mentioned.

[0066] The surface structure of the printed object preferably corresponds to the three-dimensional contour of the print. The surface structure can be generated in different ways, such as by inkjet printing, gravure printing or lamination, tactile laser marking or printing.

[0067] That is, in the case of plastic products, it is preferred that the plastic surface is embossed, for example by heat, and that pressure is applied to the substrate surface using a structured laminate surface. In the case of paper products, it is preferred to use a specific printing process also known as gravure printing, which similarly uses a structured plate and high pressure (rather than heat). However, it is also conceivable to use only a plate without ink, wherein an embossing in the paper surface is achieved similar to the lamination of the plastic surface.

[0068] It is noted here that further techniques for producing embossed or raised prints on paper products are likewise conceivable, as they are known in the state of the art. For example, typesetting or relief printing, as used in gravure printing, can be used to simply press the paper product with a patterned plate. Alternatively, UV-curable varnishes printed in letterpress, screen printing or inkjet printing can be used. In particular, any known means for embossing the paper product itself or printing a raised printed pattern can be conceivable.

[0069] The data carrier preferably defines a top side, and wherein the security element is arranged on the top side of the data carrier.

[0070] The security element is particularly preferably provided on the top surface, ie the outermost surface, of the data carrier. In this regard, it is preferred that the security element is arranged on the data carrier so as to face towards the outside of the data carrier.

[0071] Said top surface of the data carrier preferably corresponds to the top surface of the carrier body or the marking material. Thus, in the former case, it is preferred that the surface structure is an integral component of the top surface of the data carrier. In the latter case, it is preferred that the marking member and thus the surface structure are arranged on the top surface of the data carrier.

[0072] The data carrier preferably further comprises at least one further surface structure which is different from the surface structure and wherein furthermore the print is arranged at least partially on the further surface structure.

[0073] Any explanation given herein regarding a surface structure preferably also applies to the further surface structure, and vice versa.

[0074] In the region of the further surface structure, the security element is preferably designed to have a different appearance when viewed at different viewing angles.

[0075] The surface structure and the further surface structure may be arranged next to one another or at a distance from one another.

[0076] The security element is preferably configured such that one or more appearances of the security element in the region of the surface structure can be identical to or different from one or more appearances of the security element in the region of the surface structure when viewed at particular one or more viewing angles.

[0077] Another surface structure preferably comprises further protrusions extending away from the carrier body and / or further depressions extending toward the carrier body relative to another extension direction, and wherein at least one of the distance, surface area, slope, cross-section, surface structure spacing, etc. of the further protrusions and / or further depressions is equal to or different from at least one of the distance, surface area, slope, cross-section, surface structure spacing, etc. of the protrusions and / or depressions of the surface structure.

[0078] Ie, just like in the case of the surface structure and as explained previously, the further surface structure preferably comprises elevations (referred to herein as further elevations) and depressions (referred to herein as further depressions). For this purpose, it is conceivable that the distance and / or surface area and / or slope of the further elevations of the further surface structure is equal to or different from the distance and / or surface area and / or slope of the elevations of the surface structure. Likewise, it is conceivable that the distance and / or surface area and / or slope of the further depression of the further surface structure is equal to or different from the distance and / or surface area and / or slope of the depression of the surface structure.

[0079] The further surface structure preferably extends along the extension direction. That is, the further surface structure can be regarded as a shift or translation relative to the surface structure in the extension direction. For this purpose, it is particularly preferred that the further surface structure differs in at least one of the parameters defining the security element, such as the pitch of the ridges, the slope, the cross section, print pre-processing parameters, for example how the color density is changed by a pre-processing algorithm, etc. For example, the further surface structure may be identical to the surface structure, except that it is shifted / translated by a small part of the pitch along the extension direction to achieve a phase difference with the observed optical effect.

[0080] However, the further surface structure can likewise extend along at least one further extension direction which is different from the extension direction.

[0081] The further direction of extension preferably extends parallel to the initially mentioned surface plane of the data carrier. Furthermore, the direction of extension and the further direction of extension preferably extend in a plane extending parallel to the top surface of the carrier body or the data carrier. In particular, the direction of extension and the further direction of extension preferably extend in a common plane, and wherein said common plane extends parallel to the top surface of the carrier body or the data carrier. The direction of extension and the further direction of extension preferably extend at an angle relative to each other. For example, the direction of extension may extend parallel to an edge of the carrier body, while the further direction of extension extends at an angle relative to said edge. Preferably the angle is 90 degrees.

[0082] The printed matter preferably comprises at least a first color, and wherein the density of the first color on the surface structure relative to the extension direction is equal to or different from the density of the first color on the further surface structure relative to the extension direction (in the case where the further surface structure extends along the extension direction) and / or the further extension direction (in the case where the further surface structure extends along the further extension direction). Additionally or alternatively, the printed matter preferably comprises at least the first color arranged on the surface structure and the further color arranged on the further surface structure, the first color and the further color being different from each other.

[0083] That is, a surface structure and a further surface structure may be provided in areas of prints of different colors. For example, a surface structure may be arranged in an area of ​​a print consisting of red ink drops, and a further surface structure may be arranged in an area of ​​a print consisting of blue ink drops. In this respect, it is noted that if the print to be printed (e.g. a flag) is identical in all data carriers, it is preferred to match the color thus predetermined with the dedicated surface structure. If the surface structure is produced using tactile laser marking or by means of a special inkjet print, it is preferred that the surface structure is defined based on the inkjet print to be printed, and not vice versa.

[0084] However, it is also conceivable that the surface structure and the further surface structure are arranged in an area of ​​the print consisting of the same color, for example, both can be arranged in an area of ​​the print consisting of red ink drops. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the density (for example, the amount of red ink drops per surface area of ​​the (further) surface structure) is the same on both surface structures or is different between the surface structures.

[0085] In yet another aspect, a security article is provided, the security article comprising or consisting of at least one data carrier as described above. The security article is preferably an identity card, a passport, a credit card, a smart card, a driver's license, a data page or the like.

[0086] It will be appreciated that the data carrier itself may correspond to a security article. This is the case, for example, if the data carrier is provided in the form of an identity card. However, it is also conceivable to introduce or incorporate the data carrier into a security article. For example, in the case of a passport, the data carrier may correspond to a page of the passport or may be incorporated into a page of the passport.

[0087] Any explanations provided with respect to the data carrier itself apply equally to the security article, and vice versa.

[0088] In a further aspect, a method for producing a data carrier for a security article such as a passport is provided. The data carrier is preferably a data carrier as described above. The method comprises the steps of: i) providing a carrier body; and ii) arranging at least one security element on the carrier body. The security element comprises at least one surface structure extending along at least one extension direction and a print at least partially arranged on the surface structure. In the region of the surface structure, the security element is configured to exhibit different appearances when viewed at different viewing angles.

[0089] Any explanations given with respect to the data carrier and the security article also apply to the method and vice versa.

[0090] The method preferably further comprises the steps of providing at least one marking material which is designed to interact with incident laser radiation on the carrier body and generating the surface structure as a laser marking by irradiating the marking material with laser radiation.

[0091] Likewise, the method preferably comprises the steps of preferably embossing the structure on the laminate into the surface of the carrier body and generating the surface structure as embossing.Preferably, the print and the embossing are generated based on the same data set input to the printing press and the laminating device comprising the laminate.

[0092] Likewise, the method preferably comprises the step of printing the surface structure, in particular printing onto the surface of the carrier body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are used to illustrate the purpose of the present preferred embodiment of the present invention and are not used to limit the purpose of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings,

[0094] Figure 1 shows a top view of a data carrier including a security element according to the state of the art;

[0095] Figure 2 Show according to Figure 1 a side view of a data carrier;

[0096] Figure 3a shows a top view of a data carrier comprising a security element according to the invention;

[0097] Figure 3b Shown at position AA through the Figure 3a a cross-sectional view of a data carrier;

[0098] Figure 3c Shows the basis when viewed at a first viewing angle Figure 3a data carrier;

[0099] Figure 3dShows the basis when viewed at a first viewing angle Figure 3a security elements of the data carrier;

[0100] Figure 3e Shows the basis when viewed at a second viewing angle Figure 3a data carrier;

[0101] Figure 3f Shows the basis when viewed at a second viewing angle Figure 3a safety elements;

[0102] Figure 4a shows a top view of another data carrier comprising a security element according to the invention;

[0103] Figure 4b Shown at position BB through the Figure 4a a cross-sectional view of a data carrier;

[0104] Figure 4c Shows the basis when viewed at a first viewing angle Figure 4a data carrier;

[0105] Figure 4d Shows the basis when viewed at a second viewing angle Figure 4a data carrier;

[0106] Figure 5a shows a top view of another data carrier comprising a security element according to the invention;

[0107] Figure 5b Shown at position CC through the Figure 5a a cross-sectional view of a data carrier;

[0108] Figure 5c Shows the basis when viewed at a first viewing angle Figure 5a data carrier;

[0109] Figure 5d Shows the basis when viewed at a second viewing angle Figure 5a data carrier;

[0110] Figure 6a shows a top view of another data carrier comprising a security element according to the invention;

[0111] Figure 6b Shown at position DD through the Figure 6a a cross-sectional view of a data carrier;

[0112] Figure 6c Shown at position EE through the Figure 6a a cross-sectional view of a data carrier;

[0113] Figure 6d Shows the basis when viewed at a first viewing angle Figure 6a data carrier;

[0114] Figure 6e Shows the basis when viewed at a second viewing angle Figure 6a data carrier;

[0115] Figure 6f Shows the basis when viewed from a third perspective Figure 6a data carrier;

[0116] Figure 6g Shows the basis when viewed from the fourth viewing angle Figure 6a data carrier;

[0117] Figure 7a Shows a top view of a security element according to the invention;

[0118] Figure 7b Shows the first viewing angle when viewed according to Figure 7a data carrier of the security element;

[0119] Figure 7c Shows the basis when viewed at a second viewing angle Figure 7a data carrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of a data carrier 1 ' comprising a security element 3' according to the state of the art is depicted. That is, Figure 1 Depicting page 3 of a current Finnish passport. A security element 3' in the form of a blue wave design near the edge of the page (at the very top of the image) appears solid color. Figure 2 Depicts the same page when viewed at an angle, where Figure 1 The same part of the page, which is light blue in the middle, is divided into darker and still lighter blue bands. In addition, the bands move when one tilts the passport in one's hand and looks at it at different viewing angles. This security element 3' is based on a structured paper surface, which is done using an engraved plate in a gravure printing process and coloring the structure using lithography. The embossed and printed patterns are in the simplest case just parallel lines aligned in a direction (no / little relative rotation), and they require slightly different spacings between consecutive lines. This security element 3' is called gravure colorimetric, which is an optically variable security feature.

[0121] Reference Figures 3a to 6g, discusses in more detail aspects of a data carrier 1 according to the invention comprising a security element 3. The security element 3 according to the invention enables a strong optically variable effect of inkjet personalized images and / or alphanumeric characters on a data carrier 1 comprising different carrier bodies 2, such as on polycarbonate, but also on paper.

[0122] Thus, and as follows from the figures, a data carrier 1 according to the invention comprises a carrier body 2 and a security element 3 arranged on the carrier body 2. Here, the security element 3 comprises a surface structure 4 extending along an extension direction E and a print (such as an inkjet print 5) arranged on the surface structure 4. In the region of the surface structure 4, the security element 3 is configured to exhibit different appearances A1, A2, ... when viewed at different viewing angles α1, α2, ...

[0123] exist Figures 3a to 3f In the embodiment of the present invention, the security element 3, in particular its surface structure 4, is arranged on the top side 7 of the data carrier 1, in particular on the top surface 9 of the data carrier 1. The top surface 9 of the data carrier 1 is provided here by the top surface 8 of the carrier body 2. The surface structure 4 can be generated in various ways. For example, the surface structure 4 can correspond to a laser marking or an embossing or a print generated in or applied to the top surface 9 of the data carrier 1.

[0124] As further shown below from these figures, the surface structure 4 comprises protrusions 6 extending away from the carrier body 2, in particular from the top surface 8 of the carrier body 2 towards the outside of the data carrier 1. In the depicted example, the surface structure 4 is a symmetrical surface structure, wherein the distance d between the protrusions 6, the surface area and the slope of the protrusions 6 remain constant with respect to the extension direction E.

[0125] The surface structure 4 is associated with the surface structure spacing. In a regularly repeating surface structure, the surface structure spacing corresponds to the wavelength equivalent for the surface structure. Thus, in the depicted example, the surface structure spacing corresponds to the distance between the tops (or bottoms) of the protrusions. If the structure consists of ridges of different widths, the spacing is also a variable quantity. In addition, the inkjet print 5 is associated with the printing resolution. In the depicted example, the surface structure spacing and the printing resolution match each other and are perfectly aligned with each other.

[0126] Figures 3a to 3fDepicting a security element 3 comprising an inkjet print 5 comprising two different inkjet colors 5a, 5b, namely a first inkjet color 5a designated by a line and a second inkjet color 5b designated by a circle. The density of these inkjet colors 5a, 5b varies when viewed along the extension direction E. That is, only the first inkjet color 5a is arranged on areas comprising protrusions 6 with an increasing slope relative to the extension direction E. On these areas, the density of the second inkjet color 5b is zero. However, the second inkjet color 5b is arranged on areas comprising protrusions 6 with a decreasing slope relative to the extension direction E. On these areas, the density of the first inkjet color 5a is zero. In other words, the first inkjet color 5a and the second inkjet color 5b are arranged in an alternating manner relative to the extension direction E.

[0127] Thus, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from top view, both inkjet colors 5a, 5b will be visible, see Figure 3a and 3b However, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from another viewing angle, only one of the inkjet colors is visible. For example, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from bottom to top along viewing angle α1, as shown in FIG. Figure 3c and 3d When depicted, only the first inkjet color 5a is visible, whereby the security element 3 exhibits a first appearance A1. However, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from top to bottom along a viewing angle α2, as shown Figure 3e and 3f , only the second inkjet color 5b is visible, whereby the security element 3 exhibits a second appearance A2. Thus, the appearance A1 , A2 of the security element 3 changes depending on the viewing direction and thus on the viewing angle.

[0128] Figures 4a to 4d The data carrier 1 depicted in Figures 3a to 3f The data carrier 1 depicted in differs in that its security element 3 comprises a surface structure 4 which extends above and below a reference plane extending through a top surface 8 of the carrier body 2. However, the other features are identical. Namely, the inkjet print 5 comprises two different inkjet colors 5a, 5b, the densities of which vary when viewed along the extension direction E. Namely, only the first inkjet color 5a is arranged on areas comprising depressions which have an increasing slope with respect to the extension direction E. On these areas, the density of the second inkjet color 5b is zero. However, the second inkjet color 5b is arranged on areas comprising depressions which have a decreasing slope with respect to the extension direction E. On these areas, the density of the first inkjet color 5a is zero. In other words, the first inkjet color 5a and the second inkjet color 5b are arranged in an alternating manner with respect to the extension direction E. Consequently, when the data carrier 1 is observed from a top view, the two inkjet colors 5a, 5b will be visible, see Figure 4a and 4bHowever, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from another viewing angle, only one of the inkjet colors is visible. For example, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from the bottom to the top along the viewing angle α1, as shown in FIG. Figure 4c , only the first inkjet color 5a is visible, whereby the security element 3 exhibits a first appearance A1. However, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from top to bottom along a viewing angle α2, as shown in FIG. Figure 4d , only the second inkjet color 5b is visible, whereby the security element 3 exhibits a second appearance A2. Thus, the appearance A1 , A2 of the security element 3 changes depending on the viewing direction and thus on the viewing angle.

[0129] Figures 5a to 5d The data carrier 1 depicted in in turn comprises a security element 3, whose surface structure 4 extends completely below a reference plane extending through the top surface 8 of the carrier body 2. The surface structure 4 can be considered to comprise depressions 10 extending into the top surface 8 of the carrier body 2. Furthermore, the security element 3 comprises an inkjet print 5, which again comprises two different inkjet colors 5a, 5b, the densities of which vary when viewed along the extension direction E. I.e., only the first inkjet color 5a is arranged on areas comprising depressions 10 which increase in slope relative to the extension direction E. On these areas, the density of the second inkjet color 5b is zero. However, the second inkjet color 5b is arranged on areas comprising depressions 10 which decrease in slope relative to the extension direction E. On these areas, the density of the first inkjet color 5a is zero. In other words, the first inkjet color 5a and the second inkjet color 5b are arranged in an alternating manner relative to the extension direction E. Therefore, when the data carrier 1 is observed from a top view, both inkjet colors 5a, 5b will be visible, see Figure 5a and 5b However, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from another viewing angle, only one of the inkjet colors is visible. For example, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from the bottom to the top along the viewing angle α1, as shown in FIG. Figure 5c , only the first inkjet color 5a is visible, whereby the security element 3 exhibits a first appearance A1. However, when the data carrier 1 is viewed from top to bottom along a viewing angle α2, as shown in FIG. Figure 5d , only the second inkjet color 5b is visible, whereby the security element 3 exhibits a second appearance A2. Thus, the appearance A1 , A2 of the security element 3 changes again depending on the viewing direction and thus on the viewing angle.

[0130] Figures 6a to 6gA data carrier 1 is depicted which comprises a security element 3 having a surface structure 4 and a further surface structure 4', wherein the further surface structure 4' extends along a further extension direction E' which is different from the extension direction E. In particular, the extension direction E and the further extension direction E' extend perpendicularly to each other. The two surface structures 4, 4' extend above a reference plane extending through a top surface 8 of the carrier body 2 and are furthermore arranged in close proximity to each other, see Figure 6b and 6c The inkjet print 5 is arranged on the surface structure 4 and on a further surface structure 4'. For this purpose, the inkjet print 5 comprises four different inkjet colors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, which are designated here by means of lines, small circles, large circles and triangles, respectively. In each case, two of these inkjet pigments 5a, 5b and 5c, 5d are arranged on one of the surface structures 4 and 4'. In practice, see Figures 6a to 6c , the first inkjet color 5a (designated by lines) and the second inkjet color 5b (small circles) are arranged on the surface structure 4 and have a varying density relative to the extension direction E, while the third inkjet color 5c (triangles) and the fourth inkjet color 5d (large circles) are arranged on another surface structure 4' and have a varying density relative to the extension direction E'. Figures 6d to 6g , when observed along different viewing angles α1 , α2 , α3 , α4 , the security element 3 exhibits different appearances A1 , A2 , A3 and A4 .

[0131] Figures 7a to 7c A security element is shown which exhibits a moire effect. To this end, the security element 3 comprises a surface structure 4 extending along an extension direction E, and wherein the surface structure 4 comprises a surface structure spacing which does not match the printing resolution of the inkjet print 5. In particular, the darker shade of the first inkjet color 5a and the lighter shade of the second inkjet color 5b are not aligned with the surface structure spacing of the surface structure 4. This mismatch results in a moire effect, wherein at a first viewing angle α1 (see Figure 7b ) and the second viewing angle α2 (see Figure 7c ) the data carrier 1 presents a different appearance.

[0132] Thus, the invention enhances the security of an inkjet print (such as a primary photo) on a data carrier (such as a passport data page) or on an identity card. In this case, as in the depicted example, the surface structure may cover the entire surface of the inkjet print, or cover parts of it, or only partially overlap the inkjet print.

[0133] Furthermore, and in the depicted example, the entire inkjet print "interacts" with the surface structure. However, it is also conceivable that only certain (some) colors of the inkjet print, or only specific parts of the inkjet print in space (such as a photo representing the document holder), or only the background of the photo "interacts" with the surface structure. For example, the result can be that the inkjet print in the form of a photo (such as a part representing the document holder) looks the same from all viewing angles, but when the data carrier is tilted, the background breaks down into different colors and / or apparent movements.

[0134] Thus, in summary, it can be considered that the present invention provides additional security for inkjet prints, such as printed photos / data on security documents, by linking together parts of the security element, such as the surface structure in the form of a tactile laser mark and the inkjet print, or in the case of an embossing, the carrier body and the inkjet print for an easy verification effect feature. In addition, the surface structure makes the removal of the inkjet print more difficult. Furthermore, the present invention does not require additional technology bricks or equipment, but only image pre-processing, printing and possibly embossing of the plastic or paper surface as known in the art.

[0135] Reference numerals list

[0136] 1,1'Data carrier

[0137] 2 Carrier body

[0138] 3,3' safety element

[0139] 4,4' surface structure

[0140] 5Inkjet Printing

[0141] 5a, 5b, ... inkjet color

[0142] 6,6' raised

[0143] 7 Top side

[0144] 8 Surface

[0145] 9 Top surface

[0146] 10 Depression

[0147] A1, A2,…Appearance

[0148] α1, α2, ... viewing angle

[0149] E, E' extension direction

[0150] d distance.

Claims

1. A data carrier (1) for a security article such as a passport, comprising: - a carrier body (2); as well as - at least one security element (3) arranged on the carrier body (2), It is characterized in that The security element (3) comprises at least one surface structure (4) extending along at least one extension direction (E), and at least one print (5), such as an inkjet print, arranged at least partially on the surface structure (4). In the region of the surface structure (4), the security element (3) is designed to have different appearances (A1; A2) when viewed at different viewing angles (α1; α2).

2. The data carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The surface structure (4) comprises projections (6) extending away from the carrier body (2) and / or depressions (10) extending toward the carrier body (2).

3. The data carrier (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The distance (d) between the protrusions (6) and / or the surface area and / or the slope of the protrusions (6) relative to the extension direction (E) remain constant or vary, and / or The distance between the recesses (10) and / or the surface area and / or the slope of the recesses (10) relative to the extension direction (E) remain constant or change.

4. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The surface structure (4) is associated with a surface structure pitch, and wherein the print (5) is associated with a print resolution, the surface structure pitch and the print resolution being matched or mismatched to each other.

5. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The printed matter (5) comprises at least a first color (5a), and wherein the density of the first color (5a) on the surface structure (4) remains constant or varies relative to the extension direction (E), and / or Therein the first color (5a) and the surface structure (4) are arranged in a spatial relationship with respect to one another.

6. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The printed matter (5) comprises at least a first color (5a) and a second color (5b) different from the first color (5a), and Wherein, relative to the extension direction (E), the density of the first color (5a) on the surface structure (4) is equal to or different from the density of the second color (5b) on the surface structure (4).

7. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: In an initial state before printing on the surface structure (4), the image and / or alphanumeric characters to be printed as the print (5) are associated with an initial appearance provided by at least a first color (5a) and a second color (5b), and The first color (5a) and the second color (5b) are arranged on the surface structure (4) with different densities, so that the security element (3) presents an appearance corresponding to the initial appearance when observed at a first viewing angle, and presents a different appearance when observed at a different viewing angle.

8. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The data carrier (1) further comprises at least one marking material which is configured to interact with incident laser radiation, and wherein the surface structure (4) corresponds to a laser marking generated in the marking material.

9. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The carrier body (2) and / or the surface structure (4) comprises or consists of one or more paper-based composites and / or one or more paperboard-based composites and / or one or more plastics and / or one or more polymers, preferably one or more thermoplastics and / or amorphous polymers, particularly preferably polycarbonate and / or a polycarbonate mixture and / or a polycarbonate coextrudate, and / or The surface structure (4) corresponds to a print, preferably an inkjet print.

10. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The data carrier (1) defines a top side (7), and The security element (3) is arranged on the top side (7) of the data carrier (1).

11. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the data carrier (1) further comprising at least one further surface structure (4') different from the surface structure (4), and wherein Furthermore, the print (5) is arranged at least partially on the further surface structure (4').

12. The data carrier (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The further surface structure (4') extends along the extension direction (E) or along at least one further extension direction (E') different from the extension direction (E), and / or The further surface structure (4') comprises a further protrusion (6') extending away from the carrier body (2) relative to the further extension direction (E') and / or a further recess extending towards the carrier body (2) relative to the further extension direction (E'), and wherein at least one of the distance, surface area, slope, cross-section or surface structure spacing of the further protrusion (6') and / or the further recess is equal to or different from at least one of the distance, surface area, slope, cross-section or surface structure spacing of the protrusion (6') and / or the recess of the surface structure (4).

13. A data carrier (1) according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein: The print (5) comprises at least a first color (5a), and wherein the density of the first color (5a) on the surface structure (4) relative to the extension direction (E) is equal to or different from the density of the first color on the further surface structure (4') relative to the extension direction (E) and / or the further extension direction (E'), and / or The printed matter (5) comprises at least a first color (5a) arranged on the surface structure (4) and a further color (5c) arranged on the further surface structure (4'), wherein the first color (5a) and the further color (5c) are different from each other.

14. A security article comprising or consisting of at least one data carrier (1) according to any of the preceding claims, preferably an identity card, a passport, a credit card, a smart card, a driving license, a data page or the like.

15. A method of producing a data carrier (1) for a security article such as a passport, the data carrier (1) preferably being a data carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Providing a carrier body (2); and Arranging at least one security element (3) on the carrier body (2); It is characterized in that The security element (3) comprises at least one surface structure (4) extending along at least one extension direction (E) and a print (5), such as an inkjet print, at least partially arranged on the surface structure (4). In the region of the surface structure (4), the security element (3) is designed to have different appearances (A1; A2) when viewed at different viewing angles (α1; α2).

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of providing at least one marking material which is configured to interact with incident laser radiation on the carrier body (2) and generating the surface structure (4) as a laser mark by irradiating the laser radiation onto the marking material, or further comprising the steps of: preferably embossing a structure on a laminate into a surface (8) of said carrier body (2), and generating said surface structure (4) as an embossment, wherein preferably said print (5) and said embossment are generated based on the same data set input to a printer such as an inkjet printer and a laminating device comprising said laminate, or The method further comprises the step of printing, in particular inkjet printing, the surface structure (4) onto the surface (8) of the carrier body (2).

Images