Optically variable security element having a reflective / transmissive feature region

Abstract

The invention relates to an optically variable security element (20) for protecting items of value, the surface area of which element defines a z axis perpendicular thereto, said element comprising a partially reflective and partially transmissive feature region (24). The feature region (24) contains a first sub-region (52) having a first reflection-enhancing coating (36), which first sub-region forms a first reflection motif (80) that is visible in reflection, and said feature region also contains a second sub-region (54) having a second reflection-enhancing coating (46), which second sub-region forms a second reflection motif (82) that is visible in reflection. The first and second sub-regions (50, 52) reflect incident light differently, the first and second reflection motifs (80, 82) having different visibility depending on a viewing direction (62, 64). The feature region (24) also contains a transmission region (56) in which the first and / or second reflection-enhancing coating (36, 46) is omitted and which forms a transmission motif (84) that is visible in transmission, multi-coloured, and appears with two or more chromatic colours in transmission.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optically variable security element for protecting valuables with a partially reflective and partially transmissive feature area, as well as a data carrier equipped with such a security element.

[0002] Data storage media, such as valuables or identification documents, as well as other valuable items such as branded goods, are often provided with security elements for security purposes. These elements allow verification of the authenticity of the data storage media and also serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. These security elements can, for example, take the form of a security thread embedded in a banknote, a cover foil for a banknote with a hole, an applied security strip, a self-supporting transfer element, or even a feature area applied directly to a valuable document.

[0003] Some time ago, optically variable security elements were proposed that have two relief structures arranged at different heights and each provided with a color coating (see WO 2020 / 011390 A1, WO 2020 / 011391 A1, and WO 2020 / 011392 A1). DE 10 2018 005447 A1 shows the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of providing a generic optically variable security element with an attractive appearance and a high level of counterfeit protection. In particular, the security element should be verifiable in a variety of ways and contain several independently verifiable pieces of information.

[0005] This object is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] To achieve the stated object, the invention contains an optically variable security element with a partially reflective and partially transmissive feature region, which can be used in particular to secure valuables. The surface extent of the security element defines a z-axis perpendicular thereto. The feature region of the security element contains a first partial region with a first reflection-enhancing coating, which forms a first reflection motif visible in reflection. The feature region also contains a second partial region with a second reflection-enhancing coating, which forms a second reflection motif visible in reflection. The first and second partial regions reflect incident light differently. The first and second reflection motifs are visible to different degrees depending on the viewing direction.The first and second subregions of the feature area each contain a relief structure provided with the first and second reflection-enhancing coatings, respectively. The relief structures are arranged at different heights in the z-direction and form a lower and a higher relief structure.

[0007] In addition, the feature region contains a transmission region in which the first and / or second reflection-enhancing coating is left out. The transmission region forms a transmission motif visible in transmission, which is multicolored and appears in transmission with two or more bright colors. The feature region contains a multicolored layer that is at least partially translucent for generating the multicolored transmission motif, wherein the multicolored layer has a colorless transparent region and a multicolored color region with the two or more different bright colors. The said multicolored layer is arranged between the two relief structures arranged at different heights in the z-direction.

[0008] When it comes to color, a distinction is usually made between chromatic colors and achromatic colors. Chromatic colors are characterized not only by their brightness but also by their hue and saturation. Achromatic colors are white, black, and the shades of gray between black and white.

[0009] The multi-color layer can be implemented as a printed layer, but also as another color-imparting layer, such as a vapor-deposited layer or multiple vapor-deposited layers. The multi-color layer is translucent, at least in some areas, in the transmission range to form the motif visible in transmission. Outside the transmission range, the multi-color layer can also be opaque, and the multi-color layer can also have opaque sub-regions within the transmission range to create a transmission motif with light areas (translucent sub-regions) and dark areas (opaque sub-regions).

[0010] The colors of the multi-color layer are advantageously formed by body colors, which can be opaque or, particularly advantageously, translucent. In addition to body colors, effect colors can also form some or all of the colors of the multi-color layer. Effect colors are provided in particular by pearlescent pigments, by pigments based on liquid-crystalline materials, by interference layer pigments, or by metallic colors, especially bright metallic colors such as gold or copper. The multi-color layer can contain color-constant colors and / or optically variable colors that, depending on the viewing direction, produce a different color impression in transmission and / or a different color impression in reflection, in particular gold or copper, than in transmission, in particular blue or green.

[0011] The multi-color layer may additionally contain luminescent substances, IR-absorbing substances, magnetic substances or other machine-readable feature substances.

[0012] The first and second partial areas preferably reflect incident light in different directions, so that the first and second reflection motifs are visible from different viewing directions. The viewing direction areas in which the two reflection motifs are visible preferably only partially overlap or do not overlap. The first and second partial areas can – alternatively or additionally – reflect incident light differently, so that the first and second reflection motifs display different motif effects that depend on the viewing direction. Examples of well-known different motif effects that can also be combined with one another are: motif movement, three-dimensional motifs, plane-shifted motifs, or motif changes. Plane-shifted motifs (or motifs with their own representation plane) are apparently aligned with a ground plane of the security element orThe relief structure is shifted, so that for the viewer, they appear to float above or below the ground plane. The first reflection motif can preferably appear in a first color, and the second reflection motif in a second color.

[0013] The reflection-enhancing coating preferably follows the relief pattern of the corresponding relief structure.

[0014] The terms higher and lower refer to the position of the relief structures relative to the eye of an observer who observes the reflection motifs of the security element in incident light.

[0015] The higher-lying relief structure preferably covers the lower-lying relief structure at least in some areas, wherein the transmission area in the overlapping areas is formed by overlapping recesses of the higher-lying and the lower-lying reflection-enhancing coating.

[0016] The multi-colour layer mentioned can be designed as a flat structure, but it can also advantageously follow the relief pattern of one or both relief structures.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the transmission region represents a single, contiguous sub-region of the feature region. It can also advantageously be provided that the transmission region is formed by a plurality of separate sub-regions of the feature region. The transmission region can be formed, in particular, by a regular grid of recesses in the first and / or second reflection-enhancing coating, wherein the dimensions of the non-recessed grid elements and the recessed grid spaces are each below the resolution limit of the human eye and, at least in one direction, are between 20 µm and 200 µm, preferably between 60 µm and 150 µm, in particular between 80 µm and 120 µm.

[0018] Preferably, the transmission area is in the form of an image motif, a portrait, a logo, a country code such as a flag representation, a code such as a barcode, or an alphanumeric character string.

[0019] The transmission motif preferably appears in transmission with three or more, especially even with five or more, bright colors. The transmission motif can also represent a true color motif, i.e., a motif with multiple true colors. True colors are generally referred to as mixed colors of up to three primary colors, such as red, green, and blue.

[0020] The multicolored transmission motif is preferably not visible to the observer when viewed in reflected light. In certain embodiments, the transmission area is either not visible when viewed in reflected light or - depending on or independent of the viewing angle - is recognizable as a darker (because non-reflective) area. In conceivable embodiments, the multicolor in the transmission area can even be recognizable in reflected light, whereby the recognizability can be only dependent on the viewing angle or independent of the viewing angle. The reflective, optically variable reflection motifs can be designed such that the transmission area and / or the multicolor in the transmission area is recognizable - in only one viewing direction or in all viewing directions.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the lower relief structure is visible through the higher relief structure. It can also be visible through the higher relief structure and its reflection-enhancing coating, or it can be visible through the higher relief structure and through grid spaces or recesses in the higher reflection-enhancing coating.

[0022] The first and second partial areas advantageously each contain different reflection-enhancing coatings with different coloring effects. In other, equally advantageous designs, a uniform reflection-enhancing coating is provided in both partial areas. A different color effect of the partial areas in reflection can then be achieved, for example, by color-imparting, for example, translucent, embossed lacquer layers into which the desired relief structures are embossed.

[0023] In advantageous embodiments, the first and / or second partial region contains a relief structure in the form of an embossed, color-imparting embossing lacquer layer. In particular, the first and second partial regions can contain relief structures, i.e., embossed, color-imparting embossing lacquer layers, with different color-imparting effects. If at least one relief structure has a color-imparting effect, this relief structure can also contribute to the multicolored transmission motif or even create it. If only one relief structure has a color-imparting effect, this is advantageously the lower relief structure, while the higher relief structure is colorless and transparent.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that one or both relief structures are formed by micromirror arrangements with directionally reflecting micromirrors, in particular with non-diffractive mirrors, and preferably with plane mirrors, concave mirrors and / or Fresnel-like mirrors.

[0025] One or both reflection-enhancing coatings are advantageously formed, at least in regions, as a regular or irregular grid with grid elements and grid spaces, wherein the dimensions of the grid elements and grid spaces in one or both lateral directions are below 140 µm, preferably between 20 µm and 100 µm, in particular between 20 µm and 60 µm.

[0026] In the resulting grid areas, the security element advantageously displays an appearance when tilted or the viewing direction changes accordingly in reflection, suddenly jumping from a first to a second appearance (or from the second to the first appearance when tilted back). This changes the depicted motif (e.g., a value number or a coat of arms) and the color (e.g., magenta, green, or blue) simultaneously and without any intermediate or transitional stage. Such a seamless transition between two different motifs with two different colors is referred to as a binary color and effect change.

[0027] The grid advantageously has a constant area coverage by the grid elements, which is expediently between 30% and 70%, preferably between 40% and 60%, in particular approximately 50%.

[0028] Alternatively or in addition to forming a grid, it is advantageously provided that one or both reflection-enhancing coatings are present, at least in some regions, in sub-regions that have lateral dimensions of more than 140 µm, and / or that one or both reflection-enhancing coatings have, at least in some regions, recesses with lateral dimensions of more than 140 µm. In these regions, the security element preferably displays two different effects (for example, a three-dimensional motif and a moving effect such as a moving bar), which appear in two different colors. The regions of different color impression and different effects are precisely registered to one another, which is also referred to below as color-to-effect registration.In this embodiment, at least one of the said partial regions or recesses is advantageously formed with lateral dimensions of more than 250 µm, preferably of more than 500 µm and in particular of more than 1 mm.

[0029] It is understood that the feature area of ​​the security element can also be combined with other security features, for example with holograms, in particular true-color holograms, with sub-wavelength gratings or other sub-wavelength structures, with micromirror arrangements without diffractive gratings, or with machine-readable security features based on special material properties, such as electrical conductivity, magnetic properties, luminescence, fluorescence or the like.

[0030] The optically variable security element may contain additional layers, such as protective, covering, or additional functional layers, primer layers, or heat-sealing lacquer layers. However, these do not represent the essential elements of the present invention and are therefore not described in detail.

[0031] The security element is advantageously a security thread, in particular a window security thread or a pendulum security thread, a tear-off thread, a security tape, a security strip, a patch, or a label for application to a security paper, valuable document, or the like. The security element may contain a carrier film or be present without a carrier film.

[0032] The invention also includes a data carrier with a security element of the type described. The data carrier can be, in particular, a value document, such as a banknote, in particular a paper banknote, a polymer banknote or a foil composite banknote, a share, a bond, a certificate, a voucher, a cheque, a high-value admission ticket, but also an identification card, such as a credit card, a bank card, a cash payment card, an authorization card, an identity card or a passport personalization page.

[0033] The security element is preferably arranged in a window area of ​​the data carrier in order to be able to use both the reflection motifs and the transmission motif for authenticity verification. The window area can be formed, for example, by a continuous opening in the data carrier, for example, by a hole in a paper substrate, by a transparent area in the data carrier, for example, by a transparent area of ​​a polymer substrate, or by a translucent area, for example, by a thin area of ​​a paper substrate.

[0034] Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in which a true-to-scale and true-to-proportion reproduction has been omitted in order to increase clarity.

[0035] They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote with several security features, in particular with two foil elements according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-section of a security element according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the appearance of a security element according to the invention, in (a) reflected light and in (b) transmitted light, and Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which the translucent multi-color layer follows the relief pattern of a relief structure

[0036] The patent does not contain Figures 4 to 7.

[0037] The invention will now be explained using the example of security elements for banknotes. Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10 which has a number of different security features and is equipped in particular with a printing element 11, a watermark 12, a window security thread 14 partially embedded in the banknote paper 13, a foil strip 15 which closes a through opening 16 in the banknote paper, and a foil patch 17 which closes a further through opening 18 in the banknote paper.

[0038] Of these security features, the present invention particularly relates to the structure of the film elements 15, 17, which each display a combination of reflective motifs visible in incident light and a multicolored transmission motif visible in the area of ​​the opening 16 or 18 when viewed through. However, it is understood that the invention is not limited to film elements and banknotes, but can be used for all types of security elements, for example, labels on goods and packaging or for securing documents, ID cards, passports, credit cards, health insurance cards, and the like. For banknotes and similar documents, transfer elements such as patches with or without their own carrier layer, for example, security threads or security strips, are particularly suitable.

[0039] The structure and appearance of security elements according to the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures 2 to 8explained in more detail.

[0040] The Fig. 2 The security element 20 according to the invention, shown in cross-section, conveys a three-dimensional impression to a viewer despite its flat design and simultaneously displays a binary color and effect change when the security element 20 or the document 10 to which the security element is applied is tilted. From a first viewing direction, the security element 20 displays a first optically variable effect, for example, a curved representation of the value number "20," appearing in a first color, for example, red. From a second viewing direction, the security element 20 displays a second optically variable effect, for example, a curved representation of a coat of arms appearing in a second color, for example, blue.

[0041] When the security element 20 is tilted or the viewing direction changes accordingly, the appearance of the security element in reflection suddenly jumps from the first to the second appearance, or when tilted back, from the second to the first appearance. The change in the reflection motif and color occurs simultaneously and without an intermediate or transitional stage in which both motifs or colors would be visible simultaneously or one motif would be visible in the color of the other motif. The appearance therefore jumps seamlessly between two appearances and is therefore referred to as a binary color and effect change.

[0042] In addition to these two reflection motifs, the security element 20 also contains a transmission motif which, in practice, becomes visible in the areas where the security element 20 is applied over a transparent area or a through opening of a carrier document.

[0043] To form the aforementioned reflection or transmission motifs, the security element 20 in the exemplary embodiment contains a flat, transparent, colorless carrier film 22, such as a transparent, colorless PET film. A feature region 24 is formed on the carrier film 22, which in particular contains two relief structures 34, 44 arranged in the z-direction at two specific, different heights relative to the flat carrier film 22. Between the two relief structures 34, 44, a translucent, multicolored flat structure 70 is arranged, which has, on the one hand, a colorless transparent region 72 and, on the other hand, a multicolored color region 74 with two or more different chromatic colors.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiment, the relief structures each represent micromirror embossings or micromirror arrays 34, 44, each formed from a plurality of micromirrors inclined relative to the xy plane. The local angles of inclination of the micromirrors are selected precisely so that the relief structure of the micromirror arrays 34, 44, after coating, creates a desired optically variable effect. The different height levels of the micromirror arrays are defined by the different heights of the base surfaces of the micromirror arrays above the carrier film.

[0045] To create a good visual contrast with the desired color effect, the micromirror arrays 34, 44 are each provided with a reflection-enhancing coating 36, 46, which creates the different color impression of the micromirror arrays when viewed in reflected light. In the exemplary embodiment, the reflection-enhancing coatings are formed, for example, by a red translucent paint (coating 36) backed by an opaque metallization or a blue translucent paint (coating 46) backed by an opaque metallization.

[0046] To form the relief structures, the micromirror arrangements 34, 44 are each embossed into a transparent embossing lacquer layer 32, 42 and, after the application and optionally structuring of the respective coating 36, 46, are leveled with a transparent topcoat layer 38 or 48. The topcoat layers have essentially the same refractive index as the embossing lacquer layers 32, 42, so that the micromirrors are not visually visible in areas without a coating due to the lack of a refractive index difference between the embossing lacquer layer and the topcoat layer.

[0047] The micromirror arrangement 34 that is closer to the observer when viewing the reflection motifs in incident light is also referred to as the higher micromirror arrangement, the micromirror arrangement 44 that is further away from the observer is referred to as the lower micromirror arrangement, and the respective coatings are referred to as the higher or lower reflection-enhancing coating.

[0048] As in Fig. 2 As shown, the reflection-enhancing coatings 36, 46 are not present over the entire surface, but rather different partial areas with different appearances are created within the feature area by means of recesses in the coatings 36, 46.

[0049] In a first partial area 52, the reflection-enhancing coating 36 of the higher micromirror arrangement 34 is present, which reflects incident light 60 in a first viewing direction 62 determined by the angle of inclination of the micromirrors. The shape of the first partial area 52 forms a first reflection motif, which is visible to the observer from the said first viewing direction 62 as brightly shining with the color tone of the first translucent color, red in the exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2 As indicated, the first sub-area 52 does not have to be contiguous, but can be formed by a plurality of separate sub-areas.

[0050] In order to form the second reflection motif and the transmission motif, the reflection-enhancing coating 36 is not present in the entire feature area 24, but has recesses 35 in which the observer can look through the coating 36.

[0051] In a second subregion 54, the reflection-enhancing coating 46 of the lower micromirror arrangement 44 is present, which reflects incident light 60 in a second viewing direction 64 determined by the angle of inclination of the micromirrors. The shape of the second subregion 54 forms a second reflection motif, which, in the recesses 35 of the higher coating 36, is visible to the observer from the aforementioned second viewing direction 64, brightly shining with the color of the second translucent color, blue in this embodiment. The second subregion 54 also does not have to be continuous, but can be formed by a plurality of separate subregions.

[0052] The color impression of the second reflection motif results from the color tone of the second translucent color and the color tone of the flat structure 70 in the second partial area 54. In the exemplary embodiment, the colorless transparent area 72 of the flat structure 70 and the second partial area 54 are arranged congruently with one another, so that the color impression of the second reflection motif results from the blue-reflecting color of the deeper coating 46.

[0053] In order to form the transmission motif in addition to the second reflection motif, the deeper reflection-enhancing coating 46 is not present in the entire feature area 24, but also has recesses 45 within the recesses 35 of the higher reflection-enhancing coating, in which the observer can look through the coating 46.

[0054] The areas in which recesses 35, 45 of the two coatings 36, 46 lie on top of one another form a transmission area 56 within the feature area 24, in which the incident light 60 passes through the two embossing lacquer layers and the flat structure 70 and can be perceived by the observer as transmitted light 66 on the opposite side of the security element 20.

[0055] The shape of the transmission region 56 forms a transmission motif whose color impression is determined by the color of the flat structure 70. In the exemplary embodiment, the color region 74 of the flat structure 70 is arranged congruently with the transmission region 56, so that the color impression of the transmission region 56 is determined by the color impression of the color region 74 and therefore, like the latter, has two or more different chromatic colors. The transmission region 56 also does not have to be contiguous, but can be formed by a plurality of separate sub-regions, wherein the size of the sub-regions can be above or below the resolution limit of the human eye.

[0056] Figure 3 shows schematically the appearance of a security element according to the invention with a structure as in Fig. 2, in (a) in reflected light in reflection and in (b) in transmitted light in transmission. When viewed in reflected light, two reflection images 80, 82 are recognizable, for example a first reflection image 80 consisting of several geometric symbols (circle, triangle, square, pentagon) which exhibit a first optically variable effect in the first color determined by the higher coating 36. The symbols can appear, for example, as shiny red symbols curved upwards out of the plane. A second reflection image 82 is formed, for example, by a backdrop with a second optically variable effect in a second color determined by the lower coating 46 and appears, for example, as an inwardly curved, shiny blue bowl. What is striking and easily recognizable is the changing appearance of the two optically variable reflection images 80, 82 when the security element is tilted.

[0057] When viewed in transmitted light ( Fig. 3(b) ) the two reflection images 80, 82 are not visible, the surface area occupied by these images appears rather dark and opaque. However, when viewed in transmitted light, the transmission motif 84 becomes apparent, which in the transmission area, for example, appears in the form of a multi-colored coat of arms with several bright colors, brightly against the dark background 86 of the reflection image areas. Unlike the reflection images 80, 82, the transmission image in the embodiment of the Fig. 3 no optical variability. Depending on the reflection properties of the color area 74 of the flat structure 70, the transmission motif 84 can also be visible in incident light, but there it recedes behind the luminously reflective, optically variable reflection motifs 80, 82.

[0058] The flat structure 70 can be a printed structure. Alternatively, however, it could also be applied differently and colored locally before, after, or during application, for example, by means of a laser or otherwise. In the figure, the flat structure 70 is further depicted as a full-surface layer comprising the colorless transparent region 72 and the multicolored color region 74. Alternatively, the flat structure 70 may not be configured to cover the entire surface, for example, comprising only the multicolored color region 74 (free area instead of transparent area) or comprising transparent areas and free areas.

[0059] In the designs described so far, the translucent multi-coloured layer was designed as a flat structure for illustration purposes. Figure 8 shows that the translucent multi-color layer can also follow the relief pattern of a relief structure.

[0060] Figure 8 shows a variation of the design of the Fig. 2a security element 180 in which the multi-color layer is not formed as a flat structure, but as a translucent multi-color coating 182, which is arranged between the micromirror arrangements 34, 44 and thereby follows the relief profile of the deeper micromirror arrangement 44. Like the multi-color flat structure 70 of the Fig. 2 The multi-color coating 182 has a colorless transparent area 184 and a multi-color color area 186 with two or more different colors, the latter being arranged congruent with the transmission area 56 and thus determining its color impression in transmission. The visual appearance of the security element 180 of the Fig. 8 essentially corresponds to the appearance of the security element 20 of the Fig. 2 . List of reference symbols

[0061] 10Banknote 11Printing element 12Watermark 13Banknote paper 14Window security thread 15Foil strip 16, 18Through openings 17Foil patch 20Security element 22Carrier foil 24Feature area 32, 42Embossing lacquer layer 34, 44Micromirror arrays 35, 45Recesses 36, 46Reflection-enhancing coatings 38, 48Top coat layer 52Partial area, first reflection motif 54Partial area, second reflection motif 56Transmission area 60Incident light 62, 64Viewing directions 66Transmitted light 70Flat structure 72Colorless transparent area 74Color area 80, 82Reflection images 84Transmission motif 86Background transmission motif 180Security element 182Multi-color coating 184Transparent area 186Color area

Claims

1. Optically variable security element (20) for safeguarding valuable objects, the surface area of which security element defines a z-axis perpendicular thereto, comprising a partially reflective and partially transmissive feature region (24), wherein - the feature region (24) contains a first partial region (52) with a first reflection-enhancing coating (36), the first partial region forming a first reflection motif (80) visible in reflection, and a second partial region (54) with a second reflection-enhancing coating (46), the second partial region forming a second reflection motif (82) visible in reflection, - the first and second partial regions (52, 54) reflect incident light differently, wherein the first and second reflection motifs (80, 82) are visible differently depending on a viewing direction (62, 64), the first and second partial regions (52, 54) each contain a relief structure (34, 44) provided with the first and respectively the second reflection-enhancing coating (36, 46), and the relief structures (34, 44) are arranged at different height levels in the z-direction and form a lower-level relief structure (44) and a higher-level relief structure (34), - the feature region (24) contains a transmission region (56), in which the first and / or second reflection-enhancing coating (36, 46) are / is cut out and which forms a transmission motif (84) visible in transmission, characterized in that the transmission motif (84) visible in transmission is multicoloured and appears with two or more chromatic colours in transmission, the feature region (24) contains an at least regionally light-transmissive multicolour layer (70) for generating the multicoloured transmission motif, said multicolour layer having a colourless transparent region (72, 184) and a multicoloured colour region (74, 186) with the two or more different chromatic colours, and the aforementioned multicolour layer (70) is arranged between the two relief structures (34, 44) arranged at different height levels in the z-direction.

2. Security element according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first reflection motif (80) appears in a first chromatic colour and the second reflection motif (82) appears in a second chromatic colour; and / or the first and second partial regions (52, 54) reflect(s) incident light in different directions, such that the first and second reflection motifs (80, 82) are visible from different viewing directions (62, 64).

3. Security element according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the reflection-enhancing coating (36, 46) in each case follows the relief course of the relief structure (34, 44).

4. Security element according to Claim 3, characterized in that the higher-level relief structure (34) at least regionally covers the lower-level relief structure (44) and the transmission region (56) is formed in the coverage regions by cutouts (35, 45) situated one above another in the higher-level and the lower-level reflection-enhancing coating (36, 46).

5. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the aforementioned multicolour layer is embodied as a flat structure (70); or the aforementioned multicolour layer (182) follows the relief course of one or both relief structures.

6. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transmission region (56) constitutes a single, continuous partial region of the feature region (24), or in that the transmission region is formed by a plurality of partial regions separated from one another.

7. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the transmission region (56) is formed by a regular grid of cutouts in the first and / or second reflection-enhancing coating, wherein the dimensions of the grid elements and of the cut-out grid interspaces are each below the resolution limit of the human eye and are between 20 µm and 200 µm, preferably between 60 µm and 150 µm, in particular between 80 µm and 120 µm, at least in one direction.

8. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transmission region (56) is embodied in the form of an image motif, a portrait, a logo, a country identifier, such as a flag representation, a coding, such as a barcode, or an alphanumeric character sequence.

9. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower-level relief structure (44) is visible through the higher-level relief structure (34) or through the higher-level relief structure (34) and the reflection-enhancing coating (36) thereof, or through the higher-level relief structure (34) and through grid interspaces (35) or cutouts in the higher-level reflection-enhancing coating (36).

10. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first and second partial regions (52, 56) contain respectively different reflection-enhancing coatings (36, 46) having different colour-imparting effects; and / or the first and / or second partial region (52, 56) contain(s) a relief structure in the form of an embossed colour-imparting embossing lacquer layer.

11. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that one or both relief structures is / are formed by micromirror arrangements (34, 44) with directionally reflective micromirrors, in particular with mirrors having a non-diffractive effect, and preferably with plane mirrors, concave mirrors and / or Fresnel-like mirrors.

12. Security element according to at least one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one or both reflection-enhancing coatings (36, 46) is / are embodied at least regionally as a regular or irregular grid with grid elements and grid interspaces, wherein the dimensions of the grid elements and grid interspaces are less than 140 µm, preferably between 20 µm and 100 µm, in particular between 20 µm and 60 µm, in one or both lateral directions; and / or one or both reflection-enhancing coatings (36, 46) is / are present at least regionally in partial regions having lateral dimensions of more than 140 µm, and / or in that one or both reflection-enhancing coatings at least regionally has / have cutouts having lateral dimensions of more than 140 µm.

13. Data carrier (10) comprising an optically variable security element (15, 17) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the security element is preferably arranged in a window region (16, 18) of the data carrier.

Images