Security document, system for producing a security document, and method for producing a security document

Abstract

The invention relates to a security document, a method for producing a security document, and a system for producing a security document. The security document (1) comprises an absorption region (30) for forming at least one item of personalised information (3), wherein the security document (1) is processed and / or can be processed in the absorption region (30) in such a way that absorption of light incident on a first side makes the at least one personalised item of information (3) visible. The security document also comprises a first security element (2) having an optically variable effect, wherein, when viewed on the first side, the first security element (2) is located behind the absorption layer (52, 31) and the first security element (2) is located in a first region (20), wherein the first region (20) partially or fully overlaps with the absorption region (30) and, in a background region (21) directly adjacent to the absorption region (30), the first region (20) does not overlap with the absorption region (30) such that, in a second region (22) which is formed at least by a partial region of the absorption region (30) and a directly adjacent partial region of the background region (21), the at least one item of personalised information (3) has a contrast that depends on the angle of vision, in particular a brightness contrast.

Description

[0001]

[0002] OVD Kineqram AG, Zählerweq 11, CH-6300 Zuq, Switzerland

[0003] Security document, system for producing a security document and method for producing a security document

[0004] The invention relates to a security document, a system for producing a security document and a method for producing a security document.

[0005] A security document, such as an identity card or passport, typically contains a photo of the document owner along with other personalized data, such as date of birth, gender, place of residence, nationality, or similar. Counterfeiters attempt to manipulate this personalized data, for example, by altering or replacing it. To prevent counterfeiting, personalized data is currently equipped with an optically variable security element overlying it. This is intended to make tampering with the front side, such as altering the photo by printing on the surface, particularly difficult.

[0006] However, the personalized data of the security document is static, either in the form of a printed layer or blackened by laser radiation. They therefore exhibit no optically variable effect, making them relatively easy to manipulate and alter by counterfeiters. Furthermore, the contrast, particularly the brightness contrast, of the personalized data is limited when compared to a static background, e.g., offset printing on or over a diffusely scattering, opaque substrate or layer. Furthermore, attempts to manipulate the document are made from the center of the security document, for example, by splitting the layers of the security document, or from the reverse, such as sanding the carrier material of a security document down to the photo layer and then printing a different photo.Previous solutions to make tampering from the center or the back more difficult include, for example, an optically variable security element placed on the back of the security document or on a window near the photo. However, these solutions are complicated in their design and in their verification of authenticity, as they require, for example, the examination of multiple sides of the security element, thus requiring the security document to be completely turned over relative to the viewer. Furthermore, security elements on the back are costly, as a complex and sensitive design is necessary to ensure a certain level of security against counterfeiting.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved security document, an improved system for producing a security element and an improved method for producing a security element, in particular to provide improved security against forgery and easier verification of the authenticity of the security document.

[0008] The object is achieved by a security document according to claim 1. The security document comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side. Furthermore, the security document comprises at least one absorption layer with an absorption region for forming at least one piece of personalized information. The security document is processed and / or can be processed in the absorption region such that the at least one piece of personalized information is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorbing light incident on the first side. The security document additionally comprises a first security element with an optically variable effect. When viewing the first side of the security document, the first security element is arranged behind the absorption layer.Furthermore, the first security element is arranged in a first region, wherein the first region partially or fully overlaps with the absorption region. In a background region directly adjacent to the absorption region, the first region does not overlap with the absorption region, such that the at least one personalized information item has a viewing angle-dependent contrast, in particular a brightness contrast, in a second region formed by at least a partial region of the absorption region and a partial region of the background region directly adjacent thereto.

[0009] The object is further achieved by a system according to claim 32 for producing a security document according to the invention. The system for producing the security document comprises an auxiliary carrier, wherein a first partial element of the security document and a second partial element of the security document are arranged on the auxiliary carrier, wherein the first partial element can be brought into overlap with the second partial element by bending the auxiliary carrier.The first sub-element has the first security element, and the second sub-element has an adhesive layer and at least one cover and / or a second security element, preferably transparent and / or partially metallized and preferably provided over the entire surface of the second sub-element, wherein the adhesive layer is arranged on the side of the cover and / or of the second security element facing away from the auxiliary carrier, wherein the absorption layer with the absorption region is arranged or attachable on the side of the first sub-element facing away from the auxiliary carrier. Preferably, the first sub-element has an optional first carrier element, and the second sub-element has an optional second carrier element.

[0010] The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 39 for producing a security document, in particular a security document according to the invention, preferably using a system according to the invention. The produced security document has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The method comprises the following steps, in particular in the specified order:

[0011] - Providing at least one absorption layer with an absorption region for forming at least one personalized information item, wherein the security document is or will be processed and / or processable in the absorption region such that the at least one personalized information item is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorbing light incident on the first side;

[0012] Providing a first security element with an optically variable effect;

[0013] - Arranging the absorption layer and the first security element such that, when viewed from the first side of the security document, the first security element is arranged behind the absorption layer and the first security element is arranged in a first region. The first region partially or fully overlaps with the absorption region, and the first region does not overlap with the absorption region in a background region directly adjacent to the absorption region, such that the at least one piece of personalized information has a viewing angle-dependent contrast, in particular brightness contrast, in a second region formed by at least a partial region of the absorption region and a partial region of the background region directly adjacent thereto.The invention enables personalized information to be deposited partially or fully using a flexible and cost-effective optically variable security element, thereby simultaneously reducing costs, increasing counterfeit security, and simplifying verification of authenticity. Advantageously, changes and / or falsifications of personal data are more easily detected by the human eye, and tampering can be easily detected even by looking at just one side—namely, the first page of the security document. Thus, even a layperson can detect attempts at tampering without the need for specific equipment.This is achieved because the personal information, which has absorbing properties due to its provision by laser blackening or printing, for example, locally covers and largely eliminates the optically variable effect of the first security element. This makes it perceptible even to the human eye that a non-forgery security document has perfect register, i.e. a precisely defined positional relationship at the boundary between absorption areas and background areas. By having the background area directly adjacent to the absorption area and the first area extending into the absorption area, it can be achieved that the human observer can see perfect register between the more strongly illuminated background and the less or not illuminated absorption area when tilting the security document.In particular, authenticity can be verified particularly easily by checking registration tolerances, since, for example, manipulation of the absorption layer by attempting to apply the illuminated background area in front of the absorption area and thus leave it out of the absorption area is always associated with reduced positioning accuracy or a registration tolerance. The optically variable effect of the first security element underlying the personalization cannot therefore be imitated by applying a corresponding optically variable effect to the front of the security document. Since it is not possible for a forger to perfectly match the subsequently applied optically variable effect to the contour of the personalized data, it becomes easier to detect that a forgery has occurred.

[0014] The inspection of the security document is also made easier by the fact that the recognizability of personal information, such as a photo, personalized data, or document identification, can be improved by an increased brightness contrast present at a specific viewing angle. The increased brightness contrast of the personalized information can be made possible in particular by the optically variable effect of the first security element, in that this can be perceived as "backlighting" of the personalized information. Furthermore, the personalized information or its background, in particular the background of a photo of a document owner, can appear optically variable when the security document is tilted and / or rotated, so that the personalized information is no longer only visible as static.Additionally, the security document can be sufficiently verified from one side, for example, the front. For example, it might be possible to dispense with checking the back of the security document, since the first security element is already visible from the front. The first security element is nevertheless located behind the absorption layer for forming the personalized information, thus protecting it from being abraded from the back. This speeds up the verification of the security document, which is helpful, for example, during long wait times at border control.In addition, disruptive influences at a specific viewing angle, such as mirror reflections or diffractive effects of a diffractive optically variable security element located above and overlapping the personalized information, can be outshone, thus ensuring good recognizability of the personalized information and simplifying the verification of the security document.

[0015] A particularly high level of forgery protection for the security document can also be achieved by allowing the personalized data to be at least partially overlapped by security elements on both the front and back sides, by applying another security element to the front. Any attempt at tampering from either side thus poses a risk to the forger that the security elements will be damaged, rendering the security document unusable.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0017] It is conceivable to use the system according to the invention for producing the security document according to the invention, in particular in the method according to the invention.

[0018] The security document is preferably a passport, identity card, identification card, driver's license, label, or vignette, or can be used as such. The at least one piece of personalized information is preferably selected individually or in combination from a picture, portrait, or motif.

[0019] A motif is, in particular, selected individually or in combination from: a graphically designed outline, a figurative representation, an image, a symbol, a logo, a portrait, an alphanumeric character, a text, a raster. "Motif-shaped" is understood in particular to mean in the form of a motif.

[0020] “Visible to the human eye” is understood to mean, in particular, visible in a wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm and in particular from 430 nm to 690 nm. The wavelengths visible to humans are in particular in the range between 380 nm, i.e. in particular violet, and 780 nm, i.e. in particular deep red, of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the relative sensitivity of the eye below 430 nm and above 690 nm being less than 1% of the maximum value at 555 nm. “Transparent” is preferably understood to mean a transmittance of more than 70% and in particular more than 90%, in particular for wavelengths in a range from 430 nm to 690 nm, preferably for wavelengths in the wavelength range visible to the human eye.“Semi-transparent” preferably means a transmittance in a range of 30% to 70%, in particular for wavelengths in a range of 430 nm to 690 nm, preferably for wavelengths in the wavelength range visible to the human eye. “Opaque” preferably means a transmittance of less than 30% and in particular less than 10%, in particular for wavelengths in a range of 430 nm to 690 nm, preferably for wavelengths in the wavelength range visible to the human eye. Transmittance is preferably understood to be the ratio of the amount of light radiating and / or incident onto a medium to the amount of light exiting on the opposite side of the medium, wherein preferably no significant change in the spectrum of the light has occurred. The non-transmitted light is preferably reflected, scattered and / or absorbed by the medium.For example, if a medium has a transmittance of 0.9 or 90%, 90% of the incoming light is perceptible on the opposite side of the medium. When considering the transmittance of a layer, reflections at the interfaces of this layer are not taken into account. The security document according to the invention is or will be processed in the absorption region in particular in such a way, preferably processed in the method according to the invention in such a way that the at least one piece of personalized information is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorption of light incident on the first side. Expediently, light incident outside the absorption region is reflected and / or scattered more strongly on the first side than in the absorption region.

[0021] When arranging the absorption layer and the first security element, in particular the absorption layer and the first security element are or will be connected to one another and, in particular thereafter, the at least one personalized information is preferably introduced or applied by creating the absorption region.

[0022] The absorption region is preferably delimited by one or more contours, whereby a contour is created by connecting absorbing regions adjacent to the background region. The connected absorbing regions are jointly assigned to a piece of personalized information, such as a portrait, in particular a halftone portrait, or an alphanumeric character. In the case of multiple pixels generated by laser or printing technology, e.g., in a halftone image, the outermost pixels adjacent to the background region and assigned to a piece of information form a contour of the absorption region.

[0023] A background area is preferably understood to mean an area or sub-area of ​​the second area directly adjacent to the absorption area, which does not have any personalized information, but preferably provides a contrasting background so that the personalized information is visible. An area is understood here in particular to mean a defined area of ​​a layer, film or ply which, when viewed perpendicular to a plane spanned by a corresponding layer, film or ply, is occupied. Areas, overlaps, widths and lengths are viewed in particular when viewed perpendicular to a plane spanned by a corresponding layer, preferably wherein the spanned plane is present when the layer thickness of the corresponding layer is neglected. Areas extend in particular with the area defined in this way as the base area through the security document or the system.A layer is preferably a substantially flat structure. In particular, a layer itself can be single-layered or multi-layered.

[0024] An optically variable effect can be selected, in particular individually or in combination, from: viewing angle-dependent contrast, in particular brightness change, viewing angle-dependent color change, viewing angle-dependent motion effect, viewing angle-dependent motif change, holographic representation, cinematic representation. The viewing angle of a security element, in particular of the first security element, can be varied by a viewer, in particular by tilting, rotating, and / or bending the security element. Preferably, a security element is or will be formed as a laminating film or from a transfer layer of a transfer film.

[0025] “In register” and “precise register” refer to the positioning accuracy of two or more layers, elements, areas and / or layers relative to one another. The register accuracy should be within a specified register tolerance and be as small as possible. At the same time, the register accuracy of several layers, elements, areas and / or layers relative to one another is an important feature for increasing process reliability and / or product quality, as well as protection against counterfeiting. Precise register or positional positioning can be achieved in particular using sensory, preferably optically detectable register marks. These register marks can either represent special separate layers, elements, areas and / or layers or can themselves be part of the layers, elements, areas and / or layers to be positioned. “Perfect register” means, in particular, that there is no register tolerance.

[0026] The viewing angle-dependent contrast is in particular a viewing angle-dependent brightness contrast, which is or will be provided preferably by a defined brightness difference and / or preferably by a defined difference of brightness differences when viewed at different defined viewing angles.

[0027] The first side of the security element can be viewed, in particular, at predefined viewing angles, under which, for example, the brightness contrast assumes defined values. These predefined viewing angles can also be determined, in particular, by angular ranges and, in particular, do not necessarily correspond to individual values. The defined viewing angles are, in particular, angular ranges that prevail between the incident light, a plane spanned by a layer or ply of the first security element, or the normal to the spanned plane, and the observer or receiver.In particular, the first security element can be placed into an ON state, in which the optically variable effect is visible to the human eye at a defined viewing angle, and into an OFF state, in which the optically variable effect is not visible to the human eye at another defined viewing angle. The optically variable effect of the first security element is preferably visible at the predefined first viewing angle and in particular not visible at the second predefined viewing angle, in particular wherein the first security element is preferably transparent at the second viewing angle.

[0028] At a predefined first viewing angle, wherein preferably no mirror reflection is visible, in particular a maximum of light reflected or diffracted by the first security element is visible. In this case, it is advantageously possible that, in particular because 20% of the incident light is reflected or diffracted overall, the structure of the first security element appears very bright to the viewer, since the largest part of the reflected or diffracted light is concentrated in a narrow angular range and is directed in particular towards the viewer. The remaining, in particular 80% of the incident light is only diffusely scattered, for example, by the first side of the security element, in particular a background, and appears dark in comparison. The background can, for example, be formed by at least one preferably opaque layer core or a paper substrate.Advantageously, the at least one personalized information item is particularly easily recognizable when viewed at the predefined first viewing angle, since the absorption region, in particular the blackening, lies at least partially in front of the first security element and, for example, attenuates the reflected portion relative to the brightly luminous background region in accordance with the absorption region, in particular the blackening. Viewing the security document at the first predefined angle preferably corresponds to an ON state of the first security element, in particular wherein the first security element illuminates at least in partial areas and preferably illuminates homogeneously at least in some areas or homogeneously over the entire surface.

[0029] At a third predefined viewing angle, a mirror reflection is preferably visible. In particular, a light source reflected on the first side of the security document is visible. This situation can occur particularly with plastic security documents with a smooth surface. The typical reflection of approximately 5% of the incident light can outshine the personalized information. The absorption area, which includes, for example, blackened areas, is barely discernible because, for example, a predominantly light background scatters diffusely and appears too light to the viewer.

[0030] A second predefined viewing angle is understood to mean, in particular, a viewing angle outside the first predefined viewing angle, at which a mirror reflection of a light source is not directly visible, thus preferably also outside the predefined third viewing angle. Viewing the security document at the second predefined angle preferably corresponds to an OFF state of the first security element.

[0031] A brightness difference between the background region and the absorption region in the second region at a predefined first viewing angle is preferably greater than at a predefined second viewing angle. Greater means, in particular, that the Delta ON value described below is greater than Delta OFF.

[0032] In particular, in the absorption area, light incident on the first side of the security document is reflected less strongly than in surrounding areas, whereby the personalized information is visible, in particular in the ON state as well as in the OFF state, preferably visible to the human eye.

[0033] It is also conceivable for a brightness difference between the background region and the absorption region in a further region to be weaker under the predefined first viewing angle than under a predefined second viewing angle, in particular by arranging a further absorption layer below the first security element when viewing the first side and / or by additionally forming or creating the at least one piece of personalized information, preferably when viewing the first side under the second viewing angle, in the further region by absorbing light incident on the first side, wherein the absorption also takes place in particular below the first security element. Weaker means in particular that the value Delta ON described below is smaller than Delta OFF.

[0034] Both embodiments are preferably combinable. An embodiment is conceivable wherein a first brightness difference between the background region and the absorption region in the second region is greater at the predefined first viewing angle than at a predefined second viewing angle, and a second brightness difference between the background region and the absorption region in a further region is less at the predefined first viewing angle than at a predefined second viewing angle.

[0035] Documents are typically personalized using a preferably dark to black print or by exposure to laser radiation, in particular by blackening using laser radiation. Colored prints are also possible, particularly with printed personalization, with dark colors such as dark blue, dark green, or dark red being preferred. To ensure that the personalized information is clearly legible, a light background is preferably used. This can be unprinted areas of the background, a flat white print, or ones with a preferably light print. These can be colors with low saturation, i.e. low absorption, and / or with low surface coverage.For security documents made of plastic, such as a card or a data page comprising polycarbonate (PC) or PET, the surface coverage of the printing inks on a layer is preferably less than 50% to avoid significantly weakening the bond in the final product. Security documents made of plastic typically contain a layer, for example a core layer, which contains fillers such as TiO2 to make the document body largely opaque and achieve good contrast for the personalized information. In particular, due to the fillers, this layer diffuses the incident light over a wide angular range and appears white or in shades of white.

[0036] The layer, in particular the core layer, can comprise fillers or colorings, making it possible for a colored layer, in particular the core layer, to be present as a background, particularly when viewed from the first side, behind the at least one piece of personalized information and behind the first security element. White tones are preferably used. It is therefore also possible for a white layer, in particular a white core layer, to be present as a background, particularly when viewed from the first side, behind the at least one piece of personalized information and behind the first security element.

[0037] If the absorption layer is blackened by the action of laser radiation, the blackening is advantageously clearly visible in contrast to the background, which in particular provides a white background. The personalized information preferably typically comprises image information and further data. Advantageously, the at least one piece of personalized information is or will be introduced as image information in such a way that different shades of gray are present and / or can be perceived. Further personalized information is preferably present in the form of data with a uniform blackening, since no gradation of the blackening is necessary. As a measure of blackening, the optical density can be determined using the K value. The optical density is preferably measured in accordance with ISO 13655:2017(E) "Graphic technology > Spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts images".The measuring device illuminates the sample to be measured, primarily via a light ring that illuminates the sample at an angle of 45°. An LED is preferably used as the light source. The measurement is performed using a spectrometer, viewed perpendicular to the sample surface. The light scattered back from the sample is measured in the spectral range from 400 nm to 700 nm at intervals of 10 nm.

[0038] To determine the K value for the optical density, preferably a first measurement is taken without blackening in the security document as a reference and a second measurement with blackening at the same location, which serves as a reference. It is preferably possible to carry out the measurement in such a way that a reference measurement of the optical density is carried out first, whereby this reference measurement of the optical density is carried out in particular either on an unpersonalized, preferably unblackened, blank document at the same location as on a later blackened area or on the same document at a comparable location with a similar unblackened background. As a reference measurement value, a measurement of an area with optical properties is therefore carried out in particular which the security document would have at the measuring point without blackening. A subsequent second measurement of the optical density is carried out in the blackened area and the K value can be calculated from the difference.The optical density is calculated from the negative decimal logarithm of the quotient between the measured reflection value with blackening and the measured value without blackening. A higher optical density, or a higher K value, is therefore associated with greater blackening.

[0039] To adapt the measurement to the area to be measured, various apertures can be used. Typical aperture diameters range from 1 mm to 7 mm. With a 45°:0° measurement geometry and an x-rite exact device (from X-Rite, Siemensstrasse 12b, 63263 Neu-Isenburg, Germany), the following K values ​​for optical density can be measured.

[0040] The blackening in the absorption layer for forming the at least one piece of personalized information, preferably in the form of a portrait, is measurable using the K value. The absorption region is or will preferably be processed such that the K value of the at least one piece of personalized information lies in a range between 0 and 3. A value of 0 means that there is no blackening, in particular a bright area without blackening. A value of 3 is a dark and advantageously already clearly visible blackening. A maximum value of 3 advantageously ensures that damage to the product, such as the formation of bubbles, is avoided, in particular when foreign materials such as a security element are present in the absorption region. If the contrast of the at least one piece of personalized information, in particular the portrait, is low, the K values ​​are in particular between 0 and 1.If the contrast of at least one piece of personalized information, especially the portrait, is high, the K values ​​are between 0 and 2.

[0041] The K value is a measure of how strongly the blackening absorbs incident light and corresponds to the optical density of the blackening. The K value is preferably measured in the OFF state.

[0042] This measurement method captures the total blackening, particularly in a structure such as that shown in Fig. 1g. This means that it captures both the blackening in the absorption layer and, if applicable, in other layers above the first security element, as well as the blackening that may be located below the preferably transparent first security element. The brightness contrast, in particular the brightness contrast of the at least one piece of personalized information, preferably in the form of a portrait, in the second area, is preferably calculated as follows:

[0043] In particular, a viewing angle-dependent brightness contrast is or will preferably be provided by a, preferably predefined, viewing angle-dependent brightness difference between the background area and the absorption area.

[0044] The difference in brightness between the background and the absorption region, preferably the density in the absorption region, can be determined in particular according to the formulas below for Delta ON and Delta OFF, where "ON" refers to viewing at the predefined first viewing angle and "OFF" refers to viewing at the predefined second viewing angle. The abbreviation MW stands for the determined measured value of the brightness. The difference between the determined measured values ​​is divided by the measured value at a suitable position in the background in order to compensate for any differences in reflection behavior or scattering behavior or illumination between the first and second viewing angles. A region of the background is used that has comparable properties to the background region or absorption region under consideration and, in particular, is as close as possible to the area.It is preferably possible to select as the MW background a measured value of an area which has corresponding optical properties which the security document would have at the location of the MW absorption area without processing to make the at least one personalized information item visible by absorbing light incident on the first side, i.e. in particular without blackening, and / or at the location of the MW background without the first security element, which in the corresponding security document can in particular be an area which, when viewing the first side, is adjacent to the first and / or second area, to the background area and / or to the absorption area.

[0045] MW background ON — MW in absorption area ON

[0046] Delta ON = - - -

[0047] MW Underground ON

[0048] MW background OFF — MW in absorption area OFF

[0049] Delta OFF = - - -

[0050] MW Underground OFF

[0051] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention:

[0052] Delta ON > Delta OFF

[0053] A standardized difference D between Delta ON and Delta OFF advantageously exceeds a minimum value.

[0054] Delta ON — Delta OFF D = - - - > Minimum value

[0055] Delta ON

[0056] Suitable minimum values ​​of the standardized difference D are 5%, preferably 10%, particularly preferably 15%.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the minimum value applies to a region with the largest normalized difference D.

[0058] A higher value of D means a greater increase in the brightness difference of the measured values ​​between the ON and OFF states, making the transition from OFF to ON more noticeable. Furthermore, this criterion ensures that the blackening in the absorption region is also clearly visible in the ON state.

[0059] In particular, it is possible that the standardized difference D preferably defines the difference in brightness differences when viewed at different defined viewing angles.

[0060] Personalized information can contain fine details, and the density can vary significantly locally. Measurement with a conventional densitometer is therefore difficult. To still be able to make accurate conclusions, a camera with the appropriate resolution is recommended.

[0061] Depending on the resolution of the measuring instruments, measured values ​​may vary within a range. If a measurement results in different values ​​for a range, particularly a sub-range of the absorption range and / or the background range, the median or arithmetic mean of a corresponding range, particularly the absorption range and / or the background range, is preferably used as the measured value.

[0062] The preferred measurement for reflection is the dimensionless grayscale, or brightness value. The following setup can be used to determine contrast, optical density, or brightness.

[0063] For this purpose, the security document is expediently arranged such that the first side of the security document is visible or can be recorded with a camera and spans a plane with an x-axis and a y-axis perpendicular thereto, in particular with the coordinate origin at the center of the security document. The perpendicular to this plane, i.e. in particular in the thickness direction of the security document, can be regarded as the z-axis. A camera is preferably arranged above the security document in the z-direction. A light source is arranged in particular offset in relation to the security document and the camera so that the light diffracted or scattered by the first security element at least partially falls into the aperture of the camera. The viewing is preferably carried out using a camera perpendicular to the first security element, in particular to the xy plane.The illumination is provided from the side in such a way that the light diffracted or scattered by the first security element falls at least partially into the camera aperture. The illumination can be provided, for example, by a fluorescent tube. The following table shows an example experimental setup, where the lamp is preferably a fluorescent tube:

[0064] By offsetting the lamp by 90 mm, the lamp center is located on the x-axis running through the center of the security element. The values ​​in the table above show the settings for image capture by the camera. The position of the lamp can be adjusted according to the properties of the first security element so that the ON state, i.e., viewing at the predefined first viewing angle, is recorded. In the case of blazed structures, the key parameter is the angle a of inclination of the facets of the structure together with the refractive index n, as described, for example, in Fig. 3b.

[0065] Grayscale values ​​are determined from the camera's color value signals (R, G, B) according to the formula: Grayscale value = 0.200 * red component + 0.587 * green component + 0.114 * blue component. The result is a value that represents the brightness of a pixel, independent of the colors.

[0066] It is possible that the relative difference in gray values ​​between the ON and OFF states depends not only on the background, such as the type and density of a print or the coloring of an opaque core layer, which may be located behind the first security element when viewed from the first side, but also on the type of light source, particularly its size. A point light source will result in a greater relative difference than an extended light source. The measurement setup described represents an intermediate stage.

[0067] Under the second predefined viewing angle, i.e. in particular in the OFF state, in which the first security element does not direct any light towards the viewer and is therefore not visible, a first brightness value of a measuring area results. This is defined by the mean gray value. The arithmetic mean or, in particular in the case of very noisy measuring surfaces, the median is used as the mean gray value. Under the predefined first viewing angle, in contrast, at which the first security element directs light towards the viewer and is therefore visible, i.e. in particular in the ON state, a second brightness value of this measuring area results, defined by the associated mean gray value. The second mean gray value is at least 5%, preferably at least 10% and particularly preferably at least 15% higher than the first mean gray value.At the predefined first viewing angle, the arithmetic mean of measured values ​​of the reflection and / or the reflected and / or scattered light in the first region is preferably at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, greater than at the predefined second viewing angle. The difference between the measured value in the ON state and the measured value in the OFF state divided by the absolute value of the measured value in the OFF state is thus in particular at least 0.05, preferably at least 0.1, more preferably at least 0.15.

[0068] At the predefined first viewing angle, the maximum brightness difference in the second region, preferably between the background and the absorption region, is greater than the maximum brightness difference in the second region, in particular between the background and the absorption region, at a predefined second viewing angle. Preferably, the reflection is weaker in sub-regions of the personalized information, in particular absorption regions, than in the sub-regions of the second region where no absorption regions are present. This can be determined, in particular, with the described setup by determining measured values ​​of the corresponding regions.

[0069] In other words, it is possible that in the background area the brightness is increased more when changing from the second predefined viewing angle to the first predefined viewing angle than in the absorption area.

[0070] A preferred embodiment, wherein the brightness difference in the second region is greater under a predefined first viewing angle than under a predefined second viewing angle, preferably means that the contrast in the second region, calculated from the ratio of the arithmetic mean of the measured values ​​of the reflection in the absorption region to the arithmetic mean of the measured values ​​of the reflection of the background region, has a lower value under the predefined first viewing angle than under the predefined second viewing angle.

[0071] It is also possible for the first security element to be designed in such a way that an increase in brightness, in particular in the second region, when changing from a viewing under the predefined second viewing angle to a viewing under the predefined first viewing angle is lower in the absorption region than in the background region.

[0072] It is also possible for the absorption region, at least in the first region, to have an optical density with a maximum K value of 3, in particular measured according to ISO 13655:2017(E), at least in partial regions. It is possible for the contrast in the second region between the absorption region and the background region to have a maximum value of 0.1, preferably 0.15, at the first viewing angle. Preferably, at the predefined first viewing angle, the contrast of the blackening of partial regions of the second region outside the absorption region to partial regions in the absorption region is in a range from 0.1 to 3.

[0073] Preferably, the optically variable effect of the first security element is only visible when viewing the first side. It is possible for the security document, preferably when viewed from the first side behind the first security element, to have a semitransparent or opaque contrast layer to increase the contrast of the personalized information, in particular at a viewing angle different from the first predefined viewing angle, preferably at the second viewing angle. The contrast layer preferably has fillers for the preferably diffuse scattering of incident light, in particular TiO2. The contrast layer preferably has no optically variable effect.

[0074] In particular, the core layer is coated with the contrast layer or represents the contrast layer. For this purpose, the core layer can contain fillers, such as in particular TiO2, and / or white scattering, or have a pigmented white print on the surface. Between the absorption layer and the first security element, the security document is preferably semi-transparent or transparent, in particular not opaque. This can have the advantage that grinding away from the second side is made more difficult in the event of a tampering attempt. In particular, it can be difficult for counterfeiters to detect before damaging the first security element that the first security element provides protection against grinding away from the second side.

[0075] It is also possible for the security document to comprise, in a third region, a second security element with an optically variable effect, which is arranged in front of the absorption layer when viewing the first side, in particular wherein the third region does not overlap, or partially or fully overlaps, with the absorption region. Preferably, the optically variable effect is not visible at the predefined first viewing angle. Advantageously, the second security element can be outshone by the first security element at the predefined first viewing angle. It is also possible for the first security element and the second security element to be visible, preferably at different viewing angles, in particular to be visible to the human eye, when viewing the first side.This provides the advantage that a check for attempted manipulation can be carried out quickly and easily from just one page, namely the first page.

[0076] It is preferred that the first security element and the second security element, and in particular also the absorption region, overlap in an overlapping region. When viewed from the first side, a security element with an optically variable effect is provided both in front of and behind at least part of the absorption region. These two security elements preferably overlap at least partially, in particular when viewed from above onto a plane spanned by the security document. The second security element, which lies in front of the absorption region, is preferably semi-transparent or transparent. More preferably, the first and second security elements are semi-transparent or transparent.This makes it more difficult, for example, to partially grind away and replace personalized information, as this would damage at least one of the security elements in order to manipulate the entire personalized information.

[0077] It is also possible for the optically variable effect of the first security element and the second security element to interact with each other, in particular in such a way that a logical connection between the two levels exists that is visible and / or measurable to the human eye and / or perceptible to the human observer, thereby further increasing the security against counterfeiting.

[0078] In particular, it is conceivable to link the first and second security elements in such a way that a partial metallization of the second security element is backlit. This makes it possible for the metallized areas to appear dark in contrast to non-metallized areas. This can be used, among other things, for design integration. For example, the partial metallization can have the shape of a house, with the windows being designed without metal. When the second security element is backlit by the optical effect of the first security element, the windows light up, as if someone had switched on the light.

[0079] A linking of the first and second security elements is also conceivable, such that a shadow of a partial metallization of the second security element is cast onto the reflective layer of the first security element. The partial metallization can, for example, be in the form of letters. The greater the distance between the first security element and the second security element, the more pronounced the movement of the shadow cast on the reflective layer of the first security element when the security document is tilted, particularly when the security document is tilted left and right or back and forth.

[0080] A linking of the first and second security elements is also conceivable such that the partial metallization is designed in the form of a so-called revealer layer for moiré effects, e.g. in the form of fine demetallized lines or hole grids with regular spacing of the lines or hole centers or hole edges, preferably with a spacing in a range between 5 pm and 200 pm, and preferably the line thickness or the hole diameter is selected such that a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 30% and particularly preferably a maximum of 20% of the light incident on the partial metallization passes through the lines or hole grid. Further preferably, the optical effect of the first security element is designed in the form of the moiré pattern matching the lines or hole grid, e.g. in the form of illuminated moiré icons or similar microimages.This allows for the creation of moiré-like magnification and / or movement effects in the finished security document. The linked areas of the two security elements are, or will be, implemented in particular, superimposed.

[0081] Preferably, the hole size is the same size across the entire partially metallized area. This ensures that the brightness of the optical effect of the first security element is approximately the same. Alternatively, the hole size can be deliberately varied across the partially metallized area of ​​the first security element, allowing brightness gradients to be created, for example, and thus achieving a fade-in or fade-out of the optical effect in the edge area of ​​the partial metallization.

[0082] Furthermore, it is possible for the first security element and / or the second security element to be designed to be semi-transparent and / or transparent, in particular to have a transmission in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, selected from the range from 380 nm to 780 nm, preferably from 430 nm to 690 nm. This advantageously ensures that, even in the OFF state or at the predefined second viewing angle, the security document offers a high degree of design freedom for optical effects in the background area and, for example, further information or decorations can be shown behind the first security document on the first page or a high-contrast background can be provided to the absorption area, in particular by means of the core layer or layers printed thereon.Particularly preferred are fine-line security prints and / or optically variable effect pigments that, for example, fluoresce under UV radiation or glow under IR radiation. A further advantage compared to opaque, particularly metallic, security elements is that, with semi-transparent and / or transparent designs, the first security feature is barely visible or not visible in the OFF state, creating a surprise effect for the viewer when switching to the ON state, which advantageously further increases counterfeit security.

[0083] It is also possible for the second security element to be opaque, in particular having a transmission in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, selected from the range of 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 1% to 10%. The absorption region is preferably arranged in register, preferably in perfect register or without register tolerance, with the background region. As already described above, this can achieve improved counterfeit security and simplify verification of authenticity.

[0084] It is also possible for the security document to have a window region in which the core layer is preferably transparent or left out. Preferably, an absorption region is or will be incorporated at least partially into the window region to form further optical information, in particular further personalized information, in the recording layer. When viewing the first side of the security document, a third security element or a further region of the first security element is preferably arranged behind the further optical information. This makes it possible to reduce the detectability of the further optical information in incident light by omitting a contrasting, for example, "white," background.The third security element or the further area of ​​the first security element can be used to backlight the additional optical information at a further predefined angle, thus making it easy to check the additional optical information by switching it on and off. The additional area of ​​the first security element is preferably designed in the same way as the first security element in the second area.

[0085] The first security element and / or the second security element in particular has a carrier, in particular comprising or consisting of PET or PEN. The carrier preferably has a layer thickness in a range from 5 pm to 150 pm, more preferably from 5 pm to 50 pm, even more preferably from 10 pm to 25 pm. It is also possible for the first security element and / or the second security element to have at least one replication layer, in particular wherein the at least one replication layer has a layer thickness in a range from 0.2 pm to 20 pm, preferably from 0.2 pm to 10 pm.

[0086] It is also possible for the first security element and / or the second security element to have at least one reflective layer with a preferred layer thickness in a range from 40 nm to 200 nm, more preferably from 40 nm to 100 nm. It is possible for the reflective layer to preferably consist of a material with a refractive index that differs from the refractive index of the replication layer by at least 0.2. The reflective layer preferably comprises or consists of a metal layer or a high-refractive index layer (=HRI layer), or combinations thereof. Preferred materials for an HRI layer are, for example, ZnS and / or TiO2. The reflective layer thus preferably comprises ZnS or TiC or consists in particular of ZnS or TiO2. The HRI layer can comprise or consist of materials selected individually or in combination from SiOx, MgO, TiOx, Al2O3, ZnO, ZnS.The variable x is preferably in the continuous range from 1 to 3. The reflective layer can comprise or consist of the following metals, individually or in combination: chromium, aluminum, gold, copper, tin, indium, silver, and an alloy of one or more of the above metals. The thicknesses of the metal layers are in particular in the range from 10 nm to 200 nm, preferably from 15 nm to 100 nm. It is also possible for the reflective layer to preferably comprise one or more metal oxides, individually or in combination, selected from aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, silicon oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium oxide, and combinations thereof. In the case of an HRI layer, the reflective layer preferably has a refractive index of more than 1.9 in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, preferably in the wavelength range from 420 nm to 780 nm.The reflective layer is arranged in particular over part of the area or the entire area in the security document and / or in the first security element and / or in the second security element, in particular wherein the reflective layer has different layer thicknesses at least over part of the area.

[0087] The first security element and / or the second security element preferably has a release layer. The release layer ensures, particularly during application, that the layer composite of the transfer layers can be removed from the carrier layer of a transfer film. The release layer is particularly arranged on a side of the security element facing away from the adhesive layer or the stabilizing layer. When laminating the security element into a layer composite, the release layer can also ensure good adhesion to an adjacent polycarbonate layer or to an adjacent PVC layer (PVC = polyvinyl chloride) or to an adjacent PET layer or to an adjacent adhesive layer. The thickness of this release layer is in the range 0.2 pm to 10 pm, preferably in the range 0.2 pm to 5 pm. Thicknesses of the optionally present wax layers are in the range 1 nm to 50 nm.Detachment from the carrier layer of the transfer foil can also be improved by applying one or more thin wax layers. One or more of the wax layers can remain on the release layer in the security document and / or one or more of the wax layers can be removed with the carrier layer.

[0088] It is also possible for the first security element and / or the second security element to have one or more functional layers arranged between the release layer and the reflective layer. Such a functional layer can be a stabilizing layer that has a stabilizing mechanical effect against degradation during lamination, in particular between further layers of polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The stabilizing layer is or will preferably be thermally stabilized, in particular by crosslinking by means of radiation, in particular UV radiation, or by means of a chemical reaction.

[0089] It is also possible for the first security element and / or the second security element to have at least one stabilizing layer with a preferred layer thickness in a range from 0.5 μm to 20 μm, more preferably from 1.0 μm to 10 μm, wherein the stabilizing layer is in particular single-layered or multi-layered and preferably comprises an adhesion promoter layer. The stabilizing layer is arranged in particular on a side of the replication layer facing away from the release layer.

[0090] It is also possible for the first security element and / or the second security element to have at least one adhesive layer with a preferred layer thickness in a range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 10 μm, in particular wherein the adhesive layer is made of hot-melt adhesive or cold-melt adhesive, and wherein the adhesive layer is preferably configured as a single-layer or multi-layered layer. The adhesive layer is arranged in particular on a side of the replication layer facing away from the release layer, in particular on a side of the stabilization layer facing away from the release layer.

[0091] It is also possible for the first security element and / or the second security element, in particular in the reflection layer and / or the replication layer, to have at least one relief structure, wherein the at least one relief structure deflects, in particular diffracts and / or reflects, the incident light into predetermined angular ranges.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the first security element appears achromatic in the second region, in particular in the background region, when viewed at the predefined first viewing angle. The first security element expediently preferably has microstructures with an achromatic appearance.

[0093] Examples of microstructures with an achromatic appearance are diffraction gratings, in particular blaze gratings or diffraction structures with a grating period of more than 3 pm, in particular more than 5 pm, isotropically or anisotropically scattering matte structures, light-reflecting micromirrors or facets, and white light-diffracting computer-generated holograms (CGH).

[0094] It is also possible for the first security element in the second area to be semi-transparent or transparent when viewing the first side at the predefined second viewing angle.

[0095] It is further preferred that the first security element appears achromatic when viewed at the predefined first viewing angle, at least in a first partial region of the absorption region, which forms a grayscale image or a multi-color image, preferably of a portrait. It is possible for the first security element, in particular the second region, to form only a partial region of the first page of the security document. It is preferably also possible for the first security element to be arranged in partial or full-surface overlap with at least a first partial region of the absorption region, which forms a grayscale image or a multi-color image, preferably of a portrait, in a closed and contiguous region with a minimum width and / or minimum length of 80%, preferably 100%, of an area provided for the first partial region of the absorption region.In particular, the intended area is a defined area for the portrait in a security document. The second area, which is formed by at least a partial area of ​​the absorption area and a directly adjacent partial area of ​​the background area, preferably has the outline of a portrait or a frame around a portrait. Preferably, the maximum width and / or the maximum length of the closed and contiguous area is 110% of the intended area of ​​the first partial area of ​​the absorption area.

[0096] It is also conceivable for the first security element to have further regions separate from the second region and, in particular, differently designed regions. Furthermore, it is possible for the second region, which is formed by at least a partial region of the absorption region and a partial region of the background region directly adjacent thereto, to have a width in a range from 10 mm to 50 mm and a length in a range from 15 mm to 70 mm. The aforementioned properties make it possible, in particular, to assign the viewing angle-dependent contrast to the personalized information, so that the first security element is not merely perceived as an independent motif. In particular, it can be achieved that the absorption region is intuitively perceived as a portrait together with the first security element as optically variable.Furthermore, verification of authenticity is improved, since in particular an achromatic effect, which preferably forms a kind of backlighting of a portrait, is particularly easy to verify by the human eye and even by laypersons, and as already described above, a perfect register is difficult to imitate.

[0097] In a fourth region, the first security element is preferably colored, particularly preferably multi-colored, wherein the fourth region overlaps in particular in some regions with a second partial region of the absorption region, which is preferably formed by alphanumeric characters. This can further improve counterfeit security because the backlighting is preferably partially absent, so that regions with additional complex security elements can be provided, thus ensuring easy verification of the portrait on the one hand and, at the same time, making the front difficult to imitate. It is advantageously possible for the first security element to have essentially achromatic, optically variable effects, at least in partial regions, preferably in the second region.These have the advantage of increasing the contrast with the absorbing, preferably black-absorbing, at least one piece of personalized information, at least at the predefined first viewing angle, and, unlike colored optically variable effects, are color-neutral. This is particularly advantageous when overlapping with portraits using blackening and / or black and / or color printing, since color effects are more likely to be perceived as distracting or confusing by the viewer, thus enabling particularly easy verification by the viewer.

[0098] The first security element preferably has achromatic effects selected individually or in combination from:

[0099] White illumination effects by tilting, in particular by tilting forwards and backwards and / or tilting left and right, preferably wherein under the predefined first viewing angle the first security element illuminates white, preferably illuminates homogeneously white, and under the predefined second viewing angle does not illuminate white, in particular is semi-transparent or transparent;

[0100] Achromatic brightness patterns, such as brightness bands, which move when the security document is tilted, in particular when tilted forwards and backwards and / or left and right, in particular moving linearly or radially or in a more complex form;

[0101] White illuminated icons or dark icons on a white illuminated background, which move when the security document is tilted, in particular to the left and right and / or up and down, preferably virtually floating in front of or behind the plane of the security element and are recognizable in particular when illuminated with a point light source, preferably wherein the icon is preferably understood to be a two-dimensional or flat object such as a motif, for example one or more letters, a logo or also a barcode;

[0102] Achromatic appearing convex or concave curved lens shapes or free forms, which preferably appear to jump virtually in front of or behind the document plane.

[0103] Such achromatic optically variable effects can be produced with various types of microstructures, for example by means of grating structures, preferably blazed gratings, with a grating period of more than 3 pm, in particular more than 5 pm, or by means of computer-generated holograms or by means of micromirrors or by means of Fresnel lens structures or by means of matt-scattering structures or by means of light-directly diffracting structures.

[0104] The at least one relief structure of the first security element is advantageously a blaze structure, in particular with a grating period of more than 3 pm, more preferably more than 5 pm, and in particular a maximum of 25 pm and / or in a range from 3 pm to 25 pm. The first security element preferably has blaze structures with an angular range for the inclination α in the range from 0 to 40 degrees, preferably in the range from 3 to 30 degrees, more preferably in the range from 5 to 25 degrees. The reflective layer of the first security element is preferably formed by an HRI layer (HRI: high reflective index). In particular, a layer thickness of the HRI layer is preferably in a range from 30 nm to 280 nm, preferably from 50 nm to 120 nm.

[0105] It is also possible for the first security element in the first region to exhibit a particularly achromatic movement pattern when viewed from the first side at the first predefined viewing angle. In particular, the preferably achromatic movement pattern is visible by tilting the security document. Blaze structures or micromirrors can be used for this purpose, which in particular have a varying azimuth angle, i.e., in particular, a varying orientation, or wherein the period of the blaze structure or the flank angle of the micromirrors varies.

[0106] It is also possible for the first security element to have element regions, in particular with dimensions below the resolution of the human eye, preferably when viewing the first side from a distance in a range of more than 30 cm, wherein relief structures are provided in the element regions that differ from the relief structures of the surrounding regions of the first region and are in particular motif-shaped. The maximum width of the element regions is preferably in a range from 2 μm to 250 μm. The surface coverage of these elements is preferably less than 25%.

[0107] The first security element is preferably arranged in the form of large-area patches, optionally with cutouts that serve in particular as adhesive bridges, when viewed from the first side, behind a portrait and partially behind further personalized information, in particular personalized data. A first security element arranged partially in the security document thus has, in particular, interruptions that serve as adhesive bridges for the surrounding layers. It is also possible, in particular, for the first security element to be present over the entire surface of the security document. In other words, the first region preferably encompasses the entire security element.

[0108] Furthermore, it is possible for the first security element to be arranged in a plurality of separate regions or for the first security element and further security elements to be arranged in the same plane. For this purpose, the first security element or the first security element and the further security elements are or will be applied in particular directly or indirectly via further layers on the same layer, which is preferably the core layer or a cover layer, preferably the first cover layer. More preferably, the security elements or the plurality of separate regions of the first security element originate from one and the same transfer layer of a transfer film during application. This can in particular improve the registration accuracy of the applied security elements with respect to one another. Alternatively, each region and / or each security element is provided and applied with a separate transfer film.

[0109] It is also possible for the first and / or second security element to preferably comprise a diffractive grating. Such a diffractive grating is preferably selected individually or in combination from: linear gratings, cross gratings. The diffractive grating preferably has a grating period in a range from 200 nm to 10 pm. In particular, the diffractive grating has a grating depth in a range from 50 nm to 2 pm, preferably between 80 nm and 1.5 pm. Furthermore, a diffractive grating with grating periods of less than 500 nm and preferably less than 400 nm is conceivable. These are subwavelength gratings which have color impressions and / or color effects in the zeroth order of diffraction, i.e. in particular in direct reflection, if these gratings are provided with a high-refractive index layer or also with a metallic layer. If the gratings are provided with a high-refractive index layer, the so-called RICS color effect is created in particular.If the gratings are provided with a metallic layer, e.g., aluminum, plasmonic color effects are particularly effective. The absorption region advantageously contrasts well with the color impression of a diffractive grating, making the personalized information easier for the viewer to verify than the personalizations known in the prior art without an underlying security element. Preferably, the first security element has a partial metal layer as a reflective layer in areas outside the absorption region. This allows impressive and easily verifiable effects to be created without, for example, a laser destroying the metal layer.

[0110] The at least one piece of personalized information is formed in the security document or is formed in the production method, preferably by manipulating the absorption layer with a laser, in particular by blackening, and / or by a print layer encompassed or formed by the absorption layer, in particular by printing. Depending on the energy applied, blackening can have different intensities and / or be introduced in a raster pattern, so that, for example, shades of gray can also be realized. In particular, personalized information in the form of a portrait is or will preferably be formed by blackening and / or black printing and / or color printing. The background area is preferably understood to mean a sub-area of ​​the first area in which no printing or manipulation by laser is arranged.

[0111] The absorption layer comprises or consists in particular of polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), especially if it is a laserable absorption layer. Preferably, the absorption layer is transparent outside the absorption region. It is also possible for the absorption layer to be transparent in the absorption region before the at least one personalized information item has been formed. Preferably, the absorption layer is writable or is writable using a laser with a wavelength of approximately 1064 nm.

[0112] It is also possible for a further absorption layer to be arranged behind the first security element when viewed from the first side. In this case, it is preferably possible for the at least one personalized information item to be composed of the absorption layer and the further absorption layer in the OFF state or when viewed from the second viewing angle.

[0113] It is possible for the second region to be formed by the first region. It is also conceivable for the first region to have additional regions that do not overlap with the second region. It is also possible for the contour of the second region to form a frame for a first piece of personalized information of the at least one piece of personalized information, in particular a portrait.

[0114] It is possible for the security document to have further security elements, such as the third security element, for each of which the above-mentioned viewing angles can be defined independently of one another, so that, for example, a first viewing angle assigned to the first security element can mean a different viewing angle of the security document than a viewing of the third security element under its first predefined viewing angle.

[0115] Furthermore, it is possible for the security document to have at least one preferably opaque core layer. It is also possible for the security document to have at least one preferably transparent cover layer on the first side and / or on the second side.

[0116] Preferably, the security document comprises one or more of the following layers, in particular in the specified order from the first to the second side:

[0117] - in particular a transparent first cover layer comprising or consisting of polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC),

[0118] - second security element arranged partially between the first cover layer and the absorption layer - absorption layer comprising or consisting of polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC),

[0119] - first security element arranged partially between the absorption layer and the core layer

[0120] - in particular opaque core layer comprising or consisting of polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

[0121] - in particular a transparent second cover layer comprising or consisting of polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0122] It is also possible that the security document has one or more of the following layers, in particular in the specified order from the first to the second page:

[0123] - preferably full-surface second security element, which in particular forms a transparent outermost layer of the security document and has at least one relief structure with a preferably diffractive optically variable effect due to a refractive index difference on the relief structure

[0124] - in particular a transparent first cover layer comprising or consisting of polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC),

[0125] - absorption layer arranged in regions between the cover layer and / or a substrate in the form of a printing layer

[0126] - Substrate, in particular selected individually or in combination from paper, Teslin, PVC, ABS, PET and composite.

[0127] It is possible that in the system for producing the security document, the second security element is preferably present over the entire surface of the second partial element and comprises a reflection layer in the form of an HRI layer, in particular wherein a relief structure with a diffractive optical effect is formed in the reflection layer.

[0128] The second security element can preferably also be an almost full-surface second security element which covers more than 80%, preferably more than 90% of the area of ​​the security document, preferably the visible area when viewing the first side, and / or the second partial element.

[0129] It is also possible for a folding edge to be arranged between the first partial element of the security document and the second partial element of the security document, wherein the folding edge separates the first partial element of the security document and the second partial element of the security document in such a way that the partial elements can be brought into overlap by folding at the folding edge or are brought into overlap during the manufacturing process.

[0130] It is also possible that the folded edge is present in a region in which neither the first nor the second carrier element is provided or that the first and second carrier elements are formed by a layer which separates the first and second partial elements by a weak point, in particular a notch, an incision or a perforation, which forms the folded edge.

[0131] It is also possible for the first security element to be arranged in the first partial element of the security document on the side of the first carrier element facing away from the auxiliary carrier. It is also possible for the second security element to be arranged, preferably over part or all of the surface, in the second partial element of the security document between the carrier element and the adhesive layer.

[0132] It is also possible for at least one carrier layer to be arranged in the first sub-element and / or the second sub-element on a side facing the auxiliary carrier, wherein the carrier layer consists in particular of or comprises PET. It is also possible for the second sub-element of the security document to have a protective layer, wherein the protective layer is arranged on the side of the adhesive layer facing away from the carrier element. The protective layer is in particular detachable from the adhesive layer and consists in particular of or comprises silicone. The protective layer is preferably enclosed by the cover.

[0133] It is also possible that, in particular before or after the arrangement of the absorption layer and the first security element, the following step is carried out:

[0134] - Incorporating the at least one piece of personalized information. The incorporation of the at least one piece of personalized information is preferably carried out by means of a laser by blackening the absorption layer and / or by printing the absorption layer.

[0135] It is also possible, for example, that the security document is or will be bonded to form a solid layer composite by means of lamination.

[0136] Lamination for producing the security document or for bonding the absorption layer to a core layer of the security element is or will preferably be carried out by means of a pressure of 10 N / cm exerted on at least one or more layers selected from absorption layer, first security element, second security element, core layer, cover layer, in particular first and / or second cover layer 2 up to 400 N / cm 2 , preferably 40 N / cm 2 up to 200 N / cm 2, carried out. It is possible that the lamination is or is carried out by means of a temperature of more than 150°C, preferably between 160°C and 210°C, which is applied by a heat source, in particular by one or more of the heated rollers or one or more of the heated plates, to at least one or more layers selected from the absorption layer, first security element, second security element, core layer, cover layer, in particular the first and / or second cover layer. The lamination is or is preferably carried out by means of a contact time of the heat source with at least one or more layers selected from the absorption layer, first security element, second security element, core layer, cover layer, in particular the first and / or second cover layer, in a range of 1 minute or more and 30 minutes or less.Contact between the heat source and one or more of the aforementioned layers preferably occurs directly or indirectly via additional layers. The above settings are preferably used for a core layer, an absorption layer, and a cover layer, in particular a first and second cover layer, consisting of or comprising polycarbonate. For other materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, different temperature and pressure settings tailored to the materials to be processed can be used.

[0137] To produce the security document, it is particularly possible for the arrangement to be carried out by, preferably after lamination and / or bonding of the layers of the security document, introducing a blackening in the absorption region by means of a laser, and / or by providing a first sub-element, in particular of the system according to the invention, which has the first security element, with a printing layer as an absorption layer and preferably subsequently connecting it to further layers of the security element, in particular the second sub-element, by bonding, in particular by bending the system. The following step is therefore also conceivable, which is carried out in particular during the arrangement:

[0138] - Bending the system such that the first sub-element and the second sub-element are brought into overlap and the at least one personalized information item has a viewing angle-dependent contrast in a second area which is formed by at least a sub-area of ​​the absorption area and a sub-area of ​​the background area directly adjacent thereto.

[0139] The invention is explained below using several exemplary embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments shown are therefore not to be understood as limiting.

[0140] Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i show schematic representations of a cross-section of a security document.

[0141] Fig. 2a and 2b show a schematic representation of a system for producing a security document and a security document produced therewith.

[0142] Fig. 3a shows a schematic representation of a transfer film.

[0143] Fig. 3b shows a schematic cross-section of a security element.

[0144] Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f show schematic representations of a view of the first page of a security document.

[0145] Fig. 6 shows an example of a method for producing a security document.

[0146] Fig. 1a to Fig. 1i show schematic cross-sections of various structures of a security document 1. These are preferably plastic-based cards. A plastic-based security document 1 preferably consists of several layers, which are or will preferably be joined together in a lamination process. The total thickness of the security element after lamination is preferably designed according to standard specifications. For card-based ID documents (ID-1 format), this is in particular approximately 780 pm according to ISO / IEC 7810:2019. Advantageously, the individual layers consist of a similar material, such as polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), so that a stable and almost homogeneous composite body is created after lamination. However, different materials can also be bonded to one another, if necessary.using one or more adhesive layers, such as polyurethane, or a heat-sealable adhesive. Such adhesives can also be post-curing, meaning they no longer melt under the influence of heat.

[0147] Fig. 1a, for example, shows a first structure of a security document 1 in cross-section, preferably with a substantially opaque core, which is usually pigmented white. The core is formed in particular by the core layer 55. The core layer 55 is preferably arranged centrally. Transparent layers adjoin the core layer 55, in particular at the top and bottom, such as layers 54 and 56 in this example. However, the core layer 55 can also contain transparent zones that can be used as window areas, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 1h. Not shown are optional electronic components, such as an RFID antenna and chip, which can be located in the core layer 55. The core layer 55 can be composed of several layers, and it is possible that the core layer 55 is not composed of a homogeneous material.

[0148] Also shown in Fig. 1a are several transparent layers, one of which is designed as an absorption layer 52, in particular in the form of a laserable layer. In the absorption layer 52 of the security document 1, blackening can therefore preferably be carried out, in particular by means of laser radiation, to form the at least one piece of personalized information 3. The extent of the blackening can be influenced in particular by the selected laser parameters. In Fig. 1a, the blackening is only indicated in the region 30 above the first security element 2; further personalized information can also be located outside this region, but is not explicitly shown.

[0149] The at least one personalized information 3 can also be created by means of a printing process, for example on a layer above the first security element 2, as described for example in one of Fig. 1f, 2a, 2b and Fig. 5a to 5d, or directly on the first security element 2 and in particular by means of lamination with further layers sealed.

[0150] A combination of an absorption layer 52, in particular with blackening by laser personalization, combined with a colored print on a further layer of the security document 1 or on the surface of the security document 1 is also possible. In this case, in addition to the second security element 4 or instead of the second security element 4, a further security element with an optically variable effect can be applied to the surface of the security document.

[0151] Fig. 1a schematically shows a cross-section of an exemplary security document 1. A security document 1 as described for Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b can, from the first viewing angle, in particular in the ON state, preferably have the appearance shown schematically in Fig. 4b, and from the second viewing angle, in particular in the OFF state, have the appearance shown schematically in Fig. 4a, wherein Fig. 4a shows further partial regions of the absorption region 30 with further personalized information 32, for example in the form of alphanumeric characters. Regions, overlaps, widths, and lengths can be seen in particular in a plan view, as in Fig. 4, and in Fig. 1 from top to bottom onto the first side.

[0152] The first security element 2 is contained in particular in patch form in the security document 1. A security element in patch form is or will be introduced in particular into the multi-layer structure, e.g. by gluing it to the recording layer 52 or to the transparent layer 54 or to the core layer 55, before the layers of the security document 1 are joined, preferably by lamination. The first security element 2 is preferably transparent, in particular with ZnS as the HRI layer, and is preferably located between the absorption layer 52 and the core, in particular the core layer 55, more preferably between the absorption layer 52 and a printing layer, which is preferably printed by offset printing. The printing layer is in particular a layer printed on the transparent layer 54 or a layer printed on the core layer 55.

[0153] The security document 1 comprises a first side, which would be visible in Figs. 1a and 1b when viewed from top to bottom and is shown, for example, in Figs. 4a and 4b, as well as a second side opposite the first side. Furthermore, the security document 1 comprises an absorption layer 52 with an absorption region 30 for forming at least one piece of personalized information 3.

[0154] The security document 1 is processed in the absorption region 30 such that the at least one piece of personalized information 3 is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorbing light incident on the first side. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible, in particular, for the security document 1 to be processed in the absorption region 30 such that the at least one piece of personalized information 3 is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorbing light incident on the first side.

[0155] The security document 1 further comprises the first security element 2 with an optically variable effect, as illustrated by way of example in Figs. 4a and 4b. When viewed from the first side, the first security element 2 is arranged behind the absorption layer 52, and the first security element 2 is arranged in a first region 20, wherein the first region 20, for example, overlaps the absorption region 30 over its entire surface. It is also possible for the first region 20 to only partially overlap the absorption region 30.The first region 20, with a background region 21 directly adjacent to the absorption region 30, does not overlap with the absorption region 30, such that the at least one piece of personalized information 3 in a second region 22, which is formed by at least a partial region of the absorption region 30 and a partial region of the background region 21 directly adjacent thereto, has a viewing angle-dependent contrast, in particular a brightness contrast, more preferably a brightness difference. In the example of Fig. 1a, the second region 22 preferably completely encompasses the absorption region and the background region.

[0156] As can further be seen in Fig. 1a and in particular Fig. 4a, the first security element 2 in the second region 22 is in particular semi-transparent or transparent when the first side is viewed at the predefined second viewing angle. Thus, in particular the change to the ON state, which is shown for example in Fig. 4b, can be perceived as an increase in the brightness of the background of the personalized information 3 or of the background region 21, which is associated with highlighting and better recognizability of the information for the viewer. Fig. 1a shows, by way of example, a security document 1 with a cover layer 51, which is preferably transparent. The cover layer 51 comprises or consists in particular of PC or PVC. When the first side is viewed, the absorption layer 52 is arranged beneath the cover layer.In some areas, the optional second security element 4 is arranged between the cover layer 51 and the absorption layer 52, partially overlapping with the absorption region 30 and partially not overlapping with the absorption region 30.

[0157] Furthermore, the security document 1 shown in Fig. 1a has further optional transparent layers 53, 54 and 56, which in particular consist of or comprise PC or PVC. The transparent layer 53 is arranged between the absorption layer 52 and the transparent layer 54. The first security element 2 is arranged between the transparent layer 53 and the transparent layer 54. The core layer 55, which is preferably opaque, is arranged below the layer 54. The core layer 55 comprises or consists in particular of PC or PVC. In particular, a further transparent layer 56 is arranged below the core layer 55. The layer 56 comprises or consists in particular of PC or PVC. When viewing the second side of the security element, i.e. from bottom to top in Fig. 1a, the core layer 55, for example, is visible.The core layer 55 or one or more of the layers 51 to 54 can, for example, be printed with one or more print layers that are visible from the first side, in particular when the first security element 2 is in the OFF state. The core layer 55 or the layer 56 can, for example, also be printed with a print layer that is visible from the second side. It is also conceivable for the security document 1, preferably when viewed from the first side behind the first security element 2, to have a semi-transparent or opaque contrast layer to increase the contrast of the personalized information 3, in particular at an angle different from the first predefined angle, wherein the contrast layer preferably contains fillers for the preferably diffuse scattering of incident light, in particular TiO2. The contrast layer can, for example, be applied between the core layer 55 and the layer 54, preferably over the entire surface.The contrast layer preferably does not have an optically variable effect.

[0158] It is possible for the security document 1 to have one or more prints. Printing methods used include, for example, offset printing and / or digital printing, particularly for graphic design and / or as a security feature, as well as screen printing, particularly for special effect inks such as OVI™ or metallic pigments. One or more prints can be applied to the core layer 55. It is also possible for one or more prints to be applied externally or internally to one or more layers arranged between the transparent layers 51 and 56. Such prints are advantageously distributed across different layers.

[0159] The optically variable effect of the first security element 2 is visible in particular only when viewing the first side, i.e. in Fig. 1a from top to bottom or when viewed as shown in Fig. 4b, wherein a predefined first viewing angle prevails, in particular in relation to a light source.

[0160] Preferably, the security document 1 between the absorption layer 52 and the first security element 2 is semi-transparent or transparent, in particular not opaque. Advantageously, particularly due to strong absorption of incident light in parts of the absorption region 30, the optically variable effect of the first security element 2 in the absorption region 30 is not or barely visible when the first side is viewed by the human eye. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve perfect register or an arrangement without register tolerance between the contour of the absorption region 30 and the adjacent background region 21. The absorption region 30 is or will preferably be arranged in register with the first security element 2, so that an arrangement that is precisely in register with the contours of the optically variable effect is also present.

[0161] As Fig. 1a shows, it is also possible for the security document 1 to comprise, in a third region 40, a second security element 4 with an optically variable effect, which is arranged in front of the absorption layer 52 when viewing the first side, in particular wherein the third region 40 partially overlaps with the absorption region 30. As Fig. 1f shows by way of example, a full-surface, or in particular almost full-surface, second security element 4 is also conceivable, which preferably covers more than 80%, more preferably more than 90% of the area of ​​the security document 1, preferably the visible area when viewing the first side. It is also possible for the first security element 2 and the second security element 4 to be visible when viewing the first side, in particular visible to the human eye, as can be seen, for example, in Figs. 4 and 5.Preferably, the first security element 2 and the second security element 4 and in particular also the absorption region 30 overlap in an overlap region. In this way, parts of the absorption region, in particular in the form of a portrait, are embedded between the first and the second security element, so that a counterfeit attack from the front and from behind is advantageously made more difficult.

[0162] The first security element 2 and the second security element 4 can be designed in particular as described in more detail in Fig. 3a and 3b.

[0163] In a preferred embodiment, the optical effects of the first and second security elements 2, 4 interact with one another, so that a visible and / or measurable link between the two levels of the respective security elements is realized. Examples of such a link are: A link between the first and second security elements is also conceivable in such a way that the partial metallization is designed in the form of a so-called revealer layer for moiré effects, e.g. in the form of fine demetallized line or hole grids with regular spacing of the lines or hole centers or hole edges, preferably with a spacing in a range between 5 pm and 200 pm, and preferably the line thickness or the hole diameter is selected such that a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 30% and particularly preferably a maximum of 20% of the light incident on the partial metallization passes through the line or hole grid.Further preferably, the optical effect of the first security element is implemented in the form of a moiré pattern matching the line or hole pattern, e.g., in the form of illuminated moiré icons or similar microimages. This allows moiré-like magnification and / or movement effects to be realized in the finished security document. The linked areas of the two security elements are or will be realized, in particular, superimposed.

[0164] Furthermore, it is possible for the first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4 to be designed to be semi-transparent and / or transparent, in particular to have a transmission in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, selected from the range from 380 nm to 780 nm, preferably from 430 nm to 690 nm. This advantageously ensures that, even in the OFF state or at the predefined second viewing angle of the security document 1, a high degree of design freedom for optical effects in the background area 21 is guaranteed and, for example, further information or decorations can be shown behind the first security element 2 on the first page or a high-contrast background can be provided to the absorption area 30, in particular by means of a core, preferably the core layer 55, or layers printed thereon.The first security element 2 is arranged, in particular over a large area or the entire surface, behind the absorption layer 52 for forming at least one piece of personalized information 3, which is preferably a portrait. A second security element 4 is optionally arranged in front of the absorption layer 52 for forming the at least one piece of personalized information 3, which is preferably a portrait, preferably offset from the absorption region 30, in particular from the absorbing regions of the portrait in the absorption layer 30. Advantageously, this allows a portrait to be protected on both sides from attempts at manipulation and can be easily verified for authenticity, in particular by means of the two security elements and their interaction with the absorption region.For example, by simply tilting the security document 1 back and forth, the first security element 2 behind the absorption layer 52 can be activated and deactivated, i.e., brought into the ON state and the OFF state, so that in the ON state, for example by relief structures of the first security element 2, incident light is diffracted such that the absorption region 30, in particular the portrait, can be perceived by the viewer as detached from the background beneath the first security element 2 and, for example, appears to be in front of a light box, with an optionally printed background being outshone by the first security element 2. In this way, the first security element 2 located behind the absorption layer 30 can be used in the ON state to facilitate targeted inspection of the portrait by highlighting it more strongly against the background.If the first security element 2 is set to the OFF state by tilting the security document 1 to a different viewing angle, further document control is preferably possible, for example by means of the second security element 4 or further security elements.

[0165] A brightness difference in the second region 22 is therefore advantageously greater at a predefined first viewing angle, in particular in the ON state, than at a predefined second viewing angle, in particular in the OFF state. At the predefined first viewing angle, the arithmetic mean of measured values ​​of the reflected and scattered light, measured as a brightness value or gray value in the first region, is at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, greater than at the predefined second viewing angle.

[0166] At the predefined first viewing angle, the maximum strongest contrast in the second region 22, preferably between the background 21 and the absorption region 30, is in particular greater than the maximum strongest contrast in the second region 22, in particular between the background and the absorption region 30, at a predefined second viewing angle, preferably wherein in sub-regions of the personalized information 3, in particular absorption regions 30, the reflection is weaker than in the sub-regions of the second region in which no absorption regions are present. It is also possible for the first security element 2 to be configured such that an increase in brightness, in particular in the second region 22, upon switching from a view at the predefined second viewing angle to a view at the predefined first viewing angle, is lower in the absorption region 30 than in the background region 21.It is also possible for the absorption region 30, at least in the first region, to have an optical density with a maximum optical density of 3, in particular measured according to ISO 13655:2017(E). It is expedient that, under the predefined first viewing angle, the relative brightness difference between subregions of the second region 22 outside the absorption region and subregions in the absorption region 30 lies in a range from 5% to 99.9%. Fig. 1b shows a security document 1 as described for Fig. 1a, except that the layers 52 and 53 are shown interchanged.

[0167] Fig. 1b and 1c show exemplary embodiments with different material sequences between the first security element 2 and the second security element 4. The essential differences between the layers relate in particular to their behavior under the influence of a laser. Behavior under the influence of a laser refers in particular to the extent to which blackening, or generally a color change, occurs. Differently pigmented layers, in particular pigment type and concentration, can react with varying degrees to the energy of a laser. The thicknesses of individual layers can vary greatly, for example between 20 pm and 500 pm, with thicknesses in a range of 30 pm to 150 pm preferably being used for transparent layers.

[0168] The layers 57 and 58 of Fig. 1c preferably comprise transparent layers comprising or consisting of polycarbonate (PC), PVC or PET.

[0169] Fig. 1d shows a security document 1 as described in one of Figs. 1a to 1c, with the difference that the space between the first security element 2 and the second security element 4 is formed exclusively by an absorption layer as a laserable layer 52. In other words, in this exemplary embodiment, a laserable layer 52 is located throughout the entire space between the first security element 2 and the second security element 4.

[0170] The security document 1 shown by way of example in Fig. 1e shows a security document 1 as described for Fig. 1d, wherein the first security element 2 is divided into partial areas. A security document as described for Fig. 1e can, for example, look like the security document 1 shown schematically in Fig. 4f under the predefined first viewing angle. In other words, the first security element 2 is only partially present, in particular in the absorption area 30, and preferably has interruptions and / or cutouts. By dividing the first security element 2 into partial areas in this way, adhesive bridges can be achieved between the layers, in which adhesive bridges the materials of the layers are directly connected to one another, in particular in the area of ​​the interruptions and / or cutouts. In terms of material, the second security element 2 represents in particular a foreign body and can lead to a weakening of the bond.It has been shown that, particularly with larger dimensions of the second security element 2, problems can arise with the service life of the security document 1 or that a counterfeiter may be vulnerable to an attempt to split the composite. Thus, the interruptions and / or cutouts can advantageously achieve improved counterfeit security and a longer service life. With appropriate design, the interruptions can also serve as a design element or additional security feature.

[0171] It is also conceivable that the first security element 2 has a reflection layer that is only partially arranged, which is arranged, for example, corresponding to the regions 20 shown in Fig. 1e or Fig. 4f.

[0172] Fig. 1f shows a security document 1, which is, for example, a paper document or a polymer card, with a substrate 7 and an absorption region 30, which is spanned by a printing layer 31. It is therefore possible for the absorption layer to preferably comprise a printing layer 31 instead of or in addition to a laserable layer. The substrate 7 is selected, in particular, individually or in combination, from paper, Teslin, PVC, ABS, PET and composite. The second security element 2 is applied to a pre-printed substrate 7, such as, for example, a paper substrate or a polymer card. Optionally, a varnish is applied, at least partially, which varnish in particular increases the adhesion to a print for forming the personalized information. The printing layer 31 can be formed, for example, by inkjet printing, laser toner, thermal transfer, D2T2 (= dye diffusion thermal transfer) or retransfer or combinations thereof.It is also possible for the applied first security element 2 to already be provided with a receptive layer, which in particular increases the adhesion to the print layer 31. After the personalized information 3 has been printed, the second security element 4 is preferably applied, for example over the entire surface or partially. The transparent cover layer 51 is usually formed by an adhesive layer for bonding the second security element 4, which is designed in particular as an overlay 6. The adhesive layer can be thermally activated, radiation-cured, or chemically post-crosslinked. In particular, the security element 4 can be an overlay 6. Such overlays can serve not only to protect against counterfeiting, but also to protect the personalization from abrasion or contamination.Overlays with a layer of PET with thicknesses in the range of 10 pm to 150 pm, preferably in the range of 10 pm to 50 pm, offer special protection against abrasion.

[0173] Fig. 1g shows a security document 1 as described for Fig. 1d and Fig. 1e, wherein the personalized information 3 is distributed over two layers which are or will be blackened, in particular, by means of laser radiation. It is therefore possible that, when viewed from the first side, a further absorption layer 521 is arranged behind the first security element 2, in particular wherein the at least one personalized information 3 is composed of the absorption layer 52 and the further absorption layer 521 when viewed from the second viewing angle. In addition to the absorption layer 52, the security document 1 in this case has the further absorption layer 521, which, when viewed from the first side, is arranged below the first security element 2. In this example, the layers 52 and 521 are both laserable.In this exemplary embodiment, one of the layers 52 and 521 is arranged, in particular, between the first security element 2 and the second security element 4. The extent of the blackening achieved by means of the laser can be different in the two illustrated layers 52 and 521. If the optical effect of the first security element 2 is not visible to a viewer, they will recognize the personalized information composed of both blackenings. From the first viewing angle, at which the second security element 2 serves, in particular, to backlight a blackening in the absorption layer 52, essentially only the effect in the absorption layer 52 is recognizable.

[0174] Fig. 1 h shows a security document 1 as described for Fig. 1 d and Fig. 1 e, which has a window region 550. In the window region 550, further optical information 32 is realized by the absorption region 30. This allows the recognizability of the further optical information 32 in incident light to be made low by omitting a contrasting, for example, "white," background. The third security element 41 can be used to backlight the further optical information 32 at a further predefined angle, and thus, in particular, the further optical information 32 can be easily checked by "switching it on and off."

[0175] Fig. 1 i shows a security document 1 with a total of four security elements 2, 4, 41 and 42, wherein the first and second security elements 2 and 4 serve to protect the at least one personalized information 3 in the form of a primary image and the third and fourth security elements 41 and 42 analogously protect the further information 31 in the form of a secondary image.

[0176] In particular, only the structures of finished security documents 1 are shown schematically in Figs. 1a to 1i. During their production, various layers are combined to form a layered composite. One or more security elements from the first to fourth security elements 2, 4, 41, and 42 can be applied to the top and bottom sides of the same layer, in particular a polymer layer, or can be applied to different layers, which are then positioned relative to one another when combined to form a layered composite. The security document 1 results in particular from lamination and / or gluing of the layer package.

[0177] The layers 51 to 58 and 521 described in Figs. 1a to 1i preferably comprise or consist of one or a combination of the following materials: polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PC is preferably used for ID cards or passport data pages.

[0178] Alternative structures can be based on PVC or PET, for example, or can be composed of different plastic materials.

[0179] Fig. 2a shows a system 10 for producing a security document 1. The system 10 is, in particular, a label. Preferably, a security document 1 as shown in Fig. 2b is produced or can be produced with the system 10 shown in Fig. 2a. The system 10 comprises an auxiliary carrier 105, on which a first partial element 11 of the security document 1 and a second partial element 12 of the security document 1 are arranged.

[0180] The first sub-element 11 can be brought into overlap with the second sub-element 12 by bending the auxiliary carrier 105. The first sub-element 11 has the first security element 2, and the second sub-element 12 has an adhesive layer 101 and the second security element 4, wherein the adhesive layer 101 is arranged on the side of the second security element 4 facing away from the auxiliary carrier 105. The absorption layer 31, and / or the absorption layer 52, with the absorption region 30 is arranged or can be attached on the side of the first sub-element 11 facing away from the auxiliary carrier 105. The auxiliary carrier 105 can, for example, consist of or comprise paper. The first sub-element 11 and the second sub-element 12 are arranged on the auxiliary carrier 105, each of which preferably has a carrier element 103 or 104, respectively.The carrier element 103 and the carrier element 104 can, for example, be a polyester layer detachable from the auxiliary carrier 105, in particular comprising or consisting of PET. The carrier elements 103 and 104 are separated from one another or connected by means of a mechanical weak point. Such a mechanical weak point can include a perforation, a cut, or a notch. This can advantageously simplify the joining of the two partial elements 11 and 12 to form a final security document 1. The carrier element 103 and / or the carrier element 104 can comprise further layers, in particular a replication layer and a partial release layer.

[0181] On the left-hand side of the embodiment shown as an example in Fig. 2a, a second security element 4 is located in the second partial element 12, which is present over the entire surface. A second security element 4 that is present almost over the entire surface and covers more than 80%, preferably more than 90% of the area of ​​the second partial element 12 and / or of the security document 1, preferably the visible area when viewed from the first side. The area of ​​the second partial element 12 here means in particular the area when viewed perpendicular to a plane spanned by the second partial element 12, for example from top to bottom in Fig. 2a. The second security element 4 comprises in particular a reflective layer in the form of an HRI layer, in particular wherein a relief structure with a diffractive optical effect is molded into the reflective layer.An adhesive layer 101 is also arranged on the second sub-element 12. The adhesive layer 101 is preferably a so-called PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive), which enables the bond to the first sub-element 11 on the right-hand side. The adhesive layer 101 is preferably covered by a protective layer 102, which is removable or is removed before the two sub-elements 11 and 12 are connected, preferably after the at least one piece of personalized information 3 has been applied, in particular by printing the print layer 31. The protective layer 102 is preferably siliconized. The protective layer 102 is preferably encompassed by the cover or forms the cover.

[0182] Alternatively or in addition to the second security element 4, a cover, which is preferably transparent, can also be provided in the left-hand partial element 12. It is also possible for the second security element 4 to be present only over part of the surface and, optionally, for a preferably transparent layer, in particular a cover layer, to be arranged on the side facing the auxiliary carrier 105 and / or the side facing away from the auxiliary carrier 105.

[0183] The adhesive layer 101 preferably forms an outermost side of the second sub-element 12 or the protective layer 102 forms an outermost side of the second sub-element 12 and covers the adhesive layer 101.

[0184] The first security element 2 is preferably arranged on the side of the first carrier element 104 facing away from the auxiliary carrier 105. The carrier element 104 of the first sub-element 11 can, in particular, have a print layer 8. The print layer 8 is preferably monochrome. The print layer 8 can consist of or comprise a white print and, in particular, can comprise further prints, for example, by means of flexographic or offset printing. Alternatively, the print layer 8 can be a layer of paper or synthetic paper, in particular Teslin. The first security element 2 is located on this print layer, with the preferred function of "backlighting" the absorption layer 31, which can be applied or is applied, preferably printed, to form the personalized information 3.On the side of the security element 2 facing away from the carrier element 104, one or more layers can be provided which, for example, increase the adhesion of the absorption layer 31 or increase its resolution.

[0185] The first security element 2 is or will be provided, in particular in a printer, for example a toner printer, inkjet printer, or thermal transfer printer, with the absorption layer 31 for forming at least one piece of personalized information 3. The preferably printed absorption layer 31 is shown in Fig. 2a only in the region of the first security element 2. In particular, however, further information, preferably further personalized information, can also be provided, preferably printed, outside the first security element 2.

[0186] It is possible that the protective layer 102 is removed, preferably after the printing of the absorption layer 31. Furthermore, it is possible to join the two partial elements 11 and 12 to form a security document 1, in particular the security document 1 shown in Fig. 2b. The adhesive layer 101, in particular in the form of a PSA layer, secures in particular the connection of the two partial elements 11 and 12. The security document 1 produced in this way can then be detached from the auxiliary carrier 105. Advantageously, the auxiliary carrier 105 thus serves to simplify handling during the production of the security document 1, in particular during printing of the personalized information 3, and as a holder to ensure that the partial elements 11 and 12 are joined together in precise register.

[0187] Alternatively or in addition to the print layer 31, a laserable absorption layer can also be applied to one or more of the layers comprising carrier element 104, print layer 8, security element 2, and print layer 31. The absorption layer preferably comprises or consists of PC or PVC. The absorption layer is, in particular, laserable and is preferably transparent. The laserable absorption layer can, for example, be or become laser-blackened in the absorption region 30, so that the personalized information 3 or further information is or becomes incorporated.

[0188] Fig. 3a shows schematically a section of a transfer film with a transfer layer, wherein the transfer layer comprises a security element, in particular the first security element 2.

[0189] A security element with an optically variable effect typically consists of a sequence of layers that fulfill different functions. In a layered structure for transfer layers, as shown in Figure 3a, the structure consists of a release layer 202, a replication layer 203, a reflective layer 204, a stabilization layer 205, and an adhesive layer 206. Individual layers can also be omitted or can consist of several sublayers. These transfer layers are removably bonded to a carrier 201 before application to the target substrate.

[0190] During application, the release layer 202 ensures that the layer composite of the transfer layers can be removed from the carrier layer 201. When laminating the security element into a layer composite, as described by way of example with reference to Fig. 6, this layer also ensures that good adhesion is achieved with the adjacent layer, in particular the polycarbonate layer. Separation from the carrier 201 can also be improved by one or more thin wax layers. The thickness of this release layer 202 is preferably in the range of 0.2 to 10 pm, preferably in the range of 0.2 to 5 pm. The thickness of the optionally present wax layers is in particular in the range of 1 nm to 50 nm. The preferably optically active structures, which cause the optically variable effect, are molded into the replication layer 203 as a relief.The molding can be carried out thermoplastically by structuring the surface under pressure and temperature using a tool that has the optically active structures, particularly as a negative relief. Alternatively, it can be a polymerizable lacquer consisting of monomers and oligomers, which is polymerized after or during the introduction of the relief. This polymerization can be carried out using UV radiation or electron beams. The thickness of this replication layer 203 is preferably in the range of 0.2 pm to 20 pm, preferably in the range of 0.2 pm to 10 pm. The replication layer can also represent a hybrid form in that it is thermoplastically deformable and is or is subsequently cured.

[0191] Between release layer 202 and replication layer 203, there may be another layer that fulfills additional functions. This includes, for example, a stabilizing mechanical effect against degradation during lamination, in particular when laminating the first security element 2 into polycarbonate. For this purpose, such a layer is preferably thermally stabilized, for example, by crosslinking using radiation or a chemical reaction.

[0192] The reflective layer 204 consists of a material with a high refractive index, which is preferably vapor-deposited or sputtered in a vacuum. The refractive index in the visible range, in particular for wavelengths from 420 nm to 780 nm, is advantageously higher than 1.9. The layer thickness of the layer 204 is in particular in the range 40 nm to 200 nm, preferably in the range 40 nm to 100 nm. Typical materials are ZnS or TiC. This layer can also be only partially formed or have different thicknesses in some areas. Optionally, a stabilizing layer 205 can be applied. It serves to ensure the brilliance of the optical effects during lamination and to prevent warping of the transfer layers. Such a stabilizing layer 205 can be formed by a radiation-crosslinkable lacquer or by a chemically reactive lacquer, such as an epoxy resin.Thicknesses of the optional stabilization layer range from 0.5 pm to 20 pm, preferably from 1.0 pm to 10.0 pm. The stabilization layer 205 can also consist of multiple layers and, for example, contain a bonding layer (not shown) for bonding to the reflective layer 204.

[0193] The adhesive layer 206 serves to bond the transfer layers to the substrate during application. This can be an adhesive layer 206 that is activated by heat and pressure. In particular, a heated stamp is used, the shape of which defines the area to be transferred. The transferred area forms, in particular, the security element.

[0194] Alternatively, a transfer can be performed using a so-called cold transfer. In this process, an adhesive is printed, the substrate and transfer layers are brought into contact, and the adhesive is cured, particularly using UV radiation. The transferred area is determined by the pressure applied to the adhesive. The adhesive layer 206 can, in turn, be composed of several different layers and, for example, contain an adhesion promoter to ensure the bonding of the adhesive layer 206 to the reflective layer 204 or to the stabilizing layer 205, if present.

[0195] The adhesive layer preferably has a layer thickness in the range of 0.2 pm to 20 pm, preferably 0.2 pm to 10 pm.

[0196] As an alternative to transferring transfer layers, the carrier 201 can also be transferred. The transfer layers described above are bonded to the carrier 201, so that an adhesion promoter layer is present instead of the release layer 202. Heat-stable carriers 201, for example made of polyester, can ensure that the optical effects degrade only slightly during lamination. It is preferred that the carrier 201 is designed in the desired shape before or during application, for example by punching or laser cutting. Depending on the carrier 201 used, an additional adhesion promoter may also be necessary on the reverse side to ensure a good bond to the layer of the security document located above it, in particular a polycarbonate layer. The thicknesses of the carriers 201, which are preferably transferred as part of the security element, are in the range 5 μm to 50 μm, preferably in the range 10 μm to 35 μm.

[0197] Thus, it is particularly possible that a security element transferred by means of the transfer layers has the following properties.

[0198] Possible optically variable security elements, which can be provided in front of the at least one piece of personalized information when viewed from the first page, are film elements with, for example, transparent or partially metallized security elements or other microstructure-based elements or multilayer structures made of alternating high- and low-refractive-index materials. Further possibilities are micro- and / or macrostructures present on the surface of the security document. Possible optically variable security elements, which can be provided behind the at least one piece of personalized information when viewed from the first page, are also film elements with, for example, diffractive security elements or other microstructure-based elements or multilayer structures made of alternating high- and low-refractive-index materials.Behind the at least one piece of personalized information, the optically variable security element can optionally also be opaque, i.e., non-transparent. It is possible for the first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4 to be semi-transparent and / or transparent, in particular in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, selected from the range of 380 nm to 780 nm, preferably from 430 nm to 690 nm. It is also possible for the second security element to be opaque, in particular to have a transmission in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, selected from the range of 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 1% to 10%.It is also possible for the first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4 to have a carrier, in particular made of PET or PEN, wherein the carrier preferably has a layer thickness selected from the range from 5 pm to 150 pm, more preferably from 5 pm to 50 pm, even more preferably from 10 pm to 25 pm. It is also possible for the first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4 to have at least one replication layer, in particular wherein the at least one replication layer has a layer thickness selected from the range from 0.2 pm to 20 pm, preferably from 0.2 pm to 10 pm.The first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4 expediently has at least one reflective layer with a preferred layer thickness selected from the range from 40 nm to 200 nm, more preferably from 40 nm to 100 nm, wherein the reflective layer is formed in particular from ZnS or TiO2 and / or wherein the reflective layer preferably has a refractive index in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, preferably from 430 nm to 780 nm, of more than 1.9. It is also possible for the reflective layer to be arranged over part of the area or the entire area of ​​the security document 1, in particular wherein the reflective layer has different layer thicknesses at least over part of the area.It is also possible for the first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4 to have at least one stabilizing layer with a preferred layer thickness selected from the range from 0.5 pm to 20 pm, more preferably from 1.0 pm to 10 pm, wherein the stabilizing layer is single-layered or multi-layered and preferably comprises an adhesion promoter layer. It is also possible for the first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4 to have at least one adhesive layer with a preferred layer thickness selected from the range from 0.2 pm to 20 pm, more preferably 0.2 pm to 10 pm, in particular wherein the adhesive layer is made of hot-melt adhesive or cold-melt adhesive, and wherein the adhesive layer is single-layered or multi-layered.It is also possible for the first security element 2 and / or the second security element 4, in particular in the reflection layer and / or the replication layer, to have at least one relief structure, wherein the at least one relief structure deflects, in particular diffracts and / or reflects, the incident light into predetermined angular ranges. It is preferred that the at least one relief structure is a blaze structure, in particular with a grating period of more than 3 pm, more preferably more than 5 pm, and in particular a maximum of 25 pm.

[0199] Fig. 3b schematically shows an example of a cross-section of a security element, in particular in a security document, with an achromatic effect. Preferably, the first security element 2 has relief structures which, in particular, exhibit essentially no pronounced diffractive colors and deflect, in particular diffract or reflect, the incident light with particularly high efficiency into predetermined angular ranges.

[0200] Fig. 3b preferably shows the first security element 2. The security element 2 has at least one of the stabilization layer 205 and the adhesive layer 206, as described in particular also for Fig. 3a. Adjacent to this is the reflection layer 204, which follows the relief structure of the replication layer 203. The relief structures are in particular blaze structures. Above the replication layer 203 or on the side of the replication layer 204 facing away from the reflection layer 204, further layers can also be arranged, for example as in the transfer layer described for Fig. 3a, e.g. the release layer 202. The security element 2 can also comprise the transparent layer 51 or be or become connected to this layer.

[0201] Achromatic blaze structures have a large grating period compared to the wavelength of visible light, preferably with wavelengths in a range of 430 nm to 690 nm, preferably a grating period of more than 3 pm, in particular more than 5 pm. Their effect can be approximately explained using geometric optics. An example of such a structure is shown in Figure 3b. Incident light at an angle of incidence (|) to the normal of the security document or the

[0202] The light of the security element penetrates through the layer 51, which here consists of or comprises polycarbonate, for example, and is partially diffracted or reflected by the blaze structure and can be observed at an angle ß to the normal. The angle ß is determined in addition to the angle of incidence (|) by the

[0203] Inclination a of the facets of the blaze structure, as well as the refractive index of the layer above the structure, in particular in Fig. 3b the replication layer 203.

[0204] For light incident perpendicularly and a refractive index of the replication layer of n=1.5, the result is sin(ß)=n*sin(2*α), or for small angles α approximately β=3*α. For small angles, the sine can be well approximated by the radian measure of the angle. Specifically, for α < 10° the maximum error is < 4.5%, and for α < 7° the maximum error is < 2.2%. For periods with d>3 pm the incident light is deflected in such a way that color splitting by the grating structure is reduced for an observer, so that one speaks specifically of an achromatic effect. In addition, the deflection is very effective, so that the majority of the reflected light is concentrated in a narrow angular range of a few degrees. Around the angle β + / - 5° more than 65% of the reflected light can be concentrated.With transparent HRI layers, such as ZnS or TiC, the amount of reflected light and its spectrum depend on the refractive index of the HRI layer, the refractive indices of the two adjacent layers, and the layer thickness of the HRI layer. Assuming ZnS as the HRI layer with a typical refractive index of 2.35, particularly neglecting the wavelength dependence, and n=1.45 for the adjacent layers, a maximum reflection of approximately 20% results. This means that approximately 80% of the incident light is transmitted if any absorption is neglected. In this way, the three viewing ranges can be achieved, in particular the predefined first viewing angle, the predefined second viewing angle and / or the predefined third viewing angle.

[0205] It is advantageously possible for the first security element 2 to have essentially achromatic optically variable effects, at least in partial areas, preferably in the second area. These have the advantage that they increase the recognizability of the absorbing, often black-absorbing, at least one personalized information item 3, at least under the predefined first viewing angle, thanks to the backlighting and, in contrast to colored optically variable effects, they behave in a color-neutral manner. This is particularly advantageous when overlapping with portraits, since color effects are more likely to be perceived as disturbing or confusing by the viewer, thus enabling particularly easy verification by a viewer.The structures described for Fig. 3b are particularly suitable for forming an achromatic optically variable effect or the first security element, which is achromatic under the predefined first viewing angle or provides backlighting of the at least one piece of personalized information 3. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the first and / or the second security element to preferably comprise a diffractive grating. Such a diffractive grating is preferably selected individually or in combination from: linear gratings, cross gratings. The diffractive grating preferably has a grating period in a range from 200 nm to 10 pm. In particular, the diffractive grating has a grating depth in a range from 50 nm to 2 pm, preferably between 80 nm and 1.5 pm. Furthermore, a diffractive grating with grating periods of less than 500 nm and preferably less than 400 nm is conceivable.These are subwavelength gratings which exhibit color impressions and / or color effects in the zeroth order of diffraction, i.e. particularly in direct reflection, if these gratings are provided with a high-refractive index layer or with a metallic layer. If the gratings are provided with a high-refractive index layer, the so-called RICS color effect is created in particular. If the gratings are provided with a metallic layer, e.g. aluminum, plasmonic color effects are created in particular. The absorption region advantageously contrasts well with the color impression of a diffractive grating, which makes the personalized information easier for the viewer to verify than personalizations known to date in the state of the art without an underlying security element.

[0206] Figs. 4a and 4b schematically show an example of a preferred embodiment of a security document 1 under different defined viewing angles. Fig. 4b shows the view under the predefined first viewing angle, in particular in the ON state. Fig. 4a shows the view under the predefined second viewing angle, in particular in the OFF state. The security document 1 can, in particular, have the structure described for Fig. 1a.

[0207] Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show, in particular compared to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, optional further personalized information 32. This can, for example, also be introduced into the absorption layer 52 by blackening using a laser.

[0208] The following describes an example of determining brightness values, particularly as gray values, using a camera.

[0209] The central value, mean value and standard deviation were determined from several measurements at different points. The central value is the so-called median, i.e. the middle value of a series of measurements. For five measured values, for example, this would be the third value, and for four measured values, the mean of the second and third values, sorted from smallest to largest. The mean value is the so-called arithmetic mean, i.e. the averaged value of a series of measurements, for example, for five measuring twenty-five, the sum of the five measured values ​​divided by five. The standard deviation describes the spread of a series of measurements. These values ​​are summarized in a table below for a portrait in the ON state, as described in Fig. 4b, for example.

[0210] The accessible value range for a preferred digital 8-bit encoding, especially for brightness values, lies between 0 (very dark) and 255 (maximum brightness value). This results in 256 different shades of gray, i.e., black (value 0) and white (value 255), and 254 shades of gray in between.

[0211] The background of the sample document can have a light print below the first security element 2. Due to the diffuse scattering of the core layer 55, which is designed white in this case, the background or the area which is arranged both outside the absorption area 30 and outside the first area 20, appears relatively homogeneous at brightness values, i.e. grey values, around approximately 100 with little variation in the brightness distribution, as can be seen from the line of the 4th position. In the example of Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, the background could in particular be measured, for example, in an area between the first security element 2 and the lettering “IDENTITY CARD”. In an area with an illuminated first security element 2, i.e. in the background area 21, significantly higher brightness values ​​around 180 are found, as can be seen from the line of the 3rd position.The distribution of the brightness values ​​can also be broadened due to slight distortions in the second security document that can arise during the lamination of the security document 1. The variations can also be deliberately introduced and already introduced during the production of the first security element 2, for example, to increase the angular range of the predefined first viewing angle at which the background region 21 illuminates. For example, the forehead region has only a slight blackening of the absorption layer 52, so that the measured brightness value is in the range of 150, while in the region of the dark hair the values ​​are around 30.

[0212] The variation in the detected brightness is not only due to the variation in the brightness of the first security element 2, but is also determined by the type of absorption layer and the absorption regions introduced. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scattering can be caused in part by a high resolution of the image recording. A lower resolution leads to averaging and thus to a reduction in scattering. In this way, it is possible, in particular, to determine how predefined viewing angles can be achieved at which the at least one piece of personalized information 3, in particular the portrait, has a preferably defined, viewing-angle-dependent contrast and / or brightness difference.

[0213] In the OFF state, which is exemplified by Fig. 4a, the following values ​​were determined in this example:

[0214] In the following, exemplary calculations of the brightness contrast, in particular between the absorption region, preferably partial regions of the absorption region, and the background region, and an optical density calculated therefrom are described.

[0215] ON state bright forehead:

[0216] Contrast = 150.4 / 180.6 = 0.83 optical density = log (0.83) * (-1 ) = 0.08. dark hair:

[0217] Contrast = 34.4 / 180.6 = 0.19 optical density = log (0.19) * (-1) = 0.72.

[0218] OFF state bright forehead:

[0219] Contrast = 99.6 / 90.05 = 1.11

[0220] Calculated optical density = log (0.83) * (-1) = -0.04.

[0221] The optical density calculated in this way in the area of ​​the light forehead can be particularly effective if, for example, there is a print in the background (position 3), while the forehead area does not contain a print but has a white background. Dark hair:

[0222] Contrast = 8.6 / 90.05 = 0.096

[0223] Calculated optical density = log (0.096) * (-1) = 1.02.

[0224] The Delta OFF value between dark hair and background area 21 is 1.00, and the Delta ON value is 1.45. This results in a D value of 31%.

[0225] In the OFF state, the contrast and the resulting optical density can be more pronounced, at least in some regions, preferably if a blackening is also present below the first security element. In the OFF state, this blackening acts in particular additively with that above the first security element, whereas in the ON state, the blackening above the first security element is primarily effective.

[0226] Under the first viewing angle, the brightness difference, ie in particular Delta ON, in the second region 22 between absorption region 30 and background region 21 preferably has a maximum value which is greater than 10%, preferably greater than 15%.

[0227] The minimum value of the standardized difference D is in particular 5%, preferably 10%, preferably 15%, in particular where the minimum value applies to a range with the largest standardized difference D.

[0228] The first security element located behind the personalized information 3, in particular the portrait, when viewing the first page is preferably implemented with an achromatic ON / OFF effect. Under most viewing arrangements between incident light, structures of the first security element and viewer or receiver, the first security element 2 is not conspicuously visible. It is then, as shown in Fig. 4a, inactive or in the OFF state. Only in a predefined first viewing angle, which in particular can also be an angular range that prevails between incident light, structures of the first security element and viewer or receiver, does the first security element 2 illuminate over its entire surface, as shown by way of example in Fig. 4b. It is then active or in the ON state. The perception is particularly reminiscent of a light box that is switched on / off behind the personalization.In this way, the contrast with the personalized information, especially the portrait, can be specifically enhanced, which in turn makes it easier to verify the information, for example, designed as a primary image. A preferred primary image in the OFF state and in the ON state of the security element 2 are also preferably visible in perfect register with each other, making counterfeits easier to detect.

[0229] In a preferred embodiment, the first security element 2 is achromatic in the second region 22 when viewed at the predefined first viewing angle. Particularly suitable structures for the first security element 2, in particular as a light box, are so-called blaze structures, as shown schematically in cross-section in Figure 3b. The first security element 2 preferably has blaze structures with an angular range for the inclination a in the range from 0 to 40 degrees, preferably in the range from 3 to 30 degrees, more preferably in the range from 5 to 25 degrees. In the case of periodic structures, such as a blaze structure, the periods d are at values ​​greater than 3 pm, preferably greater than 5 pm. The structure depth h results from the angle a and the period d as: h = d * sin(a).

[0230] The refractive index of the layer adjacent to the reflection layer 204 and facing the viewer, for example the replication layer 203, or in the case of reversed application the layer 205, preferably has a refractive index in a range between 1.35 and 1.65, preferably in the range between 1.4 and 1.6.

[0231] The reflective layer 204 preferably consists of a dielectric material with a high refractive index. The refractive index differs from the adjacent layers by at least 0.3 and is above 1.9, preferably above 2.05. Common materials include ZnS or TiO2, which are applied in a layer thickness in the range of 40 nm to 250 nm, preferably in the range of 50 nm to 200 nm, and particularly preferably in the range of 50 nm to 100 nm.

[0232] By suitably selecting the layer thickness of the reflective layer 204 as an HRI layer, a color impression of the first security element 2, in particular of the light box, can be achieved. A layer thickness of the HRI layer in a range from 40 nm to 280 nm is particularly preferred, more preferably from 40 nm to 100 nm. With layer thicknesses in the range from 70 nm to 100 nm, the first security element 2, in particular of the light box, can appear golden or copper-colored, for example, in direct reflection in the ON state. For example, the first security element 2, in particular of the light box, appears yellow in direct reflection in the ON state with a layer thickness of 90 nm, blue with a layer thickness of 140 nm, red with a layer thickness of 200 nm, and green with a layer thickness of 280 nm.Such colorings can be disruptive in certain embodiments, as they simultaneously reduce the diffraction efficiency integrated across the entire visual spectral range, and the first security element or light box may illuminate less brightly. Preferred embodiments with layer thicknesses below 100 nm can therefore be particularly advantageous.

[0233] Furthermore, the first security element 2, in particular as a light box, can have a metallic reflective layer in partial areas. This partial area is preferably located in regions that are not personalized or only slightly personalized by laser, since laser personalization can lead to damage to the metallic layer. This additional metallic effect can be used as another easily verifiable feature. The presence of the light box can also be indicated by a slight coloring of the layers of the first security element 2. Colors can be present both above and below the reflective layer, whereby only those above the reflective layer would be active when the light box is active.It is therefore conceivable that for coloring the second region 22, preferably above and / or below the reflection layer, one or more additional color layers and / or a coloring in a layer in the second region 22 is provided, e.g. in the replication layer and / or in the release layer.

[0234] The first security element 2 is thus achromatic when viewed at the predefined first viewing angle, at least in a first partial region of the absorption region 30, which forms a grayscale image or a multicolor image, in particular for forming a portrait. The first security element 2 forms only a partial region of the first side of the security element 2, whereby in particular a light box is visible. It is particularly preferred that the first security element 2 is arranged in partial or partial overlap with at least a first partial region of the absorption region 30, which forms a grayscale image or a multicolor image, in particular a portrait, in a closed and contiguous region with a minimum width or minimum length of 80%, preferably 100%, of the area provided for the first partial region of the absorption region 30.

[0235] The area provided for the first partial area of ​​the absorption area 30 is preferably an area of ​​the security document 1 defined for a portrait.

[0236] The second region 22, which is formed by at least a partial region of the absorption region 30 and a directly adjacent partial region of the background region 21, preferably has the outline of a portrait or a frame around a portrait. Preferably, the maximum width and / or the maximum length of the closed and contiguous region is 110% of the area intended for a portrait in this partial region of the absorption region 30.

[0237] It is also possible for the first security element 2 to be colored in a fourth region, wherein the fourth region overlaps, in particular in regions, with a second partial region of the absorption region 30, which is preferably formed by alphanumeric characters.

[0238] The at least one personalized information item 3 is preferably formed by manipulating the absorption layer 52 with a laser, in particular by blackening, and / or by a print layer 31 encompassed or formed by the absorption layer. Background region 21 is preferably understood to mean a subregion of the first region 20 in which no printing or manipulation by laser is arranged.

[0239] The first security element 2, which is described in relation to Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b and which preferably illuminates homogeneously, can furthermore have, as shown by way of example in Fig. 4c by means of an enlargement, further relief structures or mirror surfaces in element regions, which, for example, show the inscription "KINEGRAM" there. For example, a diffraction grating with a period of 1 pm and a grating orientation of 90° can be present in the element regions, whereby the colored diffraction effect of these element regions is only recognizable when the security document 1 is viewed rotated by 90°. As a result, this effect does not disrupt the achromatic ON / OFF effect of the first security element under normal viewing, and at the same time the inscription "KINEGRAM" can be checked more easily, particularly compared to the case when mirror surfaces are provided.

[0240] In particular, it is possible for a first security element 2, which illuminates homogeneously under the predefined first viewing angle or in the ON state, to be or is enhanced with mini-, micro-, and / or nano-elements or other, preferably achromatic, optically variable effects. This makes it possible, in particular, to create details that only become conspicuously visible upon activation of the first security element or that can only be examined under optical magnification, for example, using a magnifying glass or microscope. This makes it possible to increase counterfeit security.

[0241] It is therefore particularly possible for the first security element 2 to have element regions with dimensions below the resolution of the human eye, wherein relief structures are provided in the element regions that differ from the relief structures of the surrounding regions of the first region and are, in particular, motif-shaped. The maximum width of the element regions is preferably in a range from 2 μm to 250 μm. The surface coverage of these elements is preferably less than 25%.

[0242] As shown in Fig. 4d, instead of illuminating homogeneously in the ON state, the first security element 2 can also be implemented such that an achromatic, brightly illuminated movement effect is generated via a defined tilting movement, which, for example, runs behind the personalized information 3, in particular as a portrait, like a type of scan. The personalized information 3, in particular as a portrait, is then optically variably recognizable with greater brightness exactly where the light bar is currently illuminating. It is therefore possible for the first security element 2 to generate a preferably achromatic movement effect in the second region 22. For example, blaze structures or micromirrors with varying azimuth angles, i.e. varying orientations, are used for this purpose, or the period of the blaze structure or the flank angle of the micromirrors is varied.

[0243] Fig. 4e shows, by way of example, a security document 1 as described in Figs. 4a and 4b, wherein the first security element 2 can also be designed such that additional information becomes visible in the ON state by using a point light source. The additional information is depicted in Fig. 4e by the word "OK" and can be provided by corresponding relief structures in the first security element 2. For example, the first security element 2 can be formed using a computer-generated hologram (CGH).

[0244] Fig. 4f shows a further possible design for the first security element 2, in particular a security document 1 as described in Fig. 1e. The security element 2 overlaps the absorption region 30, in particular only partially, or has a reflective layer that only partially overlaps the absorption region 30. The first security element 2 is therefore preferably formed with real and / or optical interruptions. Interruptions are to be understood, in particular, as cutouts. The interruptions can be created by one or more of the following cutouts:

[0245] Genuine cutouts of the first security element 2, in particular of the first region. In particular, the first region can be motif-shaped and, for example, have a complex shape. These cutouts also serve to form bonding bridges and thus meet interlayer adhesion (peel) requirements.

[0246] Optical cutouts through the use of preferably less conspicuous structures, such as isotropic, matt-scattering structures, preferably random structures, e.g. in a nanotext or in the element areas.

[0247] Optical cutout through the use of a partially arranged reflective layer, in particular a partially arranged HRI layer. In this case, only a portion of the replication layer is covered by the HRI layer and thus visible in the first security element.

[0248] Advantageously, a special shape makes it even more difficult to create counterfeits and at the same time serves as a design option.

[0249] It is also possible to design the first security element 2 such that, in addition to the deposit of the at least one personalized information item 3 by the first security element 2 in the first area 20 and / or the second area 22, further areas of the personalized information, such as in particular the further personalized information item 32, are deposited by the first security element 2 or further security elements, in particular when viewing the first page of the security document 1 are arranged behind the personalized information.

[0250] As shown by way of example in Fig. 4g and Fig. 4h, when viewing the first page of the security document 1, it is possible for the security document 1 to have further personalized information 32, behind which the first security element 2 has further areas or behind which further security elements are arranged, which are particularly visible at the predefined first viewing angle. Fig. 4g and Fig. 4h show the further security elements or further areas, respectively, by way of example in the form of a star and a flag.

[0251] In particular, this is a multi-patch design. When viewed from the first side, several so-called patches 300 may deposit the personalized information 3, 32 at different locations. This provides extensive protection against counterfeiting from the back.

[0252] It is possible to apply the separate areas of the first security element 2 or the first security element 2 and the additional security elements individually as a patch 300. The patches 300 can be arranged at different levels of the security document 1, in particular by applying each to one of the layers 53 to 58. The patches 300 can thus be located at different levels below the personalization and, in the multi-patch design, are applied individually and therefore also with tolerances, in particular register tolerances, relative to one another.

[0253] Furthermore, a design as FDP (Full Data Protection) is possible. In contrast to the multi-patch variant, the various design areas are located on the same plane and in perfect register with each other. In this case, multiple patches 300 are or will be applied to the same layer, in particular to at least one of the layers 53 to 58, preferably to the same layer as the first security element 2. Thus, within the same plane, further parts of the personalized information can be protected against a counterfeit attack from the back with improved counterfeit security.

[0254] It is therefore particularly conceivable, as shown in Fig. 4g and Fig. 4h, to integrate further effects where they do not interfere, for example color effects based on high-frequency linear gratings and / or high-frequency cross gratings or 3D effects based on Fresnel lens structures.

[0255] As shown by way of example in Fig. 4i and Fig. 4j, it is possible for the first security element 2 to be present over the entire surface of the security document 1. Preferably, as can be seen in Fig. 4j, when viewing the first side of the security document 1 at the predefined first viewing angle, a preferably homogeneous achromatic effect can be seen, which is particularly visible over the entire surface of the first side. The advantages of the invention can thus also be extended to the entire card surface. Designed as a purely achromatic surface, the first security element 2 is not noticeable at all in the OFF state, as can be seen in Fig. 4i. Advantageously, the control of further

[0256] Security elements, particularly the second security element 4, are possible without being compromised by the first security element 2. If the first security element 2 is switched to the ON state, the lightbox effect can then be perceived across the entire card. The achromatic effect causes layers and security elements located above the first security element 2 to be outshone and thus hidden from the viewer, so that the mostly black laser personalization can be perceived as a single layer, making its verification much easier, independent of other security features and design elements.

[0257] Fig. 5a to Fig. 5d show examples of a security document 1, which is in particular a data page of a passport book, preferably a paper data page of a passport book. Such a security document 1 is also described, for example, in Fig. 1f.

[0258] The paper data page can comprise a print layer, preferably including a security print. The at least one piece of personalized information 3 is applied to a substrate 7, in particular the data page of a blank document, by means of a digital printing process, for example inkjet printing, and then protected by applying a preferably full-surface transparent second security element. The second security element 4 is in particular a transparent, optically variable layer, preferably a so-called TKO (Transparent KINEGRAM Overlay) or KINEGRAM®TKO, which in particular contains a design based on relief structures and preferably comprises a full-surface HRI layer, so that a motif-shaped, optically variable effect is formed, which is shown in particular in Fig. 5 by way of example by the sun and the cacti. An optically variable layer is in particular a layer with an optically variable effect.

[0259] The security document 1 shown in Fig. 5a comprises, in particular, a transparent first security element 2, preferably as a patch, and optionally an overprintable layer, preferably as a patch. The overprintable layer is preferably an adhesion promoter layer that is or was included in the transfer layer of the first security element 2, or is in particular printed over the applied patch. Preferably, the first security element 2 and the optional adhesion promoter layer are or will be applied to the substrate 7, in particular the prefabricated paper data page, in at least one application process. This is followed by the insertion or attachment of the at least one piece of personalized information 3, followed by the application of the second security element 4.In this way, it is possible to overprint the at least one piece of personalized information 3, in particular the second region 22, and to at least partially embed the personalized information 3 in the second region between two security elements, so that it is advantageously particularly well protected against counterfeiting attacks. As illustrated by way of example in Fig. 5a, it is possible for the optically variable effect of the second security element 4 to be visible in the OFF state or at the second predefined viewing angle, wherein more preferably the at least one piece of personalized information 3 can be visible through the optically variable effect and / or the security element 4 is semi-transparent or transparent.

[0260] As shown by way of example in Fig. 5b, it is possible for both the optically variable effect of the first security element 2 and the second security element 4 to be visible in the ON state or at the first predefined viewing angle. In this case, it is particularly possible for the first security element 2, in the ON state, to outshine layers lying above it, i.e., layers lying in front of the first security element 2 when viewed from the first side, preferably up to the absorption layer 3 in the absorption region 30, and thus also to outshine the second optically variable security element 4 lying above it. In particular, the visibility of the second security element 4 is reduced by the first security element 2, in particular in a part of the second security element 4 that overlaps with the first security element 2, preferably the background region 21.In this way, the contrast between background region 21 and absorption region 30 can, for example, be specifically enhanced, which in turn results in easier verification of the at least one piece of personalized information 3, in particular a portrait. The at least one piece of optical information 3 and the first security element 2 are also visible in perfect register with one another. At the same time, in particular, a part of the second security element 4 that does not overlap with the first security element 2 or the first region 20 is visible, in particular clearly visible, in the ON state, so that counterfeits are advantageously more easily detected.

[0261] Fig. 5c shows in particular a security document 1 as described in relation to Fig. 5b and Fig. 5a. As Fig. 5c shows by way of example, it is possible that, when viewing the first side of the security document 1, the security document 1 has further personalized information 32, behind which the first security element 2 has further regions or behind which further security elements are arranged, which are visible in particular under the predefined first viewing angle. Fig. 5c shows the further security elements or further regions of the first security element 2, for example, in the form of a star and a flag. When viewing the first side, the further regions of the first security element 2 or the further security elements are preferably arranged at least partially overlapping with and behind the further personalized information 32. In particular, this is a multi-patch design.It is possible that when viewing the first page, several so-called patches 300 store the personalized information 3, 32 in different places.

[0262] This provides extensive protection against counterfeiting from the back. It is possible to apply the separate areas of the first security element 2, or the first security element 2 and the additional security elements, individually as a patch 300. The patches 300 can be arranged at different levels of the security document 1, in particular by applying them to the substrate or to a cover layer or to a full-surface second security element 4. The patches 300 can thus be located at different levels below the personalization and, in the multi-patch design, are applied individually and therefore with tolerances, in particular register tolerances, relative to one another.

[0263] Furthermore, a design as FDP (Full Data Protection) is possible. In contrast to the multi-patch variant, the various design areas, which can be, for example, several elements consisting of the square first area 20, a star, and a flag in Fig. 5c, are located in the same plane and in perfect register with one another. In this case, several patches 300 are or will be applied to the same layer, in particular to the substrate 7, or to one of the layers 52 to 56, preferably to the same layer as the first security element 2. Thus, within the same plane, further parts of the personalized information can be protected against a counterfeit attack from the back with improved counterfeit security.

[0264] Further areas of the first security element 2 or further security elements provided by the patches 300 preferably have a colored and / or diffractive effect.

[0265] Fig. 5d shows, by way of example, a security document 1 as described in particular with reference to Fig. 5b, wherein the first security element 2 is present over the entire surface of the security document 1. In this case, the optically variable effect of the second security element 4, which is preferably visible in the ON state, is overshadowed by the first security element 2 and thus, in particular, its visibility is reduced.

[0266] Fig. 5e and Fig. 5f show a security document 1, which is in particular a plastic card. A prefabricated plastic card blank used to produce the security document 1 preferably already comprises a printing layer, which can contain a security print. The at least one piece of personalized information 3 is then applied to the prefabricated plastic card blank by means of a digital printing process, for example thermal transfer printing or direct thermal printing. Subsequently, the personalized information 3 is protected by applying a preferably full-surface second security element 4, in particular a KINEGRAM®TKO (Transparent Kinegram Overlay) or KINEGRAM®GUARD. A KINEGRAM®GUARD preferably comprises a polyester carrier, wherein the polyester carrier serves in particular as a protective layer, more preferably to protect against abrasion, and an HRI layer, which preferably creates or provides an optically variable effect.

[0267] The plastic card shown as an example in Fig. 5e contains the first security element 2, which is transparent. The first security element 2 is preferably already present on the prefabricated plastic card blank or applied to it before an absorption layer is at least partially applied, in particular printed, to the first security element 2. This is followed, in particular, by the insertion of the personalized information 3, preferably by laser. The transparent second security element 4 is then preferably applied over the entire surface of the security document, for example by lamination.

[0268] Fig. 5e shows in particular the observation under the predefined second viewing angle or the OFF state, wherein the optically variable effect of the second security element 4 shown by way of example by means of the sun and cacti is visible in this state.

[0269] Fig. 5f shows the ON state of the security document 1 shown in Fig. 5e. The first security element 2 outshines overlying layers, preferably except for the absorption layer 3 in the absorption region 30, and thus also the overlying second security element 4, particularly in areas of the first region 20, at least in some areas, which are represented here by the sun. In areas outside the first region 20, the optical effects of the second security element 4, represented here by way of example by the cacti, are visible. As already described, this can, in particular, increase the security against counterfeiting.

[0270] It is possible for a security document 1 described in relation to Figs. 5a to 5f to comprise a first security element 2, as described in relation to one of the other figures. It is also possible for a security document 1 described in relation to Figs. 5a to 5f to comprise interruptions, as described in particular in relation to Fig. 4f.

[0271] The optical effects of the second security element 4, which are illustrated in the figures by way of example by means of the sun and the cacti, can in particular be semi-transparent or transparent, so that the at least one personalized information 3 is not completely concealed when the optical effect of the second security element 4 is visible and / or not visible.

[0272] Fig. 6 shows a method for producing a security document 1, in particular as described for one of the previous figures.

[0273] In a method for producing a security document 1, preferably using a system 10 according to the invention, wherein the security document 1 comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the following steps are carried out, in particular in the specified order:

[0274] - Providing 201 at least one absorption layer 52 or an absorption layer 31 with an absorption region 30 for forming at least one personalized information item 3, wherein the security document 1 is processed and / or processable in the absorption region 30 such that the at least one personalized information item 3 is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorbing light incident on the first side;

[0275] - Providing 202 a first security element 2 with an optically variable effect;

[0276] - Arranging 203 the absorption layer 52, 31 and the first security element 31 such that when looking at the first side of the security document 1, the first security element 2 is arranged behind the absorption layer 52, 31 and the first security element 2 is arranged in a first region 20, wherein the first region 20 partially or fully overlaps with the absorption region 30 and the first region 20 does not overlap with the absorption region 30 in a background region 21 directly adjacent to the absorption region 30, such that the at least one piece of personalized information 3 has a viewing angle-dependent contrast in a second region 22, which is formed at least by a partial region of the absorption region 30 and a partial region of the background region 21 directly adjacent thereto.

[0277] It is also possible for the arrangement to be carried out by, preferably after lamination and / or bonding of the layers of the security document 1, introducing a blackening by means of a laser in the absorption region 30, and / or by a first partial element 11, in particular of the system 10 according to the invention, which has the first security element 2, being or being provided with a printing layer as absorption layer 52, such as the printing layer 31 described for Fig. 2a, and preferably subsequently being connected to further layers of the security document 1, in particular the second partial element 12, by bonding.

[0278] It is also possible that, in particular before or after the arrangement of the absorption layer 52 and the first security element 31, the following step is carried out: Introducing the at least one personalized information item 3.

[0279] The introduction of the at least one personalized information item 3 is preferably carried out by means of a laser, in particular by blackening the absorption layer 52, and / or by printing the absorption layer 31.

[0280] It is also possible, for example, that the security document 1 is or will be bonded to a solid layer composite by means of lamination, as is shown schematically in cross-section in particular by the figures.

[0281] A lamination for producing the security document 1 or in particular for connecting the absorption layer 52 to a core layer 55 of the security element 2 is or will preferably be carried out by means of a pressure of 10 N / cm 2up to 400 N / cm 2 , preferably 40 N / cm 2 up to 200 N / cm 2, carried out. It is possible that the lamination is or is carried out by means of a temperature of more than 150°C, preferably between 160°C and 210°C, which is applied by a heat source, in particular by one or more of the heated rollers or one or more of the heated plates, to at least one or more layers selected from the absorption layer 52, the first security element 2, the second security element 44, the core layer 55, the cover layer, in particular the first cover layer 51 and / or the second cover layer 56. The lamination is or is preferably carried out by means of a contact time of the heat source with at least one or more layers selected from the absorption layer 52, the first security element 2, the second security element 44, the core layer 55, the cover layer, in particular the first cover layer 51 and / or the second cover layer 56, in a range of 1 minute or more and 30 minutes or less.Contact between the heat source and one or more of the aforementioned layers is preferably made directly or indirectly via additional layers. The above settings are preferably to be used for a core layer 55, an absorption layer 52 and at least one cover layer, in particular the first cover layer 51 and / or the second cover layer 52, consisting of or comprising polycarbonate. For other materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, different settings with regard to temperature and pressure can be used, tailored to the materials to be processed. The application of KINEGRAM®TKO and KINEGRAM®GUARD to a substrate is also referred to as lamination. The TKO or GUARD product is applied to the surface, preferably by placing the film on the substrate and activating the adhesive using heated rollers. With a TKO, transfer layers are preferably transferred and the polyester carrier is peeled off.With GUARD, a pre-cut film, particularly with a polyester carrier, is transferred, whereby the polyester carrier serves to protect against abrasion.

[0282] To produce the security document 1, it is particularly possible for the arrangement to be carried out by blackening the absorption region 30 by means of a laser, preferably after lamination and / or bonding of the layers of the security document 1, and / or by providing a first partial element 11, in particular of the system according to the invention, which has the first security element 2, with a printing layer 31 as an absorption layer and preferably subsequently being connected to further layers of the security element 2, in particular the second partial element 12, by bonding, in particular by bending the system 10. Thereafter, in particular the auxiliary carrier 105 can be detached from the carriers 103 and 104, so that preferably a finished, personalized security document 1 is produced.Of course, the listed versions can be combined with each other as desired and do not represent any limitations.

[0283] List of reference symbols

[0284] 1 security document

[0285] 10 System, Label

[0286] 11 first subelement

[0287] 12 second sub-element

[0288] 103, 104 carrier layer

[0289] 2 first security element

[0290] 20 first area

[0291] 21 Background area

[0292] 22 second area

[0293] 3, 32 personalized information

[0294] 30 absorption range

[0295] 31 printing layer

[0296] 4 second security element

[0297] 41 third security element

[0298] 42 fourth security element

[0299] 51, 53, 54, 56 transparent layer

[0300] 52, 521 absorption layer

[0301] 55 core layer

[0302] 550 window area

[0303] 6 Overlay / transparent second security element

[0304] 7 Substrat

[0305] 8 printing layers

[0306] 101 PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive)

[0307] 102 Cover

[0308] 103, 104 support element

[0309] 105 auxiliary carriers

[0310] 201 carriers

[0311] 202 release layer

[0312] 203 Replication layer 204 Reflection layer

[0313] 205 Stabilization layer

[0314] 206 adhesive layer

[0315] 300 Patches a Inclination of the facets ß Angle of reflection Angle of incidence h Height d Length

Claims

Patent claims security document (1 ) comprising - a first side and a second side opposite the first side, - at least one absorption layer (52, 31) with an absorption region (30) for forming at least one personalized information item (3), wherein the security document (1) is processed and / or processable in the absorption region (30) such that the at least one personalized information item (3) is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorbing light incident on the first side; - a first security element (2) with an optically variable effect, wherein, when viewed from the first side, the first security element (2) is arranged behind the absorption layer (52, 31) and the first security element (2) is arranged in a first region (20), wherein the first region (20) partially or fully overlaps with the absorption region (30) and the first region (20) does not overlap with the absorption region (30) in a background region (21) directly adjacent to the absorption region (30), such that the at least one piece of personalized information (3) has a viewing angle-dependent contrast, in particular brightness contrast, in a second region (22), which is formed at least by a partial region of the absorption region (30) and a partial region of the background region (21) directly adjacent thereto. Security document (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optically variable effect of the first security element (2) is visible at a predefined first viewing angle, in particular visible to the human eye, and is not visible at a second predefined viewing angle, in particular not visible to the human eye, wherein the first security element (2) is transparent at the second viewing angle. Security document (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a brightness difference between the background region (21) and the absorption region (30) in the second region (22) is greater at a predefined first viewing angle than at a predefined second viewing angle.Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, under a predefined first viewing angle, the arithmetic mean of measured values ​​of the reflection and / or the reflected and / or scattered light, preferably of gray values, in the first region is at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, greater than under a predefined second viewing angle. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element is designed such that an increase in brightness, in particular in the second region (22), upon changing from a viewing under the predefined second. Viewing angle to a view under the predefined first Viewing angle in the absorption region (30) is smaller than in the background region (21). Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorption region (30), at least in the first region, has an optical density with a maximum K value of 3, in particular measured according to ISO 13655:2017(E). Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the first viewing angle, the contrast in the second region (21) between the absorption region (30) and the background region (21) has a maximum value of 0.1, preferably 0.

15. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optically variable effect of the first security element (2) is only visible when viewing the first side.Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security document (1), preferably when viewed from the first side behind the first security element, has a semi-transparent or opaque contrast layer for increasing the contrast of the personalized information, in particular at a viewing angle different from the first predefined viewing angle, wherein the contrast layer preferably has fillers for the preferably diffuse scattering of incident light, in particular has TiO2. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security document (1) is semi-transparent or transparent, in particular not opaque, between the absorption layer and the first security element. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security document comprises, in a third region (40), a second security element (4) with an optically variable effect, which is arranged in front of the absorption layer (31, 52) when viewing the first side, in particular wherein the third region (40) does not overlap the absorption region (30) or overlaps it partially or completely. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when viewing the first side, the first security element (2) and the second security element (4) are visible, in particular are visible to the human eye.Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) and the second security element (4), and in particular also the absorption region (30), preferably a blackening or printed layer of the absorption layer, overlap in an overlapping region. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) in the second region,. in particular in the background area (21), appears achromatic when viewed at the predefined first viewing angle. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) appears achromatic, in particular is visible achromatically, at least in a first partial area of ​​the absorption area (30), which forms a grayscale image or a multi-color image, preferably of a portrait, when viewed at the predefined first viewing angle. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) forms only a partial area of ​​the first side of the security document (1).Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) is arranged in partial or partial overlap with at least a first partial region of the absorption region (30), which forms a grayscale image or a multi-colored image, in a closed and contiguous region with a minimum width or minimum length of 80%, preferably 100%, of an area (30) provided for the first partial region of the absorption region (30), wherein the provided area is preferably a defined area for a portrait. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) is colored in a fourth region. wherein the fourth area is in particular partially connected to a second Partial region of the absorption region (30), which is preferably formed by alphanumeric characters, overlaps. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one piece of personalized information (3) is formed by manipulating the absorption layer (52) with a laser, in particular by blackening, and / or by a print layer (31) encompassed or formed by the absorption layer. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when viewed from the first side, a further absorption layer (521) is arranged behind the first security element (2), in particular wherein the at least one piece of personalized information (3) is composed of the absorption layer (52) and the further absorption layer (521) when viewed from the second viewing angle.Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) and / or the second security element (4) is semi-transparent and / or transparent. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second security element (4) is opaque, in particular transmitting in the range of light visible to the human eye. visible wavelength range selected from the range of 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 1% to 10%. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorption region (30) is arranged in register with the background region (21). Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) and / or the second security element (4) has a carrier, in particular made of PET or PEN, wherein the carrier preferably has a layer thickness in a range of 5 pm to 150 pm, more preferably from 5 pm to 50 pm, even more preferably from 10 pm to 25 pm.Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) and / or the second security element (4) has / has at least one replication layer, in particular wherein the at least one replication layer has a layer thickness in a range from 0.2 pm to 20 pm, preferably from 0.2 pm to 10 pm. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) and / or the second security element (4) has / has at least one reflective layer with a preferred layer thickness selected from the range from 40 nm to 200 nm, more preferably from 40 nm to 100 nm, wherein the reflective layer is in particular formed from ZnS or TiC and / or. wherein the reflective layer preferably has a refractive index of more than 1.9 in the wavelength range visible to the human eye, preferably from 420 nm to 780 nm. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflective layer is arranged over part of the area or the entire area in the security document (1), preferably in the first security element (2), in particular wherein the reflective layer has different layer thicknesses at least over part of the area. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) and / or the second security element (4) has / has at least one stabilizing layer with a preferred layer thickness selected from the range from 0.5 pm to 20 pm, more preferably from 1.0 pm to 10 pm, wherein the stabilizing layer is single-layered or multi-layered and preferably comprises an adhesion promoter layer.Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first security element (2) and / or the second security element (4) has / have at least one adhesive layer with a preferred layer thickness selected from the range of 0.2 μm to 20 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 10 μm, in particular wherein the adhesive layer is made of hot-melt adhesive or cold-melt adhesive, and wherein the adhesive layer is configured as a single-layer or multi-layered adhesive. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that. that the first security element (2) and / or the second security element (4), in particular in the reflection layer and / or the replication layer, has at least one relief structure, in particular wherein the at least one relief structure deflects, preferably diffracts and / or reflects, the incident light into predetermined angular ranges. Security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one relief structure is a blaze structure, in particular with a grating period of more than 3 pm, more preferably more than 5 pm, and in particular a maximum of 25 pm, and / or in a range from 3 pm to 25 pm. System (10) for producing a security document (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an auxiliary carrier (105), wherein a first partial element (11) of the security document (1) and a second partial element (12) of the security document (1) are arranged on the auxiliary carrier (105),wherein the first partial element (11) can be brought into overlap with the second partial element (12) by bending the auxiliary carrier (105), wherein the first partial element (11) optionally comprises a first carrier element (104) and the first security element (2), and the second partial element (12) optionally comprises the second carrier element (103) and an adhesive layer (101) and at least one cover and / or the second security element (4), wherein the adhesive layer (101) is arranged on the side of the cover and / or the second security element (4) facing away from the auxiliary carrier (105), wherein the absorption layer (52, 31) with the absorption region (30) is arranged or can be attached on the side of the first partial element (11) facing away from the auxiliary carrier (105). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second security element (2), in particular when viewed perpendicular to a plane spanned by the second partial element (12), is present in more than 80% of the area, preferably more than 90% of the area, or over the entire surface of the second partial element (12) and comprises a reflective layer in the form of an HRI layer, in particular wherein a relief structure with a diffractive optical effect is molded into the reflective layer. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a folding edge is arranged between the first partial element (11) of the security document and the second partial element (12) of the security document, wherein the folding edge separates the first partial element of the security document and the second partial element of the security document in such a way that the partial elements (11, 12) can be brought into overlap by folding at the folding edge.System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folded edge is present in a region in which neither the first carrier element (104) nor the second carrier element (103) is provided, or in that the first and second carrier elements are formed by a layer that separates the first and second partial elements by a weak point, in particular a notch, an incision, or a perforation, which forms the folded edge. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that. that the first security element (2) in the first partial element (11) of the security document is arranged on the side of the first carrier element (104) facing away from the auxiliary carrier (105), and that the second security element (4) is arranged, preferably over part of its surface or the entire surface, in the second partial element (12) of the security document between the carrier element (103) and the adhesive layer (101). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first partial element (11) and / or in the second partial element (12), at least one carrier layer, which in particular forms the first and / or second carrier element (103, 104), is arranged on a side facing the auxiliary carrier (105), wherein the carrier layer (103, 104) consists in particular of or comprises PET.System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second partial element (12) of the security document has a protective layer (102), wherein the protective layer is arranged on the side of the adhesive layer (101) facing away from the second carrier element (103), wherein the protective layer is detachable from the adhesive layer and wherein the protective layer consists in particular of or comprises silicone. Method for producing a security document (1), in particular a security document (1) according to one of the preceding claims, preferably using a system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security document (1) comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the following steps are carried out: - Providing at least one absorption layer (52, 31) with an absorption region (30) for forming at least one personalized information item (3), wherein the security document (1) is or will be processed and / or can be processed in the absorption region (30) in such a way that the at least one personalized information item (3) is visible, in particular visible to the human eye, by absorbing light incident on the first side; - providing a first security element (2) with an optically variable effect; - arranging the absorption layer (52, 31) and the first security element (31) such that, when looking at the first side of the security document (1), the first security element (2) is arranged behind the absorption layer (52, 31) and the first security element (2) is arranged in a first region (20), wherein the first region (20) partially or completely overlaps with the absorption region (30) and the first region (20) in a background region (21) directly adjacent to the absorption region (30) does not overlap with the absorption region (30), such that the at least one personalized information (3) in a second region (22), which is formed by at least a partial region of the absorption region (30) and a partial region of the background region (21) directly adjacent thereto, has a viewing angle-dependent contrast, in particular a brightness contrast. A method for producing a security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in particular before, during, or after the arrangement of the absorption layer (52, 31) and the first security element (31), the following step is carried out: Inclusion of at least one piece of personalized information (3). Method for producing a security document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the introduction of the at least one personalized information item (3) is carried out by means of a laser by blackening the absorption layer (52) and / or by printing the absorption layer (31).

Images