EP2643161B1 - Document of value and/or security document with coloured transparent security feature and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a value and / or security document which has a plurality of document layers and patterns formed in or on the document layers from picture elements and a method for the production thereof.

Value and / or security documents are used in many ways. For example, they are identification documents, such as a passport or identity card, which generally consist, at least in part, of a multilayer laminate of plastic. Such documents are for example off DE 10 2008 008 044 A1 known. Thereafter, card-shaped data carriers, in particular security and / or value documents, for example, by lamination of a plurality of individual layers (foils) can be produced or executed in one layer. The individual layers can be made, for example, of polycarbonate (PC), of thermoplastic polyurethane-based (TPU), acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, of a composite of PC and TPU or paper, cardboard or fabric or consist of a composite of individual of these materials. The core of the cards may for example consist of a light-absorbing material, such as paper or filled with plastic, while the outer layers are made of a transparent material.

Other security and / or security documents include, for example, a driver's license, a check or credit card, a company ID card, ID card or membership card, which are generally provided in the form of a ID-1 card, also laminated and made of plastic , Even banknotes, checks, gift and shopping vouchers can at least partially consist of plastics. The documents mentioned each consist of at least one document. At least some of the document layers of said ID-1 cards are made wholly or at least partly of plastics.

The security features used in the security and / or security documents can only serve to ensure the authenticity of the documents, regardless of their nature or by their user. Such security elements are, for example, mottled fibers, guilloches, the special paper of banknotes and the like. Personalizing or individualizing security elements also contain, in coded form or also in plain text, information about the type of document, the user of this document or an object to which the document is uniquely assigned. In the latter cases are individualizing security elements, in the case of assignment to a person to personalizing security elements. Such information may be a photograph of the user, his personal information such as name, birthday, birthplace, signature or a personal identifier such as a member number. Another security element that individualizes the document can be, for example, a serial number of the document.

A security or value document with an individualizing security element is, for example, in DE 10 2008 012 423 A1 specified. This security or value document is designed as a polymer layer composite, which is produced by lamination of several substrate layers and in which at least one individualizing information is stored by printing technology. The information is decomposed in the composite into at least two print separations, each of which comprises a partial information of the information. The at least two pressure separations are arranged in at least two spaced-apart planes such that the printed pressure separations in the composite lie exactly above one another and together reproduce the information at a first viewing angle and at least one color change of the reproduced information occurs at a second viewing angle. In an embodiment specified in this document, it is provided that a printed image embodied by the information is decomposed into pixels and each pixel is assigned to exactly one of the at least two print separations, so that after stacking the substrate layers, on which the print separations are respectively applied, along a Layering direction is arranged above a deposited on a substrate layer pixel in no further arranged above the substrate layer, a pixel of the information. In another embodiment specified in this document, it may further be provided that individual or all of the print separations are printed multiple times, but with registration accuracy, on different substrate layers spaced apart from one another in order, for example, to obtain better opacity. For example, the print can reproduce a facial image. For the production of the document, the print separations on the substrate layers printed. After lamination of the printed substrate layers, the printed surfaces are inside the document.

Such a structure of a value and / or security document is very secure because a manipulation, for example, an exchange of personal information by another information, only by delamination of the document is possible. This is very difficult. Therefore, such manipulation is often readily apparent. However, the production of such documents is also expensive. In particular, it is appropriate for logistical reasons not to have the personalization of the document carried out by a central supplier, but by manufacturers located in the vicinity of a document issuing the document, or by the issuing agency itself. For this, document blanks must be used by these decentralized manufacturers or the issuing office, which requires a considerable amount of additional security measures to prevent the blanks from being stolen.

From the DE 10 2008 012 423 A1 It is also known to provide a security element, which is perceptible in the backlight. For example, a transparency viewer is described. In this case, a substrate layer or at least one of the substrate layers between at least two substrate layer surfaces, on which at least two printing extracts, each comprising a partial information of a first, preferably individualizing and / or personalizing information is printed, formed translucent. It is particularly advantageous to form the entire polymer layer composite which forms the security document at least in the region in which the first, preferably individualizing and / or personalizing information is stored, in a translucent, ie non-opaque form. In this way, it is possible to generate a transparent, preferably personalized and / or individualized transparency that represents the total information when viewed in backlight. In one embodiment of a described production method, it is provided that the polymer layers are all, at least in a region in which one of the substrate layer surfaces is printed with one of the printing extracts, or at least in a region in which one of the substrate layers arranged in the polymer layer composite above or below is printed with one of the printing extracts or is provided as transparent and / or translucent polymer layers, wherein at least one, preferably exactly one, polymer layer which is arranged between two of the at least two pressure separations, as translucent polymer layer is provided. The remaining polymer layers are preferably all transparent.

It is also known to produce a blackening by laser engraving in a radiation-sensitive layer, for example in the form of a portrait photograph of a cardholder, a signature or the like ( EP 0 975 148 A1 ). In this way, security elements can be generated by laser engraving, for example, also in a layer inside a multilayer laminated carrier material (FIG. DE 199 07 940 A1 ). However, only blackening is formed by the laser engraving, so that the manufactured individualizing security element only arises in a black and white representation.

From the EP 0 537 484 A1 are a recording medium, which is provided with image information in tamper-proof and high-resolution form, and a method for its preparation known. The image information is decomposed into a light / dark component and a color component. The light / dark portion, which determines the visual impression, is introduced into the recording medium in high-resolution form. This proportion is superimposed on the colored image information, so that an integral overall impression is created. To ensure the security against counterfeiting, one of the parts of the image information is largely introduced into the card structure in a manner that is not tamper-proof.

The DE 10 2008 012 436 A1 describes a security and / or value document with a personalized overall graphical information, wherein the total graphic information consists of at least two overlapping in the direction orthogonal to a main surface of the security and / or value document and to the overall graphic information supplemental graphical partial information, the partial information represented by the same or different imaging technologies, wherein the partial information is displayed in the same or different layers of the security and / or value document, wherein above, below and / or between the layers one or more security elements at least in a partial area of the overall graphic information, is viewed in the direction orthogonal to a main surface of the security and / or value document, and wherein the surface of the security and / or value document by a protective layer without security its element is formed.

The DE 10 2007 059 746 A1 describes a method for producing a security and / or value document comprising a polymer layer composite or consisting thereof, wherein the polymer layer composite is formed from a polymer layer subassembly and a polymer cover layer and wherein the polymer layer subassembly and / or the polymer cover layer contains a laser-sensitive component, comprising the following method steps: A) on the polymer layer subassembly a first personalized information is applied by means of an ink jet printing process as a colored ink jet printing layer, B) on the ink jet printing layer, the polymer top layer is applied and joined to the polymer layer subassembly by thermal lamination, and C) by laser engraving a second personalized information in the in step B) obtained polymer layer composite of the security and / or value document introduced. Furthermore, a safety and / or value document produced by means of the method is described.

From the WO 2005/058608 A1 For example, a security document having a multicolor image comprising a first transparent polymer layer carrying a first portion of the image formed in a first color is known. The security document comprises at least one second transparent polymer layer bearing a portion of the image formed in a different color. The layers are laminated to one another such that the parts of the image complement each other to form the multicolored image that is visible over both sides of the security document.

However, there is a continuing need for novel security features, particularly individualizing, for example personalizing, security features that are secure against forgery or falsification and that are readily recognizable by a person for associating the information encoded therewith with the user and / or subject matter. For this purpose, the security feature should be located in a secure counterfeiting or falsification inner document layer and appear in a preferably colored, possibly colorful, representation, which thus has an improved visual appearance and additionally has a greater information content.

The invention is based on the idea, in a security document, according to claim 1, preferably to form a first pattern formed from first pattern elements in the interior of the document blank and to superimpose a second pattern, comprising second pattern elements, exactly in registration therewith. Here, only a part of the first pattern elements superimposed on the second pattern elements in register, so that these overlapping pattern elements are arranged between an outer side and the first pattern elements. The second pattern elements are introduced by means of a laser action in the document blank. This is or is at least in the region of the first pattern elements with respect to a viewing axis for a transparency of the security document transparent and / or translucent formed including the first pattern elements. When viewed in transmitted light, the pattern of the blank can thus be recognized. The second pattern elements, which are formed by means of a laser engraving, lead to the result that in the transmitted light due to superposition of the first pattern with the second pattern in transmitted light, a modified representation. A transparency and / or translucency of the first pattern elements, which are superimposed in register by second pattern elements, is or will be changed thereby, resulting in the changed representation. According to the invention, the second pattern elements obscure the first pattern elements of the one part of the first pattern elements with respect to the viewing direction.

Insofar as the term "pattern element" is used in the description of the invention and in the claims, it is to be understood as meaning a component of the pattern in and / or on a document layer which serves as the smallest structural element for forming the pattern, with all the pattern elements forming the pattern the pattern is perceptible to the eye via a contrast to the environment of the pattern element. The patterning material may be either transparent, translucent or opaque. Furthermore, it may have a certain brightness (absorption, remission), ie it may, for example, have a blackening, gray tinting or whitening, and / or it may have a (spectral) coloring and, in turn, a certain brightness. The pattern elements may have a circular (point-shaped), rectangular, square, hexagonal or even other shape. Pattern elements can be picture elements which are the smallest elements of a perceptible representation to which one of the color values or color tones can be assigned in a colorful color space (gamut). The color shades of a full-color gamut perceived by a human being can usually be generated by a few colors, generally three to eight primary colors (base colors). A picture element can thus comprise a plurality of picture elements which have fixed primary colors of a color system. Each picture element can thus be composed again of picture elements in order to form a color of the picture element generated from a plurality of primary colors of a color space. For example, a picture element may be represented by three closely juxtaposed images be formed with the primary colors of an additive color system red, green, blue (RGB color space). Also, the pixels may have a circular (dot-shaped), rectangular, square, hexagonal or even other shape. The areal proportions of the pixels in a picture element are selected in a suitable manner in order to achieve a desired color and / or image impression. Typically, the pixels are each contained in the same arrangement in the picture elements. It follows that the pattern elements can also be pixels in the sense of the above definition.

Insofar as the terms "screened" or "screening" are used in the description of the invention and in the claims, this includes a decomposition of an image into individual ones Understand picture elements that are typically arranged regularly, for example in lines or in another regular arrangement. The picture elements may, for example, be arranged in a honeycomb arrangement, in particular if they have a hexagonal shape. The picture elements can also merge, for example line by line, when the pattern is created using anti-aliasing.

The term raster is used in this description of the invention for a regular two-dimensional arrangement of elements.

Insofar as the term "pattern" is used in the description of the invention and in the claims, it is to be understood as meaning a two-dimensional structure which is produced, for example, by applying a material to a document layer and / or by introducing the material into the document layer or by changing the document layer becomes and is visible with the eye. A pattern is composed of picture elements or pixels, but each typically can not be resolved with the naked eye. The pattern may have any abstract shape, in this case, for example, lines, surfaces, also in any combination, or alternatively consist of characters, such as alphanumeric characters, or represent images, such as the photo of the document holder or representations of certain objects. Any other information can also be displayed graphically.

Insofar as the term "registration-accurate" is used in the description of the invention and in the claims, it is to be understood that the picture elements or picture elements, or in general terms, pattern elements located in different planes, i. in or on the same document layer or on different document layers, according to the screening in which the picture elements or pixels, i. the pattern elements are arranged, with respect to a fixed viewing direction are arranged directly above one another.

With reference to a visual axis or viewing direction, terms such as one above the other, front, back, etc. are assessed with respect to this viewing direction.

Insofar as the term "colored" is used in the description of the invention and in the claims, the property is "monochrome", not white, not gray and blue also not black, ie in one of the primary colors or a combination of the primary colors of a color space, reproduced, or even 'multicolored', ie composed of several colors to understand. An object is considered to be colored if it is suitable for producing several different color impressions in it at the same time as viewed by a human observer.

Laser marking is understood to mean a process which causes a visually perceptible change on or in an object. In the state of the art, some laser marking methods are also sometimes referred to as laser engraving, without the need for material removal or other mechanical deformation, in particular a surface. A laser engraving is always to be understood here only as a laser inscription, in which an optical change is triggered, in particular a blackening of a plastic material is caused. A possibly additionally occurring mechanical change or an additional material removal are only a side effect.

The value and / or security document according to the invention preferably comprises at least one document layer. By way of example, the document may contain a carrier layer and outer layers (overlay films) in addition to a first document layer. The document comprises a first pattern arranged in one or more first planes and formed of first pattern elements, for example picture elements, which is preferably located in and / or on at least a first of the at least one document layer, this first pattern being either completely on each of a plurality of first document layers can occur or else disassembled into first partial patterns, which can each be arranged on a surface of one or more first document layers. Furthermore, the document comprises a second pattern formed in one or more second planes and by second pattern elements, for example picture elements, and arranged in register with the first pattern elements of the first pattern, preferably in the at least one first document layer and / or in at least one second of the first at least one document layer is located. The second picture elements are located from one of the outer sides, which are generally oriented substantially parallel to the at least one first plane, which are usually visible sides of the document, as seen in front of the first picture elements, so that they the underlying first pattern elements ( when viewing) either obscure or at least modify their visual appearance. The first pattern elements are formed transparent and / or translucent and the second pattern elements are formed by means of laser action, such as laser engraving. At least in one area of the first pattern elements, the value and / or security document is designed to be transparent and / or translucent, at least as far as the second pattern elements, with respect to a predefined viewing direction for transparent viewing. The second pattern is formed in such a way that only one of the second pattern elements formed by laser action is arranged for a part of the first pattern elements between them and one of the outer sides, so that a representation or information determined by the combination of the patterns can be perceived in transmitted light ,

In the description of the invention, an object is considered to be transparent if it is possible to image it in accordance with the laws of geometric optics assuming a sufficient areal extent, at least in a wavelength range of the visible light. Thus, objects are considered to be transparent, although they may have, for example, a color filter property, through which, however, it is possible to perceive characters of suitable color, adapted to the filter properties that may be present. Transmission of a transparent article will also be less than 100% in the one wavelength range, as a rule.

An object through which a passage of light takes place, at least in a wavelength range of the visible light through which, however, a perception of writing or an optical image according to geometric optics is not possible, is referred to as translucent. Also, a translucent article may have a color filter property.

Colorless is an article which has a constant, preferably almost 100%, transmission or a transmission for visible light independent of the wavelength for the entire visible wavelength range. Translucent colorless objects are often perceived as milky or milky white.

A preferably individualizing, including personalizing, information is generated according to the invention in that in each case only a second pattern element is arranged over a part of the first pattern elements, ie the at least one second level in which the second image elements are located lies from the outside (which also a visible side) of the document as seen in front of the at least one first level in which the first pattern elements are located. As a result, the visible in the transmitted light impression of the first pattern is changed so that results from the combination of the first and second pattern elements information. Overall, the change in the pictorial impression of the first pattern by the second pattern therefore results in a visual overall impression produced by both patterns. In general terms, the document is changed by generating the second pattern in its optical characteristics, in particular with regard to viewing in transmitted light. This is done, for example, by covering some of the first pattern elements of the first pattern for a viewer of second pattern elements of the second pattern that are in registration above them, thereby possibly becoming invisible or, alternatively, simply changing them, so that a new pattern is created. Thus, the visibility and / or the appearance of the first pattern elements are modified by the second pattern elements. Preferably, a colored image impression is created.

The image impression produced by means of the additional second pattern arises in an embodiment of the invention, namely, when the second pattern elements completely obscure the first pattern elements, by reversing the principle of printing. When printing colored pixels are applied to the paper by suitable screening, which give a visual impression in their entirety. According to the invention, a suitable pattern, which is formed by optically transparent or translucent structures (for example colored picture elements), is introduced into at least one first plane and / or into at least one document layer which is parallel to the at least one of the outer sides First level are located below the second pattern elements in the document. In the production of the second pattern, those first pattern elements which are not required for the generation of the information are then switched off in the transmitted light by the register-accurate introduction of the second pattern elements by means of a marking brought about by a laser effect, for example blackening or gray coloration. Accordingly, the overall picture results from a "deletion" of structures and not by application as in printing.

While in prior art processes, where verification is provided in incident light, numerous blackening to mask the first pattern elements results in a very dark and often unsatisfactory overall impression of, in particular colored or colorful, overall pattern, in the embodiments proposed here, a sufficient and appealing brightness of the overall pattern when viewed in transmitted light is achieved. When viewed and verified in transmitted light, despite a large number of blackening, which lead to completely opaque second pattern elements, thus causing a blanking of a large number of pattern elements of the first pattern, a pleasing color image impression in an observer is caused. The reduction of the pattern elements "participating" in the first pattern can thus be achieved by using transparent and / or translucent first pattern elements and a transparent and / or translucent design of the security document in a lateral pattern area in which the perceptible image impression is generated to be compensated.

1. (a) Herstellen eines Dokumentenrohlings durch Erzeugen eines in einer oder mehreren ersten Ebenen angeordneten und aus ersten Bildelementen gebildeten ersten Musters in und/oder auf mindestens einer ersten der mindestens einen Dokumentenlage und
2. (b) Erzeugen eines in einer oder mehreren zweiten Ebenen angeordneten und aus zweiten Bildelementen gebildeten und mit den ersten Bildelementen des ersten Musters passergenau angeordneten zweiten Musters in der mindestens einen ersten Dokumentenlage und/oder in mindestens einer zweiten der mindestens einen Dokumentenlage,

wobei in erfindungsgemäßer Art und Weise die zweiten Musterelemente mittels Lasereinwirkung erzeugt werden und die ersten Musterelemente im Verfahrensschritt (a) transparent und/oder transluzent ausgebildet werden und das Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsdokument zumindest in einem Bereich der ersten Musterelemente zumindest bis auf die zweiten Musterelemente bezogen auf eine vorgegebene Sichtrichtung für eine Durchlichtbetrachtung transparent und/oder transluzent ausgebildet wird, wobei in dem Verfahrensschritt (b) nur für einen Teil der ersten Musterelemente zwischen diesen und einer der Außenseiten jeweils ein zweites Musterelement mittels Lasereinwirkung ausgebildet wird, so dass im Durchlicht eine durch die Kombination der Muster festegelegte Darstellung wahrnehmbar ist. Die festgelegte Darstellung umfasst eine Information die für verschiedene Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsdokumente, die dasselbe erste Muster aufweisen, jeweils durch das zweite Muster festgelegt wird. Ein Vorteil liegt darin, dass die Ausbildung des zweiten Musters an ansonsten fertigen Dokumentenrohlingen vorgenommen werden kann. Diese Information kann für jedes Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsdokument individuell festgelegt sein und somit beispielsweise das Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsdokument individualisieren oder sogar personalisieren.For the production of the value and / or security document according to the invention, the method according to the invention according to claim 9, which comprises the following method steps:

1. (A) producing a document blank by producing a first pattern arranged in one or more first planes and formed from first picture elements in and / or on at least a first of the at least one document layer and
2. (b) generating a second pattern arranged in one or more second planes and formed from second picture elements and accurately arranged with the first picture elements of the first pattern in the at least one first document layer and / or in at least one second of the at least one document layer;

wherein in accordance with the invention the second pattern elements are generated by laser action and the first pattern elements in step (a) are transparent and / or translucent and the security and / or security document at least in a region of the first pattern elements at least up to the second pattern elements is formed transparent and / or translucent relative to a predetermined viewing direction for a transmitted light observation, wherein in the method step (b) only a part of the first pattern elements between these and one of the outer sides in each case a second pattern element is formed by laser action, so that in transmitted light is perceptible by the combination of patterns fixed representation. The fixed representation comprises information for various Value and / or security documents having the same first pattern, each determined by the second pattern. One advantage is that the formation of the second pattern of otherwise finished document blanks can be made. This information can be defined individually for each value and / or security document and thus, for example, individualize or even personalize the value and / or security document.

The at least one first and optionally also the at least one second document layer can be located in the interior of a multilayered document, which is designed, for example, as a layer composite, preferably as a laminated layer composite. For this purpose, the at least one first document layer after method step (a) and before method step (b) is combined with further document layers to form a laminate so that the at least one first document layer is integrated between the further document layers. At least one of the further document layers forms the at least one second document layer. This ensures that a forgery or falsification of the document, for example by an exchange of, for example, individualizing, including personalizing, information or manipulation of this information, is prevented or at least made more difficult. For this purpose, a delamination of the document would be required to get to the document containing the information. A falsification or falsification by delamination and re-lamination is virtually impossible with the structure according to the invention, without the manipulation being subsequently recognizable, because the counterfeiter can not succeed in re-lamination, the document layer (s) containing the second picture elements. pinpointing the document layer (s) containing the first picture elements so that the manipulation would always be noticed in today's standard screenings of, for example, 300 dpi (dots per inch) or even 600 dpi.

Since various laser marking techniques, such as laser engraving or laser-induced color changes, make it possible to create any pattern in an inner document layer contained in a document without affecting an outer document layer, the second pattern can be formed when one Document blank is present, which already contains all relevant documents, in particular the document (s) on which the second pattern in which the information is embodied should be formed when this document (s) is / are embedded in a document ,

For laser marking, it is advantageous if the document layer, which is formed, for example, from a plastic film, is specially prepared for laser marking. For this purpose, pigments or other substances can be or are added to the plastic material, which increase or promote an absorption of laser light in the document layer, so that an energy input for effecting a blackening is facilitated. The additives are chosen so that they affect the other optical properties as little as possible, in particular not lead to a perceptible coloring or the like. Accordingly prepared for a laser marking materials are referred to as laser-capable.

By laser action, however, can also bring in markers in plastics that are not specially prepared for laser marking. In particular, with short-pulse lasers can be blackened using non-linear effects and transparent, colorless plastics. As with the laser marking of laser-capable layers, a degree of blackening (different gray levels to completely opaque black) can be selected via the energy input per volume.

The first pattern and the second pattern may be matched to one another so as to conjointly create a visual impression when embodying the document that embodies the desired information. For this purpose, the second pattern in and / or on the at least one first and / or at least one second document layer is preferably designed in a customizable manner, in each case as a security element of the document. By contrast, the first pattern located in and / or on the at least one first document layer can be identical, for example, for all documents of the same type. For example, all identity cards may have an identical first pattern, such as a two-dimensional array of printed pixels in predetermined colors. Only by introducing a second pattern into the document can then an individualizing information be created, which is embodied by the visual impression jointly produced by the first and the second pattern. If picture elements are created for the generation of the first pattern, each of which produces a colored impression, then a generation of, for example, a monochrome second pattern in and / or on the at least one first and / or at least one second document layer can take place a colored overall impression is created, which embodies the preferably individualizing information.

The selected colors of the first picture elements or first pixels forming them, their areal distribution and arrangement, and the optical properties of the selected second picture elements or pixels forming them, their areal distribution and arrangement are decisive for the desired image impression and therefore must be carefully matched be matched.

In this way it is possible to produce a document which contains individualizing information in the form of a colored representation in or on document layers located inside the document, even after the production of the document blank which still contains this individualizing information does not contain. As a result, the production of the document blank and transport of the document blank from a first manufacturer to a second document manufacturer in the vicinity of the document issuing the document or to the issuing office itself even without increased security requirements are possible.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first picture elements are colored. In particular, the first pattern may comprise a regular grid of pattern elements in primary colors of an additive color system. The first picture elements can be formed, for example, in each case in one of the primary colors or the base colors of an additive color space, for example of an RGB color system or color space. R stands for red, G for green and B for blue. Alternatively, the first picture elements may also be black, white or comprise other color combinations. Since the first pattern is preferably to be identical for all types of a document, it can for example consist of a regular arrangement of picture elements of the respective colors, wherein the primary colors in the arrangement also repeat regularly. By way of example, the first picture elements may be arranged in rows, preferably in the sequence ABABAB..., With successive rows (honeycomb arrangement), the colors in turn repeating regularly, for example in accordance with RGBRGB .... In a preferred embodiment, the first pattern formed as a regular grid of pattern elements in the form of translucent and / or transparent color filters in the primary colors of an additive color system.

It is also possible on the basis of a colored first pattern by suitable design of the second pattern to produce a white, gray or black color impression. If, for example, the first pattern consists of first pattern elements of the colors red, green and blue, a suitable color arrangement results in a white color impression in the viewer. In the same way, gray tones can be achieved by suitable arrangement of second pattern elements and / or selection of suitable colors of the color elements of the first pattern.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first picture elements are printed on the at least one first document layer. For this purpose, suitable printing inks or printer inks are used. This makes it very easy to form a suitable first pattern that does not yet embody the information.

The second pattern above the first pattern is then generated, for example, such that a combination of the first and the second picture elements results in a colored representation. This is possible when the first picture elements are selectively "turned off" by means of the second picture elements, for example by blackening or by another change of the material into an opaque state or a lower transmission state, for example a gray level, above the corresponding first picture elements each corresponding to the desired color distribution in the target pattern embodying the information, which results in a result for a viewer. With uniform distribution of the colors of the first picture elements, an arbitrary color tone can be generated at each point of the destination pattern in which the respective complementary colors in the corresponding area of the destination pattern are masked out by means of the second pattern. By suitable choice of the color space for the first picture elements, a color cast for the target pattern can also be generated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second picture elements are formed by blackening at least one document layer, in particular the at least one first and / or at least one second document layer. For example, the second picture elements can be generated under laser action in at least one document layer, preferably the at least one first and / or at least one second document layer. Such methods are known. Such a method makes use, for example, of the principle that materials containing the laser radiation absorb, pyrolyze so that black residue forms at the spots hit by the laser beam. For example, such a principle using method in DE 29 07 004 C2 which is incorporated as disclosure in the present application. Furthermore, a document layer that does not absorb the laser radiation per se can be rendered laser-sensitive by additionally introduced substances. By irradiating laser light, the document layer (s) can then be darkened more or less strongly in the desired areas, resulting in a gray or black tint of the material. For this purpose, a laser beam is guided in a suitable manner over the document blank and changed in intensity, so that the optical properties of exactly the locations above the first picture elements in the document changed, for example, blackened, which are not needed for the construction of the individualizing information become. A suitable positioning of the laser beam can be achieved, for example, by a high accuracy of the printing process and by means of a suitable imaging system which actively positions the laser beam. Furthermore, it is off DE 103 16 034 A1 It is known that in order to produce information resistant to light and moisture over a long period of time in a carrier body, reaction conditions are set in localized subregions which cause starting materials contained in the carrier body to undergo a synthesis reaction. This can also be used to create colored patterns, such as blue, green, yellow, red and also colored fluorescent patterns. This method is also included in the disclosure of the present application.

Alternatively, a photosensitive sheet material may be used for the document layer. Such materials are used in photolithography and form depending on the structure of the materials, patterns in different brightness and optionally different colors with appropriate exposure, for example, with a working in the visible and / or in the UV laser device.

Basically, the second pattern can be exclusively in black / gray / white with different brightnesses or colored. The document material may be transparent or translucent (translucent, but light-scattering) in the area of the second picture elements. Alternatively, the document may be opaque or semitransparent in the region of the second picture elements. An opaque state of the document for forming a second picture element can be achieved by lowering the light transmittance and / or by increasing the scattering of the material. For example, the opaque state may be due to blackening, whitening, coloring with an absorbing colorant or pigment, by a color change of a material already dyed in itself, or by any other method.

Accordingly, the materials forming the second picture elements of the document can have different tints and / or colorations. Their color and / or translucency may vary depending on the requirements. By suitable arrangement and design of the second picture elements in each case different image impressions of the underlying first picture elements and thus the target pattern are generated. For in the case of a second picture element formed with a transparent material, a first picture element located below the second picture element correspondingly formed can still be recognized, so that the first picture element in this case co-impresses the image impression in this case. This is different in the case of second picture elements formed by an opaque material. Of course, the overall image impression is therefore significantly influenced by the brightness, color and transparency of the material areas that form the second picture elements. For example, opaque red second picture elements will result in a red overall appearance in plan view in reflected light of the target pattern. In transmitted light, however, a body color of the second pattern elements is of little importance for the resulting color impression. Here only the suppression of the first pattern elements is of concern. If the second pattern elements are designed to be translucent, for example by forming the second pattern elements in grayscale or other translucent colors, a colourfulness of the second pattern elements influences the overall impression in transmitted light. Grayscale results in a weakened "turn off" or "fade out" of a first pattern element underlying or above it when viewed in transmitted light.

Thus, the material forming the respective second picture elements is to be characterized in terms of different optical properties, namely by the absorption and / or remission, which may optionally each have a spectral dependence, in particular in the visible spectral range.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and the second pattern elements may each be arranged in one or more planes. For example, the first pattern elements may be printed on the at least one first document layer and only on one surface of the first Document layer or on both surfaces of the at least one first document layer. In addition, the first pattern elements can also be produced by suitable methods within the at least one first document layer, for instance by a photolithographic method, for example when the first document layer (s) is / are formed from a photopolymer. If there are a plurality of first document layers, the first pattern elements in one embodiment may lie directly against one another in the document, for example if the first pattern elements are respectively applied to the surfaces of two first document layers and these surfaces abut one another in the document. In another embodiment, the first pattern elements in the document may be formed spaced apart, such as when the first pattern elements are respectively applied to the surfaces of two document layers and these surfaces are spaced apart in the document. In yet another embodiment, the first pattern elements may be formed on one or more first document layers each on one or both surfaces and / or within these document layers. For example, a first group of the first pattern elements in a first plane, for example on a first surface of the first document layer, may include a second group of the first pattern elements in a second plane, for example on a second surface of the first document layer, and optionally further groups of the first pattern elements in FIG be formed further levels of the first document layers. The respective groups may differ with regard to an optical property, for example by their color. For example, all the first pattern elements formed with the color R (red) in a first plane, all the first pattern elements formed with the color G (green) in a second plane, all the first pattern elements formed with the color B (blue) in a third plane are located. If the respective planes are spaced apart from each other, a tilting of the document relative to the viewing direction can result in a varying overall visual impression of the security feature because the second pattern elements partially modifying the view of the first pattern elements then may only cover a portion of the respective first pattern elements cover, but another laterally still visible above.

In addition, colorless pattern elements can be provided. These are places in the document blank where all document layers have no color-changing property. However, diffuse scattering or reduced transmission (though wavelength independent) may be present. The colorless pattern elements effect in the Review, provided that they are not hidden by a second pattern element also in transmitted light brightening the presentation.

In the same way, the second pattern elements can also be produced in several planes in the document, for example on a surface of the first document layer, within the first document layer and / or on one or both surfaces of one or more second document layers and / or within one or more second ones documents documents. In order to generate second pattern elements not only within the document layer but also on their surface (s), for example by blackening by means of laser engraving, one or more layers can be additionally applied to the first and / or second document layer which are, for example, laser-sensitive or photosensitive active. In this case too, different groups of second pattern elements can in principle be located in different levels in the document.

If the first pattern elements are formed in different planes, the second pattern elements can also be formed in different planes. Thus, it can be provided that the second pattern elements each have an almost constant distance to the first pattern element, which is modified by them for the overall impression. This usually results in a structure in which the planes of the first and second pattern elements can not be clearly separated from each other.

Alternatively, the second pattern elements may be formed in one or more planes different from the at least one first plane in which the first pattern elements are arranged.

To form the first pattern, a printing method is used in a particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention. To form the second pattern, in a particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention, a method is used in which the second pattern elements are produced by means of laser irradiation, preferably by means of laser inscription. This requires highly accurate positioning and modulation of the laser beam over the document. For this purpose, on the one hand reference points with predefined information in the document blank can be used, by means of which the laser required for the formation of the second pattern elements can be precisely positioned. On the other hand, a high-precision beam guiding component be provided for the laser beam, with a very accurate guidance of the beam is possible. With the help of the positions of the reference points, the laser unit can then be calibrated. For this purpose, the laser beam is guided over the reference points and the scattered or transmitted radiation is measured so that the exact position of the reference points and thus of the document can be determined. The position of the reference points is transmitted to a control unit which controls the beam-guiding component. The reference points can-in contrast to an otherwise realized, for example, the same uniform distribution of the colors of the first pattern elements (picture elements / pixels) - for example, consist of an accumulation of rasterized first pattern elements (pixels / pixels) of a single color, which are determined during calibration. The beam guiding component is located downstream of the laser source. It comprises on the one hand a beam splitter component and downstream of this one deflection unit, for example one or more mirrors, for the laser beam. The partial beam decoupled from the beam splitter component originates from the laser radiation reflected back from the document blank. This sub-beam is directed to a detector component, with which the intensity of the sub-beam is detected.

An embodiment of the invention thus provides that the document blank is detected by means of an imaging method in order to determine a positioning and / or orientation of the document blank relative to a laser radiation, by means of which the second pattern elements are generated, and optionally the relative positioning and / or Orientation is changed to ensure the register-accurate generation of the second pattern elements relative to the first pattern elements.

According to a further embodiment, reference marks are alternatively or additionally introduced by means of the laser radiation into the document blank. These are then detected by means of an imaging process together with constituents of the first pattern or further reference markings whose position and orientation relative to the first pattern are known. It is thus possible to determine the position of the laser or of the laser radiation relative to the pattern elements of the first pattern and to subsequently position the laser radiation such that the second pattern elements are produced in register with the first pattern elements as intended. The reference marks generated by means of the laser radiation are preferably generated in the region of the first pattern in such a way that, when the laser beam is already correctly aligned with respect to the document blank, they selectively cover individual pattern elements or with respect to them influence perception in the overall pattern. Thus, it can be easily checked whether a reference mark is generated at the desired location in the document blank, and if necessary corrections can be derived based on the deviation of the actual position and / or orientation of the reference mark from the desired position and / or orientation. One embodiment thus provides that at least one reference mark is generated in the document blank by means of laser action prior to the detection of the document blank by means of the imaging method. As reference marks may serve in some embodiments, second pattern elements. For this purpose, such second pattern elements are suitable which cover a first pattern element whose immediately adjacent first pattern elements are likewise to be covered by an associated second pattern element. If the positioning / orientation of document blank to the generating laser radiation when forming the reference marks is not yet perfect, this is generally not recognized in the finished overall pattern.

Yet another embodiment of the invention provides that between the document blank and the laser or a beam guiding device of the laser radiation, a mask is arranged, which has openings adapted to the first pattern elements. The apertures and the distance of the mask from the document blank are selected such that the laser radiation when passing at a predetermined angle relative to a surface normal of the document blank through one of the apertures accurately creates a second pattern element in register with a first pattern element. Preferably, the first pattern elements are arranged in a regular grid, for example arranged as in a densest sphere packing. Preferably, a plurality of pattern elements are each assigned to a picture element to be generated. The mask is then preferably designed such that an opening is provided for each picture element to be generated. The arrangement relative to the document blank takes place such that in each case only one of the pattern elements, which represents a pixel of the pixel to be generated, is influenced by the second pattern element, which is generated by laser action by laser radiation which passes through the opening of the mask associated with the pixel , In this case, the plurality of openings of the mask are formed so that in a selected orientation of the mask to the document blank to each pixel to be generated each exactly one of the first pattern elements, which represents one of the associated pixels, precisely a second pattern element by laser action by laser radiation of a predetermined Orientation can be generated, which occurs through the corresponding opening associated with the picture element. If the picture elements are each assigned identical first pattern elements, they are preferably arranged in a regular grid. The mask is preferably formed adapted to this grid, so that when the mask is aligned with the first pattern, in each case second pattern elements similar to the first pattern elements can be produced. In order to be able to modify the different first pattern elements via second pattern elements for a transmitted light view, multiple alignments of the mask relative to the document blank are thus necessary.

An embodiment of the invention provides that a mask with openings is arranged between the document blank and a laser radiation source and / or a beam guiding device, through which only a part of the first pattern elements a second pattern element in a fixed positioning of the mask relative to the document blank for a laser beam orientation can be generated. If the laser radiation is tilted with respect to a normal of the mask, second pattern elements can be produced with sufficient distance of the mask from the document blank to other pattern elements through the openings.

The alignment of the mask relative to the document blank may be accomplished by positioning the mask next to relative to the document blank and then creating a few second marks by the laser radiation through a few apertures. It can then be examined via an imaging process whether the second pattern elements are generated as intended relative to the first pattern elements, and if this is not the case, the alignment of the mask relative to the blank is corrected.

An advantage of using a mask is that second pattern elements can be produced whose lateral extent is essentially due to the openings and not due to the laser beam. However, its extent must be smaller than the distance between adjacent openings in the mask.

When viewed in transmitted light, some optical impressions can be obtained in different ways by combining the two patterns. It is thus possible, the same impression in a viewer by differently designed Create value and / or security documents. In particular, this applies to different shades of gray. These can be created in different ways for identical first patterns. On the one hand via a choice and complete suppression of the corresponding designed as a color filter first pattern elements to produce a gray color impression in transmitted light. On the other hand, a type of overlapping of the first pattern elements can be varied, so that the first pattern elements are not completely blanked out, but are weakened with respect to transmission in transmitted light so that in color addition a desired gray level is perceived by a viewer. These two different types of gray scale generation represent different types of coding for the same optical effect. Without technical aids, these two codings can not be distinguished. Thus, by concealed use of the different types in a document, further covert information can be encoded. As a result, another security feature is created. For verification, technical aids can be used, for example enlarging optical elements.

In order to emphasize and clearly mark the pattern area in which information thus defined is visible through the combination of the first pattern and the second pattern in transmitted light, in one embodiment the pattern area is provided with an opaque, for example white, mask or a frame to surround. This can be applied by means of a printing process to one of the document layers, in particular one of the surfaces of the document layers, or which is arranged in the finished document blank and security and / or security document in the interior, ie represent none of the outer surfaces. The embodiment is chosen such that thereby a lamination of individual document layers to the document blank is not impaired.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the overall impression created by combining the first pattern with the second pattern when viewed in transmitted light may be any of graphically representable symbols, characters, letters, images, geometric shapes or the like and combinations thereof can.

It also follows that the first pattern may comprise a regular, in particular periodic arrangement of first pattern elements. Here, the first pattern elements different geometric shapes, such as triangles, circles, Dashes, angles, squares, such as rectangles, diamonds or squares, polygons or any other geometric shapes. Different pattern elements may have the same or different shapes. However, it is also possible that the first pattern elements are irregular with respect to their arrangement and / or shape and / or color. Nevertheless, it is possible, even with a suitable embodiment of an "irregular" first pattern with appropriate design of the second pattern, to create an overall impression for viewing in transmitted light, in which the irregularity of the first pattern is imperceptible to the viewer.

In some embodiments, it may be provided that the second pattern elements are arranged in front of the first pattern elements in the document blank with respect to a viewing direction. In other embodiments, the second pattern elements are arranged behind the first pattern elements with respect to a viewing direction. In still other embodiments, a portion of the second pattern elements are located behind the first pattern elements with respect to the viewing direction in front of the first pattern elements and another portion of the second pattern elements. With regard to viewing in transmitted light, the arrangement of the second pattern elements with respect to the viewing direction before and / or after the first pattern elements is only of minor importance for the stored information to be perceived by the combination of the first pattern and the second pattern. However, an arrangement of the second pattern elements is preferred with respect to the viewing direction in front of the first pattern elements, since in a reflection in transmitted light possible body color impressions due to incident light portions of the first pattern elements play a minor role, since the second pattern elements facing the viewer and quasi the first pattern elements obscure, hide or modify as desired.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Lasergravurvorrichtung zur Erzeugung des zweiten Musters;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht eines Dokuments und ein dazugehöriger Aufbau in schematischer Darstellung;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch ein Dokument mit ersten und zweiten Musterelementen in einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform in einem Ausschnitt;

Fig. 4

eine Ausschnittsansicht einer Individualisierungszone eines Dokuments mit ersten und zweiten Musterelementen in einer zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform vor und nach dem Bilden der zweiten Musterelemente;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt wie in Fig. 3, allerdings mit einer zusätzlichen Dokumentenlage zwischen der ersten Dokumentenlage und der zweiten Dokumentenlage, in einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch ein Dokument mit ersten und zweiten Musterelementen in einem Ausschnitt in einer vierten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 7

Ausschnitte von Ansichten aus einer Personalisierungszone eines Dokuments;

Fig. 8

.Ansicht eines Dokuments mit einem Passbild für eine Betrachtung im Auflicht und ein Passbild für eine Betrachtung im Durchlicht;

Fig. 9

eine schematische Schnittansicht durch einen Ausschnitt eines Sicherheitsdokuments;

Fig. 10a bis 10f

schematische Ansichten eines ersten Musters (10a) und von Kombinationen des ersten Musters mit unterschiedlichen zweiten Mustern (10b bis 10f); und

Fig. 11a und 11b

schematische Darstellungen für Ausgestaltungen eines ersten Musters.

For a more detailed explanation of the invention serve the figures described below. These are merely intended to provide a better understanding of the invention and are therefore in no way to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention. They show in detail:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a laser engraving device for generating the second pattern;

Fig. 2

a view of a document and an associated structure in a schematic representation;

Fig. 3

a section through a document with first and second pattern elements in a first embodiment of the invention in a cutout;

Fig. 4

a sectional view of an individualization zone of a document with first and second pattern elements in a second embodiment of the invention before and after forming the second pattern elements;

Fig. 5

a cut like in Fig. 3 but with an additional document layer between the first document layer and the second document layer, in a third embodiment;

Fig. 6

a section through a document with first and second pattern elements in a section in a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7

Snippets of views from a personalization zone of a document;

Fig. 8

View of a document with a passport photograph for viewing in incident light and a passport photograph for viewing in transmitted light;

Fig. 9

a schematic sectional view through a section of a security document;

10a to 10f

schematic views of a first pattern (10a) and combinations of the first pattern with different second patterns (10b to 10f); and

Fig. 11a and 11b

schematic representations for embodiments of a first pattern.

Like reference numerals designate elements with the same function in the figures.

In the Fig. 1 The schematically illustrated laser engraving device is suitable for producing a second pattern of second picture elements in a document blank 1, which already contains a first pattern. For this purpose, the device comprises a laser 2, a beam splitter 3, a mirror 4, a detector 5 and a control unit 6 with which the mirror is controlled, ie calibrated. The laser beam emitted by the laser passes through the beam splitter, hits the mirror and is deflected by it onto the document blank. The laser beam returning from the document blank is diverted to the detector after being deflected by the mirror in the beam splitter, where it generates a signal. When the reference points on the document blank are actuated, their determined actual positions can be compared with the positions stored in the control unit so that the exact position of the document blank can be determined with the control unit. With this data, the device can be controlled to generate the second picture elements in the document blank to complete the document.

Alternatively, a high resolution camera unit may be coupled to the laser and capture and evaluate the first pattern. It is necessary that a resolution of the camera be higher than that of the first pattern to allow for a detection with precision, which then enables a register-accurate generation of the second pattern elements relative to the first pattern elements. At a resolution of the 600 dpi pattern elements made in the primary colors of a color system as well as colorless, the result is a pixel resolution of 150dpi for full color, i. any colors within the color space spanned by the primary colors, picture elements.

Particularly advantageously, a few second pattern elements are generated relative to the first pattern elements in order to check a correct alignment of the laser radiation during the generation of the second pattern elements relative to the first pattern. Subsequently, the changed document blank is detected in high-resolution by means of an imaging method and the orientation of the second pattern elements relative to the first pattern elements is evaluated. If the second pattern elements are not correctly aligned in register with the first pattern elements, a correction is carried out. The check may be repeated during the generation of the second pattern elements or carried out continuously.

In some embodiments, a mask (not shown) with openings is disposed between the mirror 4 as the beam guiding device and the document blank 1. Through each of the openings, a second pattern element can be generated precisely in register with one of the first pattern elements. As a rule, the mask must be repositioned one or more times in order to be able to generate all the desired second pattern elements. In this case, sizes of the openings essentially determine the sizes of the second pattern elements. Preferably, the openings are configured identically.

A number of the openings of a mask is usually selected smaller than a number of the first pattern elements. It is also possible to use several different masks successively to generate the second pattern elements.

In Fig. 2 In the upper part, a view of a value and / or security document 10, for example an ID card, is reproduced. The document has a zone 11, which is referred to as a pattern area, for a colored personalization. The lower part shows the layers within the colored personalization zone in a schematic representation. The arrow indicates the visual axis S. On the visible side of the document, a transparent layer (overlay film) 12 is arranged on the outside. This layer is insensitive to laser radiation. Under this position is a second document layer 13 which is blackened by laser radiation and are generated in the blackening to form second picture elements. Under the second document layer is a first document layer 14 which is provided with a suitable first pattern, for example a print image, which embodies first picture elements. These three layers are supported by a carrier layer 15. These four layers are gathered in a stack and bonded together by lamination. Before the second picture elements are formed in the second document layer 13 by means of the laser radiation, a document blank is present. This document blank already contains the first document layer 14 provided with the first pattern. The personalized document is produced by generating the second pattern in the first document layer. The security feature produced in this way is, for example, a face image of the person to whom the identity card document is assigned. In the area of the zone 11, the pattern area, all document layers 12 to 15 are transparent and / or translucent prior to the introduction of the second pattern.

It will be understood that a document blank may also be formed from a different number of layers, i. more or less layers, can be made or produced.

In Fig. 3 a first embodiment of an inventive manner provided with first and second picture elements value and / or security document 10 is shown in a sectional view.

Seen from the visible side (arrow S) are in the laminate of the document 10, a transparent and insensitive to laser radiation overlay layer 12, including a second document layer 13 in which white opaque areas are formed by means of laser radiation which correspond to second pattern elements 13.1, including a first document layer 14 on which a printed image of printing pixels printed in different colors is located, the first pattern elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 The printing pixels are printed with printing inks on the first document layer, specifically with the primary colors of the RGB color space (R pattern element 14.1, G pattern element 14.2, B pattern element 14.3). The pattern elements are each made translucent and / or transparent and thus form translucent and / or transparent color filters. In this case, the pattern elements of a primary or base color can all be made transparent or all translucent. It is also possible that individual pattern elements of a primary color are translucent and other pattern elements of the same primary color are transparent or are formed. Likewise, any combinations are possible for the other primary colors and between the individual primary colors. For example, red pattern elements may be transparent, blue pattern elements may be partially transparent and partially translucent, and the green pattern elements may all be translucent. In addition, colorless, so no color impression in the transmitted light changing K-pattern elements 14.4 are provided. For example, the colorless pattern elements are all translucent. In the present case, the white or black second pattern elements 13.1 cover the G pattern elements 14.2, 14.2 ', the B pattern elements 14.3, 14.3' and the K pattern elements 14.4, 14.4 ', so that only the R pattern elements 14.1, 14.1' are uncovered and are transparent or translucent. Thus, in transmitted light, only one information formed by the red pattern elements 14.1, 14.1 'becomes visible. The corresponding batch in the personalization zone is accordingly red in transmitted light. The second pattern elements 13 are aligned in registration with the first pattern elements and each disposed between the first pattern elements 14 and an outer surface 17.

In Fig. 4 is a view of an individualization zone of a value and / or security document 10 in a section before the formation of the second picture elements in the document blank (above) and after the formation of the second picture elements (below).

The first pattern elements 14.5 configured as picture elements are printed on the first document layer with a translucent color in transmitted light. Otherwise the document layer is opaque, for example black, printed. This first print pattern is regularly in the form of bars, which are arranged in a matrix. To form second in the second overlying second document layer, which is laser-sensitive, opaque blacks are formed at individual points which are located above the individual first picture elements. By obscuring individual first picture elements by the second picture elements when viewed in transmitted light, a luminous number sequence, here "8 1 5", which can be used as an individualization feature for the document, such as a serial number of a banknote.

Fig. 5 shows how Fig. 3 In this case is located between the first document layer 14 and the second document layer 13, a further transparent document layer 16, the greater the distance between the first picture elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 forming printing pixels on the first document layer and the opaque second pattern elements 13.1 in the second document layer. Due to the larger distance between the first and the second document layer, different visual effects result when viewing the document when tilting: When viewed along the viewing axis S, only the R pattern elements 14.1 are visible in transmitted light, while only the K pattern elements 14.4 are visible Viewing along the visual axis S 'are visible, ie, the color impression is changed.

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment. Unlike the embodiments of Fig. 3 and 5 the second pattern elements 13.1 are formed in the first document layer 14 in this case. The printing pixels which form the first pattern elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 are printed on the underside of the first document layer. This puts them under the second pattern elements. As a result, no additional document layer for generating the second pattern elements is required. Both types of pattern elements are formed exclusively by means of the first document layer 14. The second pattern elements hide the R, G and B print pixels of the first picture elements in this case, resulting in a black or gray image impression.

In the left illustration in Fig. 7 all the first picture elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 are covered by second picture elements 13.1 formed by blackening of the second document layer, so that only the translucent colorless first pattern elements 14.4 have a transmission in the transmitted light visible. The visual impression is white or gray.

In the right-hand illustration, the blue and green first picture elements 14.1, 14.2 are obscured by black second picture elements 13.1, while the red first picture elements 14.3 and the translucent colorless pattern elements 14.4 remain uncovered. This results in a total of a red color of the cutout area. The colorless pattern elements 14.4 brightening is achieved over embodiments that have only colored pattern elements.

In Fig. 8 is a is a security document 10 is shown schematically in plan view, which has a face image 21 of a person for a Auflichtbetrachtung and another face image 22 for a transmitted light observation.

In Fig. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a security document 10 in the region of a laterally extended pattern area shown. The security document 10 comprises 4 document layers 12 to 15, all of which are transparent at least in the pattern area. On the document layer 14 first pattern elements 14.1 to 14.3 in the colors red, green and blue, for example, printed by ink jet printing. Other printing methods may alternatively be used. The resulting pattern elements are translucent. The first pattern elements 14.1 to 14.3 are arranged in a regular repeating grid. In this grid also colorless pattern elements 14.4 are provided. After laminating the document layers 12 to 15, a document blank has been produced.

With regard to any viewing axis S oriented as desired with respect to a surface normal 23 of an upper outer surface 24, the security document 10 is thus transparent or translucent prior to introduction of the second pattern elements 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4.

After lamination, second pattern elements 13.1, 13.2 in the document layer 13, which is provided for a laser marking, are generated in register with the first pattern elements 14.1, 14.2 by means of laser action. This determines the transmitted light information.

In Fig. 10a a section of a first pattern is shown. The first pattern elements 14 repeat periodically with the colors red 14.1, green 14.2, blue 14.3 and colorless 14.4, the pattern elements arranged in lines being repeated with respect to their arrangement in FIG adjacent lines are offset by two pattern elements. In transmitted light results in a white color impression.

In Fig. 10b are the green 14.2 and blue pattern elements 14.3 by second pattern elements 13.1, which are circular, opaque covered. The transmitted light results in a bright reddish surface.

In Fig. 10c the blue 14.3 and colorless pattern elements 14.4 are opaque covered by second pattern elements 13.3, 13.4, which are of circular design. In transmitted light, a yellowish color impression results.

In Fig. 10d For example, all of the first pattern elements 14 are partially covered by second pattern elements 13, which are circular but dimensioned to be smaller than the areas of the first pattern elements. The transmitted light results in a gray color impression.

In Fig. 10e are all colored first pattern elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 almost completely covered by second pattern elements 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, which are circular, opaque. The transmitted light results in a gray color impression.

In Fig. 10f are all the first pattern elements 14.1 to 14.4 almost completely covered by second pattern elements 13.1 to 13.4, which are circular, opaque. In transmitted light results in a black color impression.

In Fig. 11a and 11b Two alternative embodiments of a first pattern are shown. The pattern in 11a is similar to the one below Fig. 10a , The embodiment according to FIG. 11b differs in that the pattern elements 14.1 to 14.4 are not square but circular in shape and are offset from one another as in the case of a densest spherical packing. With respect to the geometric shape of the first pattern elements, this embodiment is better adapted to the generally resulting geometric shape of the second Muter elements which are generated with a laser action.

Claims (15)

1. Document of value and/or security document (10), comprising a first pattern arranged in one or more first planes and formed from first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), and a second pattern, formed in one or more second planes and formed from second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5) and arranged in register in relation to the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) of the first pattern, wherein the second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5), seen from one of the outer sides (24) of the document (10), are in each case located in front of the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), characterised in that the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) are configured as transparent and/or translucent, the second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5) are formed by means of laser effect, and the document of value and/or security document, at least in the region of the first pattern elements, relating to a viewing axis (S) running through opposing outer sides (24) of the document of value and/or security document, is transparent and/or translucent except for the second pattern elements, wherein in each case, only for a part of the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), one of the second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5) formed by means of laser effect is arranged between these first pattern elements and an outer surface oriented parallel to the one or more first planes, such that in transmitted light an item of information created by the combination of patterns can be identified, wherein the second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5), related to the viewing axis (S), cover the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) of the one part of the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5).
2. Document of value and/or security document (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least a part of at least one document layer (12-15), which is arranged between the first pattern and one of the outer surfaces (24) of the document of value and/or security document (10), is configured such as to be laser-accessible, and the second pattern elements are formed by laser inscription in the at least one part of the at least one laser-accessible document layer (13).
3. Document of value and/or security document (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least some of the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) are coloured.
4. Document of value and/or security document (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5) are formed by laser inscription in at least one first and one further document layer (13, 14).
5. Document of value and/or security document (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first pattern (13.1, 13.5) comprises a regular grid of pattern elements in primary colours of an additive colour system.
6. Document of value and/or security document (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first pattern (13.1, 13.5) comprises irregularly arranged pattern elements.
7. Document of value and/or security document (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the document (10) is opaque in the region of the second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5).
8. Document of value and/or security document (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) are printed onto the at least one first document layer (13).
9. Method for producing a document of value and/or security document (10) comprising at least one document layer, comprising the following method steps:

   (a) producing a document blank by creating a first pattern, arranged in one or more first planes and formed from first pattern elements in and/or on at least one of the at least one document layer and

   (b) producing a second pattern arranged in one or more second planes and formed from second pattern elements arranged in register in relation to the first pattern elements of the first pattern in the at least one first document layer and/or in at least one of the at least one document layer,

   characterised in that the second pattern elements are produced by means of laser effect, and the first pattern elements in method step (a) are configured as transparent and/or translucent, and the document of value an/or security document is configured as transparent and/or translucent at least in the region of the first pattern elements, related to a viewing axis running through the outer sides of the document of value and/or security document, at least except for the second pattern elements, wherein, in method step (b), in each case a second pattern element (13.1, 13.5) is formed by means of laser effect, only for a part of the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), between these pattern elements and one of the outer sides, such that in transmitted light an item of information created by the combination of the patterns can be identified, wherein the second pattern elements (13.1, 13.5), related to the viewing axis (S), cover the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) of the one part of the first pattern elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5).
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the first pattern is printed on by means of a printing process onto the at least one first document layer (14).
11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that the at least one first document layer, after the printing and before method step (b), is connected to further document layers (12, 13, 15) to form a laminate, such that the at least one first document layer (14) is integrated between the further document layers (12, 13, 15).
12. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the at least one first document layer and/or one or more of the further document layers are provided as laser-accessible films.
13. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the document blank is assessed by an imaging process in order to determine a positioning and/or orientation of the document blank relative to a laser beam, by means of which the second pattern elements are produced, and, if appropriate, the relative positioning and/or orientation are changed in order to ensure production in exact register of the second pattern elements relative to the first pattern elements.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that, before the assessment of the document blank by means of the imaging process, at least one reference mark is produced in the document blank by means of laser effect.
15. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterised in that a mask with openings is arranged between the document blank and a laser radiation source and/or a beam guidance device, through which a second pattern element can be produced only for a part of the first pattern elements, with a determined positioning of the mask relative to the document blank and with a specified orientation of the laser beam.

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