Abstract: In order to create novel security features in secure and/or valuable documents, a polymer layer composite, which has at least two polymer layers that are bonded to each other in a material fit is provided. At least one surface is printed with an absorbing printed layer within a visible region in and/or on the composite located on a polymer layer of the composite. The absorbing printed layer forms at least one printed region, and all printed regions of the printed surface of the polymer layer have a total surface area of at least 50% and not more than 95%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1). The security element (1) has a viewing side and a back side that is opposite the latter. The security element comprises at least one luminous layer (2) that can emit light (20), and at least one mask layer (4) that, when the security element (1) is viewed from the viewing side, is arranged in front of the at least one luminous layer (2). The at least one mask layer (4) has at least one opaque region (5) and at least two transparent openings (41, 42). The at least two transparent openings (41, 42) has a substantially higher transmittance than the at least one opaque region (5) in respect of light (20) emitted by the at least one luminous layer (2), preferably a transmittance that is at least 20% higher, particularly preferably a transmittance that is at least 50% higher.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1). The security element (1) has a viewing side and a back side that is opposite the latter. The security element comprises at least one luminous layer (2) that can provide light (20), and at least one mask layer (4) that, when the security element (1) is viewed from the viewing side, is arranged in front of the at least one luminous layer (2). The at least one mask layer (4) has at least one opaque region (5) and at least two transparent openings (41, 42). The at least two transparent openings (41, 42) has a substantially higher transmittance than the at least one opaque region (5) in respect of light (20) provided by the at least one luminous layer (2), preferably a transmittance that is at least 20% higher, particularly preferably a transmittance that is at least 50% higher.

Abstract: A method and a device produce an individualized hologram from a generated light beam. According to the method, the light beam is individually modulated in a spatial light modulator, a holographic recording material is arranged relative to a holographic master, and the individually modulated light beam is guided in such a manner that at least part of the individually modulated light beam is refracted and/or reflected on the holographic master and an interference pattern representing the individualized hologram is produced in the holographic recording material. The individually modulated light beam is displaced relative to the holographic recording material and the holographic master to scan the entire holographic master. The recording material is arranged so as to rest on a cylindrical drum or a cylindrical drum segment and the drum is rotated about a drum axis of the drum or the drum segment during scanning of the holographic master.

Abstract: A method produces colored individualized holograms for use as security elements for documents, and to a device for producing individualized holograms. The method generates light formed of different colors, spatially modulates the light, color by color, in an individual manner, optically guides the modulated light such that the light is at least partially refracted and/or reflected on a holographic master and is superposed in a holographic recording material with the modulated non-refracted and/or reflected light, and records the hologram. The light is modulated, color by color and at the same time, by a plurality of spatial light modulators. Every color is associated with its own spatial light modulator and a plurality of monochrome modulated light beams of the plurality of colors is combined in a collinear manner prior to refraction and/or reflection on the holographic master and the superposition in the recording material to give a multicolor exposure light beam.

Abstract: A verification apparatus for security documents having at least one diffractive and/or reflective security feature, includes a support device having a support surface or plane for receiving the security documents, an optical capturing device, an illuminating device for illuminating the security document, and an evaluation device which evaluates information detected by the capturing device to perform a verification of the at least one security feature. A screen is disposed between the support surface or plane and the capturing device. Light diffracted or reflected by the at least one security feature can be imaged on the screen for detection by the capturing device. The screen can be controlled with regard to at least one optical property, particularly the opacity thereof. A verification method, wherein the opacity of the screen is varied, is also provided.

Abstract: A verification apparatus for security documents having at least one diffractive and/or reflective security feature, includes a support device having a support surface or plane for receiving the security documents, an optical capturing device, an illuminating device for illuminating the security document, and an evaluation device which evaluates information detected by the capturing device to perform a verification of the at least one security feature. A screen is disposed between the support surface or plane and the capturing device. Light diffracted or reflected by the at least one security feature can be imaged on the screen for detection by the capturing device. The screen can be controlled with regard to at least one optical property, particularly the opacity thereof. A verification method, wherein the opacity of the screen is varied, is also provided.

Abstract: In order to create novel security features in secure and/or valuable documents, a polymer layer composite, which has at least two polymer layers that are bonded to each other in a material fit is provided. At least one surface is printed with an absorbing printed layer within a visible region in and/or on the composite located on a polymer layer of the composite. The absorbing printed layer forms at least one printed region, and all printed regions of the printed surface of the polymer layer have a total surface area of at least 50% and not more than 95%.

Abstract: A method produces colored individualized holograms for use as security elements for documents, and to a device for producing individualized holograms. The method generates light formed of different colors, spatially modulates the light, color by color, in an individual manner, optically guides the modulated light such that the light is at least partially refracted and/or reflected on a holographic master and is superposed in a holographic recording material with the modulated non-refracted and/or reflected light, and records the hologram. The light is modulated, color by color and at the same time, by a plurality of spatial light modulators. Every color is associated with its own spatial light modulator and a plurality of monochrome modulated light beams of the plurality of colors is combined in a collinear manner prior to refraction and/or reflection on the holographic master and the superposition in the recording material to give a multicolor exposure light beam.

Abstract: A method and a device produce an individualized hologram from a generated light beam. According to the method, the light beam is individually modulated in a spatial light modulator, a holographic recording material is arranged relative to a holographic master, and the individually modulated light beam is guided in such a manner that at least part of the individually modulated light beam is refracted and/or reflected on the holographic master and an interference pattern representing the individualized hologram is produced in the holographic recording material. The individually modulated light beam is displaced relative to the holographic recording material and the holographic master to scan the entire holographic master. The recording material is arranged so as to rest on a cylindrical drum or a cylindrical drum segment and the drum is rotated about a drum axis of the drum or the drum segment during scanning of the holographic master.