Abstract: An optically variable security element for securing valuable articles that viewing-angle-dependently displays a motif having at least one curve depiction that, from a first viewing direction, is visible as an initial curve having two or more connected, non-collinear segments and that, when the security element is tilted about a predetermined axis, splits into the individual segments in that the segments of the initial curve move alternatingly in different directions away from the initial curve. Each of the segments has associated with it one movement segment in the form of a sub-region of an areal motif region, such that, from the first viewing direction, the segments display the initial curve having the connected segments and that, from viewing directions tilted about the predetermined axis, they display curve depictions in which, with increasing tilt angle, the segments lie alternatingly in different directions increasingly further away from the initial curve.

Abstract: A micro-optical inspection arrangement comprises micro-focusing elements which are composite bodies consisting of a main part and an additional part and which have a reference focal length. The main parts are provided as micro-focusing element preforms, and the additional parts are formed from one or more functional coatings. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a micro-optical inspection arrangement and to a micro-optical displaying arrangement comprising the micro-optical inspection arrangement according to the invention and a microstructure arrangement, in particular a moiré magnification arrangement and a modulo magnification arrangement. The invention also relates to security elements and data carriers that have the micro-optical inspection arrangement according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically variable surface pattern having a substrate that comprises a first and a second surface region, the two surface regions being developed in such a way that the first surface region presents, in a first viewing angle range (?1) a bulged-appearing first depiction, and the second surface region presents, in a second viewing angle range (?2) that is different from the first viewing angle range (?1), a bulged-appearing second depiction.

Abstract: A security element for manufacturing value documents, such as banknotes, checks or the like, comprises a top on which a microrelief structure is developed that has at least two sub-regions that each comprise a plurality of groove- and/or rib-shaped structural elements that lie adjacent to one another and extend along a longitudinal direction, and are reflecting or backscattering. The longitudinal directions of the sub-regions are different, and the structural elements are each not resolvable with the naked eye with respect to the width transverse to the longitudinal direction, and fan out incident parallel light achromatically in a fan that lies transverse to the longitudinal direction and has an opening angle of at least 30°.

Abstract: (EN) The invention relates to an optically variable security element (20) for securing data carriers, having a flip image comprising first and second identifiers (24, 26) which can be detected from different first and second viewing directions (40, 42). According to the invention, the first and second identifiers (24, 26) of the flip image are present in an optically variable recording layer (30), which has a reflective layer (52) produced by a vacuum deposition process, and the security element (20) contains a viewing element screen (32) which is spaced apart from the recording layer (30) and which, when viewed from the first or second viewing direction (40, 42), reveals the first or second identifiers (24, 26), respectively.

Abstract: A value and safety document comprises a substrate having a front side and a back side. An ink layer is applied to the front or back sides of the substrate. A first motif is incorporated into the ink layer, and is combined with a second motif. The second motif is arranged on the same side of the substrate as the first motif. The second motif is configured in the form of an emboss structure comprising a plurality of raised emboss elements having areas of different orientation. The emboss structure forms the second motif having a second tilt or motion effect, by different groups of emboss elements, having different characteristic parameters, reflecting incident light in different spatial areas. The emboss elements have respectively a lateral dimension of less than 30 ?m and a height of less than 10 ?m. The first motif is adapted at least partially to the second motif.

Abstract: An optically variable security element for securing valuable articles that viewing-angle-dependently displays a motif having at least one curve depiction that, from a first viewing direction, is visible as an initial curve having two or more connected, non-collinear segments and that, when the security element is tilted about a predetermined axis, splits into the individual segments in that the segments of the initial curve move alternatingly in different directions away from the initial curve. Each of the segments has associated with it one movement segment in the form of a sub-region of an areal motif region, such that, from the first viewing direction, the segments display the initial curve having the connected segments and that, from viewing directions tilted about the predetermined axis, they display curve depictions in which, with increasing tilt angle, the segments lie alternatingly in different directions increasingly further away from the initial curve.

Abstract: An optically variable security element having an areal motif region provided in a depiction region with a plurality of reflective, planar facets. Each planar facet is characterized by an inclination angle against the plane of the areal motif region, which inclination angle has, as inclination components, a parallel component parallel to a target curve in a center position, and a normal component perpendicular to the target curve in the center position. For the planar facets in the depiction region, a first of the two inclination components are chosen dependent on the distance of the respective facet from the target curve, and a second of the two inclination components being chosen in a predetermined spreading range independently of the distance of the respective facet from the target curve.

Abstract: An optically variable see-through security element for securing value objects with a flat, optically variable area pattern that in transmission shows a colored appearance with a viewing-angle-dependent, polychrome color change. The optically variable area pattern includes a multiplicity of facets acting in a substantially ray-optical manner, and the orientation is distinguished in each case by an inclination angle ? relative to the plane of the area pattern, which inclination angle is between 0° and 45°, and by an azimuth angle ? in the plane of the area pattern. The facets are supplied with an interference layer with a viewing-angle-dependent color change in transmitted light. The optically variable area pattern includes at least two subregions having a multiplicity of identically oriented facets. The facets of the at least two subregions differ from each other with respect to the inclination angle relative to the plane and/or the azimuth angle in the plane.

Abstract: A security element (1) for a security paper, value document or the like, having a carrier (8) which has an areal region (3) which is divided into a multiplicity of pixels (4) which respectively includes at least one optically active facet (5), whereby the majority of the pixels (4) respectively have several of the optically active facets (5) of identical orientation per pixel (4), and the facets (5) are so oriented that the areal region (3) is perceptible to a viewer as an area that protrudes and/or recedes relative to its actual spatial form.

Abstract: A security element (1) for a security paper, value document or the like, having a carrier (8) which has an areal region (3) which is divided into a multiplicity of pixels (4) which respectively includes at least one optically active facet (5), whereby the majority of the pixels (4) respectively have several of the optically active facets (5) of identical orientation per pixel (4), and the facets (5) are so oriented that the areal region (3) is perceptible to a viewer as an area that protrudes and/or recedes relative to its actual spatial form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically variable security element for securing valuable articles, having a substrate having opposing first and second main surfaces and, arranged on the first main surface, an optically variable pattern that comprises an embossing pattern and a coating. The coating comprises at least one imprinted line grid and a background layer that contrasts with the line grid. The embossing pattern comprises a two-dimensional grid of elevated and/or depressed embossing elements. Both are combined in such a way that substantially on every embossing element lies at least one line segment of a line in the line grid, and at least one of the parameters position of the line segment on the embossing element, orientation of the line segment on the embossing element and form of the line segment varies location dependently across the dimension of the optically variable pattern.

Abstract: An optically variable areal pattern has a reflection layer and a micromirror arrangement comprising a plurality of semitransparent micromirrors developed on the reflection layer. The micromirrors are inclined with respect to the reflection layer, such that, by specular reflection, light incident on the micromirror arrangement is reflected on the semitransparent micromirrors. The incident light is reflected partly in a first direction and partly in a second direction that is different from the first direction, in that it passes through the semitransparent micromirrors, impinges on the reflection layer, and is reflected there and, thereafter, again passes through the semitransparent micromirrors.

Abstract: An optically variable surface pattern is made available, having at least two partial areas with reflection elements, wherein the reflection elements of the first partial region on the one hand and the reflection elements of the second partial region on the other hand reflect impinging light in different reflection directions. The first partial region is so covered with a first glazing ink layer that a viewer, upon a change of the viewing angle at which the viewer views the optically variable surface pattern, sees the first partial region glow in a first color upon reaching a first viewing angle. The second partial region glows in a second color that is different from the first color upon reaching a second viewing angle.

Abstract: A security element for securing security papers, value documents and other data carriers, has a lenticular image that, from different viewing directions, displays at least two appearances. The lenticular image includes a lens grid composed of a plurality of microlenses and a laser-sensitive motif layer arranged spaced apart from the lens grid. The laser-sensitive motif layer comprises, in two or more motif layer sub-regions, different markings introduced by the action of laser radiation and that, when the motif layer is viewed with the lens grid, produce at least two appearances. The lens grid is divided into two or more lens grid sub-regions in which the microlenses each comprise differently refractive lens surface forms. The different lens grid sub-regions are congruent with the different motif layer sub-regions, and the markings of the motif layer sub-regions being produced by laser impingement of the lens grid sub-regions.

Abstract: An optically variable areal pattern has a reflection layer and a micromirror arrangement comprising a plurality of semitransparent micromirrors developed on the reflection layer. The micromirrors are inclined with respect to the reflection layer, such that, by specular reflection, light incident on the micromirror arrangement is reflected on the semitransparent micromirrors. The incident light is reflected partly in a first direction and partly in a second direction that is different from the first direction, in that it passes through the semitransparent micromirrors, impinges on the reflection layer, and is reflected there and, thereafter, again passes through the semitransparent micromirrors.

Abstract: An optically variable element, in particular a security element, has a transparent carrier layer, an at least partly transparent reflective layer formed on the carrier layer, and a transparent embedding layer formed on the reflective layer. The reflective layer is structured in a motif region such that the layer forms a multiplicity of partly transparent micromirrors which present a perceptible motif upon plan viewing of the motif region due to specular reflection of incident light. The refractive indices of the carrier and embedding layers differ in the visible spectrum by no more than 0.2 in order that the motif perceptible in plan view is not recognizable upon transmission viewing of the motif region.