The invention includes a method for forming a card with an embedded three dimensional (3-D) image and the resultant card formed by the method. The method includes forming a first assembly which includes a layer of deformable material and an overlying layer of pattern conforming material. An engraved laminating plate is applied to the deformable layer during an engraving and laminating step applied to the first sub-assembly under predetermined pressure and selected temperature conditions for embossing the deformable layer with a well defined and sharp pattern. Then, a second assembly including a pattern conforming layer is laminated with the first assembly to embed and secure the pattern between the two conformable layers.

A security element for a security document comprises a first, second, third and fourth line grid which contrasts with the substrate surface, each of said grid being associated with a pattern comprising an embossed structure of the substrate. A first, second, third and fourth pattern angle differ from one another. A first security information item is coded as a first localized distribution of the first and second pattern, a second security information item is coded as a localized distribution of the third and the fourth pattern. The first and the second security information items overlap one another in the process. By disposing the first and second pattern in first grid cells and by disposing the third and fourth pattern in second grid cells and by arranging the first and second grid cells in alternating fashion, specific intensity distributions occur in different viewing directions of the security document, the intensity distributions being useful for examining the authenticity of the document.

A counterfeit prevention structure including a concave/convex formation layer having a surface and including a first concave/convex structure in a first portion of the surface and a second concave/convex structure in a second portion of the surface, and a reflective layer formed on the second concave/convex structure in the second portion. The first and second concave/convex structures are formed such that the first concave/convex structure has a depth-to-width ratio greater than a depth-to*width ratio of the second concave/convex structure, and that a light transmittance is higher in the first portion than in the second portion.

A security element, a security device including a security element and a method of manufacturing a security device. The element having focusing elements and image elements, the image elements are located in an object plane such that each image element is associated with one of the focusing elements, wherein the object plane includes at least first and second distinct subregions, and an image element within the first subregion is phase-displaced by a phase-displacement distance with respect to an image element within the second subregion, and wherein the first and second subregions produce first and second optically variable images or part-images.

A system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for producing a security element (4), in particular a vignette for a windshield (6) of a means of transport, is specified. This comprises a carrier element (3) with a first and a second surface, wherein a first sub-element (1) of the security element (4) is arranged in a first area (31) of the first surface and a second sub-element (2) of the security element (4) is arranged in a second area (32) of the first surface separated from the first area (31) by a fold edge (33). These sub-elements (1, 2) can be made to overlap with the first sub-element (1) by folding of the carrier element (3) along the fold edge (33) and can be adhered by means of an adhesive (25) arranged on the side of the second sub-element (2) facing away from the carrier element (3). An individualization feature (14) can be attached to a side of the first (1) and/or the second (2) sub-element facing away from the carrier element (3). Furthermore, a method for producing a security element (4) by means of such a system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600), as well as a security element (4) obtained thereby, is specified.

Identity document comprising a data medium with data. These data comprise an image of a face. This image consists of two component images that are observed at different angles. By simultaneously viewing the two images, the person studying the identity document can obtain further information about the face. This is possible because the two images are applied at a relatively small angle of 5 to 20.

A display includes a first optical effect layer including a first interface part, the first interface part being provided with recesses or protrusions arranged two-dimensionally at the minimum center-to-center distance in a range of 200 nm to 500 nm, each of the recesses or protrusions having a forward-tapered shape; a reflective material layer covering at least a part of the first interface part; and a second optical effect layer including, at a position of a first portion of the first interface part that is covered with the reflective material layer, a portion that faces the reflective material layer with the first optical effect layer interposed therebetween or faces the first optical effect layer with the reflective material layer interposed therebetween, the second optical effect layer containing at least one of a cholesteric liquid crystal, a pearl pigment and a multilayer interference film.

A card includes a layer of deformable material embossed with a three dimensional (3-D) pattern. A first layer is in direct contact with and overlies the embossed deformable layer. A second layer is in direct contact with and underlies the embossed deformable layer. The first layer is of conformable material and extends within the embossed pattern for filling, setting and maintaining the embossed pattern in a fixed condition. The second layer is of conformable material and conforms to the embossed pattern set in the deformable layer.

An optically variable security element, for security papers, value documents and other data carriers, includes a single or multilayer central body having opposing first and second main surfaces, an arrangement of microlenses on the first main surface of the central body, the microlenses having a refractive effect defining a focal plane, a laser-sensitive recording layer arranged on the second main surface of the central body, a mask layer arranged between the arrangement of microlenses and the laser-sensitive recording layer and outside of the focal plane of the microlenses, and a plurality of micromarks produced in the laser-sensitive recording layer by the action of laser radiation, each micromark being associated with a microlens and being visible when the security element is viewed through the associated microlens. The mask layer comprises a macroscopic gap region that is in register with the plurality of micromarks.

A security element includes an optically variable structure having a multiplicity of first embossed structures each including at least two flanks which converge at at least one certain angle. In at least one first partial region of the optically variable structure, at least one flank of the first embossed structures respectively has at least one additional embossed structure which is mounted on the flank of the first embossed structures or inserted into the flank of the first embossed structures. The geometry of the at least one additional embossed structure is executed to be at least near-inverse to the geometry of that flank of the first embossed structure on which the at least one additional embossed structure is mounted or inserted.