Personalizable color-shifting data carrier

Abstract

A data carrier having at least one optically variable element, at least one surface element, and at least one security element comprising at least part of the at least one optically variable element and at least part of the at least one surface element. The at least one surface element is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation towards the at least one optically variable element. The data carrier is configured such, that electromagnetic radiation is impinging on the at least one surface element under at least a first arrival angle when the data carrier is seen under a first observation angle, and such, that electromagnetic radiation is impinging on the at least one surface element under at least a second arrival angle being different from the first arrival angle when the data carrier is seen under a second observation angle being different from the first observation angle. The at least one optically variable element is configured to reflect at least a first reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation being impinging on the at least one surface element under the first arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a first appearance, and is further configured to reflect at least a second reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation being impinging on the at least one surface element under the second arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a second appearance being different from the first appearance.

Claims

1. A data carrier comprising: at least one optically variable element; at least one surface element; and at least one security element comprising at least part of the at least one optically variable element and at least part of the at least one surface element, wherein the at least one optically variable element is arranged beneath the at least one surface element, wherein the at least one surface element is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation towards the at least one optically variable element, wherein the at least one optically variable element is configured to reflect at least a first reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under a first arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a first appearance, wherein the at least one optically variable element is further configured to reflect at least a second reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under a second arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a second appearance being different from the first appearance, and wherein the data carrier comprises at least one blocking element, and wherein said blocking element is configured to block impinging electromagnetic radiation, whereby a further impingement of said electromagnetic radiation on the optically variable element is prevented and/or whereby electromagnetic radiation being reflected from the optically variable element is blocked.

2. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the optically variable element is configured such, that it is transparent for impinging electromagnetic radiation constituting a first impingement spectrum and that it is reflective for impinging electromagnetic radiation constituting a second impingement spectrum being different from the first impingement spectrum.

3. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the optically variable element is arranged within the data carrier whereby the optically variable element lies above or below or at a focal point of the electromagnetic radiation being guided from the surface element to the optically variable element, and/or wherein the surface element and the optically variable element are separated by a vertical distance such that a focal point of the electromagnetic radiation being guided from the surface element to the optically variable element lies above or below or at the optically variable element.

4. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the optically variable element is configured such, that the electromagnetic radiation that impinges on the surface element under the at least one first arrival angle and the electromagnetic radiation constituting the at least one first reflection spectrum are the same or different from one another, and/or wherein the optically variable element is configured such, that the electromagnetic radiation that impinges on the surface element under the at least one second arrival angle and the electromagnetic radiation constituting the at least one second reflection spectrum are the same or different from one another.

5. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the optically variable element is configured to transmit at least part of the electromagnetic radiation upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under the at least one first arrival angle —as at least a first transmittance spectrum—, and wherein the at least one first transmittance spectrum —differs from the at least one first reflection spectrum—, and/or wherein the optically variable element is configured to transmit at least part of the electromagnetic radiation upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under the at least one second arrival angle as at least a second transmittance spectrum, and wherein the at least one second transmittance spectrum differs from the at least one second reflection spectrum.

6. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element is at least one of a laser marking and an opaque material of at least a portion of a pixel of at least one of an alphanumeric character and an image.

7. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein two or more surface elements are provided in an array and/or according to a pattern.

8. The data carrier according to claim 1 further comprising at least one further surface element that is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation towards the optically variable element, wherein the data carrier is further configured such, that electromagnetic radiation is impinging on the at least one further surface element under the first arrival angle when the data carrier is seen under the first observation angle, and wherein the at least one optically variable element is configured to reflect at least a third reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one further surface element under the first arrival angle that is different from the first reflection spectrum, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a third appearance that is different from the first appearance, and/or wherein the data carrier is further configured such, that electromagnetic radiation is impinging on the at least one further surface element under the second arrival angle when the data carrier is seen under the second observation angle, and wherein the at least one optically variable element is configured to reflect at least a fourth reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation the at least one further surface element under the second arrival angle that is different from the second reflection spectrum, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a fourth appearance that is different from the second appearance.

9. The data carrier according to claim 8, wherein the surface element comprises one or more lenses, and wherein the one or more lenses are of a cylindrical lens shape and/or of a spherical lens shape.

10. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the surface element and/or the further surface element comprise or consist of a polymer.

11. The data carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent region, wherein the security element is arranged within said region and/or above said region and/or beneath said region.

12. A security document comprising: at least one data carrier having: at least one optically variable element; at least one surface element; and at least one security element comprising at least part of the at least one optically variable element and at least part of the at least one surface element, wherein the at least one optically variable element is arranged beneath the at least one surface element, wherein the at least one surface element is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation towards the at least one optically variable element, wherein the at least one optically variable element is configured to reflect at least a first reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under the first arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a first appearance, wherein the at least one optically variable element is further configured to reflect at least a second reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under the second arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a second appearance being different from the first appearance, and wherein the data carrier comprises at least one blocking element, and wherein said blocking element is configured to block impinging electromagnetic radiation, whereby a further impingement of said electromagnetic radiation on the optically variable element is prevented and/or whereby electromagnetic radiation being reflected from the optically variable element is blocked.

13. The security document of claim 12 being an identity card, a passport, a credit card, or a bank note.

14. A method of producing a data carrier, comprising the steps of: providing at least one optically variable element; providing at least one surface element; and providing at least one security element comprising at least part of the at least one optically variable element and at least part of the at least one surface element, wherein the at least one optically variable element is arranged below the at least one surface element, wherein the at least one surface element is configured to guide electromagnetic radiation that is impinging on the at least one surface element to the at least one optically variable element, wherein the at least one optically variable element is configured to reflect at least a first reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under a first arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a first appearance, wherein the at least one optically variable element is further configured to reflect at least a second reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the at least one surface element under a second arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a second appearance being different from the first appearance, and wherein the data carrier comprises at least one blocking element, and wherein said blocking element is configured to block impinging electromagnetic radiation, whereby a further impingement of said electromagnetic radiation on the optically variable element is prevented and/or whereby electromagnetic radiation being reflected from the optically variable element is blocked.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,

(2) FIG. 1a shows a sectional view through a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements viewed under a first observation angle;

(3) FIG. 1b shows a sectional view through a data carrier according to FIG. 1a viewed under a second observation angle;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements according to a further embodiment viewed under a first observation angle;

(5) FIG. 3a shows a sectional view through a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements according to a further embodiment viewed under a first observation angle;

(6) FIG. 3b shows a sectional view through a data carrier according to FIG. 3a viewed under a second observation angle;

(7) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements and blocking elements viewed under a first observation angle;

(8) FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements and blocking elements according to a further embodiment viewed under a first observation angle;

(9) FIG. 6a shows a perspective view of a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements and blocking elements viewed under a first observation angle;

(10) FIG. 6b shows a perspective view of the data carrier according to FIG. 6a viewed under a second observation angle;

(11) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements and blocking elements according to a further embodiment viewed under a first observation angle;

(12) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a data carrier comprising an optically variable element and surface elements and blocking elements according to a further embodiment viewed under a first observation angle.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) FIG. 1a to 5 depict different schematically sectional views of a data carrier comprising at least one surface element according to the invention. Real examples of such data carriers are illustrated by means of the photographs depicted in FIGS. 6a to 8.

(14) Hence, the data carrier 1 according to the invention comprises at least one optically variable element 2 and at least one surface element 3a. The optically variable element 2 is arranged after the surface element 3a when seen along an extension direction E extending from the surface element 3a towards the optically variable element 2. The surface element 3a is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation EM towards the optically variable element 2. In fact, the data carriers 1 depicted in the figures comprise a plurality of surface elements 3a which form arrays and which are furthermore arranged according to a pattern.

(15) In addition, said surface elements 3a are arranged immediately adjacent to one another with respect to a transverse direction T extending perpendicularly to the extension direction E. In addition, the surface elements 3a correspond here to lenses which are in each case of a cylindrical shape. The optically variable element 2 corresponds to at least one of a multi-layer optical film, preferably a thin-film-interference film, a colour film, an optically variable ink, a diffractive element, a grating such as a resonant waveguide grating, optical absorbers, and a plasmonic structure. That is, the optically variable element 2 corresponds to an element that is configured to reflect and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation EM in dependency of an observation angle γ1, γ2 under which the data carrier 1, and therefore the optically variable element 2, is observed by an observer. At least a part of the optically variable element 2 and at least a part of the surface element 3a participate in the formation of at least one security element 4. Hence, by selectively providing one or more surface elements 3a in combination with the optically variable element 2 it is possible to select specific electromagnetic radiation EM that is reflected from and/or transmitted through the optically variable element 2. This phenomenon shall be further illustrated by means of FIGS. 1a to 5.

(16) That is, FIG. 1a depicts a data carrier 1 comprising an array of lens elements 3a of the same type and the same geometries. Also a vertical distance va between the lens elements 3a and the optically variable element 2 is for each lens element 3a the same. Here, the data carrier 1 is observed under a first observation angle γ1, wherein electromagnetic radiation EM is impinging on the lens elements 3a under a first arrival angle α1. An impingement of electromagnetic radiation EM under said first arrival angle α1 results in a reflection of electromagnetic radiation EM from the optically variable element 2 as well as in a transmission of electromagnetic radiation EM through the optically variable element 2. The reflected electromagnetic radiation EM is designated here as a first reflection spectrum R1a and the transmitted electromagnetic radiation EM is designated as first transmittance spectrum T1a. Since the reflected electromagnetic radiation EM does not encounter any blocking elements or the like which could block said electromagnetic radiation EM, the electromagnetic radiation EM can travel through the data carrier 1 towards an outside of the data carrier 1 such that the first reflection spectrum R1a will be visible to or detectable by an observer. However, since the data carrier 1 comprises a bottom element 7, here an opaque layer, the electromagnetic radiation EM being transmitted through the optically variable element 2 and constituting the first transmittance spectrum T1a impinges on said bottom element 7 where it is scattered in all directions or absorbed. The first security element 4 therefore appears according to a first appearance A1a which is constituted by the first reflection spectrum R1a.

(17) FIG. 1b depicts the data carrier 1 according to FIG. 1a, however in a tilted manner. That is, the data carrier 1 is seen under a second observation angle γ2 being different from the first observation angle γ1. As a result, electromagnetic radiation EM is impinging on the lens elements 3a under a second arrival angle β1 being different from the first arrival angle α1. Upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation EM being impinging on the lens elements 3a under the second arrival angle β1, the optically variable element 2 is configured to reflect a second reflection spectrum R2a. Since said second reflection spectrum R2a differs from the first reflection spectrum R1a the security element 4, when seen in this tilted manner, appears according to a second appearance A2a being different from the first appearance A1a. It should be noted that also in this case some electromagnetic radiation EM is transmitted through the optically variable element 2 and forms a second transmittance spectrum T2a. However, because of the bottom layer 7 being arranged on a bottom side 8 of the data carrier 1 said second transmittance spectrum T2a is likewise scattered or absorbed by the bottom layer 7.

(18) Hence, when the data carrier 1 is tilted, the electromagnetic radiation EM is incident on the surface element 3a under a different arrival angle β1as compared to the arrival angle α1 associated with the non-tilted data carrier 1. The reflection spectrum R2a and/or the transmission spectrum T2a and therefore an appearance A2a of the security element 4 is changed accordingly. That is, the data carrier 1 enables a color variation of the security element 4 according to the tilt angle. The electromagnetic radiation being impinging on the data carrier 1, in particular on the lens elements 3a, preferably corresponds to ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light. In the case of ultraviolet light and infrared light a corresponding ultraviolet source such as a black lamp or an infrared source such as an infrared heater are conceivable irradiation sources for irradiating the electromagnetic radiation onto the data carrier. Visible light can be provided by ambient light such as day light or a regular light source such as a flash lamp, for example. Depending on the optical properties of the optically variable element 2 and the angle under which it is impinged by the electromagnetic radiation EM, the optically variable element 2 is configured to reflect and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation EM corresponding to ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light. As is readily evident from these figures, the first and second observation angles γ1, γ2 preferably correspond to the viewing angles under which an observer is viewing the data carrier 1. The observation angles γ1, γ2, and therefore the viewing angles, can be defined as the angles that are formed between the viewing direction and a (fictitious) normal N to a (fictitious) plane P of the data carrier 1 that extends perpendicularly to the extension direction E. Said plane P runs through an uppermost surface 9 of the data carrier 1, on which the at least one surface element 3a is arranged. In the present examples, the plane P is indicated by dashed lines at a location in the data carrier 1 where the lens elements 3a are formed. Similarly, the first and the second arrival angle α1, β1 are defined here in each case as the angle which is formed between the light rays of electromagnetic radiation EM being impinging on the lens elements 3a and the normal N to said plane P.

(19) As has already been mentioned, the lens elements 3a are configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation EM towards the at least one optically variable element 2. In fact, the lens elements 3a are preferably configured such, that said electromagnetic radiation EM is impinging on the optically variable element 2 under at least a first impingement angle δ1 when the data carrier 1 is seen under the first observation angle γ1 and under at least a second impingement angle ε1 being different from the first impingement angle δ1 when the data carrier 1 is seen under the second observation angle γ2. Said first and second impingement angles δ1, ε1 are defined here again as the angle which is formed between the light rays of electromagnetic radiation EM coming from the lens elements 3a and the normal N to the plane P. To this end it should be noted that, when the data carrier 1 is observed under the first observation angle γ1, the electromagnetic radiation EM coming from the lens elements 3a can impinge on the optically variable element 2 under two or more first impingement angles δ1, wherein said two or more first impingement angles δ1 can be the same or different from one another. If electromagnetic radiation EM impinges on the optically variable element 2 under two or more first impingement angles δ1, said two or more first impingement angles δ1 can be said to form a set of first impingement angles or a cone of first impingement angles. Likewise, if the data carrier 1 is observed under the second observation angle γ2, the electromagnetic radiation EM coming from the lens elements 3a can impinge on the optically variable element 2 under two or more second impingement angles ε1, wherein said two or more second impingement angles ε1 can be the same or different from one another. If electromagnetic radiation EM impinges on the optically variable element 2 under two or more second impingement angles ε1, said two or more second impingement angles ε1 can be said to form a set of second impingement angles or a cone of second impingement angles. The set of second impingement angles or cone of second impingement angles differs from the set of first impingement angles or cone of first impingement angles. Hence, by tilting the data carrier 1, electromagnetic radiation EM impinges on the optically variable element 2 under different impingement angles. Consequently, the reflection spectra R1a, R2a and/or the transmission spectra T1a, T2a and thus the appearance A1a, A2a of the security element 4 are changed accordingly.

(20) Additionally or alternatively a vertical distance va between the surface element 3a and the optically variable element 2 with respect to the extension direction E can be such, that a focus F of the electromagnetic radiation EM being guided from the surface element 3a to the optically variable element 2 lies above or below or essentially at the optically variable element 2 with respect to the extension direction E.

(21) As follows from FIG. 1a, the focus F of electromagnetic radiation EM being impinging on the optically variable element 2 essentially lies at the optically variable element 2 and at a first position if the data carrier is observed under the first observation angle γ1. However, and as follows from FIG. 1b, if the data carrier 1 is tilted and observed under the second observation angle γ2, the focal point of the impinging electromagnetic radiation EM is different from that according to FIG. 1a. In fact, in the present example depicted in FIG. 1b the focus F is shifted with respect to a transverse direction T running perpendicularly to the extension direction E so as to lie at a second position being spaced from the first position. In other words, the focus F is moving along the transverse direction T according to the viewing angle or when the data carrier is tilted, respectively.

(22) FIG. 2 depicts a data carrier 1 whose lens elements 3a are configured such, that the focus F of the electromagnetic radiation EM being guided from the lens elements 3a towards the optically variable element 2 lies considerably below the optically variable element 2 with respect to the extension direction E and when the data carrier 1 is observed under the first observation angle γ1. That is, the lens elements 3a according to FIG. 2 comprise a focal length that is larger than the focal length of the lens elements 3a according to FIGS. 1a and 1b. The lens diameters of the lens elements 3a of the data carriers 1 in FIGS. 1a and 1b and in FIG. 2 however are the same. As follows from FIG. 2, the lens elements 3a and the optically variable element 2 are configured such, that only a first reflection spectrum R1a is reflected from the optically variable element 2, whereas no first transmittance spectrum is transmitted through the optically variable element 2. Furthermore, the data carrier 1 according to FIG. 2 differs from the data carrier 1 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b in that the set of first impingement angles under which the electromagnetic radiation EM impinges on the optically variable element 2 is smaller than the set of first impingement angles under which the electromagnetic radiation EM impinges on the optically variable element 2 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b. In particular, the data carrier 1 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b is configured such, that electromagnetic radiation EM constituting white light impinges on the lens elements 3a and subsequently on the optically variable element 2 under first impingement angles δ1 and second impingement angles ε1 that differ more from one another than the first impingement angles δ1 under which the electromagnetic radiation EM impinges on the optically variable element 2 according to FIG. 2. In other words, the set of first impingement angles being associated with the data carrier 1 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b constitute a broader range of first impingement angles δ1 and second impingement angles ε1 than the set of first impingement angles being associated with the data carrier 1 according to FIG. 2. As a consequence, the range of reflected wavelengths that constitute the first reflection spectrum R1a is smaller in the case of the data carrier 1 according to FIG. 2 and compared to the range of reflected wavelengths constituting the first reflection spectrum R1a and the second reflection spectrum R2a according to FIGS. 1a and 1b. For example, the data carrier 1 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b can be configured such, that the first reflection spectrum R1a comprises wavelengths in the colors red, green and blue when the data carrier 1 is observed under the first observation angle γ1. If said data carrier 1 is tilted or seen under the second observation angle γ2 the second reflection spectrum R2a comprises wavelengths in the colors red-orange. Thus, the appearance of the data carrier 1 has changed.

(23) The corresponding first transmittance spectrum T1a constitutes a spectrum being essentially complementary or complementary to the first reflection spectrum R1a. That is, if no absorption takes place inside the optically variable element 2 then the first reflection spectrum R1a is comprised of a first beam R1 of green light, a second beam R2 of red light and a third beam R3 of blue light, then the first transmittance spectrum is comprises of a first beam being T1=1−R1, a second beam being T2=1−R2, and a third beam being T3=1−R3, respectively. In this case, the first transmittance spectrum T1a is complementary to the first reflection spectrum R1a. However, it is conceivable that absorption takes place within the optically variable element 2, in which case the first transmittance spectrum T1a is comprised of a first beam being T1=1−R1−A, a second beam being T2=1−R2−A, and a third beam being T3=1−R3−A, wherein “A” denotes those wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum which are absorbed by the optically variable element 2. In this case, the first transmittance spectrum T1a is said to be essentially complementary to the first reflection spectrum R1a.

(24) The data carriers 1 depicted in FIGS. 3a and 3b differ from those depicted in FIGS. 1a to 2 in that they comprise different surface elements 3a, 3b. In fact, the data carriers 1 according to FIGS. 3a and 3b comprise an array of surface elements 3a and further surface elements 3b, which are arranged here in an alternating manner and immediately adjacent to one another. The further surface elements 3b differ from the surface elements 3a in their shape and are arranged at a different vertical distance vb from the optically variable element 2 with respect to the extension direction E. In fact, the further surface elements 3b are flatter than the surface elements 3a and the vertical distance vb between the further surface elements 3b and the optically variable element 2 is smaller than the vertical distance va between the surface elements 3a and the optically variable element 2. Consequently, and as follows from FIG. 3a, electromagnetic radiation EM is impinging on the further surface elements 3b under at least a further first arrival angle α2 being different from the first arrival angle α1 when the data carrier 1 is seen under the first observation angle γ1, and wherein the at least one optically variable element 2 is configured to reflect at least a further first reflection spectrum R1b upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation EM being impinging on the at least one further surface element 3b under the further first arrival angle α2 that is different from the first reflection spectrum R1a, whereby the at least one security element 4 appears according to at least a further first appearance A1b that is different from the first appearance A1a. Moreover, and as follows from FIG. 3b, electromagnetic radiation EM is impinging on the further surface elements 3b under at least a further second arrival angle β2 being different from the second arrival angle β1 when the data carrier 1 is seen under the second observation angle γ2, and wherein the at least one optically variable element 2 is configured to reflect at least a further second reflection spectrum R2b upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation EM being impinging on the at least one further surface element 3b under the further second arrival angle β2 that is different from the second reflection spectrum R2a, whereby the at least one security element 4 appears according to at least a further second appearance A2b that is different from the second appearance A2a.

(25) As follows from FIGS. 4 and 5, the data carrier 1 can furthermore comprise blocking elements 5 which are configured to selectively block impinging electromagnetic radiation EM. In particular, in FIG. 4 two blocking elements 5 in the form of laser markings are provided on a left side and on a right side of one lens element 3a, wherein said blocking elements are configured to block two rays R1, R3 of electromagnetic radiation EM being reflected from the optically variable element 2. As a result, only one ray R2 of electromagnetic radiation EM being reflected from the optically variable element 2 is allowed to travel through the middle portion of said lens element 3a and towards an outside. In FIG. 5, two blocking elements 5 in the form of laser markings are provided in the middle and on the right side of a lens element 3a. Consequently, only one ray R1 of electromagnetic radiation EM is allowed to travel through the left side of the lens element 3a and towards an outside of the data carrier 1, whereas the other rays R2, R3 of reflected electromagnetic radiation EM are blocked by the blocking elements 5.

(26) To this end it is particularly preferred to provide the blocking elements 5 as pixels of an image or alphanumeric character one wishes to generate in or on the data carrier 1. In fact, each blocking element 5 can correspond to one pixel of an image or alphanumeric character, wherein each blocking element 5 participates to selectively block a color. This phenomenon is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 8, wherein an image in the form of a square (FIG. 7) as well as an image in the form of a gecko (FIGS. 7 and 8) are generated by means of blocking elements 5. Depending on the observation angle, electromagnetic radiation EM is incident on lens elements 3a, 3b and on the optically variable element 2 under one or more particular arrival angles α1, α2, β1, β2 and impingement angles δ1, ε1, respectively. Likewise, electromagnetic radiation EM being reflected from the optically variable element 2 is reflected from the optically variable element 2 and subsequently impinges on the lens elements 3a, 3b under particular outgoing angles, as well. By providing these blocking elements 5 it is possible to selectively block electromagnetic radiation EM that would otherwise impinge on the lens element 3a, 3b and/or on the optically variable element 2 under a particular angle. As a result, the one or more wavelengths that are associated with an impingement under said particular angle(s) are blocked or not generated within the data carrier 1, which enables a tuning of the color of the security element 4. In fact, depending on the location of the blocking element 5 within the lens element 3a, 3b, i.e. whether the blocking element 5 is arranged on a left side, in the middle, or on a right side of the lens element 3a, 3b, particular wavelengths can be blocked. In other words, the provision of blocking elements 5 enables a personalization of the data carrier 1 for a particular observation angle γ1, γ2. Namely, and as follows from FIGS. 7 to 8, the images are visible according to a first appearance A1a if viewed under a first observation angle γ1 and are visible according to a second appearance A2a if viewed under a second observation angle γ2. Although not evident from these figures, said images appear in color when viewed under the first observation angle γ1, whereas the laser markings 5 constituting said images appear as black and white features when viewed under observation angles being different from said first observation angle γ1.

(27) It should be noted that a different appearances such as change in the reflection spectrum can also be obtained in other ways. Namely, and as follows from FIGS. 6a and 6b, it is conceivable to provide a deformation or embossment 10 on the optically variable element 2. Here, said deformation or embossment 10 corresponds to the alphanumeric character “OK”, wherein at the location of this deformation or embossment 10 the reflection spectrum is changed as compared to the rest of the optically variable element 2, i.e. to those parts of the optically variable element where no deformation or embossment is present. As a consequence, different colors are seen, as well.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(28) TABLE-US-00001  1 data carrier R1a first reflection spectrum  2 optically variable element R2a second reflection spectrum  3a surface element R1 light beam  3b surface element R2 light beam  4 security element R3 light beam  5 blocking element T1 light beam  6 security document T2 light beam  7 bottom element T3 light beam  8 bottom side T1a first transmittance spectrum  9 uppermost surface T2a second transmittance 10 embossment spectrum EM electromagnetic radiation A1a first appearance α1 first arrival angle A2a second appearance α2 further first arrival angle E extension direction β1 second arrival angle T transverse direction β2 further second arrival angle F focus γ1 first observation angle N normal γ2 second observation angle va vertical distance δ1 first impingement angle vb vertical distance ε1 second impingement angle