AU2009278274A1

AU2009278274A1 - Security arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2009278274A1
Application number: AU2009278274A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Astrid Heine; Angelika Keck; Christoph Mengel
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Priority date: 2008-08-05
Filing date: 2009-08-04
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-04
Also published as: EP2338150B1; EP2338150A2; CA2732976A1; RU2547700C2; RU2011108217A; WO2010015382A3; AU2009278274B2; WO2010015382A2

Description

Security arrangement 100011 This invention relates to a security arrangement having a security element and a verification means, to a data carrier having such a security arrangement, and to a method for verification. The invention relates further to a microlens substrate which can be used as a verification means or security feature for a data carrier, and to a pro duction method for microlenses and for such a microlens substrate. [00021 Data carriers, such as value documents or identification documents, or also other objects of value, such as branded articles, are often provided for safeguarding purposes with security elements which permit a check of the authenticity of the object and which at the same time serve as protection from unauthorized reproduction. [00031 The term "data carrier" also includes precursors of such data carriers that are unfit for circulation and are present, for example in the case of security paper, in quasi endless form and are processed further at a later time. Data carriers according to the present invention are in particular bank notes, shares, bonds, deeds, vouchers, checks, high-quality admission tickets, but also other papers at risk of forgery, such as pass ports and other identification documents, and also card-shaped data carriers, in particu lar chip cards, and product protection elements, such as labels, seals, packages and the like. 100041 A security element can be embedded in such a data carrier, for example in a bank note or a chip card, or be configured as a self-supporting transfer element, for example as a patch or as a label, which after its production is applied to a data carrier or other object to be secured. [0005] Security elements frequently produce a readily visible optical impression, so that such security elements, besides their function as protection means, are sometimes also employed exclusively as decorative elements. [0006] To prevent a forgery or imitation of security elements for example with high-quality color photocopiers, security elements frequently have optically variable elements which convey a different pictorial impression to the viewer from different -2 viewing angles, showing e.g. a different color impression or also different graphical motifs. In this connection, it is known for example to employ diffractive optical micro or nanostructures in the form of embossed holograms or other hologram-like diffrac tive structures. [00071 For producing optically variable elements it is further known to employ mi crolens arrangements. For example, EP 0 219 012 A2 discloses a regular arrangement of parallel, abutting cylindrical lenses which shows only a strip-shaped area below each cylindrical lens in dependence on the viewing direction because of the converg ing effect of the cylindrical lenses. Below the cylindrical lenses there are arranged im ages broken down in a strip shape which combine to form a certain overall image for a viewer according to the viewing direction. According to the viewing angle, different images become visible upon horizontal arrangement of the cylindrical lenses, thereby making it possible to produce tilt images and animations. When the cylindrical lenses are in the vertical direction, stereoscopic parallaxes can be incorporated in the image, thereby making it possible to produce a three-dimensional impression for the viewer. 100081 Besides the use of cylindrical lenses, it is also known to employ a regular ar rangement of spherical lenses as is employed for example in a moird magnification arrangement. 10009] US 5 712 731 A relates to the use of such a moird magnification arrange ment as a security feature. The security apparatus described therein has a regular ar rangement of substantially identical printed microimages and a regular two dimensional arrangement of substantially identical spherical microlenses. The micro lens arrangement has substantially the same pitch as the microimage arrangement. When the microimage arrangement is viewed through the microlens arrangement, one or several magnified versions of the microimages are produced for the viewer in the areas where the two arrangements are substantially in register. 100101 The basic mode of function of such moird magnification arrangements is de scribed in the article "The moire magnifier", M.C. Hutley, R. Hunt, R.F. Stevens and P. Savander, Pure Appl. Opt. 3 (1994), pp. 133-142. Very briefly, moire magnification accordingly designates a phenomenon occurring upon the viewing of a grid of identi- -3 cal image objects through a lenticular grid with approximately the same grid measure. As with any pair of similar grids, this results in a moird pattern which appears in this case as a magnified and optionally rotated image of the repeated elements of the image grid. Further design variants and effects that are based on this mechanism are de scribed for example in the article "Properties of moird magnifiers", Kamal et al., Opti cal Engineering 37 (11), pp. 3007-3014 (November 1998). 100111 Regular microlens arrangements can also be employed as verification means for security elements, as is described in EP 1 147 912 B1. Here, certain structures of a security element become visible to the user only upon viewing through such a verifica tion element, so that the function of the security element can be hidden to a casual viewer. [00121 For producing such microlens arrangements there are different technologies known in the prior art. In EP 1 878 584 A2 there is disclosed for this purpose the print ing of an optical lacquer on a carrier substrate by means of a gravure printing plate. The gravure printing plate has depressions made therein which constitute the negative form of the desired lens arrangement. Further, this print also discloses the use of the gravure printing plates as an embossing tool by means of which the desired microlens arrangement is formed for example into a lamination layer. Such methods are also de scribed in EP 0 698 256 B2, there being disclosed therein alternatively also the use of photoresist layers in connection with suitable masks for producing microlenses. [0013] In DE 10 2006 003 798 Al there is stated, as a further alternative, the partial application of a primer layer which produces a change in surface tension in certain areas, which can be employed for producing the microlenses. [00141 From the last-mentioned print, and also from WO 2006/016265 Al, there is known, as a further alternative, an ink jet method wherein a translucent plastic, for ex ample an optical lacquer, is positioned at the desired places in the form of microdrop lets by means of an ink jet printing head on a rough surface. In this method, the em ployed materials must have suitable surface tensions in order to avoid a flow-out of the applied liquid microdroplets.

-4 [0015] All known microlens arrangements show a multilayer structure and require accordingly complex and multi-stage production methods. Further, in particular with ink jet methods, the substrate and the plastic applied for producing the microlenses must show certain properties in interaction, for example with regard to surface tension, in order to avoid an unintentional flow-out on the substrate of the plastic that is liquid upon application. In the further known, above-described gravure printing and emboss ing methods, the exact image, i.e. the negative form of the microlenses to be produced, must be brought into the gravure printing plate, which likewise involves extensive and complex preparation steps for providing such a gravure printing plate prior to the pro duction of a microlens arrangement. 100161 In EP 1 147 912 BI there is described the application of such a microlens ar rangement for self-verification in a security document. For this purpose, a security document for example in the form of a bank note comprises a security element and a microlens arrangement which can be brought into congruence with the security ele ment for verification by folding the bank note. Upon viewing of the security element through the microlens arrangement there becomes perceptible to a viewer a motif which is invisible upon direct viewing of the security element. The-security element here is difficult to imitate on account of its microscopic structure. Thus, the viewer can verify the authenticity of the bank note by viewing the security element through the microlens arrangement. [0017] Further, there is known from WO 2005/052650 A2 a security apparatus in the form of a moird magnification unit. It consists of a microlens grid and a grid-like microimage arrangement arranged therebelow and firmly connected to the microlens grids, the microimages being arranged such that, on the one hand, the microimage can be perceived in a magnified view as a motif and, on the other hand, there results upon tilting of the security apparatus a so-called orthoparallactic effect of the motif. In other words, the motif, here a magnified view of a microimage, moves perpendicularly to the tilt direction upon tilting, which constitutes a security feature that is easy to per ceive but difficult to imitate.

-5 [0018] On these premises, the invention is based on the object of providing a secu rity arrangement which produces further optical effects that are easily perceptible and verifiable by a viewer, and of providing a corresponding data carrier and a method for verification. [0019] This object is achieved according to the invention by a security arrangement, a data carrier and a method for verification having the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments and developments. [0020] The security arrangement according to the invention comprises a security element and a verification means. The security element comprises a printed area and has at least on a first partial area thereof a first micromotif grid. For verification of the security element, the verification means is positioned in front of the security element in the viewing direction of a viewer, and for this purpose for example placed on the security element. This verification makes recognizable to a viewer at least a first motif which is not recognizable in the security element with the viewer's naked eye. Prefera bly, there is no information at all perceptible to the viewer on the security element upon viewing without the verification means. [0021] According to the invention, the first micromotif grid of the security element is configured such that the first motif is a so-called dynamic motif. In other words, the size of the first motif perceptible upon verification is changed through rotation of the verification means on or in front of the security element, that is, by changing the rela tive angular alignment between the verification means and the security element. This change of size between a first relative angular alignment and a second relative angular alignment between verification means and security element occurs continuously. Thus, the motif which only becomes recognizable upon verification possesses additional dy namic information which is changeable in targeted fashion through rotation of the veri fication means and thus constitutes a further authenticity feature for verification. 100221 In the security arrangement according to the invention, use is advanta geously made of the fact that security element and verification means are not firmly connected, but constitute two physically separate units which can be shifted relative to each other for verification.

-6 [0023] A suitable configuration of the micromotif grid that permits the occurrence of the described effects can be determined for example by transformation matrices that describe the optical transformation of the verification means. 10024] Preferably, the first micromotif grid extends over the entire surface of the to tal security element, and the security element thus preferably consists of the first mi cromotif grid. [0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the security element according to the in vention, the micromotif grid is constructed according to a first two-dimensional mi cromotif lattice. Such a two-dimensional lattice possesses lattice sites and lattice cells. The lattice sites of the micromotif lattice have micromotifs applied thereto which are represented in each case completely or else only in part, that is, partially. The verifica tion means is a lenticular grid which is constructed according to a likewise two dimensional lattice, the so-called lenticular lattice, whose lattice sites have microlenses applied thereto. Micromotif lattice and lenticular lattice have an identical lattice type and differ only with regard to the lattice constant, that is, the length of the lattice vec tors that respectively construct the micromotif and the lenticular lattice. [0026] In general, two-dimensional lattices can be represented by the five possible two-dimensional Bravais lattices. These are the square lattice, the rectangular lattice, the rhombic lattice, the hexagonal lattice and the parallelogram lattice. These five lat tice types are described in each case by two lattice vectors. Alternatively, these five lattice types can also be described by the length of the two lattice vectors, that is, by two lattice constants, and the intervector angle, that is, the angle between the two lat tice vectors, said intervector angle being fixed at 90 degrees in the square and rectan gular lattices, and the intervector angle being fixed at 60 degrees in the hexagonal lat tice. In the rhombic lattice and parallelogram lattice the intervector angle is arbitrary. These five lattice types have symmetries of varying degree, whereby lattices with low symmetry are preferred for the lattice type of micromotif and lenticular lattice for the present invention. Preferably, the micromotif lattice and the lenticular lattice are thus a parallelogram lattice with an identical intervector angle, but slightly different lattice constants. Alternatively, there can be employed as the micromotif lattice and the len- -7 ticular lattice also in each case a square lattice with slightly different lattice constants. The relative difference of the lattice constants is preferably smaller than 10%, 5%, 3%, 2% or 1%. Even if micromotif grid and lenticular grid are constructed according to an identical lattice type, that is, with an identical intervector angle, the relative angular alignment between micromotif grid and lenticular grid is changed through rotation of the verification means on or in front of the security element. [00271 In this preferred embodiment, the security arrangement according to the in vention corresponds to a moird magnification arrangement, and the first motif percep tible upon verification is a magnified view of the micromotifs which are arranged on the lattice sites of the micromotif lattice. The magnification of such a moird magnifica tion arrangement is changed through rotation of the lenticular grid on the micromotif grid, which leads to the described change in size of the motif perceptible upon verifi cation. 100281 Preferably, the first motif is additionally inverted upon the rotation of verifi cation means and security element. The micromotifs then preferably employed are graphical symbols which permit the recognition of such an inversion, for example let ters or numbers. [00291 In a further preferred embodiment of the security arrangement according to the invention, the first, in each case identical micromotifs are completely represented on the lattice sites of the micromotif lattice from which the first micromotif grid in the first partial area is constructed. Moreover, the security element comprises in a second partial area a second micromotif grid which is constructed according to a second two dimensional micromotif lattice and on whose lattice sites there are completely repre sented second, in each case identical micromotifs which are different from the first micromotifs. Further, the first and the second micromotif lattices are identical, that is, they possess identical lattice constants and an identical intervector angle between the lattice vectors. Nevertheless, the first and the second micromotif grids can have a mu tually angled alignment. 100301 Upon viewing of the security element through the verification means, a magnified representation of the first micromotif is perceptible above the first partial -8 area, while a magnified representation of the second micromotif is perceptible above the second partial area. If the first and second micromotif grids further have an angled mutual alignment, the magnified views of the first and second micromotifs are per ceived with different magnification in the respective partial areas. If the first and sec ond micromotif grids possess an identical alignment, so that the lattice sites of the two micromotif lattices represent a common uniform lattice in the two partial areas of the security element but with different micromotifs, the magnification of the two micro motifs is identical in the two partial areas at a given angular alignment of the lenticular grid. In this case, there can also be applied in both partial areas identical micromotifs which, however, differ in their color, being represented for example in blue and in red. Thus, upon viewing through the verification means there becomes visible a magnified view of the common micromotif which shows the respective colors above the first and second partial areas. In other words, when the position or extension of the perceptible, magnified motif changes, its color also changes when the perceptible motif sweeps over the area boundary between the first and second partial areas. [0031] In a further preferred embodiment, the first and second motif grids have, as described, an identical alignment and the lenticular grid possesses a preferred angular alignment a relative to the two micromotif grids. At least the first partial area has in one direction an extension, for example width, that permits the arrangement of exactly n micromotifs. Preferably, said extension or said width of the first partial area is de scribed by n mutually attached lattice vectors of one of the two lattice vectors of the basic micromotif lattice. With the preferred angular alignment a, the micromotif grid is angularly offset from the lenticular grid such that there arises across the width of the first partial area an offset of the micromotifs from the microlenses that corresponds to a lattice constant of the respective other lattice vector of the micromotif lattice. Ac cordingly, a complete view of a magnified micromotif becomes visible within the width of the first partial area at the angular alignment a. Preferably, micromotif lattice and lenticular lattice are in each case square lattices with almost identical lattice con stants. In this case it holds that: tan a = 1/n. In a preferred embodiment, the first partial area has a width of 12 symbols and the preferred angular alignment a amounts to 4.7640.

-9 [0032] In similar fashion, a suitable height of the first partial area can also be pro vided, so that the magnified micromotif is represented exactly once in the particular partial area at the preferred angular alignment a. In the case of a square lattice, the first partial area thus has n x n micromotifs. [0033] Further, several such partial areas can be arranged side by side, so that ex actly one symbol becomes visible in each partial area upon viewing of the verification means. If said symbols consist of different letters, a whole word can thus for example be made visible in partial areas located side by side. Alternatively, the different partial areas can also be arranged in columns, each with a width of n micromotifs, so that there arise several lines each with the same word. Further, the micromotifs can be ap plied with different colors in the respective partial areas. [0034] In a further preferred embodiment of the security arrangement according to the invention, the security element has at least a first partial area with a first micromo tif grid, and the lenticular grid of the verification means possesses a preferred angular alignment a, preferably 00, relative to the first micromotif grid. On account of the slightly different lattice constants of the micromotif lattice and the lenticular lattice, neighboring lattice points of the micromotif grid are located respectively at different places within the lattice cell, with the lenticular grid placed thereover. The micromotifs of the micromotif grid are identical per se, but they are applied only within the lattice cell of the lenticular grid, that is, in the corresponding area on the security element. In the case that a micromotif does not fit completely into the corresponding lattice cell of the lenticular grid placed thereover, the micromotif is cut off on the lattice cell of the lenticular grid and thus applied only partially to the security element. Thus, only frag ments of the original micromotif are applied depending on the extension of the micro motifs and their arrangement within the lattice cell of the lenticular grid placed there over in the preferred angular alignment. [00351 Such a configuration of the security element has the effect that upon rotation of the lenticular grid on the micromotif grid, not only the magnification of the magni fied micromotif changes, but the magnified micromotif is likewise rotated. This addi- - 10 tional rotation of the magnified micromotif can be adjusted independently of the direc tion and amount of the rotation angle of the verification means. [00361 In a further preferred embodiment of the security arrangement according to the invention, the lenticular grid possesses a preferred angular alignment a, preferably 4.7640, relative to the first micromotif grid. On the lattice sites of the first micromotif grid, first and second micromotifs are applied being cut in accordance with the lattice cells of the lenticular grid in the preferred angular alignment a, so that possibly at a given lattice point of the micromotif grid the two micromotifs are respectively applied partially, preferably adjoining each other. Depending on the position of the lattice point of the micromotif grid within the lattice cell of the lenticular grid, the partial rep resentation of the first micromotif varies from 0% to 100%, and the partial representa tion of the second micromotif accordingly from 100% to 0%. [00371 Through such an angular-dependent, cut representation of two micromotifs, or through the resulting continuous transition between two micromotifs, a change of information between the magnified representations of the two micromotifs takes place upon rotation of the lenticular grid placed thereover, that is, a magnified representation of the first and second micromotifs can be realized alternately depending on the angu lar alignment of the lenticular grid relative to the micromotif grid. The two micromo tifs can also differ with regard to their color. In a preferred embodiment, the two mi cromotifs are different-colored variants of an identical micromotif. Accordingly, a color change of the magnified micromotif can be realized through rotation of the len ticular grid. 10038] Such a change of information can likewise take place when the lenticular grid is shifted on the micromotif grid in a suitable direction, or the overall security ar rangement is tilted relative to the viewing direction of a viewer. [0039] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the security arrangement accord ing to the invention, the security element has in a further partial area a line grid, a structure grid or a further micromotif grid which makes a static motif recognizable upon viewing through the verification element. The size of the static motif does not - 11 change through rotation of the verification means on or in front of the security ele ment. [0040] A line grid consists here of lines preferably having an angle of +45' or -45* relative to a lattice vector of the lenticular grid in a preferred angular alignment a of a lenticular grid placed thereover. The lines of the lenticular grid thus have a mutual an gle of 900. In the preferred embodiment, the lenticular grid is constructed according to a square lattice. The static motif is imperceptible upon viewing of the security element without verification means, while upon viewing of the further partial area of the secu rity element through the verification means the static motif becomes perceptible to a viewer through the resulting moird effect. The grid spacing of the line grid is deter mined by the lattice constant of the lenticular grid of the verification means. [0041] Preferably, the static motif is visible only at the preferred angular alignment a, while as of a given angular deviation from the preferred angular alignment a of for example more than 5* the static motif is no longer recognizable. [00421 In this preferred embodiment, the security arrangement according to the in vention thus comprises an at least first partial area with a dynamic motif and a further partial area with a static motif. 100431 Instead of a line grid, there can also be employed a structure grid. The ele ments of the structure grid have a different angulation respectively on areas corre sponding to the background and the foreground of the static motif. In the case of a verification means with a square lenticular lattice, the angulation of these different elements of the structure grid amounts to 900, as already in the above-explained line grid. [0044] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a micromotif grid is also provided in the further partial area, the micromotifs being respectively configured differently in the areas constituting foreground and background of the static motif. The design, prefera bly the color design, has the different angulation already explained in connection with the structure grid and line grid, which can be obtained for example by a partly inverted representation of the micromotifs. In a preferred embodiment, the micromotifs are -12 configured to be multicolored, so that upon viewing through the verification means there results a static motif whose color changes, in accordance with the colors chosen through the micromotifs, at least upon shifting of the verification means and upon tilt ing of the verification means and of the security element (security arrangement), and optionally also upon rotation of the verification means. Preferably, the left half of the micromotifs is represented with a first color and the right half with a second color in the area of the foreground of the static motif, whereas the left half of the micromotifs is represented with the second color and the right half of the micromotifs with the first color in the area of the background of the static motif. [00451 Preferably, the further micromotif grid in the further partial area is also con figured such that upon the rotation of the verification means relative to the security element there results a magnified view of the micromotifs with a magnification that is adjustable depending on the angular alignment. Likewise, the further effects already described in connection with other preferred embodiments can also be realized in the further micromotif grid. [00461 In a further preferred embodiment, the security arrangement according to the invention comprises an aligning means which permits a defined positioning of the verification means relative to the security element. This can be realized in the simplest case by for example printed crosshairs which are firmly connected respectively to the security element and the verification means. When said crosshairs are brought into congruence, this provides a defined initial position for the verification means relative to the security element. 100471 Alternatively or additionally there can be provided on the security element a guiding means, for example a mechanical guiding means, which can interact with the verification means or a complementary guiding means on the verification means, so that the verification means can be shifted and/or rotated relative to the security element in a predefined way. It is thus possible to predetermine in a defined way what effects the viewer will perceive upon a change of position of the verification means relative to the security element.

- 13 [0048] In a further preferred embodiment, the micromotifs are arranged on the lat tice sites of the at least first micromotif grid or of the optionally several micromotif grids such that upon tilting of the security arrangement and/or upon shifting of the verification means on the security element, either there results an orthoparallactic ef fect of the magnified micromotif or micromotifs, or the magnified micromotif at least of the first partial area is stationary with regard to the security element. An orthoparal lactic effect is present when upon tilting of the security arrangement or shifting of the verification means the magnified micromotif moves counter-intuitively, preferably at a right angle to the tilting and/or shifting direction. [0049] In a further preferred embodiment, the security element has an embossing, preferably in the form of a grid, which produces an optically variable tilt effect of the security element upon direct viewing, that is, already upon viewing without the verifi cation means. The embossing is preferably a microembossing which is not recogniz able to the viewer with the naked eye. The position of the embossing and of the mi cromotifs of the micromotif grid are mutually coordinated such that the security ele ment produces different visual impressions at different viewing angles, because the microembossings result in viewing angle-dependent shadow effects of the micromo tifs. [00501 In a further preferred embodiment, the lenticular grid of the verification means has microlenses with at least two different focal lengths, or the microlenses are arranged in the verification means with a predefined irregularity. The arrangement of the lenses preferably deviates clearly from the fixed, regular lenticular grid usually necessary for moird magnification arrangements. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to achieve a great freedom of design in configuring the security arrangement according to the invention. On.the other hand, the information that is necessary for extracting the desired dynamic or static information from the micromotif grid can be stored not only in the security element, but at least partly also in the verification means. Thus, the magnified micromotifs and optionally further information stored in the security element and invisible to the naked eye cannot be made perceptible by len ticular grids that are possibly readily available.

- 14 [00511 In a further preferred embodiment of the security arrangement according to the invention, the lattice constants of micromotif lattice and lenticular lattice are greater than 100, 200, 300 or 500 pim. Lenses and micromotif lattices with such great lattice constants have the advantage that, on the one hand, the verification of the secu rity element is uncritical with regard to small, unintentional shifts of the verification means over or on the security element. This is an advantage in particular when verifi cation is carried out by a viewer by hand, because there thus results a perceptible im age which changes only minimally, preferably imperceptibly, upon minimal, uninten tional changes of the position of the verification means. [00521 Further, for applying micromotifs in an order of magnitude of 100 Pm or higher there can advantageously be employed the printing methods usual for example in bank-note printing, so that the micromotif grid or grids of the security element can be produced without a separate working step for example in the course of bank-note production. There can be employed here all known printing methods, such as flex ographic printing, screen printing, offset printing or intaglio printing or halftone gra vure. It is particularly preferable to produce the micromotifs by intaglio printing, whereby the depressions in the intaglio printing plate have preferably been provided using the FITS milling technique. Due to the very fine resolution attainable by intaglio printing it is possible to print sufficiently small micromotifs with a high degree of de tail. [0053] The choice of lattice constants greater than 100 jim for the lenticular grid moreover permits a production of the microlenses by printing technology. Upon such a production by printing technology, a translucent, preferably transparent, carrier sub strate is prestructured, so that elevations arise on a front side of the carrier substrate, and depressions corresponding substantially to the elevations arise on a back side of the carrier substrate opposing the front side. At least in the depressions on the back side of the prestructured carrier substrate there is subsequently applied, preferably by printing technology, a transparent plastic which upon curing forms microlenses, pref erably biconvex microlenses. The microlenses are firmly connected to the carrier sub strate after curing and thus provide the lenticular grid of the verification means. The - 15 carrying out of this production method is simplified when the lattice constants of the lenticular grid are greater than 100, 200, 300 or 500 pm. [0054] The invention further relates to a data carrier comprising a security arrange ment according to the invention. For this purpose, the data carrier comprises a flexible substrate in which the security element and/or the verification means of the security arrangement are arranged, whereby the verification means can be arranged in front the security element in the viewing direction of a viewer. Further, the data carrier is con figured such that the verification means, when arranged in front of the security ele ment, can be shifted and/or rotated relative thereto. [00551 In a preferred embodiment of the data carrier, the latter comprises at least two security elements, whereby the verification means can be arranged in each case selectively in front of the two security elements in the viewer's viewing direction. Moreover, the verification means, when arranged in front of the particular security element, can be shifted and/or rotated relative thereto, so that the described effects can be realized with both security elements. This permits a double-sided self-verification on the data carrier, that is, with one verification means it is possible to verify at least two security elements for example by folding the data carrier. Depending on the con figuration of the data carrier, it is also possible to verify more than two security ele ments with a given verification means. This can be done for example by providing several foldings or folding axes. [0056] In a further preferred embodiment, there are incorporated stochastically in the regular arrangement of the micromotifs in the micromotif grid foreign micromotifs different therefrom, that is, the micromotifs of the micromotif grid are replaced by for eign micromotifs, or the foreign micromotifs are applied in addition to the micromotifs of the micromotif grid, according to a predefined probability distribution on the secu rity element. Such a stochastic incorporation of foreign micromotifs has no spurious effect on the represented magnified information, because only micromotifs of the mi cromotif grid that are arranged at a certain distance are magnified by the moird magni fication effect. Such a targeted incorporation of foreign micromotifs provides a further possibility for increasing the forgery resistance of the security arrangement.

- 16 [0057] In a further preferred embodiment, different luminescent, i.e. fluorescent or phosphorescent, colors are employed in the micromotif grid. For this purpose, the mi cromotifs are applied in two differently luminescent, in particular fluorescent colors. When such a security element is viewed with the naked eye under UV light, different fluorescent areas in respectively either the first or the second fluorescent color are per ceptible. When the security element is viewed through a verification means, however, the different-colored fluorescences overlap and a mixed color of the two fluorescent colors becomes visible. In a particularly preferred embodiment, there is applied a yel low and a blue fluorescent color to the security element, resulting in green as a mixed color. [00581 As mentioned above, the motif grids can be configured to be multicolored. Furthermore, the motif grids can be configured alternatively or at the same time in dif ferently luminescent colors, as described hereinabove. [00591 In a further preferred embodiment of the security arrangement according to the invention, a predefined area is ablated, that is, removed, by means of laser from a printed ink layer of the security element. This makes it possible to incorporate in the security element additional information which can be made visible upon viewing of the security element through the verification means. [00601 According to a second aspect of the invention, there will hereinafter be stated a microlens substrate which can also be used as a verification means or security feature and which is simply constructed, as well as a production method for micro lenses and for such a microlens substrate which permits a simplified production. A suitable microlens substrate, a production method for microlenses and for such a mi crolens substrate, a data carrier having such a microlens substrate and the use of a car rier substrate as a lens mandrel for producing microlenses is described in the preferred embodiments. [00611 This second aspect of the invention is based on the finding that a prestruc tured carrier substrate with elevations and depressions can be employed as a mandrel for producing microlenses. Such a prestructured carrier substrate can be provided by embossing a suitable carrier substrate. For this purpose there can be employed emboss- - 17 ing tools known per se. Preferably, the carrier substrate is blind embossed by gravure printing. In so doing, there are provided in a gravure printing plate employed for blind embossing, depressions, in particular engravings, which produce suitable embossed structures on the carrier substrate. It is possible here to influence in targeted fashion the form and dimension of the elevations and depressions, and thus of the microlenses to be produced, for example by means of the engraving depth and engraving width. 100621 In blind embossing, embossing is done by means of a gravure printing plate without ink filling, that is, no printing ink is provided in the depressions of the gravure printing plate. Embossing is done here under very high contact pressure, that is, be tween the gravure printing plate and a counterpressure plate, which can be covered with a special thin rubber cloth, there act very high forces, which guarantee a perma nent embossing of the carrier substrate. [00631 The gravure printing process is preferably a line gravure or intaglio printing process, wherein there are engraved in the gravure printing plate or intaglio printing plate depressions, for example in the form of lines, in the printing plate [sic] by means of a rotating graver guided manually or by machine. However, is it also possible to use a halftone gravure method wherein the depressions are etched into the gravure printing plate. Furthermore, a gravure printing plate can of course also be provided with the intended engravings by means of a suitable laser. [00641 In the gravure printing process, the carrier substrate is embossed at high pressure by means of the gravure printing plate and a counterpressure plate. On ac count of the depressions in the gravure printing plate there arise elevations on the front side of the carrier substrate which faces the gravure printing plate, and corresponding depressions on the opposing back side of the substrate. The depressions in the gravure printing plate are configured such that the elevations and/or the depressions of the em bossed substrate are suitable for molding microlenses. There is thus provided a simple possibility for producing elevations and/or depressions suitable for molding micro lenses. [00651 Microlenses are then produced by applying a translucent plastic suitable for forming the microlenses to at least one of the two sides of the blind embossed carrier - 18 substrate in the area of the elevations or depressions. Preferably, the depressions on the back side of the carrier substrate are filled with such a translucent plastic and/or the elevations on the front side of the carrier substrate are covered over the entire surface with such a translucent plastic. Within the framework of the present description, "translucent" means that light can shine through to a certain extent or completely, thus also including transparency. A translucent layer permits objects therebehind or there under to be perceived, even if the brightness of the objects can be reduced and/or the color of the objects changed through the translucent layer. Translucent plastic is ac cordingly understood to be a transparent plastic or a semitransparent plastic, in particu lar a glazing plastic. 100661 Upon the production of microlenses by filling the depressions on the back side of the carrier substrate with the translucent plastic, the spatial extension of the lens on the carrier substrate is determined not only by material parameters, such as the surface tension of the translucent plastic on the carrier substrate, but advantageously also by the spatial geometry of the depression produced in the substrate. This results in more degrees of freedom in the selection of the materials. Additionally, the spatial po sition of the applied plastic is also determined by the depression, and in this manner the microlens to be formed is centered at the intended position. Thus, a lower location accuracy is necessary upon application of the translucent plastic. 100671 The surface form of the microlens is determined on its side facing the carrier substrate by the form of the depression. In this connection, the invention is based on the finding that the back side of a carrier substrate embossed by intaglio printing or halftone gravure with an accordingly configured gravure printing plate has an almost spherical or cylindrical embossed structure suitable for forming microlenses. Such an embossed structure results on the back side of the carrier substrate both in the case of spherical, pyramidal or line-shaped depressions in the gravure printing plate and in the case of differently designed engravings or etchings. By depressions in the gravure printing plate in the form of concentric rings there can also be provided on the back side of the carrier substrate an embossed structure which is suitable for forming a Fresnel lens.

- 19 [00681 Upon filling of the preferably spherical or cylindrical embossed structure on the back side of the carrier substrate there thus results a spherically or cylindrically symmetric lens surface on the side of the carrier substrate. Additionally, for example the width and the height of the lens can be determined by the form of the depression in the gravure printing plate. Suitable technologies for incorporating almost any desired engraving depths and engraving widths are known from the prior art. [00691 The form of the microlens on the side facing away from the carrier substrate is determined in general by different properties of the carrier substrate and of the trans lucent plastic, such as by the form and the volume of the depression, the amount of translucent plastic filled into such a depression, and the material properties of carrier substrate and translucent plastic. Advantageously, the surface tension of the translu cent plastic on the carrier substrate is so adjusted that there results for the lens surface on the side facing away from the carrier substrate a surface suitable for optical pur poses, for example a lens surface with a spherical arcuate or parabolic slice plane. Thus, said lens surface is not determined by an embossing tool, as is known from the prior art. This makes it possible to dispense with the hitherto necessary provision of such a high-precision tool, on the one hand, and with a corresponding embossing step, on the other hand, so that the production method as a whole is shortened and simpli fied. [0070] Alternatively or additionally, the front side of the carrier substrate can also be covered with such a translucent plastic at least in certain areas. Thus, concave bulges form in the applied translucent plastic in the area of the elevations, i.e. in the area of the positive structure resulting from the gravure printing process, whereby mi crolenses likewise arise. Such a covering of the front side of the carrier substrate serves at the same time to produce a plane surface on the front side of the carrier sub strate, to mechanically strengthen the carrier substrate, and/or to influence in targeted fashion the optical refractive power of the overall arrangement. [0071] The carrier substrate preferably comprises paper and/or a carrier foil, in par ticular a translucent carrier foil. In the simplest case, the carrier substrate consists completely either of paper or of plastic. The carrier substrate can, however, also con- - 20 sist of different materials in certain areas, and consist in particular of paper in one area and at the same time of plastic, preferably of a translucent carrier foil, in another area. This makes it possible to emboss different materials as a carrier substrate in one opera tion. A translucent carrier foil is understood here to be either a transparent or a semi transparent carrier foil, for example a glazing carrier foil, which comprises for exam ple polyamide, polyester, polyethylene or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). [0072] Preferably, the filling of the depressions on the back side of the carrier sub strate is carried out such that plano- or biconvex lenses form on the back side of the carrier substrate. The desired form of the lenses can be adjusted here by means of the employed translucent plastic and its drying behavior, in particular by a volume change accompanying drying, for example a volume reduction (volume shrinkage). The vol ume shrinkage occurring upon polymerization or upon curing of UV-curable lacquers favors the formation of biconvex lenses. 100731 Biconvex lenses show a greatest possible positive refractive power at a given amount of applied translucent plastic or at a predefined build-up height of the micro lenses produced on the back side, and thus possess improved optical properties com pared with plano-convex lenses due to the double-sided curvature. When further trans lucent plastic is now additionally applied to the front side of a translucent carrier sub strate, there result in the area of the elevations concave, in particular plano-concave, microlenses which have a negative refractive power. Thus, the positive refractive power of the biconvex lenses produced on the back side can be weakened and in this manner the focal length of the overall arrangement be adjusted in targeted fashion. This can be done by the choice of the refractive index of the translucent plastic em ployed for producing the front-side microlenses, whereby in general the refractive power of a lens increases with an increasing refractive index of the lens material. [0074] The produced microlenses can be formed on the front side and/or back side of the carrier substrate in principle both as spherical lenses and as cylindrical lenses, in particular as curved cylindrical lenses. [00751 Preferably, the microlenses arranged in the depressions on the back side of the carrier substrate are arranged spaced apart and spatially separated from each other.

-21 Thus, a microlens forms in each depression independently, without there being any mutual influencing of neighboring microlenses. The spacing of neighboring micro lenses is expediently chosen here to be as small as possible in order to guarantee as high an area coverage as possible and thus a high-contrast representation in interaction for example with a security element explained more closely hereinafter. However, it is also possible to arrange the microlenses contiguously, resulting in a continuous, all over layer of translucent plastic which comprises the microlenses. 10076] The filling of the depressions on the back side of the carrier substrate and/or the covering of the front side of the carrier substrate with the translucent plastic is ad vantageously done by printing technology, for example by flexographic printing or screen printing. This permits both the amount and the site of the emitted transparent plastic to be controlled well. In particular, this makes it possible to produce the indi vidual microlenses on the back side of the carrier substrate with different colors. In general, parameters of the microlenses that are variable by the printing can be chosen individually for each of said microlenses. Moreover, flexographic printing and also screen printing are common printing methods, which permit printing to be done in a simple way and thus cost-efficiently, as well as at high speed. [0077] Preferably, the applied plastic has a high refractive index and contains for this purpose for example nanoscalic, transparent particles with a high inorganic pig ment content, e.g. titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. The refractive index of the applied plastic can also be increased by adding zinc ions and/or calcium ions. A further possi bility is to incorporate transparent, strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres which are preferably formed from PMIMA (polymethylmethacrylate). Further, the translucent plastic can also be dyed and/or contain optically variable effect pig ments. Moreover, there can also be employed monomers with a high refractive index. 100781 Materials with a high refractive index preferably possess a refractive index of more than 1.5, preferably more than 1.6 and particularly preferably more than 1.7. As such materials there come into consideration for example organic compounds and combinations of organic compounds which can be processed to a lacquer system and undergo a polyreaction upon irradiation, in particular upon UV or electron irradiation, -22 and crosslink or cure to a polymeric material, that is, to a polymer, a copolymer or a mixture of polymers and/or copolymers with a high refractive index. Possible organic compounds in this connection are halogenated acrylates, methacrylates or aromatic acrylates. [00791 The translucent plastic applied for forming the microlenses is thus preferably an optically active lacquer which, in a further production step, is dried or, in the case of UV curing, cures directly after application and is thereby fixed. Drying is effected in the case of solvent-based lacquers by evaporation of the solvent, whereby such sol vent-based lacquers are not unconditionally suitable for making microlenses on ac count of their drying mechanism. It is hence preferable to use curable lacquers, where drying is effected by curing, for example at an elevated temperature or by UV irradia tion, because the drying process in this case involves no, or only a slight, volume change of the applied optical lacquer and thus supports the formation of symmetric microlenses, such as biconvex lenses. This effect is based on surface and volume shrinkage effects during the drying process. 100801 As an optical lacquer it is suitable here to use an unmatted lacquer curing by UV irradiation, i.e. a lacquer containing no matting agents. For example, the optical lacquer is an acrylate system with about 5 to 10% of monomers, about 3 to 7% of photoinitiators and about 0.5 to 1% of silicone-based or mineral oil-based defoamer. For use in a flexographic printing process, the viscosity of the optical lacquer upon printing is preferably between about 0.1 and 1 Pas. For use in a screen printing proc ess, the viscosity preferably amounts to about 0.5 to 5 Pas. [00811 For example, the optical lacquer is an acrylate system with about 5 to 25% of oligomers (preferably polyurethane acrylates or polyester acrylates), about 5 to 25% of bi- or multifunctional monomers based on acrylate or methacrylates, about 5 to 7% of photoinitiators, about 5 to 25% of reactive diluent (based on acrylates or methacry lates such as 1,6-hexadiol diacrylate), about 5 to 15% of transparent fillers and up to about 5% of additives. The viscosity of such an optically active UV screen printing lacquer is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 Pas at a shear rate of d= 250 s-' and a temperature of 20*C.

-23 10082] It is in principle possible to choose the materials of the carrier substrate and of the microlenses in such a way that they can be easily separated from each other to produce individual microlenses. For producing a microlens substrate, however, the microlenses are firmly connected to the carrier substrate. For this purpose it is expedi ent when the two materials enter into a physical or optionally chemical connection, either directly or for example by providing an additional primer layer. [00831 Advantageously, for prestructuring by blind embossing, there are provided in a gravure printing plate identical depressions that are regular, for example arranged in a grid, thereby making it possible to obtain a regular arrangement of identical mi crolenses and thus obtaining a microlens array. The blind embossed carrier substrate is a part of the microlens substrate here. Optionally, the microlens substrate is cut to the desired size. 10084] Alternatively, there can also be provided depressions with different widths and/or depths in the gravure printing plate. Likewise, there can be provided a grid-like or lattice-like arrangement of the depressions with different angles in certain areas, or a partial arrangement of such depressions in geometrical forms or motifs. This makes it possible to provide accordingly different depressions and elevations in the carrier substrate. 100851 When the prestructured carrier substrate consists of a translucent carrier foil in certain areas or completely, this provides a microlens substrate or a microlens foil. It can be employed as a verification means for a data carrier. For use as a verification means, the microlens foil is preferably provided with one or many spacers or an addi tional spacer layer in order to ensure a suitable distance between the microlens foil and a security element to be verified. Preferably, the spacer layer additionally comprises strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres in order to increase the refrac tive power of the microlens foil of the verification means. [00861 The microlens foil is preferably of mirror-symmetric construction, whereby the symmetry plane extends through the center plane of the biconvex microlenses, par allel to the carrier substrate of the microlens foil. It is in particular of optically sym metric construction, so that the microlens foil can serve as a verification means, inde- - 24 pendently of the direction from which one looks through the microlens foil during verification. In other words, one can view through the microlens foil a subjacent secu rity element from both sides. This optically symmetric or mirror-symmetric structure can be provided by the carrier substrate playing no, or only a small, part for the beam path within the microlens foil, which can be ensured for example by a sufficiently thin layer thickness of the carrier substrate. Such a symmetric verification means permits, on the one hand, a simplified handling of the microlens foil as a verification means, because verification can take place independently of the viewing direction through the microlens foil. On the other hand, such a symmetric verification means can preferably be used for self-verification on data carriers, in particular bank notes, or also for verifi cation of other security elements applied to data carriers. [0087] The above remarks on symmetric or optically symmetric microlens foils hold fundamentally also for asymmetric microlens foils. However, e.g. plano-convex lenses have a greater focal length compared with biconvex lenses. Therefore, micro lens foils with symmetric lenses are particularly preferred within the framework of the present invention, in particular for verification independent of the viewing direction through the microlens foil. 100881 For self-verification, the data carrier, preferably a bank note, is folded and the verification means brought into congruence with a security element. In particular in the case of a symmetric structure of the verification means, the verification means can advantageously be folded in different directions and thereby interact with different security elements for verification. The handling of the verification means is especially easy for the viewer in the case of a symmetric structure of the microlens foil, because the microlens foil has the same focal length for both viewing directions. For example, the verification means can be folded around a folding axis selectively onto a front side or a back side of the data carrier. Further, several folding axes can also be provided in the data carrier, whereby the verification means can interact with two security ele ments per folding axis. [0089] The microlens substrate according to the invention, in particular in the form of a microlens foil, can also be employed for producing a complete security feature for - 25 a data carrier. For this purpose, the translucent plastic of the microlenses and/or the carrier substrate is preferably provided, in particular printed, in the area of the back side depressions with a suitable grid-like microimage structure. This makes it possible to provide a microrefraction image, preferably employing the moird magnification ef fect. [0090] The invention also relates to the use of a carrier substrate which has been prestructured, preferably embossed, particularly preferably blind embossed by gravure printing, in particular by intaglio printing, so that elevations are located on a front side and depressions substantially corresponding to the elevations on a back side opposing the front side, as a lens mandrel for producing microlenses. [00911 Finally, the invention also includes a data carrier, in particular a value document, a branded article or the like, having a microlens substrate of the above described type. The microlens substrate can be arranged over the entire surface, on partial surfaces or in a window area of the data carrier. 100921 The present invention is characterized by a very much simpler structure and an accordingly simple production method compared with security features known from the prior art. It is in particular possible to provide multicolor motifs and tilt motifs in simple fashion. [00931 Further embodiment examples and advantages of the invention will hereinaf ter be explained with reference to the figures. For clarity's sake the figures do without a true-to-scale and true-to-proportion representation. [00941 There are shown: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a bank note with security features; Figs. 2a and 2b a plan view and a cross section of a lens structure according to the invention; Figs. 3a to 3f in each case different embodiment examples of a microlens foil according to the invention; - 26 Figs. 4a to 4e in each case different embodiment examples of a security ele ment according to the invention; Figs. 5 to 10 different embodiment examples of a security element; Figs. I Ia and 1lb a security arrangement with a guiding means; and Fig. 1 ic a security arrangement with an alternative guiding means. [0095] In Fig. 1 there is depicted as a data carrier a bank note 1. It comprises a secu rity feature in the form of a security element 2 and of a verification means 3. The veri fication means 3 consists of a microlens foil, while the security element 2 is con structed as a grid-like microimage structure in the embodiment example. The verifica tion means 3 can be brought into congruence with the security element 2 by folding along the folding axis of the bank note 1, depicted in Fig. 1 by a dash line, thereby re sulting in a security feature as depicted in the lower part of Fig. 1. The microimage structure of the security element 2 is recognizable here for example magnified due to the moird magnification effect. Such an authenticity check can be designed in many different variants. For example, one can look through the verification means 3 from different sides depending on the structure. [00961 For this purpose, the microlens foil of the verification means 3, due to a bi convex shaping of the microlenses, has a mirror symmetry relative to a substrate plane extending through the center plane of the biconvex microlenses 4. If such a mirror symmetric structure of the verification means 3 is present, an observation of a subja cent security element 2 can be effected through the verification means 3 in both direc tions, this being especially easily possible for the viewer due to the mirror-symmetric structure of the verification means 3, as already mentioned above, i.e. such a verifica tion means has especially good handling. Accordingly, it is provided that the verifica tion means 3, for self-verification by folding the bank note, can be folded both for wards and backwards to then be brought into congruence selectively with a security element 2 applied to the front side of the bank note 1 or one applied to the back side thereof. Upon the interaction of verification means 3 and the respective security ele ment 2 there is formed the respectively desired security feature.

- 27 100971 As the substrate material for the data carrier there comes into consideration in the case of a bank note 1 any type of paper, in particular cotton vellum paper. It is of course also possible to use paper containing a content x of polymeric material, where x can be between 0 and 100 wt%. [00981 The substrate material of the bank note 1, or in general of a data carrier, can also be a plastic foil, such as a polyester foil. The foil can be stretched uniaxially or biaxially. A stretching of the foil results, inter alia, in it acquiring light-polarizing properties, which can be utilized as a further security feature. The substrate material can also be a multilayer composite which contains at least one layer of paper or of a paper-like material. Such a composite, which can also be used as a substrate material for bank notes, is characterized by an exceptionally great stability, which is of great advantage for the durability of the note or data carrier. [00991 As a substrate material it is further possible to use a multilayer, paper-free composite material, which can be advantageously used in particular in some climatic regions of the earth. [01001 Generally, the verification means according to the invention can advanta geously be arranged in a transparent/translucent area of the substrate. The transpar ent/translucent area can be realized by providing in an opaque substrate material, e.g. paper, a window-like aperture (through opening), which is closed substantially over the entire surface by a verification means according to the invention, e.g. a microlens foil. The through opening can be produced during the production of the substrate (so called "vat hole") or subsequently by cutting or punching, in particular laser beam cut ting. [0101] All substrate materials can contain accessory agents which can serve as au thenticity features. There come into consideration here in particular luminescent sub stances which are preferably transparent in the visible wavelength range and can be excited in an invisible wavelength range by suitable aids, such as a source emitting UV radiation or IR radiation, to produce a luminescence radiation that is directly visible or detectable with aids.

-28 101021 The security element 2 to be verified can generally be constructed in differ ent ways, for example as a micro-printed area with a fine dot or line grid structure, as a structure grid with hidden information, as multicolored, grid structures placed one over the other and/or as an embossed grid structure with and without an ink-carrying ele ment, for example with a reflective, metallic layer. [01031 A strong interference or magnification effect is achieved with a line grid whose order of magnitude of periodicity corresponds to the order of magnitude of pe riodicity of the verification means 3, amounting for example to 300 pm. The width of the lines amounts to in each case 150 ptm here, and the width of the respectively inter jacent, for example unprinted, white space likewise amounts to 150 Im. [0104] In the case of a picture motif integrated in the security element 2, the line modulation from the light to the dark picture areas preferably amounts to 100 to 150 ptm. Besides a simple line grid, there can also be employed an offset grid. [0105] Instead of a line grid, the security element 2 can also be present as a periodi cally recurring motif or symbol. Its repeat (periodicity) is created in dependence on the embossed structures. [0106] A further effect that is strongly perceptible visually upon verification is achieved with a line grid in multicolor printing. For this purpose, colored lines (for example, CMY, cyan, magenta, yellow) are printed edge to edge, that is, directly con tiguously. 101071 Upon viewing of such structures through a verification means 3 with a grid like microlens arrangement with spherical lenses there results at right angles to the ground lines a strong magnification with a three-dimensional appearance. Tilting pro duces the impression of a flowing motion, the motion being effected in each case at right angles to the tilting direction. The underlying mechanism is based on the mecha nism described in the above-mentioned articles "The moird magnifier" and "Properties of moird magnifiers".

- 29 [01081 The microlens foil 6 shown in the following embodiment examples accord ing to Figures 2a to 3f can be used as such a verification means 3 for data carriers I according to Fig. 1. [01091 Fig. 2a shows a schematic plan view of two neighboring spherical micro lenses 4 on a carrier substrate not depicted. The microlenses 4 possess, in the embodi ment example, a diameter d of about 500 pm and a spacing a of about 2 pm. The spa tial periodicity of such a microlens arrangement thus amounts to approximately 500 gm. In Fig. 2b there is depicted a schematic cross section of the microlens arrange ment. Besides the microlenses 4 there is also depicted schematically the carrier sub strate 5. In the depicted embodiment examples the carrier substrate 5 is blind em bossed by intaglio printing. The microlenses 4 possess a height h of about 60 pm. The engraving depth of the depressions in the gravure printing plate employed for emboss ing the carrier substrate 5 amounts to about 100 gm. The thickness of the carrier sub strate 5 is in the range of about 15 to about 100 pm and is negligible in the ideal case. [01101 Generally, in the embodiment examples the diameters or, in the case of cy lindrical lenses, the width d of the microlenses is in the range between about 50 and about 500 pm. The engraving depths of the depressions in the gravure printing plate are in the range between about 20 and about 200 pm, and the engraving widths in the range between about 50 and about 500 pm. Because the back-side embossed structures of the carrier substrate 5 are filled substantially completely with optical lacquer, the width d of the microlenses corresponds substantially to the engraving width. This holds in particular when the thickness of the carrier substrate 5 is negligible in com parison. [01111 Fig. 3a shows schematically a first embodiment example for a microlens ar rangement 6 which can be employed as a verification means. The carrier substrate 5 here is a transparent carrier foil which has been embossed by gravure printing. In the depressions thereby resulting on the back side of the carrier foil 5, i.e. the side previ ously facing away from the gravure printing plate or intaglio printing plate, there are arranged microlenses 4 which consist of an optically active, translucent lacquer 7. The - 30 lacquer 7 can be transparent or, as long as it is at least translucent, also colored. The microlenses 4 here are arranged spaced apart. [0112] Alternatively, however, the microlenses 4 can also be arranged within a con tinuous, all-over layer of optical lacquer, as depicted in Fig. 3b. The production of mi crolenses in a continuous layer of optical lacquer is generally easier to realize than the production of a multiplicity of individual microlenses. 101131 In Fig. 3c there is again schematically depicted an embossed carrier foil, wherein the front side is covered with a layer 9 of optical lacquer 8. The exterior sur face of the optical lacquer layer 9 is flat, and the optical lacquer layer 9 reproduces the positive structure resulting from the embossing of the carrier foil 5, so that piano concave microlenses arise in the area of the elevations of the carrier substrate 5. 10114] In Fig. 3d there is depicted a combination of the embodiment examples from Figures 3a and 3c. Here, at the same time, the depressions on the back side of the transparent carrier foil 5 are filled with optical lacquer 7 for forming the microlenses 4, and the front side of the carrier foil 5 is covered over the entire surface with a layer 9 of optical lacquer 8. Thus, the optical refractive power of the microlenses 4 is weak ened, whereby a positive refractive power of the overall arrangement nevertheless re mains, because the biconvex microlenses 4 on the back side of the carrier foil 5 have a stronger positive refractive power than the plano-concave microlenses in the front-side lacquer layer 9. In this manner there can be obtained, inter alia, a targeted influencing of the optical refractive power of the microlens arrangement. [0115] The embodiment example depicted in Fig. 3e corresponds in its spatial struc ture to the embodiment example depicted in Fig. 3a. In the optical lacquer 7 of the mi crolenses 4 produced on the back side, however, there are incorporated transparent, strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres which have a high refractive index and are made for example of PMiMA (polymethylmethacrylate), polystyrene or polycarbonate. The size of the spheres is in the range between 1 and 50 gm and amounts to for example 2, 3, 5, 10, 20 or 30 gm, depending on the existing dimensions of the microlenses containing them.

-31 101161 The embodiment example depicted in Fig. 3f builds again on the embodi ment example depicted in Fig. 3a. Additionally there is provided here a spacer layer 10 as a spacer. Said layer can, as depicted, consist of strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres with a diameter of for example about 50 pm. However, it can also consist of a suitable plastic foil, for example in the form of a label. The spacer layer 10 can be applied to the front side and/or to the back side of the carrier foil 5. [01171 Alternatively to the embodiment example shown in Fig. 3f, a spacer can be realized on the front side of the substrate by an elevation with great height. Such eleva tions, which are higher than the elevations formed by the carrier-substrate front-side prestructuring according to the invention, are produced e.g. by accordingly deeply en graved gravure printing plates. [01181 In Fig. 4a there is depicted a first embodiment example of a security feature 11, wherein a security element 2 and a verification element 3, for example a microlens foil 6, are combined to a complete security feature 11. With the depicted security fea ture 11 there can be obtained for example a moird magnification effect. For producing a security feature 11 according to the invention, a transparent carrier foil 5 is blind embossed with an intaglio printing plate having hemispherical depressions, and the back-side depressions filled with translucent lacquer 7 and dried to produce spherical microlenses 4. Additionally, the microlenses 4 are printed with a single- or multicolor grid structure 12. For printing the grid structure 12 it is suitable to use for example off set, gravure, flexographic or screen printing processes. [01191 The microlenses 4 are arranged here in a grid and form a two-dimensional Bravais lattice with a preselected symmetry. The Bravais lattice can have for example a hexagonal lattice symmetry, but lattices with a lower symmetry, in particular the symmetry of a parallelogram lattice, are also possible. [01201 The spacing of neighboring microlenses 4 is preferably chosen as small as possible to guarantee as high an area coverage as possible and thus a high-contrast rep resentation. The spherically configured microlenses 4 preferably have a diameter be tween about 50 Rm and about 500 jm, preferably greater than 200 jim.

- 32 [0121] The grid structure 12 printed on the side of the microlenses 4 facing away from the carrier foil 5 contains a grid-like arrangement of identical microimage ele ments. The grid structure 12 also forms a two-dimensional Bravais lattice with a prese lected symmetry, for example with hexagonal lattice symmetry or the symmetry of a parallelogram lattice. [01221 To produce the desired moird magnification effect, the Bravais lattice of the microimage elements of the grid structure 12 differs in its symmetry and/or size of its lattice parameters slightly according to the invention from the Bravais lattice of the microlenses 4. The lattice period of the microimage elements is in the same order of magnitude as that of the microlenses 4, i.e. in the range of about 50 pim and about 500 jim, preferably greater than 200 ptm. [01231 The optical thickness of the carrier foil 5 and the focal length of the micro lenses 4 are mutually coordinated such that the grid structure 12 and thus the microi mage elements are located approximately at the distance of the lens focal length, or can be brought to the required distance, for example for self-verification. Due to the slightly different lattice parameters, the viewer will see a somewhat different partial area of the microimage elements in each case upon viewing from above through the microlenses 4, so that the multiplicity of the microlenses 4 as a whole produces a mag nified image of the microimage elements. The resulting moire magnification depends here on the relative difference of the lattice parameters of the employed Bravais lat tices. If, for example, the lattice periods of two hexagonal lattices differ by 1%, there results a 100-fold moird magnification. For a more detailed presentation of the mode of function, and for advantageous arrangements of the microimage element grids and the microlens grids, reference is made to the prints DE 10 2005 062 132 Al and WO 2007/076952 A2, whose disclosure is included in the present application to this extent. [01241 The embodiment example depicted in Fig. 4b corresponds in structure to the embodiment example depicted in Fig. 4a, whereby here, however, both the back-side depressions are filled with translucent lacquer 7 and a translucent lacquer layer 9 is applied to the front side of the transparent carrier foil 5.

- 33 [0125] In the embodiment example depicted in Fig. 4c, in a first method step the single- or multicolor grid structure 12 is printed not on the, for example cylindrical, microlenses 4, but on the transparent carrier foil 5. Subsequently, the carrier foil 5 is embossed by gravure printing and filled for example with transparent lacquer 7 in the back-side depressions for forming microlenses 4. Additionally or alternatively, a layer 9 of optical lacquer 8 can also be provided on the front side of the transparent carrier foil 5, as in the embodiment example according to Fig. 4b. 10126] The security feature 11 depicted in Fig. 4d is produced by the following method steps: - blind embossing a cylindrical structure into a translucent carrier foil 5 by intaglio printing, - filling the back-side depressions with translucent lacquer 7 for forming cylindri cal lenses 4, and - printing the back side by offset, gravure, flexographic or screen printing with single- or multicolor information which is broken down into stripes in accor dance with the cylindrical lenses 4. [0127] The periodically recurring letters A, B and C in Fig. 4d indicate schemati cally the information broken down into stripes. It is thus possible to produce different effects such as flip, zoom, morph or three-dimensional representations. 101281 The embodiment example of the security feature I1 depicted in Fig. 4e is ob tained by the following method steps: - blind embossing a, for example spherical, structure into a translucent carrier foil 5 by intaglio printing, - filling depressions on the back side of the translucent carrier foil 5 with a trans parent or colored lacquer 7 to form spherical microlenses, and - applying a printed foil 13, for example in the form of a label. [01291 Because the foil 13 is already printed before application, it can advanta geously be printed in a flat, level state, preferably by an offset printing process or also by a flexographic, gravure or screen printing process.

- 34 101301 A further embodiment example of the security feature 11 not shown here is obtained by the following method steps: - blind embossing a, for example spherical, structure into a translucent carrier foil 5 by intaglio printing, - filling depressions in the back side of the translucent carrier foil 5 with transpar ent or colored lacquer 7 to form spherical microlenses, - printing a spacer layer 10 on the transparent or colored lacquer 7, for example in the form of solvent-based lacquer or in the form of strongly optically refractive spheres incorporated in a lacquer, and - printing the spacer layer 10 with a grid structure 12. [01311 A further embodiment example of the security feature 11 is obtained by the following method steps: - printing a translucent carrier foil 5 with translucent, UV-curable intaglio printing ink by intaglio printing, - filling the thus produced back-side, for example line-shaped, structure with transparent or colored lacquer 7 to form cylindrical lenses, and - printing the transparent or colored lacquer 7 with a grid structure 12 by offset, gravure, flexographic or screen printing. [01321 By the print of a translucent intaglio printing ink, the thickness of the carrier foil is increased at this place, and thus also the thickness of the lens. In this manner the wall thickness of the lenses can be influenced in targeted fashion. [0133] A further embodiment example of the security feature 11 is obtained by the following method steps: - background printing, for example by offset printing, on a paper substrate, - optionally applying a spacer layer 10, - applying a translucent foil 5 to the background print or the spacer layer 10, - embossing the overall layer structure by intaglio printing or halftone gravure, and - applying a transparent or colored, UV-curable lacquer 7 to form microlenses 4. [0134] The spacer layer 10 strengthens the optical effect here.

-35 10135] A further embodiment example of the security feature 11 is obtained by the following method steps: - blind embossing a, for example spherical, structure into a translucent carrier foil 5 by intaglio printing, - applying to the back side a transparent or colored layer in which laser-ablatable dyes (for example carbon black) are incorporated, - incorporating image information in said layer by means of laser, and - applying lacquer 7 or 8 to one or both sides to form spherical microlenses. 10136] A further embodiment example of the security feature 11 is obtained by the following method steps: - blind embossing a, for example line-shaped, structure into a translucent carrier foil 5 which contains image information, for example through partial metalliza tion, by intaglio printing, and - applying a transparent or colored lacquer 7 or 8 to one or both sides to form cy lindrical lenses. [0137] A further embodiment example of the security feature 11 is obtained by the following method steps: - blind embossing a, for example spherical, structure in a fully metallized translu cent foil by intaglio printing, - incorporating image information in the foil by laser ablation, and - applying a transparent or colored lacquer 7 or 8 to one or both sides to form spherical microlenses. 101381 In a further embodiment example of the security feature 11, pigments with specific microinformation are incorporated in the transparent or colored lacquer 7, 8 for forming the microlenses 4. Said microinformation consists for example of a special pigment form or of a microembossing in the form of a logo. Due to the lens effect of the microlenses 4 a viewer will see the microinformation accordingly magnified. [01391 In all embodiment examples there can be employed as a lacquer 7, 8 for forming the microlenses 4 transparent or colored lacquer 7, 8. In particular, there can be present in a microlens arrangement transparent, colored and also mutually different- - 36 colored microlenses at the same time. Further, a nanoscalic fluorescence can be incor porated in the lacquer. In this manner it is possible to incorporate additional macro scopic information for a viewer. [01401 In Fig. 5 there is depicted a first embodiment example of a security element 2. It has in a first partial area a micromotif grid with the micromotif "A" and in a sec ond partial area a micromotif grid with the micromotif "B". Further, the positions of the microlenses 15 of the lenticular grid of the verification means 3 are depicted in Fig. 5 by dashed circles. The lattices of the micromotif grids in the two partial areas of the security element 2 are identical square lattices with a lattice constant of 0.304 mm in each case. The lattice of the lenticular grid is likewise a square lattice with a lattice constant of 0.302 mm. The verification means 3 is preferably placed on the security element 2 such that the micromotif grids and the lenticular grid are arranged angularly offset from each other. In the depicted embodiment example, the preferred angle a amounts to = 4.7640. The two partial areas of the security element 2 each have a width permitting the arrangement of twelve micromotifs 14 each. This results in the position of the micromotifs 14 shifting by exactly one lattice constant of the lenticular grid across the width of the partial areas, that is, over a distance of twelve micromotifs 14. At such a shift or at the relative angle a between lenticular grid and micromotif grid, chosen in dependence on the number of micromotifs 14, there results a magnification of the micromotifs such that within the width of the respective partial areas exactly one magnified micromotif is perceived by the viewer, whereby the different partial areas continue accordingly upward and downward in Fig. 5. Through rotation of the lenticu lar grid on the micromotif grid, that is, through rotation of the verification element 3 on the security element 2, it is possible to adjust the magnification of the micromotifs 14. [0141] The security element 2 depicted in Fig. 5 can be supplemented by further partial areas with optionally different micromotifs 14, so that there result for example partial areas in the form of columns which, upon placement of the verification means 3 at the preferred angle, show in each case exactly one magnified micromotif 14. If, for example, letters are chosen for the micromotifs in the respective partial areas, there -37 can in this way be made visible for example a whole word upon placement of the veri fication means. [01421 In a further non-depicted variant of the embodiment example from Fig. 5, there are provided partial surfaces with 12 x 12 micromotifs 14 in each case. Thus, upon placement of the verification means at the preferred angle a there becomes visi ble in each of said partial areas in each case one magnified micromotif 14. [0143] Further, micromotifs 14 with identical design but different color can be ap plied in the respective partial areas. In this case, the partial areas with different colors can assume not only the form of columns and/or lines, but arbitrary geometrical forms. It is thus possible to combine with each other both different pieces of information or micromotifs 14 and different colors. Further, by a suitable arrangement of the micro motifs 14 it is also possible to realize a rotation of the magnified information upon ro tation of the verification means 3 on the security element 2. [01441 In Fig. 6 there is depicted a second embodiment example of a security ele ment. The lattices of the micromotif grid and of the lenticular grid are, as in the em bodiment example depicted in Fig. 5, square lattices with a slightly different lattice constant. Micromotif grid and lenticular grid have a preferred angle a of 0'. In accor dance with this angular alignment, the micromotifs 14 of the micromotif grid are in part depicted only partially, and the parts of the micromotif 14 that come to lie outside the superjacent lattice cell of the lenticular grid are not applied to the security element. In other words, the micromotifs 14 are depicted in cut form. Upon rotation of the len ticular grid on the micromotif grid, not only the magnification of the information or of the micromotif 14 is changed. Additionally, the magnified information itself is also rotated. There thus arises the impression that the magnified information is reduced in size or magnified during rotation. [01451 In a variant of this second embodiment example, several colors are em ployed in the security element 2. The micromotif grid can be created in several colors. For example, the color of the background and of the micromotifs 14 can be distributed on the security element 2 over the surface for example in columns or lines or also in geometrical forms. Upon such a division over the surface there appears a color effect - 38 in the magnified information, depending on which surface portion of the security ele ment 2 is located under the verification means 3. Further, the individual micromotifs 14 can be applied in different colors, whereby different color divisions of the micro motifs 14 can be provided in different areas of the security element 2. This leads to a so-called "color rasterization". Thus, there can be made visible as magnified informa tion a multicolored magnified micromotif or optionally also a mixed color. [01461 In a further variant, the micromotifs are applied alternatingly in each case in a first and in a second color. The micromotifs of the first color are applied only in sec tions in the direction of a first lattice vector, whereby in each case different sections of the micromotif are applied. Likewise, the micromotifs of the second color are applied only in sections in the direction of the second lattice vector, rotated by 90 degrees and placed on the first color. Upon placement of the verification means 3, this variant of the second embodiment example of the security element 2 shows a magnified variant of the micromotifs which assumes the first and second colors alternately upon rotation of the verification means 3. [0147] In Fig. 7 there is depicted a third embodiment example of a security element 2. Here, the micromotif grid and the lenticular grid again consist of square lattices with in each case slightly different lattice constants. Micromotif grid and lenticular grid have a preferred angle a. As depicted in Fig. 7, there are represented on the micromotif grid two different micromotifs 14 which are broken down in accordance with the ar rangement of the lattice cells of the lenticular grid placed thereover, in dependence on the preferred angle a. In dependence on the offset between micromotif grid and len ticular grid a transition takes place here between the two micromotifs 14. In the de picted embodiment example, the two micromotifs are broken down in the horizontal direction and reassembled accordingly, so that both micromotifs 14 are represented partially on a lattice site of the micromotif grid. In the depicted embodiment example, the preferred angle a amounts to = 4.7640 and the transition between the two micromo tifs takes place over a length of twelve micromotifs 14, that is, over a path correspond ing to twelve lattice constants. This cutting up and supplementing of the two micromo tifs 14 and the thus produced adaptation of the division of the micromotifs 14 to the periodic lenticular grid cause a change of information and/or color change to be pro- -39 duced depending on the configuration of the micromotifs 14. Such a change of infor mation and/or color change is understood to be a change between the magnification of the first micromotif and of the second micromotif. In the depicted embodiment exam ple, the number of applied micromotifs 14 corresponds to the number of the micro lenses 15 in the lenticular grid. [01481 Upon rotation of the lenticular grid on the micromotif grid, such a change of information and/or color change occurs. In other words, by rotating the lenticular grid one can change between the different pieces of information, that is, between the differ ent magnified micromotifs 14. In this third embodiment example, a change of informa tion and/or color change additionally occurs also upon tilting of the overall arrange ment around a first, horizontal tilting axis. However, upon tilting around a second, ver tical tilting axis, which is at the same time arranged at a 900 angle to the first tilting axis, there appears an orthoparallactic effect of the magnified information. Likewise, a change of information and/or color change can be produced by shifting the lenticular grid in a first, vertical direction, while an orthoparallactic effect of the represented in formation likewise results again upon shifting of the lenticular grid in a second, hori zontal direction, which is at the same time arranged at a 900 angle to the first direction. Depending on the choice of the first and second shifting directions, change of informa tion and/or color, on the one hand, or orthoparallactic effect, on the other hand, can also occur precisely in reverse association with the directions, or also occur in combi nation. The same applies accordingly to the hereinabove mentioned first and second tilting axes. [0149] In the embodiment example depicted in Fig. 8, the security element has two partial areas in which a motif grid with micromotifs 14 and a line grid 16 are arranged in each case. The line grid field, that is, the partial area with the line grid 16, is so con structed that upon placement of the verification means 3 there results through the moir6 effect a motif which is not recognizable upon direct viewing of the line grid 16. The line grid consists of lines which possess a mutual angle of 90'. Further, the len ticular grid of the verification means 3 possesses a preferred angle a, whereby the lines are inclined at an angle of +45* or -45* relative to the lattice vectors of the lenticular grid. The areas where the lines are arranged at +45' and at -45' form the foreground - 40 and background, respectively, of the information produced by the line grid 16. The grid spacing of the line grid is determined by the lattice constant of the line grid. The lattice constant of the lenticular grid amounts to 0.302 mm in the depicted embodiment example. The grid spacing of the line grid 16 amounts to 0.22 mm with a line thick ness of 0.10 mm and an interstice of 0.12 mm. 101501 In the partial area depicted on the right in Fig. 8 there is provided a micro motif grid with a square lattice and a lattice constant of 0.304 mm. The micromotif 14 can be constructed here as described in the previous embodiment examples and pro duces a magnified view of the employed micromotif 14. [0151] Upon rotation of a placed-on lenticular grid, the partial area of the micromo tif grid shows a variable magnification of the employed micromotif 14 and optionally, depending on the structure of the micromotif grid, further effects as were already de scribed in connection with the preceding embodiment examples. However, the outlines of the information which the line grid 16 conveys to a viewer do not change upon rota tion of the lenticular grid. Thus, the line grid conveys static information to the viewer, while the micromotif grid conveys dynamic information to the viewer. By the combi nation of lines and motif grid in a security element 2 there can thus be produced a static/dynamic combination effect. Likewise, the micromotif grid shows an orthoparal lactic effect or a change of information and/or color change upon tilting of the overall security arrangement or upon shifting of the verification means 3, as described above. However, the outlines of the static information which the line grid 16 conveys do not change upon such tilting or shifting. 101521 Instead of a line grid 16 there can alternatively be employed a structure grid, as is depicted schematically in Fig. 9. The structure grid here is divided, like the previ ously discussed line grid 16, into different areas which form the foreground and back ground of the static information to be represented. In Fig. 9 there is drawn, for better comprehension, a continuous auxiliary line which delimits the area of the foreground from the area of the background of the static information. The elements 17 of the structure grid are constructed differently in said areas. As depicted in the figure, the different elements 17 have a different mutual angulation. In the case of a square len- -41 ticular lattice, as depicted in Fig. 9, the mutual angulation again amounts to 90 de grees. Angulation by 90 degrees is understood in the present case to be an arrangement of the elements 17 wherein the different elements can be converted into each other by a mirroring on a mirror plane. For example, the elements 17 of the foreground can be converted into the elements 17 of the background by mirroring on the mirror plane containing the auxiliary line. [0153] In the embodiment of Fig. 9 as well, the hereinabove described effects, such as change of information and/or color change and orthoparallactic effects, can be ob served by tilting the verification means 3 and the security element in different tilting directions or by shifting or rotating the verification means 3. [01541 In the embodiment example depicted in Fig. 10, static information is pro duced with the help of a micromotif grid. The individual micromotifs 14 are repre sented here in two colors. In the present embodiment example, the letter "A" is em ployed as a micromotif 14. The left half of the letter "A" is represented in a first color and the right half in a second color (for example cyan and magenta). In areas forming the background of the static information and in areas forming the foreground thereof, the color design of the micromotif is different. In the depicted embodiment example, the two micromotifs merge into each other by exchanging the two colors. 101551 When the lenticular grid is placed on such a security element 2 at the pre ferred angle a, which amounts to 0* in the present embodiment example, the fore ground of the static information results in the first color and the background of the static information in the second color. Upon tilting of the security arrangement and shifting of the verification means in a first or second direction (900 angle to the first direction), the color of foreground and background of the static information changes to the respective other color. Upon rotation of the lenticular grid, the size of the magni fied micromotif 14 again changes, the micromotif being perceived by the viewer in different color components (here magenta and cyan) depending on the particular mag nification. For example, the micromotif "A" appears to the viewer with different color components of the color, cyan and magenta, depending on the magnification.

-42 101561 In a non-depicted embodiment example, the security element is divided into a first color and a second color which is placed thereover with an offset of for example 45'. Upon placement of a lenticular grid the magnified micromotif is perceptible in the first color, and in a second angular alignment, which arises from the first angular alignment through rotation of the lenticular grid by for example 45', the magnified micromotif is perceptible in the second color. [01571 In a further, likewise non-depicted embodiment example, two micromotif grids overlap on the security element 2. The two micromotif grids preferably have an identical lattice type, but possess a mutually different angle of for example 150, 30* or 45*. Due to the different angulation of the two micromotif grids, their respective mi cromotifs 14 are magnified differently upon viewing through a lenticular grid due to the different angles between respectively the lenticular grid and the two micromotif grids. For example, there are employed in both grids the same or different micromotifs 14 but the latter are applied in different colors. Depending on the chosen angle be tween lenticular grid and the micromotif grids there is represented a magnified view of the micromotif 14 in the first color or a magnified view of the micromotif 14 in the second color, whereby a continuous transition takes place between these two represen tations. Further, the two micromotif grids are constructed such that upon tilting of the security arrangement the orthoparallactic effect of the two micromotif grids is oppo sitely oriented. That is, for example, upon tilting upward, the magnified micromotifs of the first color move to the left and those of the second color to the right. A correspond ing effect results upon tilting in the direction perpendicular thereto. 101581 By a suitable choice of the micromotifs it is thus possible to produce a change of information and/or color change upon rotation of the lenticular grid on the micromotif grids. [01591 In Fig. I la and Fig. 1 b there is depicted an embodiment example of a guid ing means 18. In the security arrangement there is firmly connected to the security element 2 a guiding means 18 which has a circular groove. Likewise, there is firmly connected to the verification means 3 a complementary guiding means 19 which has a circular lug. The lug of the complementary guiding means 19 engages the groove of - 43 the guiding means 18 upon placement of the verification means 3 on the security ele ment 2. Thus, the rotation of the verification means 3 on or in front of the security element 2 is effected in guided fashion, so that the effects that the viewer perceives upon verification of the security element 2 are easily reproducible. Moreover, it is pos sible to adjust a suitable distance between verification means 3 and security element 2 via the height of the lug of the complementary guiding means 19 and/or of the groove of the guiding means 18. 10160] By an additional recess at a given angular position in the circumferential di rection of the groove of the guiding means 18, and a complementary additional lug at a given angular position in the circumferential direction of the lug of the complementary guiding means 19, it is further possible to provide a relative preferred angle between security element 2 and verification means 3. [0161] In Fig. 1 Ic there is depicted a further embodiment example of a guiding means 18, which consists of two circular lugs which are spaced such that the comple mentary guiding means 19 described with reference to Fig. I Ia and Fig. 1 lb can en gage the area between the two lugs of the guiding means 18 upon placement of the verification means 3 on the security element 2. The guiding means 18 and 19 of Fig. 1 Ic, like the above-described guiding means 18 and 19 of Fig. 1 la and Fig. 1 Ib, can be formed in the substrate by suitable embossing techniques, in particular by means of a gravure printing plate. [0162] It is of course also possible to obtain other complementary guiding means (not specifically shown) by single- or double-sided embossing of the substrate.

-44 Preferred embodiments 1. A method for producing microlenses, comprising the steps of: - supplying a carrier substrate, and - prestructuring the carrier substrate, so that elevations arise on a front side of the carrier substrate, and depressions corresponding substantially to the elevations arise on a back side of the carrier substrate opposing the front side, characterized by the step of: - applying translucent plastic to at least one side of the carrier substrate in the area of the elevations or depressions for forming microlenses. 2. The method according to section 1, characterized in that the prestructuring of the carrier substrate is effected by embossing, in particular by blind embossing by gravure printing, preferably by intaglio printing. 3. The method according to section 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier substrate is supplied as a substrate comprising paper and/or a carrier foil, in particular translucent carrier foil. 4. The method according to at least one of the preceding sections, characterized in that the microlenses in the depressions are configured as piano- or biconvex lenses, in particular as cylindrical or spherical lenses. 5. The method according to at least one of the preceding sections, characterized in that the translucent plastic is applied to the back side of the carrier substrate so as to be spatially interrupted between the microlenses or to form a continuous layer. 6. The method according to at least one of the preceding sections, characterized in that the filling of the depressions is effected by printing technology, preferably by flexographic printing or screen printing.

- 45 7. The method according to at least one of the preceding sections, characterized in that with the translucent plastic there are applied translucent, strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres. 8. The method according to at least one of sections 2 to 7, characterized in that the blind embossing of the carrier substrate is effected by gravure printing with a gravure printing plate which has depressions with an engraving depth of about 20 jim to about 200 ptm and an engraving width of about 50 gm to about 500 pm, preferably of about 100 ptm to about 500 pm, particularly preferably of about 200 pm to about 500 pim. 9. The method according to at least one of the preceding sections, characterized in that the translucent plastic is an optical lacquer, and the method comprises the further step of: - drying the lacquer, the drying being preferably effected by curing, in particular at elevated temperature or by means of UV irradiation. 10. A method for producing a microlens substrate comprising a method for produc ing microlenses according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microlenses are firmly connected to the carrier substrate, and the mi crolens substrate preferably possesses a structure that is mirror-symmetric with respect to a plane of the carrier substrate. 11. The method according to section 10, characterized in that the elevations or de pressions are produced in a regular, in particular grid-like, arrangement. 12. The method according to section 10 or 11, characterized in that the carrier sub strate is present as a translucent carrier foil with a thickness of about 15 to about 100 pm, preferably with a thickness of 20, 30, 50 or 80 pm. 13. The method according to at least one of sections 10 to 12, characterized by the further step of: - 46 - applying a spacer layer, preferably comprising strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres. 14. The method according to at least one of sections 10 to 13, characterized by the step of: - printing the translucent plastic and/or the carrier substrate, preferably in the area of the depressions, with a grid structure. 15. A microlens substrate, comprising - a carrier substrate with incorporated elevations on a front side of the carrier sub strate and depressions corresponding substantially to the elevations on a back side of the carrier substrate opposing the front side, and - a plurality of microlenses which are arranged on at least one side of the carrier substrate in the area of the elevations or depressions. 16. The microlens substrate according to section 15, characterized in that the carrier substrate comprises paper and/or a carrier foil, in particular a translucent carrier foil. 17. The microlens substrate according to section 15 or 16, characterized in that the microlenses arranged in the depressions are configured as plano- or biconvex lenses, in particular as cylindrical or spherical lenses. 18. The microlens substrate according to at least one of sections 15 to 17, character ized in that the microlenses on the back side of the carrier substrate are spaced apart or are connected to each other over the entire surface. 19. The microlens substrate according to at least one of sections 15 to 18, character ized in that the microlenses contain translucent, strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres.

- 47 20. The microlens substrate according to at least one of sections 15 to 19, character ized in that the microlenses are formed from a translucent plastic, preferably from a cured optical lacquer. 21. The microlens substrate according to at least one of sections 15 to 20, character ized in that the microlenses are firmly connected to the carrier substrate and have a regular, in particular grid-like, arrangement. 22. The microlens substrate according to section 21, characterized by a structure that is mirror-symmetric with respect to a plane of the carrier substrate. 23. The microlens substrate according to section 21 or 22, characterized in that the carrier substrate is present as a translucent carrier foil with a thickness of about 15 to about 100 tm, preferably with a thickness of 20, 30, 50 or 80 tm. 24. The microlens substrate according to at least one of sections 21 to 23, character ized by at least one spacer which is formed by an elevation of the carrier sub strate. 25. The microlens substrate according to at least one of sections 21 to 24, character ized by a spacer layer which preferably comprises strongly optically refractive spheres or hollow spheres. 26. The microlens substrate according to at least one of sections 21 to 25, character ized in that the microlenses and/or the carrier substrate are printed with a grid structure. 27. Use of a carrier substrate which has been prestructured, preferably embossed, particularly preferably blind embossed by gravure printing, in particular by inta glio printing, so that elevations are located on a front side and depressions corre sponding substantially to the elevations on a back side opposing the front side, as a lens mandrel for producing microlenses.

-48 28. A data carrier, in particular value document, branded article or the like, compris ing a microlens substrate according to any of sections 10 to 26 which constitutes a verification means. 29. The data carrier according to section 28, characterized by at least a first and a second security element and at least one folding axis along which the data carrier can be folded selectively on both sides, so that the microlens substrate interacts, for verification, selectively with the first or the second security element.

Claims

1. A security arrangement comprising: a security element which has a first micromotif grid at least in a first partial area, and a verification means which is arranged, for verification of the security element, in front of the security element in the viewing direction of a viewer and thereby makes recognizable to a viewer at least a first motif which is not recognizable on the security element, characterized in that the first motif grid is configured such that the first motif is a dynamic motif whose size is changeable through rotation of the verification means between a first and a second angular alignment relative to the security element.

2. The security arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the micro motif grid is constructed according to a first two-dimensional micromotif lattice whose lattice sites have partial or complete first micromotifs applied thereto, and the verification means is a lenticular grid which is constructed according to a two-dimensional lenticular lattice whose lattice sites have microlenses applied thereto, whereby micromotif lattice and lenticular lattice have an identical lattice type and differ only with regard to their lattice constant, and whereby the first motif is a magnified view of the micromotifs.

3. The security arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the first mi cromotifs are applied completely, and the security element has in a second partial area a second micromotif grid which is constructed according to a second two dimensional micromotif lattice whose lattice sites have complete second micro motifs arranged thereon, whereby the first and the second micromotif lattice have an identical lattice structure, and the first and the second micromotif grid pref erably have an angled alignment. -50

4. The security arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the first and the second micromotif grid have an identical alignment, precisely n, preferably twelve, first micromotifs are applied in the direction of a lattice vector of the first micromotif lattice at least in the first partial area, the first partial area has a corre sponding extension in the direction of said lattice vector, and the lenticular grid has a preferred angular alignment a, preferably 4.764', relative to the micromotif grids, where it preferably holds that tan a = 1/n.

5. The security arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the lenticu lar grid has a preferred angular alignment a, preferably 00, relative to the first micromotif grid, and the first micromotifs of the first micromotif grid are applied respectively only within the lattice cell of the lenticular grid in which cell the re spective lattice point of the micromotif grid comes to lie at the preferred angular alignment.

6. The security arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the lenticu lar grid has a preferred angular alignment a relative to the first micromotif grid, and the lattice sites of the first micromotif grid have applied thereto first and sec ond micromotifs cut in accordance with the lattice cells of the lenticular grid in the preferred angular alignment.

7. The security arrangement according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the security element has in a further partial area a line grid, a structure grid or a further micromotif grid which, upon viewing through the verification ele ment, makes a static motif recognizable whose size is not changeable through ro tation of the verification means relative to the security element.

8. The security arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the further micromotif grid additionally shows a dynamic motif upon verification, and the further micromotif grid preferably comprises two-colored micromotifs which have a color design that is different in certain areas.

9. The security arrangement according to any of the previous claims, characterized by an aligning means which permits a defined positioning of the verification - 51 means relative to the security element, or a guiding means of the security ele ment, which can interact with the verification means or a complementary guiding means of the verification means, so that the verification means can be shifted and/or rotated in predetermined fashion relative to the security element.

10. The security arrangement according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the micromotifs are aligned on the lattice sites such that, upon tilting of the security arrangement and/or upon shifting of the verification means on the security element, an orthoparallactic effect of the first motif results or the first motif is stationary with regard to the security element.

11. The security arrangement according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the security element has an embossing, preferably in the form of a grid, which produces an optically variable tilt effect of the security element.

12. The security arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the lenticular grid has microlenses with at least two different focal lengths or microlenses in an irregular arrangement.

13. The security arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the lattice constants of micromotif lattice and lenticular lattice are greater than 100, 200, 300 or 500 tm.

14. The security arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the lenticular grid is produced by the following steps: - supplying a carrier substrate, - prestructuring the carrier substrate, so that elevations arise on a front side of the carrier substrate, and depressions corresponding substantially to the elevations arise on a rear side of the carrier substrate opposing the front side, and - applying translucent plastic to at least one side of the carrier substrate in the area of the elevations or depressions for forming microlenses, whereby the microlenses are firmly connected to the carrier substrate. - 52

15. A data carrier, comprising a flexible substrate with a security arrangement ac cording to any of the previous claims, whereby the verification means can be ar ranged in front of the security element in the viewing direction of a viewer, char acterized in that the verification means can be shifted and/or rotated relative to the security element.

16. The data carrier according to claim 15, comprising at least two security elements preferably arranged on different sides of the data carrier, in front of which secu rity elements the verification means can be arranged selectively in the viewing direction of a viewer.

17. A method for verifying a security element in a security arrangement according to any of claims I to 14 or in a data carrier according to claim 15 or 16, comprising the steps of: - arranging the verification means in front of the security element in the viewing direction of a viewer, and - rotating the verification means relative to the security element.