Computerized technical authentication and grading system for collectible objects

Abstract

The disclosure described herein is directed to a computerized system and method of grading and authenticating collectibles utilizing digital imaging devices and processes to provide an objective, standardized, consistent high-resolution grading of collectible objects, such as but not limited to sport and non-sport trading cards. The disclosure eliminates the subjectivity present in the human grading process and overcomes the inherent limitations of the human eye.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for grading a collectible, comprising:
 a memory; and   at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
 receive at least one image of said collectible; 
 access a database comprising a datastore of information related to the collectible, wherein said at least one image is stored on said database; 
 apply at least one processing routine to said at least one image; and 
 generate a grade report of said collectible based at least on results of said at least one processing routine. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said datastore of information comprises information related to an entity that is a subject of said collectible. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said datastore of information comprises at least one measured attribute of said collectible, at least one set of metadata of said collectible, or said at least one image of said collectible. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one set of metadata is associated with one or more characteristics of said collectible. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing routine comprises a comparison routine, wherein said at least one processor compares said at least one image of said collectible against said database in order to identify said collectible. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein information related to an identification of said collectible is manually entered if said database is unable to identify said collectible using said comparison routine. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing routine comprises a comparison routine, wherein said at least one processor compares at least one image of a previously graded collectible against a known image obtained by said apparatus in order to verify that said at least one image of said previously graded collectible is in fact said previously graded collectible graded by said apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing routine comprises a comparison routine, wherein said at least one processor compares at least one image of a previously graded collectible against an image of a known counterfeit collectible comprising at least one known counterfeit defect in order to determine whether said at least one known counterfeit defect is on said at least one image of said previously graded collectible. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing routine comprises a comparison routine, wherein said at least one processor compares said at least one image of said collectible against an image of a known counterfeit collectible comprising at least one known counterfeit defect in order to determine whether said at least one known counterfeit defect is on said at least one image of said collectible. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing routine comprises at least one of a corner routine, an edge routine, a centering routine, a dimension routine, or a surface routine, wherein said at least one processor is configured to examine at least one of a corner, an edge, a centering, a dimension, physical properties, physical characteristics, or a surface of the collectible. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein to perform said corner routine said at least one processor is configured to examine said at least one image of said collectible to determine the quality of the corners. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein to perform said corner routine said at least one processor is configured to examine said at least one image of said collectible to determine whether one or more of the corners have been altered. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein to perform said edge routine said at least one processor is configured to examine said at least one image of said collectible to determine the quality of at least one edge of said collectible. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein to perform said edge routine said at least one processor is configured to examine said at least one image of said collectible to determine whether one or more edges of said collectible have been altered. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein to perform said centering routine said at least one processor is configured to examine said at least one image of said collectible and measure a margin between an edge of said collectible and a start of a collectible image on said collectible. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein to perform the surface routine said at least one processor is configured to examine said at least one image of said collectible for subtractive defects, additive discolorations, and quality of color of a surface of said collectible. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said subtractive defects comprise a crease or scratch in said collectible that would otherwise not be present, wherein said additive discolorations comprise a stain or color alteration in said collectible that would otherwise not be present. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein to perform the surface routine said at least one processor is configured to examine said at least one image of said collectible to determine whether the surface of said collectible has been altered. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said grade report comprises a defect report, wherein said defect report comprises an analysis of at least one of defects identified on said collectible, a centering of said collectible, corners of said collectible, edges of said collectible, a dimension of said collectible, physical properties of said collectible, physical characteristics of said collectible, a surface of said collectible, or an overall score of said collectible. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein results of said at least one processing routine define a fingerprint of said collectible, such that said collectible is authenticated by said fingerprint by said apparatus if said collectible is subsequently examined by said apparatus.