Method and apparatus for identifying characteristics of trading cards

A method for assigning a condition grading to a card, the method comprising:

• a. obtaining an image file depicting a diffusely illuminated card, the image file depicting at least a portion of an extent of the card;
• b. converting the image file into a hue, saturation, value (“HSV”) colour space;
• c. eliminating a nonuniform portion of the converted image file from analysis so as to isolate a uniform portion of the converted image file;
• d. applying a value mask to the converted image file so as to exclude a first group of pixels of the uniform portion of the image file from analysis, each pixel of the first group of pixels having a value integer less than a predetermined condition threshold, wherein the condition threshold is selected to identify said first group of pixels representing an undamaged card portion;
• and
• e. determining a number of remaining pixels and comparing the number of remaining pixels against a plurality of grading thresholds so as to assign a condition grading of the card.

A method for identifying characteristics of a trading card, the method comprising:

• a. obtaining a first image file depicting a card, wherein the card is illuminated by a point light source and the card is positioned outside a field of view of the point light source;
• b. converting the first image file into a hue, saturation, value (“HSV”) colour space;
• c. applying a first value mask to the converted first image file so as to exclude a first group of pixels from analysis, each pixel of the first group of pixels having a first value integer less than a predetermined foil threshold, said foil threshold selected to identify said first group of pixels that does not form an intensified brightness area of the first image file;
• d. determining a first number of remaining pixels and comparing the first number of remaining pixels against a predetermined foil threshold number of remaining pixels, wherein if the first number of remaining pixels exceeds the predetermined foil threshold number of remaining pixels the card is identified as a card containing foil;
• e. obtaining a second image file depicting the card, wherein the card is illuminated by a diffuse light source, the second image file depicting at least a portion of an extent of the card;
• f. converting the second image file into a hue, saturation, value (“HSV”) colour space;
• g. eliminating a nonuniform portion of the converted second image file from analysis so as to isolate a uniform portion of the converted second image file;
• h. applying a second value mask to the isolated uniform portion of the converted second image file so as to exclude a second group of pixels of the uniform portion of the second image file from analysis, each pixel of the second group of pixels having a second value integer less than a predetermined condition threshold, wherein the condition threshold is selected to identify said second group of pixels representing an undamaged card portion;
• and
• i. determining a second number of remaining pixels and comparing the second number of remaining pixels against a plurality of grading thresholds so as to assign a condition grading of the card.