a new idea

This is my first post and I wanted to complain about the scores that I received on my recent submission, but instead I am going to present an idea for a way to grade cards objectively, not subjectively: use a computer program. Put the specks for every year and every type of card in a computer program. The card is then scanned and graded by the computer, not a person who could be having a bad day, or even hate the player they are grading. If anyone could write this program, I truly believe they can make a huge amount of money.
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wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're
going to feel all day. "
~Frank Sinatra
I have wanted this to happen for years.
I wonder if anybody is already working on it.
It would be easier with stamps, but it could be
done with cards too.
The new system would NOT eliminate humans taking a look.
It is more about "absolute" accuracy than about getting rid
of humans, who would probably insert the card under the
scanner and stay with the process to the end.
Good idea!
Giovanni
Fixed = 100
Subject = X% of 100
The machine would tell the operator what % of "perfect" the subject is.
It should not be terribly complicated to make the thing work.
All of the attributes the grader looks for would be in the system.
The machine would measure/record those of the subject and
print the results. The grader would then "check" the results.
SOOOOOOOOOO many different types of cards, though.
This may happen with currency first. Fewer different notes
to code.
ebay i.d. clydecoolidge - Lots of vintage stars and HOFers, raw, condition fully disclosed.
Several issues come to mind immediately. Without a subjectively "perfect" sample of EVERY card, the program would have to randomly assign some values. For example, printing flaws. How would a program know the difference between a dirt clod in the picture and a printing glitch? How would it read the registration difference between a daylight and evening shot? How would you measure such things as surface gloss? What would the threshholds be for registration?
While the premise is great, there really isn't a way to have a fully automated grading system.
The best alternative would be to have a graduated system wherein the grader examines the card in a series of reviews. Each review would be weighted and a cumulative total would result in the final grade. This could be done by breaking the card into front and back and then into quadrants. Aside from registration, focus, and printing flaws, you would have an additional 10 quadrants: 4 edges, 4 corners, and front and back surfaces.
Using these quadrants with a weighted scale, one could easily grade each quadrant plus the asthetic aspects and then a program would cumulate the aggregate total and when applied to a preset standard score, factor the final grade of the card.
Granted, it would involve more time, but it would allow for a more uniform examination and final determination of the condition of the card.
But that's just my 2 cents...
Steve
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
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Ralph