CoinSecure Inc. Patent Info
Steve27
Posts: 13,275 ✭✭✭
Interesting claims:
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014]In various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the value of the coin grading process is extended to include an ability to uniquely identify a specific coin by the detection and extraction of the coin specific features that can be reduced through the use of an algorithm to form an electronic template file representing that coin. This template file may be stored in a centralized database, for both archival storage and search and retrieval functions in the future, to determine if a given coin has already been identified within the database.
[0015]The creation of such a system solves many problems in the existing coin grading and certification business and adds value to the coin for the benefit of the coin owner. One benefit includes an ability of a party to determine if the coin has been previously seen and to review the last grade and certification reports. This can assist in minimizing grading variations in cases in which previously graded coins are broken out of the plastic holders and resubmitted for grading a second time, which is done in hopes of arbitrarily receiving a higher grade on the resubmission. It is known that this process happens today, but there is currently no means to prove a given coin is really the same one previously submitted. Having a reliable and fast means to determine if a given coin has been previously graded significantly reduces the chance of a variation in the resubmitted grading process as the reappraisal team will put in additional effort to assure an accurate result, potentially reducing warranty costs and warranty reserve requirements.
[0016]Further, a unique coin identification can reduce insurance costs by providing more absolute proof of ownership in the case of theft or loss. A permanent record of the coin ownership history can be created adding a pedigree value to the coin.
[0017]Moreover, coin owners not wanting their coins to be encapsulated in a plastic holder can have the means of having a professional grade applied to an unencapsulated coin, with a separate certificate of grade being provided, the coin and the certificate would be linked by the coin ID file to assure the right coin stays associated with the grade certificate.
[0018]What is disclosed therefore is an apparatus and method for finding and recording unique permanent features of a coin that may be converted into an electronic identification file, called a "coinprint," to allow subsequent searchers to find the specific coin again. The system comprises several components functioning together to provide an ability to analyze, capture, record, store, and retrieve a variety of physical coin characteristics that, taken together, can uniquely identify a given coin against a population of a million or more nearly identical versions of the same coin. A partial list of physical characteristics includes: [0019]1) Surface damage of small nicks, scratches, and dings on all three coin surfaces (obverse or front side, reverse or back side, and coin edges); [0020]2) Coin image relief height and placements; [0021]3) Coin thickness and eccentricity; [0022]4) Coin surface reflectivity mapped on both obverse and reverse surfaces; [0023]5) Coin color and spectral response of both obverse and reverse surfaces; [0024]6) Alignment and registration variations of the three surfaces in relationship to each other; [0025]7) Variations in alloys by coin; [0026]8) Weight of the coin; and [0027]9) Density variations within the coin.
[0028]These characteristics can be taken singularly or in combination to develop an algorithm to represent a specific coin as a mathematical expression stored as a digital file, discussed in detail, below. The "coinprint" file is designed to allow a rapid search across a database containing a multitude of similar files to allow finding and retrieving the original file record for any subsequent presentation of the same coin to the system. The search and retrieval efficiency should be such that the look up search function can be performed in under 10 seconds when searching for 1 coin against a population of 1 million similar coins previously recorded within the database.
[0029]A final element is a simple and clear user interface to operate the system. The entire process of scanning a coin can be completed in under 30 seconds."
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014]In various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the value of the coin grading process is extended to include an ability to uniquely identify a specific coin by the detection and extraction of the coin specific features that can be reduced through the use of an algorithm to form an electronic template file representing that coin. This template file may be stored in a centralized database, for both archival storage and search and retrieval functions in the future, to determine if a given coin has already been identified within the database.
[0015]The creation of such a system solves many problems in the existing coin grading and certification business and adds value to the coin for the benefit of the coin owner. One benefit includes an ability of a party to determine if the coin has been previously seen and to review the last grade and certification reports. This can assist in minimizing grading variations in cases in which previously graded coins are broken out of the plastic holders and resubmitted for grading a second time, which is done in hopes of arbitrarily receiving a higher grade on the resubmission. It is known that this process happens today, but there is currently no means to prove a given coin is really the same one previously submitted. Having a reliable and fast means to determine if a given coin has been previously graded significantly reduces the chance of a variation in the resubmitted grading process as the reappraisal team will put in additional effort to assure an accurate result, potentially reducing warranty costs and warranty reserve requirements.
[0016]Further, a unique coin identification can reduce insurance costs by providing more absolute proof of ownership in the case of theft or loss. A permanent record of the coin ownership history can be created adding a pedigree value to the coin.
[0017]Moreover, coin owners not wanting their coins to be encapsulated in a plastic holder can have the means of having a professional grade applied to an unencapsulated coin, with a separate certificate of grade being provided, the coin and the certificate would be linked by the coin ID file to assure the right coin stays associated with the grade certificate.
[0018]What is disclosed therefore is an apparatus and method for finding and recording unique permanent features of a coin that may be converted into an electronic identification file, called a "coinprint," to allow subsequent searchers to find the specific coin again. The system comprises several components functioning together to provide an ability to analyze, capture, record, store, and retrieve a variety of physical coin characteristics that, taken together, can uniquely identify a given coin against a population of a million or more nearly identical versions of the same coin. A partial list of physical characteristics includes: [0019]1) Surface damage of small nicks, scratches, and dings on all three coin surfaces (obverse or front side, reverse or back side, and coin edges); [0020]2) Coin image relief height and placements; [0021]3) Coin thickness and eccentricity; [0022]4) Coin surface reflectivity mapped on both obverse and reverse surfaces; [0023]5) Coin color and spectral response of both obverse and reverse surfaces; [0024]6) Alignment and registration variations of the three surfaces in relationship to each other; [0025]7) Variations in alloys by coin; [0026]8) Weight of the coin; and [0027]9) Density variations within the coin.
[0028]These characteristics can be taken singularly or in combination to develop an algorithm to represent a specific coin as a mathematical expression stored as a digital file, discussed in detail, below. The "coinprint" file is designed to allow a rapid search across a database containing a multitude of similar files to allow finding and retrieving the original file record for any subsequent presentation of the same coin to the system. The search and retrieval efficiency should be such that the look up search function can be performed in under 10 seconds when searching for 1 coin against a population of 1 million similar coins previously recorded within the database.
[0029]A final element is a simple and clear user interface to operate the system. The entire process of scanning a coin can be completed in under 30 seconds."
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Comments
So much for BU 1964 nickels!
K
I am really excited by this first step in the evolution of computerized grading, it will take some tweaking but I can imagine that it wont be long before the TPGs are sharing this technology,merging their businesses, and supplying us with a service that will truly revolutionize coin collecting forever as promised by HRH. It wont do anything to correct the gradeflation and doctoring that we have already seen, but it is a BIG step in the right direction.
I may start drinking the Koolaid again
<< <i>For years I have been telling this forum that computer grading would happen. So all of you doubters may begin your main culinary course of crow. This may not be the ultimate, final step yet, however, if this is achieved, computer grading is but one, small step beyond. I will contain myself and forego the traditional "naa naa na naa naaaaaa". Cheers, RickO >>
This has nothing to do with computer grading; it's more akin to fingerprinting. Computer grading was tried and failed due to ugly toned coins receiving the same grade as white coins.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
<< <i>So if someone has an ultra rarity that has been scanned and they crack it out and added a few more minor dings to it (which would likely not have a serious impact on value since it's an ultra rarity), would it still be identified as the same coin since the scan of the coin after the doctoring would be different? >>
after watching all of the PCGS videos it seems that they have tested this pretty extensively with 100% success, even after artifical toning, cleaning, marking them up, etc.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
<< <i>So if someone has an ultra rarity that has been scanned and they crack it out and added a few more minor dings to it (which would likely not have a serious impact on value since it's an ultra rarity), would it still be identified as the same coin since the scan of the coin after the doctoring would be different? >>
Yes! Watch the videos.
cool... computers are awesome