Automated Card Grading - Surface

[steve B]

Originally Posted by kevinlenane

For sure nothing is totally "perfect" when it comes to grading - the concern about the machine learning viral error idea - isn't exactly how it works. We actually have 3 distinct human inputs and several more classes of machine inputs all providing grades on the same sample cards so in theory over time any nuance gets built in to the best average grade per category. We are planning on having the proof of concept ready to grade several vintage wax breaks live on camera for the Beckett Industry Summit - and ill fire out the test version here if folks want to give feedback on it technically (technically meaning as it relates to the grade evaluation not coding). I want to incorporate as much feedback as possible amongst the group here for the vintage grading in particular as there is a lot of nuance to various set/year pairs that I feel should be included over time. My goal here is to provide an instant service that is transparent provides all the available raw data that make up and produce the various numbers.

I wouldn't mind giving it a try either. I can run some peculiar stuff past it, and see what it does.

What does it run on?

[Case12]

I have been consulting a start up that is patenting 3D (multiple image sensors) and movement - in this case, converting unknown sign-language and unknown languages. Bias is a big issue for language. For a fixed example, such as a card, muliple sensor can also be used to answer some of these questions. At the beginning, human verification will be required, with a common/or agreed rules - then the learning with take over this very quickly. I am really, really excited to see this applied to autographs, where often the learning can come from direct feedback of the signer (in some cases). This is awesome...and very doable (no magic...the real deal).

[swarmee]

https://forums.collectors.com/discus...e-4-grades-off
Interesting case study... most likely the 4s and 5s have spider wrinkles or surface creases only seen at specific angles/lighting.

[JollyElm]

There is another wrinkle to add to the mix. Would this system be able to detect the differences between a card that was actually printed on the lighter side (from a dearth of certain colors of ink at the factory) and one that has spent time in the sun and faded?

Here's an example of what I'm talking about...

1969topps567three.jpg

The top two look faded, but considering their coloring is identical (both were submitted by me and weren't left out in the sun or anything), they actually came out of the factory that way, so PSA graded them accordingly (Although, perhaps the 6 was graded accurately by one grader, and a different grader hammered the no creases/wrinkles 4 for being 'faded'?? Who knows.).

[swarmee]

Good question. There are all kinds of print defects or color printing issues that would need to be sussed out and appropriately weighted. I think your example error cards are not print variations, per se, since it looks like the omission of the black around "1969 Rookie Stars" is an intentional change to the black printing plate. All three cards have the black outline around the players and header, very clearly, and black is very tough to fade without damaging the rest of the colors.

[T205 GB]

Kevin it was great talking to you this morning. I think you are headed in the right direction and hope as things progress we are able to work together in, "making a better mousetrap," as Leon would say.

[GasHouseGang]

I think that was Ralph Waldo Emerson. Although I'm sure Leon has said it too.