Card identification system, and method and program of the same

Abstract

To enable identifying commonly circulated cards.SOLUTION: A card identification system 1 comprises: detection means for detecting characteristic information indicating characteristics of a card based on card image information obtained from photographing the card; and determination means for determining condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information. The detection means detects, as the characteristic information, outer edge information indicating an outer edge of the card, and display part information indicating a display part shown on the card, and the determination means determines a position of the display part relative to the outer edge of the card based on the outer edge information and the display part information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a card judgment system for judging cards, a method thereof, and a program therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a card has been proposed as an authentication medium that includes a substrate layer that serves as an ultraviolet-sensitive layer that fluoresces in response to ultraviolet light, a pattern layer that is provided on the underside of the substrate layer and is similar in color to the underside of the substrate layer and is made of a material that does not fluoresce in response to ultraviolet light, and that forms a pattern, and an ultraviolet-transmitting layer that is laminated so as to cover at least a portion of the pattern layer and substrate layer, that transmits ultraviolet light, and that reduces the difference in gloss on the surfaces of the substrate layer and pattern layer; when ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the underside of the substrate layer, the pattern layer appears darker than the substrate layer, and the pattern becomes visible (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-3430 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 has the problem that it is not possible to determine authenticity, etc., because commonly available cards are made of a material that does not fluoresce in ultraviolet light and do not have a pattern layer.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to make it possible to identify cards that are in general circulation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the card judgment system of the present invention provides the following means for solving the problems.

[0007] (1) A card judgment system for judging cards, a detection means for detecting characteristic information indicating characteristics of the card based on card image information obtained by photographing the card; and a determination means for determining the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

[0008] In the configuration (1), the card judgment system includes a detection means and a judgment means, and judges cards. The detection means detects characteristic information indicating characteristics of the card based on card image information obtained by photographing the card. The determining means determines the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

[0009] This allows feature information indicating the characteristics of the card to be detected based on card image information obtained by photographing the card, and the condition or authenticity of the card to be determined based on this feature information. Therefore, even if the card itself does not have a special configuration required to determine the card (such as the special pattern layer described in Patent Document 1), the condition or authenticity of the card can be determined from the image of the card. Therefore, it is possible to identify cards that are in general circulation.

[0010] (2) The detecting means detects, as the characteristic information, outer edge information indicating an outer edge of the card and display portion information indicating a display portion shown on the card; The card judgment system according to (1), wherein the judgment means judges the position of the display portion relative to the outer edge of the card based on the outer edge information and the display portion information.

[0011] According to the configuration (2), the position of the display portion relative to the outer edge of the card can be determined based on the outer edge information indicating the outer edge of the card and the display portion information indicating the display portion shown on the card.

[0012] This makes it possible to determine whether the display part of the card is misaligned (for example, whether the display part is displayed (printed, etc.) at the center of the card (whether it is centered)).

[0013] (3) the detecting means detects, as the characteristic information, outer edge information indicating an outer edge of the card; The card judgment system described in (1) is characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the outer edge of the card and the outer edge of the card indicated by the outer edge information, based on the outer edge information and outer edge specification information indicating the specified state of the outer edge of the card that is stored in advance.

[0014] According to the configuration (3), based on the pre-stored outer edge specification information indicating the specified state of the outer edge of the card and the outer edge information indicating the outer edge of the photographed card, it is possible to determine the difference between the specified state of the outer edge and the outer edge of the card indicated by the outer edge information.

[0015] This makes it possible to determine whether the outer edge of the photographed card is rectangular (for example, whether there is a chip or the like on the outer edge) when the prescribed state of the outer edge of the card is rectangular, for example.

[0016] (4) The detecting means detects, as the characteristic information, display unit information indicating a display unit shown on the card; The card judgment system described in (1) is characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the display unit and the display unit of the card indicated by the display unit information based on display unit specification information indicating the specified state of the display unit of the card that is stored in advance and the display unit information.

[0017] According to the configuration (4), the difference between the standard state of the display part and the display part of the photographed card can be determined based on the display part specification information indicating the standard state of the display part of the card that is stored in advance and the display part information of the photographed card.

[0018] This makes it possible to determine, for example, whether the display portion (for example, a relief processed portion) of the photographed card is displaced or missing from a specified state.

[0019] (5) The detecting means detects, as the characteristic information, cut portion information indicating a cut portion formed on an outer edge of the card; The card judgment system described in (1) is characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the cutting section of the card and the cutting section information indicated by the cutting section specification information, which is pre-stored and indicates the specified state of the cutting section of the card.

[0020] According to the configuration (5), based on the pre-stored cut section specification information indicating the specified state of the cut section of the card and the cut section information of the photographed card, it is possible to determine the difference between the specified state of the cut section and the cut section of the photographed card.

[0021] This makes it possible to determine whether the position of the cut portion of the photographed card, the state of the cut surface, etc., are in accordance with the specified state.

[0022] (6) The detecting means detects face information indicating a state of the face of the card as the characteristic information, The card judgment system described in (1) is characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the face of the card and the state of the face of the card indicated by the face information, based on face specification information indicating the specified state of the face of the card that is stored in advance and the face information.

[0023] According to the configuration (6), the difference between the specified state of the face of the card and the state of the face of the photographed card can be determined based on the face specification information indicating the specified state of the face of the card that is stored in advance and the face information of the photographed card.

[0024] This makes it possible to determine whether or not the photographed card surface has scratches or creases that are not in the specified state.

[0025] (7) The card judgment system according to (1), further comprising an estimation means for estimating the appraisal result of the appraisal agency for the card based on the characteristic information.

[0026] When trading cards, the monetary value of the card varies greatly depending on the appraisal results of the appraisal agency. For example, if the appraisal results of a relatively reliable appraisal agency are the highest grade, the monetary value of the card may increase by several tens of times.

[0027] According to the configuration (7), the appraisal result of the appraisal agency for the card can be estimated based on the characteristic information. This makes it possible to determine whether or not to trade a card based on the estimated appraisal results, for example.

[0028] (8) The estimation means estimates the appraisal results for the card from each of the plurality of types of appraisal institutions, The card judgment system described in (7) is characterized in that it further comprises an appraisal agency selection means for selecting the appraisal agency to request appraisal of the card from one of multiple types of appraisal agencies based on the estimation result of the estimation means.

[0029] To have a trading card or other card appraised by an appraisal agency, an appraisal fee must be paid, and the appraisal results vary depending on the appraisal agency.

[0030] According to the configuration (8), the authentication agency to which the card is to be authenticated can be selected from among the plurality of authentication agencies based on the estimated results of the authentication of the card at each of the plurality of authentication agencies. This allows the system to estimate the appraisal results of multiple types of appraisal agencies, and, for example, select the appraisal agency whose appraisal result is estimated to have the highest monetary value from among these and present it to the user, making it easier for the user to select the appraisal agency to request appraisal of the card.

[0031] (9) A method executed by a card judgment system for judging cards, detecting characteristic information indicating characteristics of the card based on card image information obtained by photographing the card; and determining the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

[0032] (10) A card judgment system for judging cards. a detection means for detecting characteristic information indicating characteristics of the card based on card image information obtained by photographing the card; A program that functions as a determination means for determining the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

[0033] The configurations (9) and (10) have the same effects as the configuration (1). [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the present invention, it is possible to identify cards that are in general circulation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a card judgment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a card judgment process flow executed by the card judgment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a card judgment system according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a card judgment system according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the functional processing of an appraisal agency selection means in the card appraisal system according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a card judgment process flow executed by a card judgment system according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, the same elements are designated by the same numbers or symbols throughout the description of the embodiments.

[0037] [overview] The card judgment system according to this embodiment is primarily for judging the condition and authenticity of trading cards, but it may also be used to judge the condition and authenticity of any card in circulation, not just trading cards.

[0038] (background) Traditionally, the value of trading cards has been greatly influenced by the results of authentication and by appraisals that grade the printing and storage conditions (for example, a card that has received the highest grade appraisal result can be worth five to several tens of times the average value). These traditional methods of authenticating and appraising cards focus on evaluating the general characteristics of the front and back of the card.

[0039] (assignment) However, existing authentication technology has difficulty identifying subtle differences that arise during the manufacturing process and determining authenticity based on them. This increases the risk of counterfeit cards circulating on the market, making it even more difficult to determine a card's value. Furthermore, it is unclear which characteristics to focus on that will have a significant impact on authenticity assessment and card valuation. Even cards that are generally considered to be in excellent condition or brand new are often not of the highest grade even at the printing stage, so in order to identify the most valuable, highest-grade cards, it is necessary to pay attention to subtle differences.

[0040] (Solution to the problem) The card judging system of this embodiment uses optical photography technology and machine learning to detect specific card features, and has found that highly accurate appraisals can be performed by focusing on the specific features of the card. This detects the specific features and evaluates the card based on this information. This enables more accurate and rapid authentication and appraisal, and makes it possible to accurately evaluate the value of cards quickly and at low cost.

[0041] 1. The card judgment system has a means for optically capturing an image of a card and detecting characteristics of the card based on the captured image, and has a means for evaluating the condition or determining the authenticity of the card based on the detected characteristics.

[0042] 2. The card judgment system may be equipped with a means for detecting misalignment of the printing (centering) of the card.

[0043] 3. The card judgment system may include a means for detecting chips on the surface of the card.

[0044] 4. The card judgment system may be provided with a means for detecting misalignment or chipping of the relief surface of the card.

[0045] 5. The card judging system may include means for detecting the cutting location or side of the card.

[0046] 6. The card judging system may include means for detecting scratches or creases on the surface of the card.

[0047] (Functional configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a card judgment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The card judgment system 1 comprises a card image information acquisition means 10, a detection means 20, a judgment means 30, and a storage means 40, and judges cards.

[0048] The card image information acquisition means 10 acquires card image information by photographing a card and stores it in the storage means 40. The card image information acquisition means 10 may be configured with a camera or scanner that photographs a card, or may acquire card image information that has been photographed in advance from an external device or storage means 40 connected via a network.

[0049] The detection means 20 detects characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the card based on the card image information acquired by the card image information acquisition means 10. In detail, the detection means 20 includes an outer edge information detection unit 21, a display information detection unit 22, a surface information detection unit 23, and a cutting portion information detection unit 24.

[0050] The outer edge information detection unit 21 detects outer edge information indicating the outer edge of the card as the feature information. The display information detection unit 22 detects, as feature information, display information indicating the display area shown on the card. In this embodiment, the "display area" refers to, for example, letters, characters, figures, relief-processed areas, etc. printed on the face of the card. The face information detection unit 23 detects face information indicating the state of the face of the card as feature information. In this embodiment, the "face" includes the front and back sides of the card. The cut portion information detection unit 24 detects cut portion information indicating the cut portion formed on the outer edge of the card as the feature information. In this embodiment, the "cut portion" includes the state of the card as viewed from the face side and the state of the cut surface as viewed from the side side of the card.

[0051] The determining means 30 determines the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information detected by the detecting means 20 .

[0052] In detail, the determination means 30 determines the position of the display part relative to the outer edge of the card based on the outer edge information and display part information detected by the detection means 20. Specifically, the determination means 30 determines whether or not the display part of the card is misaligned (for example, whether or not the display part is displayed (printed) in the center of the card (whether or not it is centered)).

[0053] Furthermore, the determination means 30 determines the difference between the specified state of the outer edge and the outer edge of the card indicated by the outer edge information, based on outer edge specification information indicating the specified state of the outer edge of the card pre-stored in the storage means 40 and the outer edge information detected by the detection means 20. Specifically, when the specified state of the outer edge of the card is a rectangle, the determination means 30 determines whether the outer edge of the photographed card is a rectangle (for example, whether there is a chip or the like in the outer edge).

[0054] Furthermore, the determination means 30 determines the difference between the specified state of the display unit and the display unit of the card indicated by the display unit information, based on the display unit specification information indicating the specified state of the display unit of the card pre-stored in the storage means 40 and the display unit information detected by the detection means 20. Specifically, the determination means 30 determines whether the display unit (for example, a relief-processed portion, etc.) of the photographed card is displaced or missing from the specified state.

[0055] Furthermore, the determination means 30 determines the difference between the specified state of the cut section and the cut section of the card indicated by the cut section specification information, based on the cut section specification information indicating the specified state of the cut section of the card pre-stored in the storage means 40 and the cut section information detected by the detection means 20. Specifically, the determination means 30 determines whether the position of the cut section of the photographed card, the state of the cut surface, etc. are in accordance with the specified state.

[0056] Furthermore, the determination means 30 determines the difference between the specified state of the face and the state of the card face indicated by the face information, based on face specification information indicating the specified state of the face of the card pre-stored in the storage means 40 and the face information detected by the detection means 20. Specifically, the determination means 30 determines whether or not the face of the photographed card has scratches or creases that are not in the specified state.

[0057] The determination means 30 may calculate an evaluation value according to the determination result. Furthermore, the card judgment system 1 may be configured such that the detection means 20 and judgment means 30 are composed of AI (Artificial Intelligence), and the AI ​​reads card image information and generates judgment results.

[0058] The functional configuration of the present system described above is merely an example. A single functional block (database and functional processing unit) may be divided, or multiple functional blocks may be combined into a single functional block. Each functional processing unit is implemented by a central processing unit (CPU) built into a device or terminal that reads and executes a computer program (e.g., a core software or an application that causes the CPU to execute the above-mentioned processes) stored in a storage device (storage means) such as a read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), or hard disk. That is, each functional processing unit is implemented by the computer program reading and writing necessary data, such as tables, from a database (DB) stored in the storage device or a memory area in memory, and, in some cases, controlling related hardware (e.g., an input / output device, a display device, or a communication interface device). Furthermore, the database (DB) in the embodiments of the present invention may be a commercial database, but it also refers to a simple collection of tables and files, regardless of the internal structure of the database itself.

[0059] (Processing flow) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a card judgment process flow executed by the card judgment system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] In step S1, the card image information acquisition means 10 acquires card image information obtained by photographing a card.

[0061] In step S2, the detection means 20 detects characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the card based on the card image information acquired by the card image information acquisition means 10 in step S1.

[0062] In step S3, the determination means 30 determines the state or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information detected by the detection means 20 in step S2.

[0063] [Application example] Next, a card judgment system 1A according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in this embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified. The card judgment system 1A of the application example differs from the card judgment system 1 of the embodiment in that it estimates the appraisal results of multiple types of appraisal agencies for the card based on the characteristic information detected by the detection means 20 (see Figure 2) and the judgment results of the card condition or authenticity by the judgment means 30 (see Figure 2), and is able to select from among these multiple types of appraisal agencies the appraisal agency to request for card appraisal.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a card judgment system according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. The card judgment system 1A acquires card image information obtained by photographing a card from an external device 100 (for example, a terminal equipped with a photographing means operated by a user).

[0065] The card judgment system 1A detects characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the card based on the acquired card image information, and judges the state or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

[0066] In addition, the card judgment system 1A estimates the appraisal results (such as "Grade 8," "Grade 9," and "Grade 10" in the example shown in Figure 3) for the card from each of multiple types of appraisal agencies (such as "Company A," "Company B," and "Company C" in the example shown in Figure 3) based on the characteristic information and the judgment results.

[0067] Furthermore, based on the estimation result, the card judgment system 1A selects an appraisal agency to request appraisal of the card from among the plurality of appraisal agencies.

[0068] The transaction price of cards such as trading cards varies depending on the appraisal agency and the appraisal results. For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, if a certain card is appraised by one appraisal agency ("Company B") as "Grade 9" and another appraisal agency ("Company C") as "Grade 10," even if the appraisal result from the other appraisal agency ("Company C") is higher than the appraisal result from one appraisal agency ("Company B"), the transaction price may be higher if the card is appraised by one appraisal agency ("Company B").

[0069] In such a case, the card judgment system 1A selects a certain appraisal agency ("Company B") as the appraisal agency to request for card appraisal, and transmits appraisal request recommendation information indicating this selection to an external device 100 (for example, a terminal equipped with a photographing means operated by the user).

[0070] (Application example functional configuration) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a card judgment system according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. The card judgment system 1A includes a card image information acquisition means 10, a detection means 20, a judgment means 30, and a storage means 40, which are functionally similar to the card judgment system 1, as well as an estimation means 50, an appraisal agency selection means 60, and a provision means 70. The card judgment system 1A may be connectable to an external device 100 via a network.

[0071] The card image information acquisition means 10, detection means 20, judgment means 30 and storage means 40 are the same as those in the card judgment system 1 according to the embodiment (see FIG. 2), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The estimation means 50 estimates the appraisal result of the appraisal agency for a card based on the characteristic information detected by the detection means 20 (see FIG. 2) and the judgment result by the judgment means 30. In detail, the estimation means 50 generates appraisal result estimation information for each appraisal agency, which estimates the appraisal result for a certain card based on the characteristic information detected by the detection means 20 (for example, type information indicating the type of card) and the judgment result by the judgment means 30, by referring to an estimation unit that includes evaluation standards of multiple types of appraisal agencies and learning data prepared in advance, and stores this appraisal result estimation information in the storage means 40 in association with card identification information that identifies the card. Note that the estimation means 50 may estimate the appraisal result based only on the characteristic information and by referring to the estimation unit.

[0073] In this application example, the estimation unit is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) that estimates the appraisal result of an appraisal agency for an input card based on the appraisal criteria of each appraisal agency and past appraisal results of that agency. The estimation unit may be a general-purpose AI, or may be learning data obtained by machine learning the appraisal criteria of each appraisal agency and past appraisal results of that appraisal agency. The learning data may be stored in the storage means 40, or may be stored in an external device accessible to the card judgment system 1A via a network.

[0074] The appraisal agency selection means 60 selects an appraisal agency to request appraisal of a card from among a plurality of appraisal agencies based on the estimation result of the estimation means 50. In detail, the appraisal agency selection means 60 references the appraisal result estimation information stored in the storage means 40, generates appraisal request destination recommendation information indicating an appraisal agency to recommend as a destination for requesting appraisal of a certain card, and stores this appraisal result estimation information in the storage means 40 in association with the card identification information that identifies the card.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the functional processing of the appraisal agency selection means in the card appraisal system according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in Figure 5, the estimation means 50 estimates that the appraisal result for card X from appraisal agency "Company A" is "Grade 8," the appraisal result from appraisal agency "Company B" is "Grade 9," and the appraisal result from appraisal agency "Company C" is "Grade 10."

[0076] In this example, the appraisal agency selection means 60 acquires, for example, price information indicating the market price (transaction price) of card X when no appraisal result from an appraisal agency is attached to card X, price information indicating the market price (transaction price) of card X when an appraisal result of "Grade 8" from appraisal agency "Company A" is attached, price information indicating the market price (transaction price) of card X when an appraisal result of "Grade 9" from appraisal agency "Company B" is attached, and price information indicating the market price (transaction price) of card X when an appraisal result of "Grade 10" from appraisal agency "Company C" is attached. Note that the appraisal agency selection means 60 may acquire this price information from an external device accessible by the card judgment system 1A via a network, or may acquire it by referring to a database previously stored in the storage means 40 in which card types, appraisal results (grades) from multiple types of appraisal agencies, and market prices are associated with each other.

[0077] Furthermore, the appraisal agency selection means 60, for example, compares price information when no appraisal result from an appraisal agency is attached with price information when an appraisal result of "Grade 8" from appraisal agency "Company A" is attached, price information when an appraisal result of "Grade 9" from appraisal agency "Company B" is attached, and price information when an appraisal result of "Grade 10" from appraisal agency "Company C" is attached, calculates a multiplier for the price information when no appraisal result from an appraisal agency is attached, and stores the calculated value as an expected value in the storage means 40, corresponding to each appraisal result for each appraisal agency.

[0078] In the example shown in Figure 5, Card X indicates that the price information when the appraisal result of appraisal agency "Company A" is "Grade 8" is 9.5 times (expected value) the price information when no appraisal result of appraisal agency is attached, that the price information when the appraisal result of appraisal agency "Company B" is "Grade 9" is 10 times (expected value) the price information when no appraisal result of appraisal agency is attached, and that the price information when the appraisal result of appraisal agency "Company C" is "Grade 10" is 9 times (expected value) the price information when no appraisal result of appraisal agency is attached.

[0079] Then, the appraisal agency selection means 60 compares the appraisal results of multiple types of appraisal agencies for a certain card (e.g., card X), selects the appraisal agency with the highest expected value (e.g., appraisal agency "Company B") as the appraisal agency to be requested to appraise the card, generates appraisal request destination recommendation information indicating the appraisal agency, and stores this appraisal result estimation information in the storage means 40 in association with the card identification information that identifies the card.

[0080] The appraisal agency selection means 60 calculates the expected value that serves as the basis for selection based on a comparison between price information when the appraisal result from an appraisal agency is not attached and price information when the appraisal result from an appraisal agency is attached. However, this is not limited to this, and the expected value that serves as the basis for selection may be calculated based on a comparison between any price information, such as price information when the user acquired the card or price information when the card was first sold, and price information when the appraisal result from an appraisal agency is attached.

[0081] Returning to Figure 3, the providing means 70 transmits or displays the recommended appraisal agency information for the card, which was generated by the appraisal agency selection means 60 and stored in the storage means 40, to the external device 100 (e.g., a smartphone) of the user who sent the card image information for the card.

[0082] (Processing flow of application example) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a card determination process flow executed by the card determination system according to an application example of the embodiment of the present invention. Steps S1 to S3 are the same as the processing of the card judgment system 1 according to this embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] In step S4, the estimation means 50 estimates the appraisal result of the appraisal agency for the card whose card image information was acquired by the card image information acquisition means 10 in step S1, based on the characteristic information detected by the detection means 20 in step S2 and the judgment result determined by the judgment means 30 in step S3.

[0084] In step S5, based on the estimation result of the estimation means 50 in step S5, the appraisal agency selection means 60 selects from one of multiple types of appraisal agencies an appraisal agency to request for appraisal of the card for which the card image information acquisition means 10 acquired card image information in step S1.

[0085] Then, for example, the card judgment system 1A uses the providing means 70 to transmit or display the recommended appraisal request destination information for the card, which was generated based on the selection by the appraisal agency selection means 60 in step S5, to the external device 100 (e.g., a smartphone, etc.) of the user that sent the card image information acquired by the card image information acquisition means 10 in step S1.

[0086] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that forms incorporating such modifications and improvements are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. In the above embodiments, the present invention has been described as an invention of a product, namely, a card judging system, but it can also be considered as an invention of a method executed by the card judging system in the present invention, or a program that causes the card judging system to function as various means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Card Judgment System 10. Card image information acquisition means 20 Detection Methods 21 Outer edge information detection unit 22 Display information detection unit 23 Surface information detection unit 24 Cutting section information detection section 30 Judgment means 40 Memory means 50 Estimation means 60 Appraisal agency selection method 70 Means of provision

Claims

1. A card judgment system for judging cards, a detection means for detecting characteristic information indicating characteristics of the card based on card image information obtained by photographing the card; and a determination means for determining the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

2. the detecting means detects, as the feature information, outer edge information indicating an outer edge of the card and display portion information indicating a display portion shown on the card; 2. The card judgment system according to claim 1, wherein the judgment means judges the position of the display portion relative to the outer edge of the card based on the outer edge information and the display portion information.

3. the detecting means detects, as the characteristic information, outer edge information indicating an outer edge of the card; The card judgment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the outer edge of the card and the outer edge of the card indicated by the outer edge information based on outer edge specification information indicating the specified state of the outer edge of the card that is stored in advance and the outer edge information.

4. the detecting means detects, as the characteristic information, display section information indicating a display section shown on the card; The card judgment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the display unit and the display unit of the card indicated by the display unit information based on display unit specification information indicating the specified state of the display unit of the card that is stored in advance and the display unit information.

5. the detecting means detects, as the characteristic information, cut portion information indicating a cut portion formed on an outer edge of the card; The card judgment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the cutting section and the cutting section of the card indicated by the cutting section specification information, based on the cutting section information and pre-stored cutting section specification information indicating the specified state of the cutting section of the card.

6. the detecting means detects face information indicating a state of the face of the card as the characteristic information; The card judgment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment means judges the difference between the specified state of the face of the card and the state of the face of the card indicated by the face information, based on face specification information indicating the specified state of the face of the card that is stored in advance and the face information.

7. 2. The card judgment system according to claim 1, further comprising an estimation means for estimating an appraisal result of the appraisal agency for the card based on the characteristic information.

8. the estimation means estimates the appraisal results for the card from each of the plurality of types of appraisal institutions; 8. The card judgment system according to claim 7, further comprising an appraisal agency selection means for selecting the appraisal agency to request appraisal of the card from among a plurality of appraisal agencies based on the estimation result of the estimation means.

9. A method executed by a card judging system for judging cards, detecting characteristic information indicating characteristics of the card based on card image information obtained by photographing the card; and determining the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

10. A card judgment system that judges cards a detection means for detecting characteristic information indicating characteristics of the card based on card image information obtained by photographing the card; A program that functions as a determination means for determining the condition or authenticity of the card based on the characteristic information.

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