Appraisal device, appraisal system

Abstract

To provide an appraisal device and appraisal system that can ensure the objectivity of appraisal of trading cards. [Solution] In the appraisal device 1, the processing unit 5 stores defect information, including the type and location of the defect, and evaluation information entered in the input unit 4, in association with the client and the trading card in the storage unit 3, and displays an image on the appraisal screen with defect markers superimposed on the defect location of the virtual card. The web server 6 receives requests for appraisal information of trading cards from an external information terminal held by the client via the internet network 30, reads the appraisal information corresponding to the requesting client and trading card from the storage unit 3, sends it back to the information terminal, and displays a screen including an image with defect markers superimposed on the virtual card.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an authentication device and an authentication system, and particularly to an authentication device and an authentication system for authenticating trading cards having economic value and exchange value such as game cards.

Background Art

[0002] For example, trading cards such as game cards have economic value and exchange value due to rarity and popularity of characters. However, due to poor management, if there are scratches or breaks, the value will decrease. The card owner has a strong interest in the economic value of the cards owned, but it is difficult to evaluate the condition of the cards by oneself, and thus relies on an authentication office for authentication. An appraiser at an authentication office for authenticating trading cards visually checks the front and back of the trading card, magnifies it with a magnifying glass, observes the condition of scratches, dents, dirt, etc. on the surface, evaluates the overall grade numerically, and notifies the applicant.

[0003] By the way, the conventional authentication result only shows the numerical value of the grade of the trading card, and there is a problem that it is difficult for the applicant to understand the objective basis.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an authentication device and an authentication system capable of transmitting objective authentication information to an applicant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The invention according to claim 1 display means for displaying an authentication screen including a virtual card of a trading card, Input means for inputting defect information including the type or type and degree of defect on the trading card, defect markings, and defect location on the trading card, as well as inputting evaluation information for the trading card. A means for storing authentication information, including defect information and evaluation information of trading cards, for each client and each trading card. An appraisal processing means that stores defect information and evaluation information entered by an input means in an appraisal information storage means, associating it with the client and the trading card, and displays it on the appraisal screen of a display means, and at this time displays an image in which a defect mark is superimposed on the defect location of the virtual card on the appraisal screen, A request processing means that receives a request for trading card authentication information from an external information terminal held by the authentication requester, reads the authentication information corresponding to the requester and the trading card from the authentication information storage means, sends it back to the requester's information terminal, and enables the display of a screen including an image with the defect mark superimposed on a virtual card, It is characterized by having the following features. The invention described in claim 2 is, It consists of an authentication device for authenticating trading cards and an information terminal held by the authentication requester, which communicates with the authentication device via a network and can display authentication information. The appraisal device is A display means that displays the trading card authentication screen together with a virtual card, Input means for inputting defect information including the type or type and degree of defect on the trading card, defect markings, and defect location on the trading card, as well as inputting evaluation information for the trading card. A means for storing authentication information, including defect information and evaluation information of trading cards, for each client and each trading card. An appraisal processing means that stores defect information and evaluation information entered by an input means in an appraisal information storage means, associating it with the client and the trading card, and displays it on the appraisal screen of a display means, and at this time displays an image in which a defect mark is superimposed on the defect location of the virtual card on the appraisal screen, A request processing means that receives a request for trading card authentication information from an external information terminal held by the authentication requester, reads the corresponding authentication information from an authentication information storage means, sends it back to the requesting information terminal, and enables the display of a screen including an image in which a defect mark representing the type or type and degree of defect is superimposed on a virtual card, Includes, The information terminal is a means of requesting appraisal information, A processing means that displays a screen on a display means that includes an image of a virtual card with a defect mark superimposed on it, based on the appraisal information returned from the appraisal device, Including, It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the appraisal information input by an appraiser using the appraisal device includes not only the evaluation information of the trading card, but also defect information including the type or type and degree of the defect that forms the basis of the evaluation, and the location of the defect on the trading card, which is stored in the appraisal information storage means. When a request for appraisal information of an appraised trading card is received from an external information terminal, the corresponding appraisal information is read from the appraisal information storage means and sent back to the requesting information terminal, and a screen including an image of a virtual card with a defect mark representing the type or type and degree of the defect on the trading card superimposed is made possible. This ensures the objectivity of the evaluation by informing the client of the type or type and degree of the defect that forms the basis of the appraisal, and the location of the defect on the trading card. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an appraisal system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the appraisal device. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of the member information storage area provided in the memory unit shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the appraisal information storage area provided in the memory unit. [Figure 5]It is a flowchart showing the operation of the processing unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the processing unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the processing unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the Web server in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the information terminal in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 11] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 14] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 15] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 16] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 17] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 18] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 19] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the authentication device. [Figure 20] It is an explanatory diagram of the authentication screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples.

[0009] A trading card authentication system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the trading card authentication system according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the authentication device in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the member information storage area provided in the storage unit of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the authentication information storage area provided in the storage unit of Figure 2. In Figure 1, 1 is a computer-based authentication device in which an appraiser authenticates trading cards 10-1, 10-2, ..., 11-1, 11-2, ... sent by clients U1, U2, ...; 20, 21, ... are information terminals (such as smartphones) owned by clients U1, U2, ...; and 30 is an internet network that enables communication between the computer-based authentication device 1 and the information terminals 20, 21, ....

[0010] As shown in Figure 2, the appraisal device 1 includes a display unit 2 for displaying the appraisal screen, a storage unit 3 for storing appraisal processing programs, member information of appraisal requesters, appraisal information including defect information and evaluation information for each requester and trading card, and images of various types of trading cards without defects, etc., an input unit 4 for inputting defect information consisting of a defect mark representing the type or type and degree of defect in the trading card and the location of the defect on the trading card, and evaluation information indicating the economic value of the trading card, a processing unit 5 that performs appraisal processing in response to appraisal information input operations in the input unit 4 based on the appraisal processing program stored in the program storage area of ​​the storage unit 3, and a web server 6 for communicating with information terminals 20, 21, etc. held by appraisal requesters via the internet network 30 and for exchanging web-format member screens (in this case, including a screen representing appraisal information). The web-format appraisal information screen that the web server 6 transmits to the information terminals 20, 21, etc. includes evaluation information and an image in which a defect mark representing the type or type and degree of defect in the trading card is superimposed on the defect location on a virtual card. For the purposes of this discussion, defect indicators are given as examples of textual and graphic indicators, but they can also be pictures, symbols, or combinations of text, graphics, symbols, and pictures.

[0011] The display unit 2, as a means of display, has the function of displaying a basic appraisal screen 2a (see Figure 10(1)), a front appraisal screen 2b (see Figure 11(1)), a back appraisal screen 2c (see Figure 17(1)), and the like for performing appraisal. The basic appraisal screen 2a includes a blank virtual card frame 31a that mimics the shape of the front (FRONT) of the trading card being appraised, a blank virtual card frame 31b that mimics the shape of the back (BACK) of the trading card, numerical buttons 32a-32k for inputting an 11-point scale for evaluating defects on the four corners (CORNER) on the front and four corners (CORNER) on the back of the trading card, numerical buttons 33a-33k for inputting an 11-point scale for evaluating defects on the four edges (EDGE) on the front and four edges (EDGE) on the back of the trading card, and the surface area (S) of the front and back of the trading card excluding the corners and edges. The system includes numerical buttons 34a-34k for inputting an 11-point scale for evaluating defects (including the surface), a card image display area 35 for displaying an image of a defect-free card of the same type as the trading card being appraised, a trading card name display area 36, ​​an overall evaluation value display area 37 for displaying the overall evaluation (Grade) numerically, a corner evaluation value display area 38 for displaying the corner evaluation value entered by the appraiser, an edge evaluation display area 39 for displaying the edge evaluation value entered by the appraiser, an edge evaluation value area 40 for displaying the surface evaluation value entered by the appraiser, and an exit button 41. The virtual card frames 31a and 31b have functions for touch input of the location of defects on the trading card, displaying an image with defect markers superimposed, and functioning as selection buttons for selecting the front or back of the trading card.

[0012] The surface inspection screen 2b has a virtual card frame 50 on the left that mimics the shape of the front side of a trading card and corresponds to the front area of ​​the trading card. On the right side, from top to bottom, there are selection buttons for the type of defect: corner / edge 51, surface 52, scratch (S1) 53a, (S2) 53b, (S3) 53c, crease / fold (C1) 54a, (C2) 54b, (C3) 54c, dent (D) 55, stain (T) 56, ink clouding (I) 57, and factory defect (Factory The interface includes a Defect selection button (FD) 58, a selection button (L) 59 for the type of defect (dent, stain, clouding), and for factory defects, a selection button (!) 60, a selection button (Z) 61, a selection button (G) 62, and an exit button 63 to finish entering the defect information on the front side.

[0013] The selection button 51 is used to input defects in the four corners (top, bottom, left, and right) of the front side of the trading card, or to input defects in the four edges (top, bottom, left, and right). The selection button 52 is used to switch to a defect input mode for other surface areas other than the four corners and four edges of the front side. Selection buttons 53a-53c and 54a-54c are used to input the type and severity of the defect. Selection buttons 55-58 are used to input the type of defect, and selection buttons 59-62 are used to input the severity of the defect, and are used in combination with selection buttons 55-58.

[0014] The back of the card inspection screen 2c has a virtual card frame 70 on the left that mimics the shape of the back of a trading card and corresponds to the area on the back of the trading card. On the right side, from top to bottom, there are selection buttons for the type of defect: corner / edge 71, surface 72, scratch (S1) 73a, (S2) 73b, (S3) 73c, crease / fold (C1) 74a, (C2) 74b, (C3) 74c, dent (D) 75, stain (T) 76, ink clouding (I) 77, and factory defect. Includes a Defect selection button (FD) 78, a selection button (L) 79 for the type of defect (dent, stain, clouding), the degree of the defect (light, intense), the extent of the defect (zone, global), and the extent of the defect (global), a selection button (!) 80, a selection button (Z) 81, a selection button (G) 82, and an end button 83 for finishing the input of defect information on the back.

[0015] The selection button 71 is used to input defects in the four corners (top, bottom, left, and right) on the back of the trading card, or to input defects in the four edges (top, bottom, left, and right). The selection button 72 is used to switch to a defect input mode for other surface areas on the front side, excluding the four corners and four edges. Selection buttons 73a-73c and 74a-74c are used to input the type and severity of the defect. Selection buttons 75-78 are used to input the type of defect, and selection buttons 79-82 are used to input the severity of the defect, and are used in combination with selection buttons 75-78.

[0016] The memory unit 3 includes a program memory area that stores the appraisal processing program, a member information memory area that stores member information that has requested appraisal (see Figure 3), an appraisal information memory area that stores appraisal information for each client and each trading card (see Figure 4), and an area that stores front and back image images of various types of defect-free trading cards by name. Member information is stored separately for each member (U1, U2, etc.), including membership number, login ID and password, name, address, phone number, and email address. Furthermore, the system stores the authentication information and associated authentication number for each member's authenticated trading cards. Each authentication number is uniquely assigned to all trading cards belonging to all members, ensuring no duplicates.

[0017] In the appraisal information storage area shown in Figure 4, for each trading card appraised, the following information is stored for each client: appraisal number, date of request, type (name) of trading card, appraiser, appraisal date, images of the front and back of the trading card itself, defect information on the front, defect information on the back, evaluation information for the corners / edges (CORNER / EDGE) of both front and back combined, evaluation information for the surface (SURFACE) of both front and back combined, and overall evaluation information for the entire card.

[0018] Defect information consists of a combination of the type of defect, the type and extent of the defect, and the location of the defect on the trading card. Defect types include corner, edge, scratch, crease / fold, dent, stain, ink clouding, and factory defect. For scratches and creases / folds, the severity of the defect is expressed using numerical values ​​of 1, 2, and 3, respectively, indicating light, moderate, and severe damage. Specifically, a moderate scratch is represented by the defect mark "S2" (in this case, the letter "S2"). For dents, stains, ink smudges, and factory defects, minor defects are represented by the defect marks "DL," "TL," "IL," and "FDL," while unknown or moderate defects are simply represented by the defect marks "D," "T," "I," and "FD." Severe defects are represented by the defect marks "D!", "T!", "I!", and "FD!". When there is a partial spread, it is represented by the defect marks "DZ," "TZ," "IZ," and "FDZ," and when there is an overall spread, it is represented by the defect marks "DG," "TG," "IG," and "FDG." Alternatively, instead of the selection buttons (S1)~(S3) and (C1)~(C3), you could provide buttons for selecting scratches (S), folds / wrinkles (C), and numerical buttons (1), (2), and (3) to indicate the degree, and allow users to input by combining them.

[0019] The input unit 4, as an input means, includes a keyboard, a mouse, and an input pen 4a, allowing touch input by touching the display unit 2 screen.

[0020] The processing unit 5, as an authentication processing means, stores the authentication information of the trading card, which the appraiser has entered using the input unit 4 while viewing the authentication screen on the display unit 2, in the authentication information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3, associating it with the client and the trading card, based on the authentication processing program stored in the program storage area of ​​the storage unit 3. It also displays this information on the authentication screen of the display unit 2, and at this time, it has the function of displaying an image in which a defect marker is superimposed on the defect location of the virtual card on the authentication screen.

[0021] Information terminals 20, 21, ... communicate with the web server 6 of the appraisal device 1 via the internet network 3, and perform tasks such as registering member information, logging in and out, displaying the member screen, requesting appraisal information in accordance with the requester's input of an appraisal number on the member screen, and displaying the screen of the returned appraisal information, etc., in web format. The web server 6, as a request processing means, communicates with information terminals 20, 21, ... via the internet network 30 in web format, accepts registration of member information from external information terminals 20, 21, ... held by appraisal requesters and stores it in the member information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3, accepts logins to the member screen and returns and displays the member screen, accepts requests for appraisal information for trading cards that have already been requested for appraisal, reads the appraisal information for the corresponding trading card from the appraisal information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3, and returns it to the requesting information terminal 20, 21, ..., making it possible to display a screen that includes evaluation information and an image in which a defect mark representing the type or type and degree of defect in the trading card is superimposed on the defect location on a virtual card.

[0022] Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 5 to 9 and the explanatory diagrams in Figures 10 to 20. It should be assumed that the membership information of appraisal clients U1, U2, ... is already stored in the membership information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3. (1) Display of the basic appraisal screen For example, when appraising trading card 10-1, which is being sent for the first time by appraisal requestor U1, the appraiser at the appraisal office uses the input unit 4 of the appraisal device 1 to perform a new appraisal start operation, which includes inputting the membership number of appraisal requestor U1, the type (name) of trading card 10-1, the appraiser's name, and the date of the request. The processing unit 5 then stores the new and unique appraisal number, the date of the appraisal request, the appraiser's name, the appraisal date, and the type of trading card 10-1 in the first area corresponding to appraisal requestor U1 in the appraisal information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3 (steps 10 and 11 in Figure 5), and the basic appraisal screen 2a is displayed on the display unit 2 as shown in Figure 10(1) (step 12 in Figure 5). At this time, if a flawless image corresponding to the type of trading card 10-1 is already stored in the storage unit 3, it is read and displayed in the card image display area 35, and the name of the trading card is displayed in the name display area 36. When the image of the front and back of the trading card to be authenticated is read and input, the processing unit 5 stores the image in the area corresponding to the trading card in the authentication information storage area.

[0023] (2) Input of defect information on the front side First, to input various defect information for the front side of trading card 10-1, the user selects the virtual card frame 31a on the front side of the basic authentication screen 2a by touching it with the stylus pen 4a. The processing unit 5 then determines that the front side has been selected and displays the front side authentication screen 2b on the display unit 2 (steps 13, 14 in Figure 5, Figure 10(2), Figure 11). The appraiser visually inspects the front of trading card 10-1, or uses a magnifying glass, to check for scratches, folds / creases, dents, stains, clouding, and factory defects on the four corners, top, bottom, left, and right edges, and on the rest of the front surface.

[0024] For example, if there is a defect such as a chip in the upper right corner of the front side, the user touches the selection button 51 with the input pen 4a to select the corner / edge, and then touches the upper right corner corresponding to the location of the defect on the virtual card frame 50 to input the position. The processing unit 5 then adds the defect information, which combines the defect type (upper right corner) and position (coordinates of the upper right corner in the virtual card frame 50 area, or the characters for the upper right corner), to the front side area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the authentication information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3 and stores it. The upper right corner defect marker (symbol 200 in Figure 12(1)), which is a thick line representing the upper right corner of the virtual card frame 50 on the screen, is then superimposed on the location of the defect (Figures 15 to 17, 12(1)). The defect marker representing the type of defect stored in the authentication information storage area is a circular arc figure marker in the first quadrant. The defect indicators in the upper left corner, lower left corner, and lower right corner are circular arc figures in the second quadrant, the third quadrant, and the fourth quadrant, respectively. If there is a defect such as a chip at the top of the left edge, the user touches the selection button 51 to select corner / edge, and then touches the top of the left edge corresponding to the location of the defect on the virtual card frame 50 to input the location of the defect. The processing unit 5 then adds the defect information, which combines the defect type (left edge) and the coordinates of the touch position on the left edge, to the front side area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the authentication information storage area and stores it. The processing unit 5 then displays a defect marker for the left edge defect (symbol 201 in Figure 12(2)), which is a vertical thick line segment figure, superimposed on the location of the defect on the left edge of the virtual card frame 50 (steps 18, 15 to 17, Figure 12(2)). The defect marker representing the type of defect stored in the authentication information storage area is a vertical thick line segment figure. If the defect is in the middle of the upper or lower edge, the defect marker will be a horizontal thick line segment figure.

[0025] Next, if you want to input defect information on the surface other than the corners and edges on the front side, touch the selection button 52 to switch to surface input mode. For example, if there is a minor scratch slightly above the center on the left side of the trading card, touch the selection button (S1) button 53a to select defect type = scratch, severity = minor, and then touch the area on the virtual card frame 50 corresponding to the location of the defect to input the location of the defect. The processing unit 5 then adds the defect information, which combines the defect type = scratch, severity = minor, and location = surface, to the front side area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the appraisal information storage area and stores it. It then overlays a defect mark "S1" (symbol 202 in Figure 13(1)) indicating a scratch and minor damage at the corresponding location on the virtual card frame 50 (steps 15-17, Figure 13(1)). Here, the defect type and severity stored in the appraisal information storage area is the defect mark (character mark) "S1".

[0026] Next, if there is a moderate fold / crease slightly to the right of the center of the card, the user touches the selection button (C2) button 54b to select defect type = fold / crease, severity = moderate, and then touches the location of the defect on the virtual card frame 50 to input the position. The processing unit 5 then adds the defect information, consisting of the defect type = fold / crease, severity = moderate, and position = coordinates of the touched position on the virtual card frame 50, to the front side area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the authentication information memory area and stores it. The processing unit 5 then overlays the defect mark "C2" (symbol 203 in Figure 13(2)), indicating a scratch or moderate damage, on the corresponding position on the virtual card frame 50 (steps 18, 15-17, Figure 13(2)). Here, the defect type and severity stored in the authentication information memory area are the defect mark (text) "C2".

[0027] Next, if there is a moderate ink clouding slightly below the center on the left side of the card, the user touches the selection button (I) button 57 to select the defect type = clouding, and then touches the location of the defect on the virtual card frame 50 to input the position. The processing unit 5 then adds the defect information of defect type = clouding, degree = medium, and location = the touched position on the virtual card frame 50 to the front side area of ​​the trading card 10 in the authentication information storage area and stores it, and overlays the defect mark "I" (symbol 204 in Figure 14(1)) indicating clouding at the corresponding position on the virtual card frame 50 (steps 18, 15-17, Figure 14(1)). Here, the defect type and degree stored in the authentication information storage area is the defect mark (character) "I".

[0028] If the ink clouding is minor, touching the selection button (I) 57, selection button (L) 59, or the defective area on the virtual card frame 50 will display the defect mark "IL" at the defective area on the virtual card frame 50. If the ink clouding is severe, touching the selection button (I) 57, selection button (!) 60, or the defective area on the virtual card frame 50 will display the defect mark "I!" at the defective area on the virtual card frame 50. If the ink clouding is partially spread, touching the selection button (I) 57, selection button (Z) 61, or the defective area on the virtual card frame 50 will display the defect mark "IZ" at the defective area on the virtual card frame 50. If the ink clouding is widespread, touching the selection button (I) 57, selection button (G) 62, or the defective area on the virtual card frame 50 will display the defect mark "IG" at the defective area on the virtual card frame 50.

[0029] Next, if there is a moderate factory defect on the upper right side of the card, the user touches the selection button (FD) button 58 to select the defect type = factory defect, and then touches the location of the defect on the virtual card frame 50 to input the position. The processing unit 5 then adds the defect information, which combines the defect type = factory defect, degree = moderate, and location = the coordinates of the touched position on the virtual card frame 50, to the front side area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the authentication information storage area and stores it. The defect mark "FD" (symbol 205 in Figure 14(2)) indicating the factory is then superimposed on the corresponding position on the virtual card frame 31a (steps 18, 15-17, Figure 14(2)). Here, the defect type and degree stored in the authentication information storage area are the defect mark (text) "FD".

[0030] Next, if there is a large dent on the lower right side of the card, touch the selection button (D) 55 and the selection button (!) 60 to select the defect type = dent and severity = heavy, and then touch the location of the defect on the virtual card frame 31a to input the position. The processing unit 5 then adds the defect information, which combines the defect type = dent, severity = heavy, and location = surface touch position coordinates, to the front side area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the appraisal information memory area and stores it, and overlays the defect mark "D!" (symbol 206 in Figure 15(1)) indicating clouding on the corresponding position on the virtual card frame 50 (steps 18, 15-17, Figure 15(1)). Here, the defect type and severity stored in the appraisal information memory area are the defect mark (characters) "D!".

[0031] When the input of defect information on the front side is complete, touch the end button 63 (Figure 15(2)). The processing unit 5 then returns to the basic appraisal screen 2a, and at this time, the virtual card frame 31a on the front side displays the defect markers superimposed on the defect locations based on the appraisal information of the trading card 10-1 stored in the memory unit 3 (Step 18, Step 20 in Figure 6, Figure 16(1)).

[0032] (3) Input of defect information on the back side Next, if you want to input defect information on the back of trading card 10-1, you select it by touching the virtual card frame 31b on the back of the basic authentication screen 2a with the pen. Then, the processing unit 5 displays the back authentication screen 2c on the display unit 2 (steps 21, 22, Figures 16(1), 17(1)). The appraiser visually inspects the back of trading card 10-1 in the same manner as the front, or magnifies it with a magnifying glass, to observe the presence and extent of scratches, folds / wrinkles, dents, dirt, clouding, and factory defects on the four corners, top, bottom, left, and right edges of the back, and on the front surface. By touching the various selection buttons 71 and the virtual card frame 70 on the back side appraisal screen 2c with a pen, the appraiser displays defect indicators representing the type and extent of defects at the location of the defects, and adds the defect information to the back side area of ​​trading card 10-1 in the appraisal information memory area (steps 23-26, Figure 17(2)).

[0033] When the input of defect information on the back side is complete, touch the end button 83. The processing unit 5 then returns to the basic appraisal screen 2a, and at this time, the virtual card frames 31a and 31b display defect markers at the location of the defects based on the appraisal information (step 26, step 30 in Figure 7, Figure 18(1)).

[0034] (4) Input of evaluation Finally, when the appraiser wants to evaluate trading card 10-1, they look at the defect information on the front and back sides using the virtual card frames 31a and 31b on the basic appraisal screen 2a, evaluate the defects at the four corners on the front side and the four corners on the back side combined, and input a number by touching one of the numerical buttons 32a, ..., 32k. The number is small when the evaluation is low and large when it is high. For example, if the value is 9, touching the numerical button 32i will cause the processing unit 5 to store the evaluation value of the corners in the evaluation area of ​​trading card 10-1 in the appraisal information memory area, and display "9" in the corner evaluation value area 38 on the basic appraisal screen 2a (steps 31, 32, Figure 18(2)).

[0035] Next, the defects in the edge (EDGE) of both the front and back are evaluated, and a numerical value is entered by touching one of the numerical buttons 33a, ..., 33k. For example, if the value is 8, touching 33h causes the processing unit 5 to store the evaluation value of the edge in the evaluation area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the appraisal information storage area, and displays "8" in the edge evaluation value area 39 of the basic appraisal screen 2a (steps 33, 34, Figure 19(1)). Next, the defects on the front and back surfaces are evaluated, and a numerical value is entered by touching one of the numerical buttons 34a, ..., 34k. For example, if the value is 7, touching 3g will cause the processing unit 5 to store the evaluation value of the surface in the evaluation area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the appraisal information storage area, and display "7" in the edge evaluation value area 39 of the basic appraisal screen 2a (steps 35, 36, Figure 19(2)).

[0036] (5) Overall evaluation Once the evaluation input for the corners, edges, and surface is complete, the processing unit 5 calculates an overall evaluation value based on the evaluation values ​​of these three items using a weighted average or the like, adds the overall evaluation value to the evaluation information area of ​​the trading card 10-1 in the appraisal information storage area, and stores it, and displays, for example, "8" in the overall evaluation area 37 of the basic appraisal screen 2a (steps 37, 38, Figure 19(2)). This completes the authentication input for one trading card 10-1 sent by client U1, so touch the end button 41. Then, the processing unit 5 finishes the authentication information input process (step 39). Similarly, when there are appraisal requests for other trading cards 10-2, ... from another client U1, or appraisal requests for trading cards 11-1, 11-2, ... from another client U2, ..., appraisal information is entered, and appraisal information is added to the appraisal information storage area of ​​memory unit 3, categorized by client and trading card.

[0037] (6) Viewing appraisal information from an information terminal For example, when client U1 wants to know the overall evaluation of trading card 10-1 and the details of the underlying defects, they log in to the web server 6 via the internet network 30 using their information terminal 20. The processing unit (not shown) of the information terminal 10 requests login from the web server 6 of the appraisal device 1 via the internet network 30 (steps 50 and 51 in Figure 9). The web server 6 receives the request, performs the login process, refers to the member information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3, and returns a member screen in web format, which is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the information terminal 20 (steps 40 and 41 in Figure 8, and step 52 in Figure 9). The transmitted member screen includes, for each trading card that has been appraised from those requested by client U1, combinations of card image (image without defects) 91a, appraisal number 91b, and input window 91c, combinations of card image 92a, appraisal number 92b, and input window 92c, etc. (symbol 20a in Figure 20(1)).

[0038] For example, if client U1 wants to know the evaluation of trading card 10-1 and the details of the defect information that underlies it, they enter the authentication number of trading card 10-1 into the input window 91b and request authentication information (steps 53 and 54 in Figure 9). The web server 6 receives the request for authentication information, reads the authentication information corresponding to the requested authentication number from the authentication information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3, and returns authentication information in web format, which includes an image of a card without defects, the name of the card, evaluation information, and a virtual card image with a defect marker indicating the type or type and degree of the defect superimposed on the defect location, and displays it on the information terminal 20 (steps 42 and 43 in Figure 8, step 55 in Figure 9, and Figure 20(2)).

[0039] The screen of the transmitted web-format appraisal information (symbol 20b in Figure 21(2)) includes, on the left side, a card image 100 displaying an image of a flawless card of the same type as the trading card 10-1 being appraised, the name of the trading card 101, an overall evaluation value 102 displaying the overall evaluation (Grade) numerically, a corner evaluation value 103 displaying the evaluation value of the corner (CORNER) entered by the appraiser, an edge evaluation value 104 displaying the evaluation value of the edge (EDGE) entered by the appraiser, and a surface evaluation value 105 displaying the evaluation value of the surface (SURFACE) entered by the appraiser. On the right side, it includes images of a virtual card 106a on the front and a virtual card 106b on the back, with various defect information superimposed.

[0040] This appraisal information screen allows client U1 to see the overall evaluation of trading card 10-1, the evaluation of the corners (front and back combined), the edges (front and back combined), and another evaluation of the front surface (front and back combined). In addition, the content and location of the defect markings displayed overlaid on the virtual card on the display screen allow U1 to understand the type or type and extent of defects in trading card 10-1, as well as the location of the defects, enabling them to grasp the detailed basis of the evaluation at a glance and ensuring the objectivity of the evaluation. If you want to know the authentication information for other trading cards, press the return button 108 to return to the original member screen 20a, and then enter the authentication number of the other trading card.

[0041] In this embodiment, the appraisal information that the appraiser inputs into the appraisal device 1 when an appraiser receives an appraisal request for a trading card from a client includes not only the evaluation information of the trading card, but also defect information that combines the type or type and degree of the defect that forms the basis of the evaluation, and the location of the defect on a virtual card that represents the trading card. This information is stored in the appraisal information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3, separately for each client and each trading card. When the web server 6 of the appraisal device 1 receives an appraisal information request from an external information terminal, it reads the appraisal information for the corresponding trading card from the appraisal information storage area of ​​the storage unit 3 and sends it back to the requesting information terminal. The evaluation information and an image in which the defect marker representing the type of defect on the trading card is superimposed on the location of the defect on the virtual card are displayed on the screen. This ensures the objectivity of the evaluation by informing the client of the detailed type or type and degree of the defect that forms the basis of the appraisal, as well as the location of the defect. Furthermore, when an appraiser inputs appraisal information using the appraisal device 1, they can input defect information combining the type and degree of the defect and the location of the defect on the trading card by operating the numerous selection buttons provided on the appraisal screen and inputting the position within the virtual card frame. In addition, they can input evaluation information for corners, edges, and surfaces by operating numerical buttons, making the input process easy and quick.

[0042] In the above-described example, pen-touch input was used, but the input of appraisal information may also be done using mouse operations, keyboard operations, etc. Furthermore, while the indicators representing the type and degree of defects were written as letters such as S1 and C1, the types of letters representing the type and degree of defects may be changed, or they may be replaced with symbols or figures. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] This invention can be applied to the authentication of trading cards, such as game cards. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Identification device 10-1, 10-2, ..., 11-1, 11-2 ... Trading Cards 20, 21, ... Information terminals 30 Internet Network

Claims

1. A display means for displaying an authentication screen including a virtual trading card, Input means for inputting defect information including the type or type and degree of defect on the trading card, defect markings, and defect location on the trading card, as well as inputting evaluation information for the trading card. A means for storing authentication information, including defect information and evaluation information of trading cards, for each client and each trading card. An appraisal processing means that stores defect information and evaluation information entered by an input means in an appraisal information storage means, associating it with the client and the trading card, and displays it on the appraisal screen of a display means, and at this time displays an image in which a defect mark is superimposed on the defect location of the virtual card on the appraisal screen, A request processing means that receives a request for trading card authentication information from an external information terminal held by the authentication requester, reads the authentication information corresponding to the requester and the trading card from the authentication information storage means, sends it back to the requester's information terminal, and enables the display of a screen including an image with the defect mark superimposed on a virtual card, An appraisal device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. It consists of an authentication device for authenticating trading cards and an information terminal held by the authentication requester, which communicates with the authentication device via a network and can display authentication information. The appraisal device is A display means that displays the trading card authentication screen together with a virtual card, Input means for inputting defect information including the type or type and degree of defect on the trading card, defect markings, and defect location on the trading card, as well as inputting evaluation information for the trading card. A means for storing authentication information, including defect information and evaluation information of trading cards, for each client and each trading card. An appraisal processing means that stores defect information and evaluation information entered by an input means in an appraisal information storage means, associating it with the client and the trading card, and displays it on the appraisal screen of a display means, and at this time displays an image in which a defect mark is superimposed on the defect location of the virtual card on the appraisal screen, A request processing means that receives a request for trading card authentication information from an external information terminal held by the authentication requester, reads the corresponding authentication information from an authentication information storage means, sends it back to the requesting information terminal, and enables the display of a screen including an image in which a defect mark representing the type or type and degree of defect is superimposed on a virtual card, Includes, The information terminal is a means of requesting appraisal information, A processing means that displays a screen on a display means that includes an image of a virtual card with a defect mark superimposed on it, based on the appraisal information returned from the appraisal device, Including, An appraisal system characterized by the following.

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