JP2001201454A - System for transaction of high-cost gemstone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system by which the market value of a specific gemstone can be evaluated, independently by a manipulating potential buyer on the basis of an internationally acknowledged standard. SOLUTION: The system is provided with plural user terminals, which are user to fetch the digital color image, having a close resemblance to a genuine gemstone, of a gemstone. Every user terminal can generate a standard portfolio which is identical to that of the digital color image, having a close resemblance to the genuine gemstone of the specific gemstone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system and method for trading expensive gemstones, a gemstone inspection device for inspecting gemstones, and an object for displaying a stereoscopic image thereof.
ct), a method for obtaining a pair of complementary digital left and right images, and a computer terminal
l) a method for displaying a visible continuous moving image of an object.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The trading of generally expensive gemstones, especially diamonds (hereinafter gemstones), is a practice that involves the careful examination of gemstones with their naked eyes and / or using a 10x magnifier or microscope. Based on a professional evaluation of The gemstone's professional rating is weight, color, clarity, polis from the perspective of its imperfections.
h), cuts, and quantitative parameters such as the relative proportions of the various parts of the gemstone, and also its uniqueness in terms of its brilliance in the way it reflects light Depends on the beauty. Gemstone proportions are implemented, for example, on calibrated optical digital image acquisition systems commercially available from Ogi Ltd., Israel, Israel, and Sarin Ltd., Israel. As shown, a three-dimensional wire frame represe
ntation). Gemstone certification (cer
tification) is, for example, the Gem Trade Laboratory of the Gemological Institution
obtained from one or more internationally recognized organizations, such as the Institute of America. Other proofs are given in US Pat. No. 5,899,50.
It may exist in the form of a Gem Certificate as illustrated and described in Issue 3.

[0003] Gemstones are now available in particular. Gem Key Net (www.ge
mkey.net), WWW. diamond. Net (www.diamond.net) and WWW. polygon. Com (www.polygon.
com) is traded on the Internet at various websites. The website operates as a virtual marketplace, with a gemstone inventory containing details of the above parameters for each gemstone along with its offer price per carat.
ntories of gemstone sale). in addition,
Gemstones with similar specifications are clustered
r) may be sold for sale in. Gemstone potential buyers include, for example, carats,
You can search the gemstone sales inventory by specifying search parameters, such as the offer price per carat. Assuming that the inventory lists one or more gemstones or clusters of gemstones that meet his search criteria, the buyer is presented with the same. The buyer then places a purchase order for one or more items of his interest, and the items are then sent to him for valuation, but if they cannot reach agreement with the seller If returned to the seller. Thus, gemstone transactions have become somewhat streamlined, but if potential buyers of a gemstone or cluster of gemstones can remotely and independently embody the gemstone's seller rating, especially its market value. Relatively undesirable movements of the otherwise avoided inventory still remain.

[0004] Currently, registration markings are engraved on gemstones for identification purposes. The most common type of registration marking is letters and numbers consisting of a series of light-diffusing segments on a flat, polished surface of gemstone, typically on one of its tables or its girdle. And This type of marking is approximately 50 micrometers long using 0.5 micrometer tall segments so as to be invisible to the naked eye, so does not detract from the beauty of the gemstone. Detecting gemstone registration markings is a time-consuming and cumbersome process, requiring at least a 200-fold magnification and scanning the entire table or girdle of the gemstone.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A gemstone transaction involves a transaction between a "gemstone seller" and a "potential gemstone buyer", however, the sale of one transaction. A buyer may be another potential buyer depending on the nature of Gemstone's transaction. Accordingly, the specific term "
The terms "gemstone seller" and "potential gemstone buyer" are used, sometimes using the generic term "user" as the most appropriate term in the context of the description. However, it is to be understood, however, that the present invention is equally applicable to the trading of similar clusters of gemstones, and that the present specification describes so-called circular cuts.
Regarding t) gemstone trading, however, it should be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to other forms of gemstone trading.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, each gemstone defines a flat table, a girdle, a pavilion, and a cullet (a girdle) defining a longitudinal axis perpendicular thereto. a system for trading gemstones, comprising a pair of user terminals for capturing digital, life-like color images of gemstones, the system comprising: Each is the same standard port folio of digital, lifelike color images for a particular gemstone
folio), thereby enabling potential buyers to independently evaluate their market value according to internationally recognized standards.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of trading gemstones, the method comprising: (a) each providing potential buyers of gemstones with a method according to internationally recognized standards; Providing a data storage device having a plurality of portfolios of Gemstone digital, lifelike digital images, so that the market value can be independently assessed from the accompanying image portfolios;
(B) allowing one or more potential buyers of the gemstone to remotely access the data storage device, so that the potential buyer of the gemstone can peruse through the portfolio of the image of the particular gemstone he considers to purchase; Process.

The expensive gemstone trading system and method of the present invention necessarily includes the step of generating a standard portfolio of digital, lifelike color images for a particular gemstone, thereby providing a potential gemstone potential. The buyer can, on the one hand, determine the perceived quantifiable parameters for the transaction and, on the other hand, evaluate its market value as if he were physically reviewing the gemstone itself. To be able to evaluate its beauty. The need for each and every user terminal of the system to generate a substantially identical portfolio for the same gemstone is crucial to gemstone trading, but otherwise the potential buyer will have to identify Because when you consider whether or not you want to buy a gemstone, you are absolutely unreliable in Portfolio. The systems and methods of the present invention can be implemented on a server-based intranet or a business-to-business website that maintains a portfolio of gemstone images for sale. In both embodiments, the potential buyer is preferably able to conduct a telephone conversation with the gemstone seller to instruct him to show him an online specific diagram of the gemstone he is interested in purchasing. .

Gemstones are particularly difficult to image because they reflect light in a way that makes the interior less visible, for example, in advertising photographs that emphasize the beauty of the gemstone but do not exhibit its defects. That's because of its highly polished surface. In contrast, photographs of gemstone defects can be obtained, for example, by gemstone inspection equipment illustrated and described in US Pat. No. 4,906,083 to Sattler using dark field illumination or polarizing filters. Lacks in the sense that the gemstone does not have any beauty
less) is usually something. The present invention, on the one hand, effectively captures gemstones from ambient light which otherwise would cause two user terminals to generate two different portfolios of images depending on their local environment, and, on the other hand, captures Overcoming the difficulties of gemstone image creation by so-called "bathing" the diffuse artificial white light on the gemstone in a balanced manner so that the resulting image is not too brilliant and lacking in vividness. Further, at least some of the images are so-called "floating" images of a uniform background and illumination, and it is a transparent gemstone specimen holder used to place gemstones during the image capture.
Holder) is not included.

A digital, lifelike, color image gemstone portfolio includes one or more still images of the table, its girdle, etc., and also one or more still surfaces of the gemstone. A moving image and, for example, a Simulator ™ stereoscopic viewing system available from Neotek Inc.
Any one of a number of commercially available systems such as
An image suitable for displaying a stereo image of the gemstone using the three-dimensional gemstone and a three-dimensional display of the gemstone visible in a three-dimensional viewing space in a manner similar to that described in US Pat. No. 5,793,372. Gem Cert Certificate, which includes an image of the gemstone's registration markings and at least one indication of the defective gemstone for the purpose of evaluation by potential buyers
preferably). The movable image may include one or more of the following images, but first is a so-called tiltable image of the surface of the gemstone, which may be either the table, the girdle or the pavilion. . Second, a rotatable image of the surface of the gemstone, which can be either the table or the pavilion. And finally, when the gemstone undergoes a superimposed combination of the movement for the so-called tiltable image of the table and the rotation of the gemstone about its longitudinal axis, such as a perturbation of the gemstone's table -like) It is a moving image. The moving image is a true video stream
s) or a series of computer-generated moving images generated on-the-fly at the potential buyer's computer terminal from the bitmap information downloaded to it. Although the moving images of gemstones are an important interpolation to the still image, they can better provide the location and depth sense of defects in the gemstone, and furthermore they are otherwise visible It can reveal defects that might be hidden behind the surface of the gemstone that reflects light to eliminate it. The image graphically shows the location of the gemstone defect to make it easier for potential buyers to notice it, and thus improves the accuracy of his assessment of the gemstone's market value in Areas of Interest) ｛AIOIS (A
OIs) can also be processed manually by the seller to include｝. The images of gemstones, and especially those containing AIOIS, can be easily incorporated into gem search figures issued by internationally recognized bodies such as, for example, the Gem Trading Institute described above. It is possible. One or more of the images may also include a color chart to facilitate potential buyers' determination of gemstone colors.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for displaying a continuously moving image of a gemstone at a computer terminal remote from a database, the method comprising the steps of: Downloading bitmap information about the gemstone to a computer terminal; and (b) from the downloaded bitmap information at the computer terminal, the on-the-fly of the gemstone from a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone. the-f
ly) generating a rendered video image on the computer, and (c) as directed by him at the computer terminal of the potential buyer of the gemstone.
A series of animated images of the gemstone perceived by the potential buyer as visible continuous moving images by refreshing the computer-rendered animated image of the gemstone from various lines of sight directed toward the gemstone. Is displayed.

[0012] The method of the present invention for displaying a continuously moving image of a gemstone at a potential buyer's computer terminal overcomes the latency and bandwidth problems involved in the transmission of video streams over the Internet, for example. . The visible continuous moving image may, for example, be of a particular surface of the gemstone, such as its table, or alternatively, it may be of a three-dimensional representation of the gemstone. The visible continuous moving image of the gemstone table can be a tiltable image, a rotatable image, or a moving image such as a perturbation.

In the case of the tilt image of the surface of the gemstone, the moving image I (n) rendered by each computer displayed on the computer terminal of the potential buyer
Is formed by the relationship I (n) = ρI (first) + (1−ρ) I (last), where 0 ≦ ρ ≦ 1 and I
(First) {I (first)} and I (last) {I (last)} are the first direction when capturing the first still image and the last direction when capturing the last still image. Figure 9 is a digital first and last still image of the surface of the gemstone having the longitudinal axis of the gemstone defining a plane between them and defining an acute angle α.

In the case of a rotated image of the surface of a gemstone,
Animated image I (rotated) ｛I rendered on each computer displayed on the potential buyer's computer terminal
(rot)｝ is a relational expression

[0015]

(Equation 1)

Made of

In the case of a moving image, such as a visible continuous perturbation of a gemstone surface, the moving image rendered by each computer displayed on a potential buyer computer terminal has the relation I (z) ) = ΡI [rotation (first)] + (1−ρ) I [rotation (last)], where 0 ≦ ρ ≦ 1, and I (first) and I (last)
The first direction when capturing the first still image and the last direction when capturing the last still image, the two directions defining a plane between them, sandwiched by an acute angle φ,
And

[0018]

(Equation 2)

FIG. 2 is a digital first and last still image of the surface of the gemstone having the longitudinal axis of the gemstone as defined.

In the case of a three-dimensional display of gemstones that can be visually recognized in the three-dimensional visual recognition space, a moving image generated by each computer displayed on the computer terminal of the potential purchaser is a specific image directed toward the gemstone. Display of a wireframe representation of the gemstone on the computer terminal by gaze and then the relation F
(I) = Σρ (j) Each of the facets of the display according to F (ij) is a separate texturing
g), where J is from 1
The same facets F, each taken from a different line of sight due to a particular line of sight directed towards the gemstone
Ｉρ for up to n different textures in (i)
(J) ² = 1, and ρ (j) is the direction cosine of the line of sight in a predetermined Cartesian coordinate system.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of obtaining a pair of complementary digital left and right still images of a gemstone for use in displaying the stereo image, the method comprising: (A) placing a gemstone in the field of view of the digital image acquisition device;
(B) obtaining a left image of the gemstone;
(C) displacing the gemstone within the field of view of the image acquisition device; and (d) acquiring a right image of the gemstone.

For example, the aforementioned US Pat. No. 4,906,08
As illustrated and described in No. 3, a binocular microscope allows a user to naturally sense stereo images of gemstones. In a similar manner, a pair of image capture devices can be used to capture gemstone epipolar left and right still images, but such images are important to eliminate blurry stereo images. The method for obtaining a pair of complementary left and right images of the present invention eliminates the need for a pair of digital image acquisition devices and can be easily implemented using the gemstone image creation device of the present invention. The displacement of the gemstone in the field of view of the image acquisition device is a linear motion through a location substantially equal to the distance between the eyepieces of the binocular microscope, or the gemstone is moved relative to the optical axis of the image acquisition device. The distance, and the curvilinear displacement between two end positions, where the longitudinal axis of the gemstone defines a plane and defines two directions that sandwich at an acute angle α.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, an Internet-based system 1 for trading expensive gemstones is an inventory of porcelain gemstones for sale.
tfolios) 3 (Website) to maintain
2 and a plurality of identical user terminals 4 connected to the website 2. Each user terminal 4
Is a dedicated client software and frame grabber for generating a standard portfolio of digital, lifelike color images of gemstones for sale for inclusion in the gemstone image generator 6 and in the inventory of the website. and a computerized viewing station 7 installed with a grabber). The computerized viewing station 7 or standard computer terminal 7A can equally be used to view a gemstone portfolio stored in the website inventory. A computerized viewing station 7 and a standard computer terminal, for example, one to be worn by the user, such as a simulated layered stereo viewing system available from Neotec.
A stereo viewing system for viewing stereo images of gemstones, represented by a pair of stereo glasses 8, can be supported. Users of the system 1 can make voice calls with each other either by voice over IP (Voice over IP) or by conventional telephone.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the gemstone imager 6 has an optical axis 13 and slidably supports a CCD (CCD) camera 12 used for image capture of gemstones 14. A base 9 having an upright member 11 for carrying the gemstone 1
4 has a flat table A defining a longitudinal axis T perpendicular to it. The CC camera 12 approaches or moves away (Z-direction) from the base 9 to capture images of gemstones of various dimensions.
1 is slid along. The display diameter of the largest table of gemstones that can be imaged by the gemstone image generator 6 is determined by the field of view of the CC camera when the CC camera 12 is placed on top of the upright member 11 and is approximately 35 mm. It is.

A support block 16, such as an open-ended box, includes a lower portion 17 having a bottom surface 18 and a pair of upstanding opposing side walls 19A and 19B.
8 is a pair of two rails 21A and 21B (Y
Direction) so that it can be imaged with a stroke of about ± 17 mm around a central position corresponding to the largest dimension of the display of the gemstone table on the optical axis 13 of the CSD camera. On the other hand, the lower part 17 can be reciprocated. The bottom surface 18 is formed with a throughgoing aperture 22 disposed over an annular white light source 23 and a light diffuser 24. The light source 23 can be equivalently realized by a 9 watt fluorescent light source or a series of white LED (LED) lights arranged in a circle.

The side walls 19A and 19B are painted white and have a gemstone support carriage.
ng carriage 32 is formed with three pairs of opposing grooves 28, 29 and 31 for slidably receiving.
The pair of grooves is about 1.5 c each above the base 9.
m, 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm. The lowermost pair of grooves 28 is used for image capture of gemstones whose table diameter is in the range (9,19) mm. The middle pair of grooves 29 has a table diameter of about (20,35).
Used for image capture of gemstones in the mm range. The uppermost pair of grooves 31 is used for image capture of gemstones whose table diameter is in the range (2.5, 9) mm. Each pair of grooves 28, 29 and 31
Is provided with a stop (not shown), against which the carriage 32 abuts when fully inserted therein.
The side walls of the grooves 28, 29 and 31 themselves do not reflect.

The lower part 17 of the support block is covered by a top surface 33 rigidly attached to the base 9, the top surface 33 being formed with a through aperture 34 and having an annular shape similar to the light source 23. A light diffuser 37 having a white fluorescent light source 36 and an aperture 38 penetrating therethrough is provided. The apertures 34 and 38 between the top surface 33 and the light diffuser 37 and the annular light source 36 are coaxial with the optical axis 13 of the CC camera to allow the capture of gemstone images therethrough. Are located.

The support block 16, such as an open-ended box, has the following internal dimensions: 6 ± 0.9 cm in length.
Having a width of 5 ± 0.75 cm and a height of 4 ± 0.6 cm, and their respective light diffusers 24 and 37
Lighting arrangement 39 constituted by light sources 23 and 36
And the reflective inner surfaces of the side walls 19A and 19B.
The support block 16, on the one hand, substantially shields the gemstone from ambient light, but does not completely exclude light from its interior, and, on the other hand, resembles a gemstone that is neither too brilliant nor too dull. Is adapted to expose the gemstone to diffuse white light from opposing orthogonal directions in a balanced manner so that the image can be captured. The term "in a balanced manner"
It should be understood that the illumination intensities from opposing axial directions are approximately equal within a tolerance of about ± 10%. or,
Due to the fact that most gemstones are symmetrical about their longitudinal axis, the illumination intensity from the radial direction towards the optical axis of the CSD camera (illu)
The mination intensity is substantially symmetric about the circumference.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the gemstone support carriage 32 includes a pair of parallel opposing side support members 42 and 43, and opposing adjacent ends 42A and 43A of the side support members. A U-shaped outer frame 41 having a cross member 44 extending therefrom is included. The free adjacent ends 42B and 43B of the side support members form a pair of grooves 2
8, 29 and 31 free of the carriage 32,
Each is formed with a longitudinally extending slit 46 to frictionally eliminate uncontrolled movement. The carriage 32 is provided with a pair of parallel opposing support members 47.
, The member comprising various types of clea
r), it is formed with a pair of grooves for slidably receiving a gemstone specimen holder 49A (X direction) such as a glass slide. The support member 47 is located inside the side support members 42 and 43 at a first position where the gemstone specimen holder 49 is flush with the outer frame 41, and at a particular still and movement of the surface of the gemstone as described below. A gemstone specimen holder 49 is attached to the outer frame 41 by about 45 to capture an image.
It is installed to be rotatable between a second position having an acute angle α of up to degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, the opposing first
And the gemstone specimen holder 49A having the second major surfaces 51 and 52 is used to capture the following image of the gemstone, which is a still image of the table, a still image of the cullet, and a still image of the pavilion. An image, the still image of the girdle, the tilt image of the table, the tilt image of the pavilion, and a pair of complementary left and right still images of the table for use in displaying the stereo image.

The gemstone specimen holder 49A is arranged such that the gemstone 14 is set so that the longitudinal axis T of the gemstone is in the same direction as the optical axis 13 of the CSD camera and the table A is at the top. It is formed with a penetrating cylindrical aperture 53 for removably receiving a gemstone cullet. When installed as such, the gemstone 14
Is such that its longitudinal axis T is coaxial with the optical axis 13 of the CSD camera (see FIG. 7A), thereby enabling the capture of an image close to the full size screen of the gemstone table A. It is positioned within the field of view of the CC camera (see FIG. 7B). Typically, the gemstone is enlarged so that it fills about 90% of the height of the screen. In this case, the image of the gemstone table A is described in the following description (legen
Accompanying d), the description is: Size 1.5
1K, Color K; Clarity VS
1, and REMARKS: Flat Stone (F
LAT STONE), which includes an AOI 54 that indicates the location of the defect found in the image. As shown, the gemstone table A
Is a floating image in the sense that no visible contour is visible in either the gemstone specimen holder 49 or the cylindrical aperture 53. At this position, the tilt image of the gemstone table A can be captured by the cyclic tilting motion of the gemstone specimen holder 49A with respect to the optical axis 13 of the CC camera indicated by arrow J.

The cylindrical aperture 53 has a longitudinal axis T of the gemstone in the same direction as the optical axis 13 of the C.S. camera, and is capable of capturing a still image thereof (see FIG. 8B). It can be used to reverse the gemstone 14 so that cullet B is on top (see FIG. 8A). When the gemstone specimen holder 49A is tilted with respect to the outer frame 41, the cylindrical aperture 53 is arranged such that its longitudinal axis T is transverse to the optical axis 13 of the CSD camera and its pavilion C Is at the top (Fig. 9
A) It can also be used to place the gemstone 14 so that it can capture the still image (see FIG. 9B). At this position, the tilt image of the gemstone pavilion C can be captured by the cyclic tilting movement of the gemstone specimen holder 49A with respect to the optical axis 13 of the CC camera indicated by arrow K.

The gemstone specimen holder 49A is
The gemstone 14 is oriented such that the longitudinal axis T of the gemstone is perpendicular to the optical axis 13 of the CSD camera and the opposing portions of the girdle D are the top and bottom surfaces of the gemstone (see FIG. 10A). For installation, the deepest portion 56A is formed with a canoe-shaped aperture 56 therethrough. When so installed, the gemstone 14 can be positioned within the field of view of the CC camera to enable the capture of an image of gemstone D of the gemstone (see FIG. 10B). In this case, the gemstone girdle D image is accompanied by a remark that the girdle is not polished.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a gemstone specimen holder 49B includes a spur gear having a manually rotated gear 58 for driving a driven gear 59 formed with a cylindrical aperture 61 therethrough. A deployment 57 is provided. The gemstone 14 can be mounted in the gemstone specimen holder 49B with its longitudinal axis T coaxial with the optical axis 13 of the CSD camera and its table A at the top, thereby allowing its rotation image to be captured. Becomes possible. In addition, a moving image, such as a perturbation of the gemstone table, can be captured by combining the rotational movement of the gemstone with a cyclic tilt movement about the optical axis 13 of the CC camera, indicated by arrow L. .

Referring now to FIG. 12, when the gemstone 14 is tilted with respect to the outer frame 41, the gemstone specimen holder 49B has its pavilion C at the top, thereby allowing its rotating image to be captured. Thus, the cullet B can be inverted and placed in the cylindrical aperture with the cullet B on top.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, a gemstone specimen holder 49C has a light-diffusing segment 66 (shown exaggerated in FIG. 15) engraved on table A of the gemstone adjacent to one of its boundaries. The light beam axis 64 for imaging the registration markings
Is used with a light source 62 having a light beam 63 having The gemstone specimen holder 49C includes a lower horizontal leg 68 and an upright web (up).
right web) 69 and upper horizontal horiz
and a U-shaped member 67 having an ontal leg 71. The U-shaped member 67 is dimensioned such that when the lower leg 68 is slid into the middle pair of grooves 29, the upper leg 71 is positioned over the cover 33. ing. The upper leg 71 has a cylindrical recess for receiving the gemstone receiving insert 76 for mounting the gemstone 14 so as to be inclined with respect to the optical axis 13 of the C.S. (Re
cess) 74 with a support 72 having an inclined upper surface 73 having a 74. The gemstone receiving insert 76 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R and includes a recess 77 for receiving the gemstone 14 such that the longitudinal axis T of the gemstone coincides with the axis of rotation R of the insert. The gemstone specimen holder 4
9C sees a small footprint 78 of about 1 mm diameter where the CSD camera optical axis 13 is located on the perimeter of the gemstone table A, at which time the CSD camera 12 receives the gemstone. It is set to track a 1 mm wide annular passage 79 around the periphery of the gemstone table as the insert 76 rotates. The light source 62 has its light beam axis 64 intersected by the small footprint 78 with the CSD camera optical axis 13 so that a normal 79 to the Gemstone table A is therewith the CSD camera optical axis 13. 2 of the angle between the light beam axis 64 of the light source
It is set so as to coincide with the equal line 81. In this arrangement, the gemstone table A indicates that the registration marking 66 is such that the registration axis 66 has an interception point (inte
The light beam 63 is reflected to dazzle the C.D. camera 12 so as to be distinguished by its light diffusing segment when placed at a reception point.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the gemstone specimen holder 49D is the same as the gemstone specimen holder 49C except that it is used to image the engraved registration marking on the gemstone C of the gemstone. It is. In this case, the gemstone specimen holder 49C further includes a spring-biased device 82 for driving the gemstone table A.

Referring now to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the gemstone specimen holder 49E includes a three-dimensional wireframe rendered by the gemstone computer and the gemstone rendered by the computer visible in the three-dimensional viewing space. It is provided that the silhouettes of the gemstones 14 are imaged for the purpose of a three-dimensional display of the 14. The gemstone specimen holder 49E is provided with a stepper motor 83 for rotating a spindle 84, the rotation axis 86 of which is perpendicular to the optical axis 13 of the CC camera. The spindle 84 terminates at a spindle end 87 which extends into a through aperture 88 to which a circular gemstone support member 89 is interchangeably mounted. The gemstone support member 89 includes fiducial markings 91 and the light diffuser 2 having a black spot 24B for reasons to be described below.
Used with 4A. The gemstone specimen holder 49E is provided with a calibration square 92 which is on a plane 93 perpendicular to the optical axis 13 of the CSD camera and is flush with the rotation axis 86.

The use of the system is explained by one new gemstone in the website, the image portfolio of which is streaming video images.
Display a gemstone continuously moving image in a video format rendered by a series of computers instead of
It is described herein for the provision of a computerized viewing station and / or what is displayed on a computer terminal for sale.

The gemstone seller reviews the gemstone itself and determines all necessary information, including the location of the defect to be sent to the potential buyer. The merchant enters the website with a subscriber number,
His praise and, among other things, details of its dimensions, its cut, color, dimensions in carats, its clarity, its offer price per carat and, if any, certificate issues Include specific details about the gemstone based on the details including

The seller selects the appropriate gemstone specimen holder and places the gemstone cullet in the cylindrical aperture of the holder, while the gemstone is held upright with the table on top. . The seller slides the gemstone specimen holder into the support block and adjusts its position so that the center of the gemstone table is centered on the screen of the viewing station. The seller adjusts the magnification of the CSD camera so that the image of the gemstone almost occupies the full screen, but when filled with the image, he uses the file name of the Table Image as the file name. Capture the frame grabber (frame gr
abber). Then, the seller, for example, see FIG.
As shown in B, one or more AO
Is). The seller has a girdle of the gemstone stored under the file name of Girdle Image, a pavilion of the gemstone stored under the file name of Pavilion Image, and a cullet image (Cu
The process is repeated to capture a still-floating image with near full screen dimensions with the gemstone's cullet stored under a file name of "llet Image".

The merchant performs the following steps to obtain a pair of complementary digital first and last still images of the gemstone table, which comprises the visual continuous tilt image and the visual continuous tilt image. Is used to display a moving image such as a perturbation, and the seller has a first image and a last image (L, respectively).
Invoke the Tilting Table subroutine which requires the so-called first and last images of the gemstone table to be saved under the file name of ast Image. The seller has the first orientation (sen
In (se), the gemstone specimen holder is pivoted at an acute angle α in the range of about 2 degrees to 8 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the CC camera, and the first table image (F
Capture the so-called first image of the gemstone table with a file name of irst Table Image). The seller then pivots the gemstone specimen holder in the opposite orientation and at the same acute angle to the optical axis of the CSD camera, and so-called last part of the gemstone table with the file name of the Last Table Image. Capture the image of The seller has a pair of the Gemstone Pavilion stored under the file name of the First Pavilion Image and Last Pavilion Image for use in displaying the visible continuous tilt image. Repeat these steps to obtain complementary digital first and last still images.

The seller performs the following steps to obtain a pair of complementary digital left and right images of the gemstone table for use in displaying the stereo image, ie, the seller Left image
Image) and a stereoscopic image (Ster) that requires a so-called left and right image of a gemstone table to be stored under the file name of Right Image.
eoscopic Image) subroutine. The seller repeats the process described above to capture the so-called tilt image of the gemstone table, except that this time the first image of the gemstone table is saved under the file name of the left image and the gemstone table The exception is that the last image is saved under the file name of the light image. In this way,
The two captured images are similar to those seen when a user first looks at a stationary object with only one eye and then with the other eye only. Alternatively, the right image of the gemstone table can be captured after capturing the left image of the gemstone specimen holder by a linear displacement in the negative X direction, and then the image is cleared. A special graphic user interface (GUI) (94) is appropriately operated in the X and Y directions so that a proper stereo image can be displayed (see FIG. 18).

The seller performs the following steps to obtain the three-dimensional wireframe of the gemstone and the sequence of images needed to render the three-dimensional representation of the gemstone: Dimensional Representation (Three Dimensional Representa
) calls a subroutine, which requires ten bitmap silhouettes of the gemstone and five or more images of the gemstone from different perspectives and including all the different faces of the gemstone. The seller may use a so-called "dry bond" (dr) process that includes pressing the gemstone table against the gemstone support member at a pressure sufficient to allow the gemstone to naturally adhere to the gemstone support member.
placing the gemstone on the gemstone support using "y adhesion" technology. The seller then places the gemstone support on the end of the spindle such that the fiducial marking is at the 12 o'clock position on the watch, The original light diffuser on the base is replaced with a light diffuser having a large black spot for the so-called back lighting of the gemstone, then the seller drives the motor to rotate the gemstone and then the gemstone Preferably, 90 silhouettes are taken at 4 degree intervals so that most of the vertices are captured in the silhouette (see FIG. 19), and then the subroutine calls the gemstone from both the detected and calculated vertices. 3D object space (theredimensional object sapace) ) Process the bitmap using curve fitting techniques or the like to determine the location of all of the vertices of the gemstone (see Figure 19B). Operable in a three-dimensional viewing space by a device, ie, a computer mouse, and also have instructions corresponding to the fiducial markings, the seller then agrees that the subroutine determines the external dimensions of the gemstone and its various surfaces. Calibration squam without changing the system settings so that the relative ratio of
re) Create an image. To generate a three-dimensional representation of the gemstone, the merchant images the gemstone from various lines of sight and then each of the gemstone faces is correctly superimposed on its corresponding facet as they appear on the image. The three-dimensional wire frame is superimposed so as to perform (see FIG. 19B). After each such overlay, the subroutine builds up a table of bitmap information of textures for each gemstone's texture.

Gemstone potential buyers search the inventory of gemstones for sale on the already commercially active website in the same manner as described above. However, rather than a potential buyer being presented with a mere list of gemstones that satisfy his search parameters, in this case, he will find one of the gemstones that satisfy his search parameters downloaded from the website. A graphical user interface {GUI} 96 is presented that shows a very similar still image of the floating near the full screen dimensions of the table (see FIG. 21). In addition, the GUI 96 has associated details of the gemstone including dimensions, cut, color, clarity, price, quantity, code, certificate, and seller details. It has a sidebar 97.

The GUI 96 also has an icon for displaying an additional image of the gemstone which is also downloaded from the web site, as follows:
The icon 98 is for displaying a still image of the girdle image stored under the file name of the girdle image. The icon 99 is for displaying a still image of the cullet stored in the file name of the cullet image (Cullet Image). The icon 101 is for displaying a still image of the pavilion, which is stored under a file name of the pavilion image. The icon 102 is a left image and a right image.
This is for displaying a stereo image of the table stored under the file name of "." The icon 103 is for displaying a visible continuous tilt image of the table using an image stored under the file name of the first table image (First Table Image) and the last table image (Last Table Image). In this case, the images are each represented by the relation I (n) = ρI (first) + (1−ρ)
It is in the form of a still video image I (n) rendered by a series of computers made by I (last),
Here, 0 ≦ ρ ≦ 1, I (first) is an image stored with the file name of the first table image (First Table Image), and I (last) is a file of the last table image (Last Table Image). It is an image stored by name. Icon 104 uses the images saved under the file names First Pavilion Image and Last Pavilion Image in the same manner as displaying a visible continuous tilt image of the table. It is for displaying a visible continuous tilt image of the pavilion. Icon 1
06 is a relational expression from a continuously changing line of sight (see FIG. 20) directed toward the gemstone.

[0047]

(Equation 3)

By operating an image stored under a file name of a table image (Table Image), a visible continuous rotation image I (rotation) of the table is displayed. Icon 107 displays a visible continuously moving and rotating image of the pavilion by manipulating the image stored under the file name of the pavilion image in the same manner as displaying a continuously rotating image of the table. It is for. Icon 1
08 represents the image I (first) and I (last) as I (z) = ρI
Visually continuous perturbation of the table with a continuously changing line of sight directed towards the gemstone by manipulating [Rotation (first)] + (1-ρ) I [Rotation (last)] , Where 0 ≦ ρ ≦ 1, where I (first) and I (last) are defined by the longitudinal axis of the gemstone The first direction is defined when capturing the image, the last direction is defined when capturing the last image, the two directions defining a plane therebetween, sandwiching the acute angle α, and

[0049]

(Equation 4)

FIG. 10 is a first and last still images of the surface of the gemstone in the case where it is intended to be as follows.
The icon 109 displays one or more of the gemstones indicated by the Area of Interest introduced by the gemstone seller on one or more still images of the gemstone's table, girdle, caret, and pavilion. This is for displaying a zoom image of the defect. The icon 111 indicates that each of the gemstone assets has the relational expression F (i) = Σρ
(J) three of the gemstones visible in a three-dimensional viewing space textured by a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone according to F (ij)
For displaying a dimensional representation, where J is from 1 and the same frame F, each taken from various lines of sight.
Σρ (j) ² for up to n different textures in (i)
= 1, and ρ (j) is the direction cosine of the line of sight in the predetermined Cartesian coordinates.

Lastly, the GUI also includes an icon 112, which displays a Gem Certificate 113 of the gemstone issued by an internationally recognized organization (FIG. 1). 2
2), the gem sate certificate is issued number (Issue Number), date of issue, shape, cut, weight, ratio / measurement,
Includes details on clarity, fluorescence, color and comments. In addition, the gem sate measure 113 may be used to define a large surface of the gemstone, ie, one or more life-like color images of the table, girdle, cullet, and pavilion, as an IoS ( AOIs) 114. Alternatively, the image may be replaced by a wireframe representation of the gemstone, while the IOIS may be replaced by arrows 116, etc. to graphically indicate the location of the defect. Digitally similar to the real thing,
On a foundation with the color image gemstone portfolio and, if available, the gemstone certificate, the expert profession will review the details provided by the seller regarding the gemstone he is considering purchasing. It has all the information needed to materialize and also assesses its market value without having to physically scrutinize the gemstone itself.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications, variations and other applications of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims. . For example, the digital acquisition device could be equipped with zoom capabilities for gemstone enlargement, while certain gem certificates could be distributed in hard copy to potential buyers in a conventional manner. . In addition, the method for displaying a visible continuous moving image on a computer terminal may be any method that can be used to obtain a pair of complementary digital left and right images of the object to display its stereo image. Is equally applicable to

The features and aspects of the present invention are as follows.

1. In a system for trading gemstones, wherein each gemstone is a flat table but defining a longitudinal axis at right angles thereto, a girdle, a pavilion, and a cullet, the system comprises a gemstone. Multiple user terminals to capture digital, lifelike color images of each, each user terminal can generate the same standard portfolio of digital, lifelike color images of a particular gemstone, Each gemstone is characterized by being able to independently assess the market value of the particular gemstone according to internationally recognized standards, wherein each gemstone is a flat table but defines a longitudinal axis at right angles thereto. Table, girdle, pavilion, and college The gemstones Trading systems with and.

2. In the first system, the gemstone portfolio includes a floating still image of the table, a still image of the pavilion floating, a still image of the girdle floating, and a still image of the cullet floating. An image, a pair of complementary left and right still images of the surface of the gemstone for enabling the display of the stereo image, a moving image of one of the surfaces of the gemstone, and a gemstone visible in the three-dimensional viewing space. A system comprising at least one element of the group consisting of: a three-dimensional representation, an image of the registered markings, details of the dimensions and relative proportions of the surface of the gemstone, and a gemsaic figure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one image includes an area of interest and / or a color chart that indicates the presence of a defect identified therein.

4. In the above two systems, the moving image is obtained by a relational expression I (n) = ρI (first) + (1)
-Ρ) created by I (last), where 0 ≦ ρ ≦ 1, where I (first) and I (last) are in the first direction at the time of the first image capture and at the time of the last image capture. The last and the last still images of the surface of the gemstone having the longitudinal axis of the gemstone defining the last direction such that the two directions define a plane therebetween and sandwich an acute angle α. Moving image I (rotation) rendered by each computer

[0058]

(Equation 5)

Or a moving image I (z) rendered by each computer is obtained by the relational expression I (z) = ρI [rotation (first)] +
(1-ρ) I [rotation (last)], where 0
≤ρ≤1 and I (first) and I (last) are the first direction at the time of the first image capture and the last direction at the time of the last image capture, and the two directions are between them. The first and last still images of the surface of the gemstone having a longitudinal axis of the gemstone defining a plane and defining an acute angle α; and

[0060]

(Equation 6)

A system characterized by being a moving image such as a perturbation.

[0062] 5. In the above two systems, the three-dimensional representation has textures each textured by a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone according to a relation F (i) = Σρ (j) F (ij). For various textures where j is from 1 to n of the same facet F (i), each taken from a different line of sight.
ρ (j) ² = 1 and ρ (j) is the direction cosine of the line of sight in a predetermined Cartesian coordinate system.

6. In the above two systems, the gem sate-fate is at least one of the gem stones.
A system comprising: two indicia, wherein the gemstone defect is identified in the indicia, and its position on at least one of the at least one indicia is graphically shown thereon. .

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one data storage device for storing said portfolio of digital lifelike color images.

8. A data storage device for storing a plurality of digital, lifelike, color image portfolios of gemstones for sale for use in any one of the above gemstone trading systems.

9. A method of gemstone trading based on the system of any one of 1 to 7 and the data storage device of 8 allows one or more potential buyers of gemstones to remotely access the data storage device. A method wherein each potential buyer is able to read through a portfolio of images of the gemstone considering the purchase.

10. In a user terminal for capturing an image of a gemstone, the user terminal includes: a) a base; and b) a support block installed on the base.
A support block for supporting a light transmissive gemstone carrier holding the gemstone in a central portion of the support block, wherein the support block completely excludes ambient light from the central portion. A lighting arrangement for substantially shielding the gemstone from ambient light without illuminating the gemstone from opposite and orthogonal directions in a substantially balanced manner. A first axial direction for illuminating a first main surface of the carrier member, and a second axial direction for illuminating a second main surface of the gemstone carrier member opposite the first main surface. And a third direction for radially illuminating the central portion, the user terminal also having: c) an optical axis and within the support block. A digital image capture device mounted on the base to capture an image of the illuminated gemstone through an aperture formed toward the first major surface of the gemstone carrier. User terminal for capturing images of gemstones.

11. The user terminal of claim 10, wherein the support block has an open-ended box-like shape having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposing substantially parallel walls. User terminal.

12. In the above user terminal of either 10 or 11, the support block has the following internal dimensions: 6 ± 15% in length, 5 ± 15% in width, and 5 ± 15% in height. A user terminal, characterized in that:

13. In the user terminal of any one of the above 10 to 12, the illumination arrangement may comprise at least one annular diffuse white light source for illuminating in at least one of the first and second axial directions. Characteristic user terminal.

14. The user terminal of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the lighting arrangement includes a light reflecting portion for reflecting light radially toward the central portion.

15. The user terminal of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the gemstone support member is substantially flush with the outer frame for slidingly receiving within a pair of opposing grooves. A carriage having a pair of support members pivotally mounted on said outer sled for taking a first position therein and a second position at an acute angle to said outer frame. User terminal.

16. In the above fifteen user terminals, the outer frame has a pair of opposing support members, at least one of the support members providing free uncontrolled movement of the carriage within the pair of grooves. A user terminal having a longitudinally extending slit for frictionally removing it.

17. In the user terminal of any one of the above 10 to 15, the gemstone carrying member has at least one penetrating portion for removably receiving a portion of the body of the gemstone to place the gemstone in a predetermined position. A user terminal comprising a flat, light transmissive, gemstone specimen holder, such as a glass slide, having an aperture.

18. The user terminal according to the above item 17, wherein the aperture has a cylindrical shape or a canoe shape.

19. The user terminal of any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the gemstone carrier has a flat, light transmissive, glass slide-like gemstone having a member rotatably mounted to support the gemstone. A user terminal comprising a specimen holder, the holder comprising a gear spar arrangement for rotating the rotatably mounted member.

20. The user terminal of any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a gemstone specimen holder having a gemstone specimen holder rotatable to rotate the gemstone so that its girdle faces the digital image acquisition device. User terminal.

21. 20. The user terminal of claim 20, wherein the gemstone specimen holder is in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and has a calibration scare that is flush with the axis of rotation of the rotatable gemstone specimen holder. .

22. The user terminal according to any one of the above 20 or 21, wherein the gemstone specimen holder is replaceable.

23. (D) a light source comprising a light beam having a light beam axis intersecting the optical axis at an intersection and defining a bisector therebetween; and e) comprising a gemstone support member for supporting the gemstone such that said bisector coincides with the normal of a portion of its surface, and being selectively movable with respect to said intersection; A user terminal, wherein the surface of the user terminal can be scanned along a predetermined scanning path to enable detection of the location of the gemstone registration marking.

24. 23. The user terminal according to the above item 23, wherein the gemstone support member is slidably supported in the support block.

25. The user terminal according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the gemstone support member comprises a gemstone receiving insert rotatably mounted for mounting the gemstone.

26. 25. The user terminal of claim 25, wherein the gemstone receiving insert is replaceable.

27. The user terminal according to any one of the above items 23 to 26, further comprising a driving member for mounting a gemstone in the gemstone support member.

28. A gemstone inspection device for enabling detection of the location of a gemstone registration marking, wherein the registration marking is a series of gemstones disposed on a flat polished surface of the gemstone defining a longitudinal axis perpendicular thereto. A light source having a light beam having a light beam axis, (b) intersecting with the light beam axis at an intersection, and A magnifying optical device having an optical axis defining a bisector therebetween, and (c) supporting the gemstone such that the bisector coincides with a normal to a portion of the surface of the gemstone located at the intersection. And selectively displaceable with respect to the intersection, so that the surface of the gemstone can be scanned along a predetermined scanning path. That such Gemstone support member and gemstones inspection device for enabling detection of the position of the gemstone registration markings, characterized in that it comprises a.

29. The gemstone inspection apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the gemstone support member includes a gemstone receiving insert rotatably installed for installing the gemstone.

30. The gemstone inspection device according to any one of claims 28 and 29, wherein the gemstone receiving insert is replaceable.

31. The gemstone inspection device according to any one of the above 28 to 30, further comprising a driving member for mounting the gemstone in the gemstone support member.

32. In a gemstone certificate for a gemstone, the gemstone certificate comprises at least one indication of the gemstone, wherein a defect of the gemstone is identified and at least one of the at least one indication. A gemstone measure for gemstones, wherein one of the positions is shown graphically above.

33. 32. The gem sate measure of claim 32, wherein the at least one representation includes a digital, lifelike color image of the gemstone, a wireframe representation of the gemstone, and an area of intellect demarcating the defect. A gem sate measure comprising at least one element from the group consisting of:

34. A method for displaying a visible continuous moving image of a gemstone surface on a computer terminal remote from a database, the method comprising: (a) downloading bitmap information about gemstones from the database to the computer terminal; (B) generating, from the bitmap information of the computer terminal, an animated still image rendered on an on-the-fly computer of the gemstone from a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone; and (c) Refreshing the gemstone computer rendered still images from the various gazes directed at the gemstone as directed by the potential buyer of the gemstone at the computer terminal of the potential buyer. Displaying a moving still image generated by the computer of the gemstone as perceived by the potential buyer as a visible continuous moving image. A method for displaying a visible continuous moving image of a gemstone surface on a remote computer terminal.

35. 34. A method for displaying a moving image of a surface of a gemstone according to the above 34, wherein the moving image is a moving still image I (n) rendered by each computer by a relational expression I (n) = ρI (first ) + (1
-Ρ) created by I (last), where 0 ≦ ρ ≦ 1, where I (first) and I (last) are in the first direction at the time of the first image capture and at the time of the last image capture. The last and the last still images of the surface of the gemstone having the longitudinal axis of the gemstone defining the last direction such that the two directions define a plane therebetween and sandwich an acute angle α. Moving image I (rotation) rendered by each computer

[0093]

(Equation 7)

The moving image I (z) rendered by each computer is a rotated image as produced by the relational expression (1) or the relational expression I (z) = ρI [rotation (first)] +
(1-ρ) I [rotation (last)], where 0
≤ρ≤1 and I (first) and I (last) are the first direction at the time of the first image capture and the last direction at the time of the last image capture, and the two directions are between them. The first and last still images of the surface of the gemstone having a longitudinal axis of the gemstone defining a plane and defining an acute angle α; and

[0095]

(Equation 8)

A moving image, such as a perturbation, or a visible continuous moving image of a three-dimensional display of gemstones visible in a three-dimensional viewing space, where each of the frames of the display is Relational expression F (i) = Σρ (j)
F (ij) textured by a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone according to F (ij), where j ranges from 1 to n of the same frame set F (i), each taken from a different line of sight. About the texture of Σρ
(J) ² = 1, and ρ (j) is a direction cosine of the line of sight in a predetermined Cartesian coordinate system, a method for displaying a moving image of a surface of a gemstone. .

36. In a method for obtaining a stereo image of a gemstone table, the method comprises: (a) placing the gemstone in a field of view of a digital image acquisition device; and (b) acquiring a left image of the gemstone. (C) displacing the gemstone specimen holder with respect to the field of view of the image acquisition device; and (d)
Obtaining a right image of the gemstone.

37. 36. The method as in the above 36, wherein step (c) further comprises translating the gemstone by a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the eyepieces of the binocular microscope, or wherein the longitudinal axis of the gemstone is at the end of the axis. Translating and rotating the gemstone so as to define two intersecting directions at the position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram illustrating an Internet-based system for trading expensive gemstones of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram showing a user terminal of the system of FIG. 1 including a gemstone image creation device and a computerized viewing station.

FIG. 3 is an exploded pictorial view showing the gemstone image creating apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial cross-sectional view of the gemstone image creation device of FIG. 2, taken along line IV-IV.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram illustrating two positions of a gemstone support carriage holding a gemstone specimen holder of a first type.

6 is a pictorial longitudinal sectional view of the gemstone specimen holder of the first type, taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial diagram (A) showing a gemstone specimen holder of the first type for placing a gemstone having its table on top, when the gemstone is placed as shown in FIG. 7A by the user terminal; It is a pictorial diagram (B) which shows the floating image of the size near the full screen of the said gemstone table taken in.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial diagram (A) showing a gemstone specimen holder of the first type for installing a gemstone having its cullet at the top, when the gemstone is installed as shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 7B is a pictorial diagram (B) showing a floating image of a size close to a full screen of the gemstone cullet captured by the user terminal.

9 is a pictorial diagram (A) showing a gemstone specimen holder of the first type for installing a gemstone having its pavilion on top, when the gemstone is installed as shown in FIG. 9A, by the user terminal; A pictorial diagram (B) showing a floating image of dimensions near the full screen of the gemstone pavilion to be captured
It is.

FIG. 10 is a pictorial side view (A) showing a gemstone specimen holder of the first type in which gemstones are placed so as to have opposing portions of the girdle at the top and bottom, the gemstone being shown in FIG. 10A. FIG. 4B is a pictorial diagram (B) showing a floating image near the full screen size of the gemstone girdle captured by the user terminal when installed in the same manner.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a second type of gemstone specimen holder to enable capturing a rotated image of a gemstone table.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a second type of gemstone specimen holder to enable capturing a rotated image of a gemstone pavilion.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a third type of gemstone specimen holder that allows for the capture of an image of the gemstone engraving markings engraved on the table.

FIG. 14 is a pictorial diagram showing a close-up view of the illumination of the gemstone table and its image creation.

FIG. 15 is a pictorial diagram showing a scan of the surface of the gemstone to place an engraved registration marking thereon.

FIG. 16 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a fourth type of gemstone specimen holder that allows capturing an image of a gemstone engraved registration marking on the girdle.

FIG. 17 is a pictorial diagram (A) showing a fifth type of gemstone specimen holder that enables the capture of images to generate a three-dimensional wireframe representation of the gemstone, and a top view of the gemstone specimen holder of FIG. 17A. (B).

FIG. 18 shows a graphical user interface for preparing a pair of complementary left and right still images of a gemstone table to generate its stereo image for display on a computerized viewing station of the system of FIG. 1; It is a pictorial diagram.

FIG. 19 is a plan view (A) of a silhouette illuminated behind a gemstone, and a pictorial diagram (B) of a three-dimensional wireframe superimposed on a gemstone image.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotational transformation of an image to render an image, such as a visible continuous rotation and a perturbation of a gemstone.

FIG. 21 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a portfolio graphical user interface of a digital, lifelike color image of a gemstone viewed by a potential buyer.

FIG. 22 is a pictorial diagram showing a gemstone figure of a gemstone.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internet-based system 2 Website 3 Portfolio inventory 4 User terminal 6 Gemstone image creation device 7 Computerized visual recognition station 7A Standard computer terminal 8 Stereo glasses 9 Base 11 Upright member 12 Seaday camera 13 Optical axis 14 Gemstone 16 Support block 17 Lower part 18 Bottom surface 19A, 19B Side wall 21A, 21B Rail 22 Aperture 23, 26 Light source 24, 37 Light diffuser 28, 29, 31 Groove 32 Gemstone support carriage 33 Top or cover 34, 38 Aperture 36 Ring light 37 Light Diffusers 38, 39 Lighting deployment 41 Outer frames 42, 43 Side support members 42A, 42B, 43A, 43B Adjacent end 44 Crossing member 46 Slit 47 Support Members 49, 49A, 49C, 49D, 49E Gemstone specimen holder 51 First main surface 52 Second main surface 53, 56 Aperture 54 AIOI 57 Spur gear arrangement 58 Gear 59 Driven gear 61 Cylindrical aperture 62 Light source 63 Light beam 64 Light beam axis 66 Light diffusion segment 67 U-shaped member 68 Lower horizontal leg 69 Upright web 71 Upper horizontal leg 72 Supporting portion 73 Inclined upper surface 74 Cylindrical recess 76 Insert 77 Recess 78 Footprint 79 Annular passage or perpendicular line 81 2 etc. Branch line 82 Spring biased device 83 Step motor 84 Spindle 86 Rotary shaft 87 Spindle end 88 Through aperture 89 Gemstone support member or Gemstone support member holder 91 Reference marking 92 Calibration scare 94, 96 g Rough user interface (GUI) 95 three-dimensional wire frame 97 sidebar 98, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 10
6, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112 Icon 113 GemSate Certificate 114 AOIs 116 Arrow

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A system for trading gemstones comprising: each gemstone being a flat table but defining a longitudinal axis at right angles thereto, a girdle, a pavilion, and a cullet. The system comprises a plurality of user terminals for capturing digital, lifelike color images of gemstones, each user terminal capable of generating the same standard portfolio of digital lifelike color images of a particular gemstone. Each gemstone is characterized in that it allows potential buyers to independently evaluate the market value of that particular gemstone according to internationally recognized standards, each gemstone being a flat table but perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Said flat table, a girdle, a pavilion, And a system for trading the gemstone having a cullet. 2. A user terminal for capturing an image of a gemstone, the user terminal comprising: a) a base; and b) a support block installed on the base.
A support block for supporting a light transmissive gemstone carrier holding the gemstone in a central portion of the support block, wherein the support block completely excludes ambient light from the central portion. A lighting arrangement for substantially shielding the gemstone from ambient light without illuminating the gemstone from opposite and orthogonal directions in a substantially balanced manner. A first axial direction for illuminating a first main surface of the carrier member, and a second axial direction for illuminating a second main surface of the gemstone carrier member opposite the first main surface. And a third direction for radially illuminating the central portion, the user terminal also having: c) an optical axis and within the support block. A digital image capture device mounted on the base to capture an image of the illuminated gemstone through an aperture formed toward the first major surface of the gemstone carrier. User terminal for capturing images of gemstones. 3. A gemstone inspection device for enabling detection of the location of a gemstone registration marking, wherein the registration marking is on a flat polished surface of the gemstone defining a longitudinal axis perpendicular thereto. A light source having a light beam having a light beam axis; and (b) the light beam axis at an intersection. A magnifying optical device having an optical axis that intersects and defines a bisector therebetween; and (c) the bisector coincides with a normal to the surface portion of the gemstone located at the intersection. For supporting the gemstone and being selectively displaceable relative to the intersection so that the surface of the gemstone is scanned along a predetermined scanning path. And a gemstone support member capable of detecting the position of a registered gemstone marking. 4. A method for displaying a continuously moving image of a surface of a gemstone on a computer terminal remote from a database, the method comprising: (a) transferring bitmap information about the gemstone from the database to the computer terminal. Downloading; and (b) generating, from the bitmap information of the computer terminal, a moving still image rendered on a gemstone on-the-fly computer from a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone;
And (c) displaying the moving still image rendered by the computer of the gemstone from various lines of sight directed toward the gemstone, as indicated by the potential buyer of the gemstone at the computer terminal of the potential buyer. Refreshing, thereby displaying a moving still image generated by the computer of the gemstone as perceived by the potential buyer as a visible continuous moving image. A method for displaying a continuously moving image of a gemstone surface on a computer terminal remote from a database. 5. A method for obtaining a stereo image of a gemstone table, the method comprising: (a) placing the gemstone in a field of view of a digital image acquisition device; Acquiring an image; (c) displacing the gemstone specimen holder with respect to the field of view of the image acquisition device; and (d) acquiring a right image of the gemstone. How to get a stereo image of a gemstone table.