Math code Color code Color code short
The color code is a way to convey color information in a tactile graphic. The code uses braille as a base, but designates other values to the dots than the alphabet. The code conveys information; it is not a way of experiencing color.
The code can be useful where one wants to convey information but has a limited amount of area in the graphic to place this information. The code is language independent; and therefore needs not to be translated.
In the code color two Braille cells are used to convey the color information.
There are two variations. One version uses 6 point Braille and the other uses 8 point Braille. Each point in the first cell is designated a color. In 6 point Braille points 1-3 are the primary colors and points 4-6 are the secondary color. White and black are points 1 and 2 in the second cell. In 8 point Braille points 1-3 are the primary colors, 4 is white, 5-7 are the secondary colors and 8 black.
In 6 point Braille the second cell includes black, white, intensity information and three marker points. In 8 point Braille the second cell is just intensity information and four marker points. In almost all cases two cells are always used.
In 6 point Braille point 6 of the second cell is always used, as a place marker and the 8 th point of the second cell in 8 point braille is the place marker. These points are always used.
To designate that a color is a combination of colors, a mixture forming one
color
· 6 point 2 cell 4,5,6
· 8 point 2 cell 5,6,7,8
Undesignated signs
· 6 point 5,6 and 4,6
· 8 point 7,8 and 6,78 and 5,8 and 6,8 and 5,6,8.
For all practical purposes intensity will be subjective, unless one is able to measure.
6 point
First cell color primary and secondary color
(Yellow, red, blue primary and purple, green, orange secondary)
First Cell
Point 1 yellow
Point 2 red
Point 3 blue
Point 4 purple
Point 5 green
Point 6 orange
Second cell intensity
Point 1 white
Point 2 black
Point 3 light
Point 4 marker
Point 5 marker
Point 6 place marker, and always used
Example 6 point Braille:
Light yellow = 1 cell dot 1 and 2 cell dot 3, dot 6
Dark red = 1 cell dot 2, and 2 cell dot 5, dot 6
With 8 point Braille
First cell color primary and secondary
First cell
Point 1 yellow
Point 2 red
Point 3 blue
Point 4 white
Point 5 purple
Point 6 green
Point 7 orange
Point 8 black
Second cell intensity
(Grade of intensity, saturation)
Point 1 lightest
Point 2 greater than 1
Point 3 greater than 2
Point 4 greater than 3
Point 5 marker
Point 6 marker
Point 7 marker
Point 8 place place marker and always used
Examples 8 point Braille:
Very light yellow = 1 cell dot 1 and 2 cell dot 1, dot 8
Very dark red = 1 cell dot 2 and 2 cell dot 5 dot 8
More than one separate color
One can also use the system to say that there are various seperate colors in
an area. In this case it would be best to not add a dot in the second cell,
except for the marker dot, unless all the colors are of the similar degree of
saturation.
Example:
Area with yellow, red and blue splotches
6 point
1 cell dot 1, dot 2, dot 3
2 cell dot 6
8 point
1 cell dot 1, dot 2, dot 3
2 cell dot 8
Area with bright yellow, bright red and bright blue splotches
6 point
1 cell dot 1, dot 2, dot 3
2 cell dot 5, dot 6
8 point
1 cell dot 1, dot 2, dot 3
2 cell dot 6, dot 8
Mixed color, two or more colors comprising one color
To describe a colors comprised of more than one color the mixed colored sign is used. In 6 point it is 4,5,6 and in 8 point it is 5,6,7,8. This will show that the colors designated are part of a mixture forming one color, such as redish blue or greenish yellow
The remaining dots in the second cell, 3 in 6 point and 1,2,3,4 will be used to show intensity, the greater the number the greater the intensity. In 6 point since only 1 cell remains to show intensity when it is not used it will describe less intense and when used describe very intense.
1= primary
2= secondary
3= red or green
4= blue or orange
5= yellow or purple
6= place marker
1,2,3,4,5,6 = black
1,2,6= white
In this short version the color described depends apon point 1 or 2. If one is used then the primary color is indicated and if point 2 is used the secondary color is used. The place marker point 6 is always used.
Examples:
Red= 1,3,6
Green = 2,3,6
One can indicate more than one color at a time, but then only either a primary with other primary colors or secondary with secondary.
1,3,4,6 = red, and blue
2, 3,5,6 = green, and purple