Math code Color code Color code short
I have included two different codes, and mention later other areas where other codes could be made. The two codes are a color code and a map code.
In the color code primary and secondary colors are assigned to the dots and in the map code political and physical subjects are assigned to the dots.
In the color code the purpose is to relay color information by using two Braille cells. This is not however meant to act as a way to experience color, but as conveyance of information. This is also the case for the map code. Two features similar in both is that they are language independent and they both can convey a rather complicated information in a very small space.
Space is often an issue when preparing tactile graphics, therefore it is hoped that these tools will help improve future graphics.
A Braille notation system for maps
A Braille notation system for conveying color information
Maps
In this system one Braille cell is used to convey physical and political cartographical
information on a tactile map. With this system one can have up to 32 separate
signs.
The signs are divided into two categories physical aspects of a map such as
mountains, lakes, volcanoes and political aspects of a map such as city, capital.
Most often icons/symbols are used to convey this information. This system is
not a substitution for this, but rather an addition to the tools used in making
tactile graphics. It is a tool that hopefully enables the expansion of the map
selection possibilities for the visually impaired.
Since the sign is one cell it takes up very little space and since it is in Braille it is an already very well known system for the reader. The difference is that the dots are given designated values different than the usual. This system is content related and can only be used on a map where it is used consistently.
Aims of this system are to increase the amount of information available on a map without increasing size. And it is hoped with this system one will be able to increase the amount of information and also give the alternative to decrease the size of maps. This system is also independent of language. Built into the system, there is also the ability to customize and add on to the “key” depending on the need of the mapmaker.
Map code
The code is divided into two sections, the physical and the political. The physical is shown by the dot 1 and together with any combination of the dots 3,4,5,6 will designate a physical aspect. The political is shown by dots 1,2 and with any combination of the dots 3,4,5,6. Dots 1,2 and not other dots designate an extension sign, meaning that the sign that follows is a return to regular Braille.
Dot 1 designates physical aspects
Dot 1 and 2 designate political aspects
Physical Dot 1
Mountain dot 3
Loch dot 3,4
Fjord dot 3,5
Volcano dot 3,6
Mountain chain dot 3,4,6
River dot 3,4,5,6
Island dot 3,4,6
Reef dot 3,5,6
Glacier dot 4
Altol dot 5
Lake dot 6
Forrest Dot 4,5,6
Desert Dot 4,5
Canyon/gorge Dot 4,6
Unassigned Dot 5,6
Political dot 1,2
City dot 3
District dot 3,4
Capital city dot 3,5
Country dot 3,6
County dot 3,4,5
Border dot 3,4,5,6
Territory dot 3,4,6
Neutral zone dot 3,5,6
Occupied area dot 4
Unassigned Dot 5
Unassigned Dot 6
Unassigned Dot 4,5,6
Unassigned Dot 4,5
Unassigned Dot 4,6
Unassigned Dot 5,6
Example:
Dot 1,2,3 city
Dot 1,4,5 desert
Some of the characteristics of the system are that it is language independent, embosser friendly, space saver, builds on known skills (Braille) of the user, can be customised.
With one set of dot assignments set as standard, then it would become language independent. When reading on the map dot 1,3 a French speaker in Belgium would understand that it is a mountain, as would an Englishman. The system builds up on a system that they already have much experience with.
The resolution in most embossers does not allow for very much detail on a small scale, and one is therefore restricted in the variation of symbols. The production means restricts the process. With the map code system one is not dependent on the embosser’s resolution, but use what the embosser is good at, Braille, to place lakes, mountains on a map.
Each designated map feature is contained in one Braille cell; it therefore takes up a minimum of space. Often information on a tactile map is separated and spread over several pages with political and physical features separated to different pages, such that symbols would be easier to understand when they appear on their own page. Often the amount of information is restricted on the map so as not to overload the page. Using this code system up to 31 different types of geographical characteristics could be placed on one page. In the system also has unassigned values that the mapmaker can decide for him or herself on a map-to-map basis. These would be content dependent.
Similar future codes systems can be developed for different subjects such as climate, land types, language etc.