[Electronics-talk] Color Identification Technology

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Ben.
I have the Cobol color identifier, and it does OK.  I hear the Colorino does
OK, too.  My Cobol works better than the Color ID app on my iPhone, which
seems to require optimal light conditions for even adequate results.
The trouble with any of these solutions, IMO, is that they don't tell me
anything about the pattern.  I have several multi-color skirts, and several
tops with stripes, checks, or other patterns, and I need to know that.
Therefore, the best solution for clothes I have figured out is to rope in
some sighted person whose color sense I trust, and get her to describe the
item in question.  Then I write a braille label on a piece of braille paper
(thick plastic would also work), punch a hole in the top of the label,
attach a twist-tie, and attach the other end of the twist-tie to the hanger
for the piece of clothing.  If it doesn't go on a hanger, I fold the label
in with the clothing, or pin it on with a safety pin.  It takes more initial
investment than zapping something with a color identifier, but, once it's
done, it's done for years, and is very accurate.
For example, I could write "blue, purple, brown leaf pattern", or "blue and
white stripes".

It would be possible to do something similar with something like the Pen
Friend--create a recorded label with all the info needed and attach it to
the clothing.
HTH.
Tracy



-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Benjamin Vercellone via Electronics-talk
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2015 6:14 AM
To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Benjamin Vercellone
Subject: [Electronics-talk] Color Identification Technology

> Hello.
> I have some questions regarding color identification technology. This
could include dedicated devices, smart phone apps, etc.
> I would like to know if anyone on this list has used a color identifier
and found it to be consistently helpful. I have used several hardware
solutions up to this point, and have encountered considerable difficulty.
With each color identification tool I have owned over the years (maybe 2 or
3), I have asked sighted family members or friends to tell me if they agree
or disagree with the answer given by the technology. The problem in my
experience is that a large percentage of the time, the sighted people
disagree with the answer given by the technology. I have had people tell me
all kinds of things, like how everyone interprets colors differently. Some
people have told me that the human brain doesn't see the actual color
anyway. I don't know if this is true, but I honestly don't care very much
personally. I simply want to coordinate my clothing largely according to
color, and to do this as effectively, independently, and spontaneously as
possible. I desire to use technology 
 to this end if possible. I therefore care how people interpret the colors
of my clothing. I want to have technology that agrees with the color
analysis of sighted people most of the time. If it's not perfect, that's
fine. But the technology I have tried has given results different from the
human answers a huge percentage of the time. Even if this has been less than
half of the time, it still concerns me a lot. Furthermore, most sighted
people from whom I gather color information give answers that are mostly the
same. Most people say a garment is a certain color, and if there has been an
outlier in terms of the answer, it is usually on the part of the technology
I have tried.
> Has anyone else experienced this? Also, if anyone has bought a more
expensive color identifier, I am wondering if this has increased accuracy. I
am open to suggessions as well as questions.
> I have also tried using some apps on my iPhone. I have definitely had the
most success, though still spotty, with Tap Tap See. I am confident that
others have tried this kind of approach as well. I like Tap Tap see more
than other solutions I have tried thus far for a couple reasons. Most of
all, I am pleased that there are humans available on the other end. This
allows me to get an answer that I feel I can trust somewhat more. Also, when
this method works its best, I am often told the pattern of my garment as
well, such as plaid. I am totally blind, by the way. I know that many blind
people have used various types of low-tech labeling solutions with clothing,
such as metallic braille tags, various shapes, etc. I am open to using these
methods as well. However, I want to gather information and perspectives from
other blind people who have used color identification technology.
> To summarize my opinions, I believe that color identification technology
is one of the least reliable technologies I have used for independence up to
this point. If others have had much better experiences, I would love to hear
more, and be proven wrong. However, I can say for certain that in my
experience, I have not had enough success with color identification
technology to confidently coordinate my clothing by this means alone. Also,
I went completely blind at age 4, and only know about 10 to 15 colors
accurately in my head. In other words, I do not desire a color identifier
that boasts more than 600 colors or whatever. I am able to understand light,
medium, and dark for many colors. Also, if there is a color that I did not
have in my vocabulary as a small child, I will need someone to describe it
in relation to the basic colors. This helps me a fare amount. Still, I
prefer simpler answers over sophisticated ones. Finally, can anyone give
advice regarding how to find opti
 mal lighting for apps like Tap Tap See? Any and all advice is appreciated!
> Thank you,
> Ben
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