[Electronics-talk] Color Identification Technology

Fri Dec 18 20:57:07 UTC 2015

How does the id mate bar code reader read color patterns?  I have one and I 
wouldn't have thought to try that.  Pam.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Jim McCarthy via Electronics-talk
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2015 9:59 AM
To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
Cc: Jim McCarthy
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Color Identification Technology

Ben, I agree with you about color identifiers, though I may not go as far as
to say they are the least supportive of independence of technologies. In my
opinion, they help me confirm clothing is that I believe it to be or help
when two items feel the same, two identical shirts of different colors, for
example. I also use to identify socks. Expensive solutions for those uses, I
suppose but I own one so... I agree completely with Tracy that the hard ware
devices work better than the mobile apps and that neither works with patters
as she described for her skirts and the like, information that is quite
necessary to coordinate well. I have used, with quite good success, the ID
Mate bar code readers to do this. That is a costly solution that the Pen
Friend could accomplish in quite the same manner for less cost. The reason I
think these better solutions than braille is that one can record
coordinating information for items like men's ties. You can say not only the
colors and patterns but what color suits you own that each tie would work
with and even how that might change based on the color of the shirt chosen.
That degree of detail takes up lots of braille, though one might come up
with short notations that works for him in braille. My biggest challenge in
all this is making the original investment of time, but as you said, once
made, the information remains available so it is definitely worth doing.
Best
Jim McCarthy

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via Electronics-talk
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2015 8:49 AM
To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
Cc: Tracy Carcione
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Color Identification Technology

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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