TACTILE READING DEVICE FOR COLOR RECOGNITION

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device intended for the visually impaired and the blind, to enable them to identify the color of an object by touch. State of the art

[0002] The blind and visually impaired have access to reading thanks in particular to the formalism of Louis Braille. However, according to this formalism, colors must be written in full to be recognized, which can be tedious.

[0003] Methods based on geometric shapes have already been developed.

[0004] Patent JP 50826117, for example, proposes associating a simple geometric shape with a given color and arranging one or more of these geometric shapes within a square, having a reference point at its center. Color combinations can be represented where the proportion of the colors between them is determined by the number of corresponding geometric figures within the square. The number of geometric figures is a maximum of 4, which limits the possible combinations. In addition, shades of lightness cannot be materialized. Patent application WO9703427 adopts a similar color code where geometric shapes can also be combined.

[0005] Patent application WO13137757 proposes another formalism, where basic geometric shapes are combined to produce hybrid shapes, representative of the color mixture. However, the geometric shapes are only combined in pairs, which limits the variety of accessible colors.

[0006] Patent application US2013139952 proposes a tactile color code based on evocative shapes such as waves or orange peel. In this case, the number of accessible colors is limited to the number of evocative representations.

[0007] Methods based on geometric shapes or symbolic forms require identifying the outline of each of these shapes, which is all the more tedious as they are numerous and complex.

[0008] Methods based on salient points have been proposed. This is particularly the case for application WO19009694, which makes it possible to identify the color of mosaic tiles by one or more raised points on the surface of the mosaic tile. In this case, the colors remain limited to a few combinations of points. In addition, this representation does not allow for the materialization of color shades or levels of clarity. There is therefore room for improving the representation of colors, particularly in their diversity and shades, while freeing ourselves from geometric shapes. Brief summary of the invention

[0009] The present application relates to a tactile device for representing a color as defined in independent claim 1.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide a tactile device for the blind and visually impaired, which is free from the limitations mentioned above. In particular, the present invention proposes to represent a wide range of colors in a simple manner and without geometric or evocative shapes, which can be too complex to identify by touch.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to provide a means of producing the touch device.

[0012] According to the invention, this aim is achieved, in particular by means of the touch device described below.

[0013] This solution has the particular advantage over the prior art of being able to simply represent a wide range of colors, as well as their nuances. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures: Figure 1A : Red Figure 1 B : Blue Figure 1C : YELLOW Figure 2A : Green Figure 2B : Orange Figure 2C : Purple Figure 3A : White Figure 3B : Black Figure 4A : Red-violet Figure 4B : Red-orange Figure 4C : Blue-green Figure 4D : Blue-violet Figure 4E : Yellow-orange Figure 4F : Yellow-green Figure 5A : Light gray Figure 5B : Very light gray Figure 5C : Dark gray Figure 5D : Very dark gray Figure 6A : Yellow-green tending more towards green Figure 7A : Light pink Figure 7B : Very light pink Figure 7C : Dark pink Figure 7D : Very dark pink Figure 8A : Light brown Figure 8B : Very light brown Figure 8C : Dark brown Figure 8D : Very dark brown Figure 9A : Apple green Figure 9B : Soft green Figure 9C : Bottle green Figure 9D : Soft leaf green Figure 10A : Tint points Figure 10B : red-violet tending towards purple Figure 11A : horizontal gradient blue Figure 11B : vertical gradient blue Figure 12 : example of enlarged representation Figure 13 : schematic view of a printing device for the production of the touch device 1. Figure 13A : Schematic view of a printing device for producing the touch device 1 according to another embodiment, Figure 14 : schematic front and profile view of the first punching plate, Figure 15 : Schematic view of an assembly comprising a relief device, a step-by-step drive device and a cutting system. Figure 16 : example of a printing device Example(s) of embodiment of the invention

[0015] The touch device 1 has a first touch zone Z1where the colors are represented by a set of at least two raised reading points. The nature of the color is materialized by the position of these at least two reading points relative to each other. One of the at least two reading points is a reference point R. It is larger in size so that the reader can easily identify it. The other reading point(s) are colored points. C. They are smaller in size than the reference point R. From their position relative to the reference point R the nature of the color follows. The position of the color points C relative to the reference point R can be defined in relation to the usual cardinal points north, south, east, west, as well as their intermediate directions northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest. Each colored point Ccan then take one of these eight positions relative to the reference point R.

[0016] The touch device 1 includes a tactile sign for orientation F, enabling the tactile device 1 to be oriented adequately to determine the cardinal position of the color points C relative to the reference point R. The orientation sign F is preferably different from the tactile points used to define the colors. The orientation sign may be, for example, a line or any other tactile object different from the points and identifiable as an orientation sign. It is preferably arranged in the south cardinal direction relative to the reference point R and further from the reference point R than the last point present in the south cardinal direction.

[0017] The three primary colors, defined by red, yellow, and blue, each have a color point C and the reference point R. The three secondary colors, defined by green, orange, and violet, each have a color point C and the reference point R. The colors black and white are also defined by a color point C and the reference point R. Each of the color points C of the primary, secondary, black, and white colors specifically occupies one of the eight cardinal positions defined above.

[0018] As an example, the table below summarizes the cardinal position of the color points C relative to the reference point R: Color Cardinal position Red Northeast Blue North YELLOW West Green Northwest orange South purple East black Southeast white Southwest Other positions can of course be assigned to the colors.

[0019] The colored dotsC can be distributed at equal distance from the reference point R, regardless of their cardinal position. In this case, all eight positions of the colored points C forms a circle whose reference point R is the center.

[0020] Alternatively, the colored dots C can be distributed in a grid formed by 3 columns of the same width and 3 rows of the same height, where the width of the columns corresponds to the height of the rows, thus defining 9 positions, the central position of which is that of the reference point R. In this case the colored points C arranged on the main northern cardinal axes N, south S, East E and west W, are at a certain distance from the reference point R and the other colored points C which are arranged in the intermediate northeast directions BORN, northwest NW, southeast SE and southwest SW, are at a greater distance from the reference point R. In this case, the set of eight positions forms a square whose reference point R is the center.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the colored points C can be distributed in a grid formed by 3 columns of the same width and 3 rows of the same height, where the width of the columns differs from the height of the rows. The colored points C are then inscribed in a rectangle with the result of distances from the reference point R more varied. In particular, the colored points C located in the northern directions N and south S will be at a given distance from the reference point R, the colored dots C arranged in the east E and west directions W will be at a different distance from the reference pointR and the four colored points C arranged in the intermediate northeast directions BORN, northwest NW, southeast SE and southwest SW will be a third distance from the reference point R.

[0022] In the case where the color points C are distributed in a square or in a rectangle, in addition to the cardinal direction with respect to the reference point, they can be identified, at least partially, by their distance from the reference point R.

[0023] The first touch zone Z1 is defined by the surface of the touch device 1, the reference point R and by the space materialized by the set of colored points C. Optionally, the orientation sign F may be part of the first touch zone Z1.Depending on the arrangement chosen for the color points C, the first touch zone Z1 can take the form of a disc, a square or a rectangle. Other arrangements can be considered as long as the colors are characterized at least by the cardinal direction of their color point C relative to the reference point R.

[0024] The three primary colors, the three secondary colors, and the colors black and white, as defined above, can be combined to produce a resulting color. This is also the case for tertiary colors, resulting from the combination of two colors from the eight mentioned above. The six tertiary colors are thus defined by red-violet, red-orange, blue-green, blue-violet, yellow-orange, and yellow-green, as illustrated by the Figures 4A-4F Tertiary colors can serve as a basis for other combinations.

[0025] For the purposes of this description, color combination means the association of two or more colors in equal quantities. In these conditions, only one reference point R is materialized, and each of the colored points C is arranged according to its characteristic position.

[0026] The color representation device 1 comprises a second touch-sensitive area Z2, device to the first touch zone Z1. The second touch zone Z2 is defined by the surface of the touch device 1 and the points and raised signs other than those defining the first touch zone 1. This second touch zone Z2 allows you to define shades of lightness. Tint points T, smaller in size than the colored dots C, are arranged according to the same cardinal north directions N, south S, East E and west Wand intermediate northwest directions BORN, northeast NW, southwest SW and southeast SE, at a distance from the reference point R more important than that of the colored points C. In the case where the color points C are distributed according to a circle, then the shade points T are distributed according to another circle, concentric to the circle defined by the colored points C. For a distribution of color points C in rectangle, the tint points T are arranged in a rectangle surrounding that of the colored points C. When the colored dots C are arranged in a square, then the shade points T are distributed in a larger square.

[0027] The distance between the points of shade T and the reference point R can be equal to 1.5 times the distance that separates a color pointC from the reference point R, on a given cardinal direction. Alternatively it can be equal to two or two and a half times the distance which separates a point of color C from the reference point R, on a given cardinal direction.

[0028] The tint points T, allow you to determine the more or less light or dark aspects of a color defined by the color points C. THE Figures 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D gives an example. The lightest shades are represented by one or more points in the southwest direction, corresponding to the color point C white. The darkest shades are represented by one or more points in the southeast direction, corresponding to the color point C black. The degree of lightness depends on the number of dots aligned in a given direction. Four degrees of lightness are illustrated, for example, in the Figures 5A to 5D, corresponding to “light” and “very light” or “dark” and “very dark”. More degrees of clarity can be materialized according to this principle.

[0029] The tint points T also allow to modulate the tones in the case of color mixtures, materialized by the points C, as shown in the Figure 10A . The cardinal positions of the hue points T are the same as those of the colored points C corresponding. In the case of a mixture including violet and red, the two color points C corresponding to the combination of purple and red are arranged in the eastern directions E and northeast BORN. If the shade of the mixture is closer to purple, then one shade point T is placed in the second touch zone Z2 in the east direction E, corresponding to purple, as illustrated in the Figure 10B. If on the contrary the mixture is closer to red, then a point of tint T is arranged in the northeast direction BORN, corresponding to red. As with degrees of lightness, several degrees of shade can thus be developed, including "redder" and "much redder" or "more violet" and "much more violet", the most pronounced degree of tint being materialized by a second tint point T aligned with the first touch point T according to its cardinal direction, in the second tactile zone Z1.

[0030] The same principle applies when more than two colors are combined. In this case, more or less pronounced tones can be represented using one or more hue points. T.

[0031] The first Z1 and second Z2 touch areas of the touch device 1 are identifiable by the reference points R,the colored points C, and any tint points T and other signs. The second tactile zone Z2 may be undetectable in the absence of tint points T and other possible signs. Optionally, it may be provided to include in the tactile device 1 a tactile separation between the first Z1 and second Z2 touch zones. Such a separation could be materialized, for example, by a line or a groove marked in hollow on the surface of the touch device 1. Alternatively, a bead delimiting the first tactile zone Z1 can be provided, ideally arranged around the space defined by the set of colored points C.

[0032] The touch device 1 also allows color gradients to be represented. The second touch zone Z2 may include a sign Dcharacteristic of a color gradient, arranged at a distance from the reference point R more important than the points of shade T. The sign D is preferably easily identifiable and different from the points used for colors and tints. The sign D can be arranged in a given cardinal direction, for example east of the reference point R and oriented differently if it is to indicate a horizontal gradient or a vertical gradient. Alternatively, the sign D can be arranged in several cardinal directions to indicate the direction of the color gradient. For a horizontal gradient, it can be placed in the cardinal direction E whether the gradient is to the right or in the west direction W if the gradient is towards the left. For a vertical gradient, it can be arranged according to the north directions N and south Sdepending on whether the color gradient is downwards or upwards. The size of the sign D can also indicate the importance of the color gradient. In particular, the gradient will be judged to be all the more important as the sign D is big.

[0033] The sign D can be for example a horizontal line to represent horizontal color gradients and vertical for vertical color gradients, as illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B . It can optionally be placed either in the cardinal direction east E, to indicate for example a gradient towards the right or upwards, or in the cardinal direction west W to indicate a color gradient to the left or downwards. The length of the line can be, for example, 1, 1.5 or 2 times the diameter of the reference point R.Alternatively, it can vary depending on the size of the gradient from 1 to 2 or 3 times the diameter of the reference point R. The sign D relating to the color gradient is preferably different from the orientation sign F in its dimensions, in its shape, or both in its dimensions and its shape.

[0034] The surface of the tactile device 1 is adapted to be perceived and read with the fingertip. The reference points R, colored C and any tint points T, as well as the orientation signs F and gradients D are arranged on an area of ​​1 to 5 cm 2< , preferably on an area of ​​1 to 3 cm 2< . The figure 12 shows an example of the embodiment of the touch device 1 where the colored points Care arranged in a set of 3 rows and 3 columns forming a central position and 8 cardinal positions. The height of the rows is equivalent to the width of the columns so that the colored points C are circumscribed in a square and delimit the first tactile zone Z1. The reference point R is central and has a diameter dR 2 mm and has a thickness of 1 mm. The colored dots C are arranged according to the cardinal directions north N, south S, East E west W and the intermediate northeast directions BORN, northwest NW, southeast SE and southwest SW. They have a diameter dC 1mm, or half the diameter dR from the reference point R and a thickness of 1 mm. The distance between axes VC colored dots C arranged on the cardinal directions north N, southS, East E and west W is 3 mm. The position of the colored dots C arranged in the intermediate northeast directions BORN, northwest NW, southeast SE and southwest SW is aligned with the position of the colored dots C arranged in the cardinal directions north N, south S, East E and west W forming the rows and columns of the square. The hue points T are arranged in the second touch zone Z2 on the periphery of the first tactile zone Z1, in the cardinal directions north N, south S, East E west W and the intermediate cardinal directions northeast BORN, northwest NW, southeast SE and southwest SW. Their diameter dT is 0.5 mm, or half the diameter dC colored dots C.The distance between axes VT points of shade T arranged on the cardinal directions north N, south S, East E and west W is of 4.5 mm. The position of the tint points T arranged in the intermediate cardinal directions northeast BORN, northwest NW, southeast SE and southwest SW is aligned with the position of the tint points T arranged in the cardinal directions north N, south S, east E and west W. The orientation sign F is a line of length equal to the diameter dR from the reference point R and a thickness of 0.2 mm.

[0035] For the purposes of this description, color gradation indicates that the intensity of a given color decreases in a given direction, making the color paler. A total gradation results in a total loss of the color in the direction in question.

[0036] According to the present invention, the raised dots do not individually allow a color to be characterized, unlike geometric or symbolic figures. In this sense, the dots cannot be considered as geometric figures, whatever their diameter or height.

[0037] The term "tactile" refers to a non-planar surface whose relief is capable of being felt and recognized by touch. In particular, the tactile points and signs relating to the color, reference, shade, gradient and orientation point have a height of around 0.5 mm to 2 mm and are easily perceptible and recognizable by the tip of the finger. Although a prominent relief is preferred, the tactile signs may alternatively be concave, i.e. inscribed in hollow relative to the surface of the tactile device. 1. A mixture of salient and concave signs is also possible. For example, the reference point R can be salient and the colored points C or the tint points T can be concave.

[0038] The touch device 1may take the form of a tactile film, one surface of which is provided with the raised signs described above for identifying colors and their shades. The opposite surface of the film may be provided with an adhesive material, to enable the film to be affixed to the surface of another object. The color of objects such as decorative objects, clothing labels, paint tubes, clothing or ornamental accessories, can thus be easily identified by a blind or visually impaired person. Such a film may comprise, for example, a polymer material, the relief of which is molded during its design, or printed by a stamping process. The film may alternatively be pierced by a die at characteristic locations. In this case, the relief of the tactile device 1will be concave. The polymer material can be silicone or a rigid or flexible plastic. Any other material that allows the points defined above to be highlighted is also viable.

[0039] Alternatively, the touch device 1 can be designed by additive printing, also known as 3D printing, using a printing device 2. The printing device 2 includes a printing module A and a command interface B, allowing an operator to enter print parameters. In particular, the command interface B may include several keys or groups of keys allowing the selection of color points C, any tint points T, possible gradients, and to combine the selected parameters. For example, a first group of keys P1can allow the selection of the 6 cardinal directions relative to the color points C. A second group of touches P2 can allow the selection of the 6 cardinal directions relative to the hue points T. A third group of touches P3 can be dedicated to degrees of clarity, and include for example the two cardinal positions relative to the color points C black and white, the two cardinal positions relating to light and dark degrees and the two cardinal positions relating to very light and very dark degrees. Keys relating to gradients as well as other keys can be integrated into the control interface B. The control interface keys B can themselves be provided with the tactile elements that they represent so as to be recognized by a blind or visually impaired person.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the printing moduleA is an additive or 3D printing module, allowing the production of a tactile device 1 by material deposition. For this purpose, any 3D printing system known to those skilled in the art can be used. The tactile device 1 can be entirely designed by adding material. Alternatively, a support without relief and the dimensions of the label to be printed can be placed in the 3D printing area so as to receive the material necessary to create the tactile relief of the tactile device 1 described here. The quantities of material deposited and their location on the support correspond to the pattern to be printed including the colored dots C and the tint points Twhere applicable and any other relief participating in the representation of the color. The material used for the support can be any suitable polymer or textile material such as a silicone, rubber, PVC or any other synthetic polymer sheet. The unprinted surface, opposite the surface of the support on which the 3D printing material is deposited, can be glued beforehand and protected by a protective film. The protective film can be removed after printing the reliefs on the support, at the time of gluing it to a surface. The material used for 3D printing can be any suitable material such as a synthetic polymer or a mixture of polymers. The materials included in the support and those used for 3D printing are chosen so as to adhere correctly to each other during 3D printing and thus produce a tactile device 1.

[0041] According to another embodiment illustrated by the figures 14 to ... The impression of the touch device 1 is carried out by stamping or punching a film of deformable material 5. The printing module A includes a highlighting device for this purpose 3 comprising at least a first punching plate 31 in which recesses are dug 310 whose location, geometric shape and dimensions correspond to the location, geometric shape and dimensions of the reading points of the tactile device 1. The reading points of the tactile device 1 are understood as any relief necessary for the determination of color and include in this case the colored points C, the points of tint T, the orientation signs F and gradient D, and any other tactile element. The figure 14 shows such a plate 31from the front and from the side. The depth and diameter of the recesses 310 is in line with the relief of the tactile device 1 to print. The recesses 310 of the first punching plate 31 thus correspond to all the reading points that can be printed on the tactile device 1. The bottom of the recess 310, although shown flat, may be concave so as to produce a rounded reading point. Any other shape may be considered. The recesses 310 are circular and of varying diameters corresponding to the colored points C and tint T. The recesses 310 corresponding to the orientation signs F and gradient D are rectangular or oblong in shape. Optionally, the bottom of one or more recesses 310can be textured to produce a particular tactile effect on the reading points of the tactile device1. The first punching plate 31 may be made of metal or hard polymer or any other hard and preferably friction-resistant material so as to limit wear or deformation of the recesses 310 and in particular their edge. The first punching plate 31 has a support surface 311 plane to accommodate the printable film 5 on the recesses 310.

[0042] The printing module A further includes a set of movable punches 320 opposite each of the recesses 310 of the first punching plate 31. Their size and shape are complementary to the size and shape of the recesses 310 which they face so that they can fit into the recess 310corresponding. The mobile punches 320 are independently activatable. One or more of the punches 320 can then be selected and activated to fit into the recesses 310 correspondents. The punches 320 are selected using the command interface B. Once selected, a specific key 22 allows them to be activated simultaneously to print a touch device 1. The punches 320 may be metallic or made of another hard, non-deformable material such as a hard plastic polymer. The shape of their head is preferably complementary to the shape of the bottom of the recesses 310 to which they correspond. Preferably, the head of the punches 320 is rounded, so as to produce rounded reading points, more comfortable than angular shapes. The rounded shape also makes it possible to avoid damaging the tactile device 1during its printing. In particular, the punching of the printable film 5 results in a deformation intended to create relief but must not lead to any piercing or tearing of the film 5.

[0043] The punches 320 can be independently activated by an activation device 322 moving them from a withdrawn position, away from the recess 310 corresponding and unsuitable for punching, in an active position, nested in the recess 310. Such an activation device 320 may be an electrical device and include for example a coil and an electromagnet, or a mechanical device including a trigger element such as a spring, or any other activation means known to those skilled in the art. Actuation of the activation key 22 of the command interface B triggers the activation device 322corresponding to the punches 320 pre-selected by the command interface B.

[0044] The control interface B may include other specific keys than the keys 21, 22 and 23 mentioned here. It may, for example, include a key for repeating an operation or printing a pattern. The keys or the various control elements of the control interface may also be textured or include a tactile pattern so that they can be used by a visually impaired person. They preferably include, in addition or alternatively, a visual cue to be usable by a sighted person who is not familiar with the formalism of the tactile device. 1.

[0045] The punches 320 can optionally be included in a second punching plate 32, arranged opposite the first punching plate 31and in a plane parallel to that of the first punching plate 31. The second punching plate 32 is then provided with holes 323 in which the punches can slide 320 and serving as a guide for their movement. It is understood that the holes 323 of the second punching plate 32 are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the second punching plate 32. The second punching plate 32 has an outer surface 321 facing the support surface 311 of the first punching plate 31.

[0046] The printing film 5 can be placed on the support surface 311 from the first printing plate 31 and undergo the action of the punches 320 selected so that it takes the form of the recesses 310 permanently.

[0047] According to one embodiment, only the punches 320 are movable and are activated from their retracted position to their punching position, nested in the recess 310 corresponding. According to another embodiment, the second punching plate 32 is movable so as to approach the first punching plate 31 to apply the printable film 5 against the support surface 311 and the outer surface 321 of the second punching plate, before the punches 320 are not activated. According to another embodiment, the punches 320 selected are activated from a retracted position to a punching position where they protrude from the outer surface 321 of the second plate 32, then away from the printable film 5. The second punching plate 32is then applied against the first punching plate 31 so as to penetrate the activated punches protruding from its outer surface 321 in the recesses 310 correspondents and thus print the printable film 5.

[0048] The printable film 5 may be made of any deformable material capable of maintaining the printed relief. It may include, for example, a metallic film, or a hard polymer such as PVC or other polymers, or a mixture of several layers of materials. The printable film 5 may consist of several layers, including a bonding layer and a protective film that can be removed when placing the touch device 1 on a surface. The dimensions of the printable film 5 may correspond to the dimensions of the touch device 1 or be larger than those of the touch device 1.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the printable film 5 is in the form of a ribbon whose width corresponds to the width of the touch device 1 or is slightly wider than the touch device 1. The strip can be printed with multiple touch devices 1 in its length. The printing module A may include a cutting system 6 allowing you to cut out a printed portion of the strip. The cutting system can be activated by a specific key 23 cutting of the control interface B. The cutting device 6 is preferably juxtaposed with the highlighting device 3. It can nevertheless be partially or totally integrated into one of the first 31 or second 32 punching plates. The cutting system 6 has a cutting blade 61mobile so as to shear the strip. It allows the tactile device to be dissociated 1 of the rest of the strip once printed. The printing module A may further include a drive device 7 of the stepper band activated by a specific training key 21. The training device 7 can be placed upstream of the highlighting device 3.

[0050] An example of a printing device 2 is represented at the figure 16 . It may include a case 200, can be divided into two compartments 210 And 220, the control interface B can be arranged in one of the two compartments 210 and the print module A in the other compartment 220. The compartment comprising the control interface B may further comprise a screen B1. The compartment 220comprising the printing module A may include a reel 221 allowing the film strip to be stored to be printed 5. The printing device 2 includes a training device 7 of the strip, allowing the strip to be unwound from the reel 221. It includes the highlighting device 3 and the cutting system 6, placed near one of the edges of the case 200.

[0051] The tactile device 1, if it takes the form of a film, may be transparent so as to remain discreet and avoid any aesthetic inconvenience relating to the object on which it is affixed. It may alternatively be colored. The film may for example be colored in the shade that it represents, in particular so that it can be identified as such by an operator before being affixed to an object of the same shade, or for teaching purposes where appropriate. In the latter case, the teacher, being sighted, is able to identify the color that the tactile device represents 1 which he submits to his student.

[0052] Alternatively, the surface of an object can be directly marked according to the characteristics of the tactile device 1 described above. Objects made of polymer material, obtained by molding for example, can thus be characterized during their design, by arranging in the corresponding mold the relief of the tactile device1 adequate. The color of objects such as pens or toys can thus be easily identified by touch.

[0053] Glass bottles can also be marked in this way, particularly to facilitate recycling, which sometimes takes into account the color of the glass. Containers intended for collecting glass are advantageously marked in the same way.

[0054] The touch device 1 allows the colours of an object to be made known to a blind or visually impaired person, including for artistic objects such as paintings or drawings, where each colour zone is identified by the tactile device 1 corresponding. Tactile frescoes for the blind and visually impaired can thus be designed.

[0055] The list of objects is not exhaustive and only mentions a few examples. However, it is explicit that the present invention covers any object comprising the touch device 1. Reference numbers used in the figures

[0056] 1Touch device 2Printing device 200Housing 210, 220compartments 221Reel 3Embossing device 31First punching plate 310Recesses 311Support surface 32Second punching plate 320Punches 321Outer surface 322Activation device 5Printable film 6Cutting system 7Drive device APrinting module BControl interface B1Display FOrientation sign P1, P2, P3Key groups Z1First touch area Z2Second touch area CColor point RReference point TShade point DGradient sign dRDeference point diameter dCDiameter of color point dTdiameter of shade point VCenter distance of a color point and the reference point

Claims

1. Tactile device (1) for representing a color, comprising an orientation sign (F) and a first tactile area (Z1) comprising a raised central reference point (R) and at least one raised color point (C) arranged in a cardinal position in relation to the reference point (R), characterized in that the cardinal position of the at least one color point (C) is characteristic of the color represented.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that there are 8 cardinal points, each defining a color as well as black and white.

3. Device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that two or more of the colors represented by one of the cardinal positions can be combined in such a way as to represent other colors.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reference point (R) is twice as large as the at least one color point (C).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first tactile area (Z1) is determined by the reference point (R) and all of the color points (C).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a second tactile area (Z2), peripheral to the first tactile area (Z1), where one or more shade points (T) can be arranged according to the cardinal directions with respect to the reference point (R), where the cardinal position of said one or more shade points (T) is characteristic of the degree of lightness, or of the color tone in the case of a color combination.

7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shade points (T) are half the size of the color points (C).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also includes a distinctive sign (D) making it possible to identify any color gradients, as well as their direction.

9. An object comprising one or more tactile devices according to any one of claims 1 to 8, such that its color can be identified by a blind or visually impaired person.

10. Printing device for producing a tactile device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a printing module (A) and a command interface (B), where the command interface (B) comprises a group (P1) of 8 keys identifying the 8 cardinal positions characterizing the color points (C).

11. Printing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the printing module (A) is a 3D printing module.

12. Printing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the printing module includes a shaping device (3) comprising at least a first punching plate (31) including recesses (310) whose position, geometry and depth correspond to the reliefs of the tactile device (1) to be printed and a set of punches (320) arranged opposite the recesses (310).

13. Printing device according to claims 10 or 12, characterized in that several punches can be preselected by the command interface (B) and then activated simultaneously by means of an activation key (22)14. Printing device according to one of claims 10 and 12 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises a reel (221) comprising a strip of printable film (5), a step-by-step driving device (7) and a cutting device (6).

15. Printing device according to one of claims 10 and 12 to 14, characterized in that the printable film (5) comprises a non-elastic deformable material so as to retain the relief obtained by the punches (320).