blue
Let an agent specify blue precisely and handle its meanings in signalling and design, and its accessibility.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions
Specification Which blue.
Value
Colour values.
Value
Exact value.
- Which exact blue is meant, in which colour space? measurement
- Which named shade is closest? definition
Standard
Safety blue.
Standard
Standardised blue.
- Does a standard define this blue? provenance
- What tolerance applies? measurement
Signalling Blue as a signal.
Meaning
Mandatory signs.
Meaning
Meaning in context.
- What does blue mean in this sign system? definition
- Is a pictogram used too? boundary
Lights
Emergency lights.
Lights
Blue lights.
- Which vehicles may use blue lights here? boundary
- What must drivers do? action
Accessibility Contrast.
Contrast
Ratio.
Contrast
Contrast ratio.
- What is the contrast ratio with its background? measurement
- Does it meet WCAG? boundary
Colour vision
Tritan.
Colour vision
Colour-vision check.
- How does it appear with blue-yellow deficiency? measurement
- Is a redundant cue provided? action
Materials and culture Pigments and meaning.
Pigments
Sources.
Pigment
Pigment.
- Which pigment makes this blue? definition
- Is it lightfast and safe? boundary
Culture
Meanings.
Meaning
Cultural meaning.
- What does blue signify in the target culture? definition
- Is it tied to institutions or brands? boundary
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Cross-cutting context
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- XCT
- Domain
- XCT.QLT
- Other names and narrower kinds
- cyan-blue, duck-egg blue, petrol blue, azure, robin egg blue, blue-gray, dull blue, slate blue, steel blue, Bondi blue, Turkish blue, blue bell
What it is Filled
The colour between violet and cyan in the visible spectrum, around 450-495 nm, perceived as the colour of a clear sky, with shades from azure to petrol blue.
Why it exists Filled
Let an agent specify blue precisely and handle its meanings in signalling and design, and its accessibility.
Distinguishing features Filled
- A hue between violet and cyan
- Mandatory action colour in safety signs
- Historically rare and costly pigments
- Blue light has health and display considerations
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Use blue as the only cue in safety signals or interfaces without a second cue.
- Misstate the colour of goods so that buyers are misled.
- Misrepresent the cultural or religious meanings of blue in a community.
Only with a human decision
- Changing colours on official safety signs or emergency lighting.
May
- Name and specify shades of blue in standard colour systems.
- Check that blue text or signals have enough contrast for readers.
Moral aspects Filled
- People with colour vision deficiency can miss colour-only information.
- Colours carry political and religious meanings in many places.
Who is affected
- People with colour vision deficiency
- Readers and users of interfaces
Owners Filled
Steward
Nobody owns a colour; standards bodies keep reference colour specifications.
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q140932400 - registry parent class
related
- color - hue
- safety sign - mandatory
- pigment - blue pigments
- green and cyan - boundary hues
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.blue
- Wikidata: Q1088 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1088)
- RAL code: 5000 series industrial blues
Direct properties not applicable Not applicable
- dominant wavelength: 450-495 nm
Plane XCT: no invented physical properties.
Recognition optional Filled
- Hue angle around 200-250 degrees in HSL
- Named shades: azure, duck-egg blue, petrol blue
- Safety blue for mandatory signs
- The hue of a clear sky and deep sea; shades range from cyan-blue to navy.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- specify it in a colour space
- use it in signs and design
- produce it with pigments or light
- check contrast
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Low contrast of dark blue on black
- Blue-yellow deficiency (rare)
- Some historical pigments are toxic
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- ISO 3864 safety colours
- WCAG contrast
Context of use required Filled
- Signalling information and mandatory actions, and expressing meanings in design and culture.
- shades: azure, navy, cobalt, petrol blue
- pigments: ultramarine, cobalt blue, Prussian blue, YInMn blue
- safety blue (ISO 3864)
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q1088: blue - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: Blue - general description of the item
Open questions
- Which reference blue should the registry use?
- How should cultural meanings be recorded?
- Should blue pigments be separate entries?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q1088/spec.json