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grey

vr.tr.grey · thing-q42519

Let an agent handle grey by colour specification, contrast, uses and cultural meaning.

Thing Registry Cross-cutting context XCT.QLT
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Specification Which grey.

Code

Colour system.

Code

Colour specification.

  1. Which colour system and value define this grey? definition
  2. Is it warm, cool or neutral? definition

Lightness

Value.

Lightness

Lightness.

  1. How light or dark is it? measurement
  2. On which scale? definition
Design Contrast.

Contrast

Legibility.

Contrast

Contrast.

  1. Does grey text meet contrast guidelines on this background? boundary
  2. What ratio? measurement

Palette

Neutrals.

Palette

Palette.

  1. How should greys be combined in a palette? action
  2. Do tints clash with accents? boundary
Materials Paint and finish.

Paint

Matching.

Paint

Paint matching.

  1. Which paint matches this grey? action
  2. Under which lighting? boundary

Finish

Gloss.

Finish

Finish.

  1. How does finish change the appearance? definition
  2. Which finish suits the use? action
Culture Meaning.

Symbolism

Associations.

Symbolism

Symbolism.

  1. What does grey signify in this context? provenance
  2. Is it linked to neutrality or age? definition

Spelling

Grey or gray.

Spelling

Spelling.

  1. Which spelling fits the variety of English? definition
  2. Are both used in names? definition

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Cross-cutting context
Entry kind
thing
Plane
XCT
Domain
XCT.QLT
Other names and narrower kinds
brownish gray, taupe, gris souris, greige, quarry, battleship grey, davy's grey, RAL 250 70 10, china blue, swarthy, lead grey, pale grey

What it is Filled

An achromatic colour between black and white in its strict sense, with many shades; everyday colour names also include tinted greys such as battleship grey, taupe and greige, which can contain chromatic components and are not necessarily achromatic; spelled gray in American English.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent handle grey by colour specification, contrast, uses and cultural meaning.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Between black and white
  • Neutral or tinted
  • Common in interfaces
  • Low-contrast grey text harms readability

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Use low-contrast grey text that people with low vision cannot read.
  • Present one shade name as a standard where it is not.

Only with a human decision

  • Choosing colours for safety-critical displays.

May

  • Describe and specify grey in a stated colour system.
  • Check that grey text has enough contrast to be readable.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Low-contrast design excludes people with visual impairments.
  • Colour naming varies between cultures and languages.

Who is affected

  • People with low vision
  • Readers of screens and print

Owners Filled

Steward

Nobody: a colour held in common.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q11567360 - registry parent class

related

  • achromatic color - category
  • black and white - colours
  • colour systems - standards
  • design - application

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.grey
  • Wikidata: Q42519 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42519)
  • sRGB hex: #808080 (CSS gray) screen colour

Direct properties not applicable Not applicable

Not applicable

Plane XCT: no invented physical properties.

Recognition optional Filled

  • sRGB values with equal channels for neutral grey
  • Named greys such as taupe or greige
  • Spelling grey or gray
  • Neutral colours from light to dark, sometimes tinted warm or cool.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • specify grey values
  • check contrast of grey text
  • choose warm or cool greys
  • match paint colours

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Low-contrast grey text
  • Mismatched greys under different light

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • WCAG contrast guidelines
  • CIE colorimetry

Context of use required Filled

  • Design, backgrounds, text, materials and symbolism.
  • neutral greys
  • warm greys such as greige
  • cool greys
  • named greys such as battleship grey

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q42519: grey - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: Grey - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should named greys be separate entries?
  • How should paint systems be linked?
  • How should spelling variants be handled?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q42519/spec.json