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The Aural Colour Identification Device
determines the RGB components ofincident light and outputs a sound that will,
with a little practice, let you identify colors by
ear. Acid use the TCS3200,
a programmable color like the frequency converter, an Arduino--
in the case of the handheld version an Ardweeny because of its small footprint
and of course a bit a magic to hold it all together
the TCS 3200 functions much like the human eye
in that it uses three sets of sensors that have peak sensitivities at different
wavelengths
near the blue green and red frequencies of visible light. Since the regions
responsivity overlap somewhat
it is possible to identify all the visible colors as particular
combinations of response
from each type of sensor. While in operation
acid continuously generates three tones each which is associated with one of the
R, G, and B detectors. So that any combination of these tones would be a pleasurable
listening experience
the tones correspond to the frequencies of the three notes in the C major triad--
C, E and G--spread over two octaves to make distinguishing the tones easier
the microprocessor measures the prevalence of each of the colors.
After processing the data to adjust for varying responsivity of the sensors,
applying a few algorithms to enhance the differential and account for light levels
and normalizing the results, the presence of each tone is set in proportion to the
level
up the Associated colour. A wave form is then produced by summing the three
resulting tones
amplified dynamically and output through speaker. ACID also includes an SPI header
for use in cases where you'd like to do something other than output sound with
the massage data
through which you can continuously collect processed information about
color levels
here's a look at acid in operation.
[ACID produces sound ...]
It easily distinguishes between small objects a few feet away
in natural light
up close it can locate fine detail
and it's quite accurate with actual sources of light
[ACID plays a tune...]
[thanks for watching]