System and method for conveying enhanced visually perceptible cues to an observer

Abstract

A device for conveying enhanced, visually perceptible cues to a color-blind observer includes a first safety color that is highly visible to an observer having ordinary color vision, and a second color more perceptible by blue-sensitive photoreceptors of a retina of the observer than by other photoreceptors of the retina. As blue color-blindness is rare, the device uses a hue of blue to augment the visibility of safety-related devices such as road signs, hunting vests and other safety garments, vehicle indicator lights, etc., for an overwhelming majority of color-blind individuals who are red-green color-blind. The device employs the use of a hue of blue in a setting that is otherwise predominantly colored by a commonly-use safety hue, such as orange, red, or green.

1 . A safety indicator comprising: 
 a. a first safety color highly visible to an observer having ordinary color vision; and    b. a second color more perceptible by blue-sensitive photoreceptors of a retina of the observer than by other photoreceptors of the retina.    
   
   
       2 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a primary light source.  
   
   
       3 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a secondary light source.  
   
   
       4 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a combination of a primary light source and a secondary light source.  
   
   
       5 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength of less than about 500 nanometers.  
   
   
       6 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength between about 350 nanometers and about 500 nanometers.  
   
   
       7 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength in a range of about 445 nanometers.  
   
   
       8 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the first safety color covers more of an area visible to the observer than does the second color.  
   
   
       9 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the second color covers less than about thirty percent of the area visible to the observer.  
   
   
       10 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the observer is a mammal.  
   
   
       11 . The safety indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the observer is a human.  
   
   
       12 . An insignium comprising: 
 a. a first safety color highly visible to an observer having ordinary color vision; and    b. a second color more perceptible by blue-sensitive photoreceptors of a retina of the observer than by other photoreceptors of the retina.    
   
   
       13 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a primary light source.  
   
   
       14 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a secondary light source.  
   
   
       15 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a combination of a primary light source and a secondary light source.  
   
   
       16 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the insignium comprises a traffic sign.  
   
   
       17 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the insignium indicates a hazard.  
   
   
       18 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength of less than about 500 nanometers.  
   
   
       19 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the second color includes wavelength between about 350 nanometers and about 500 nanometers.  
   
   
       20 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength in a range of about 445 nanometers.  
   
   
       21 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the first safety color covers more of an area visible to the observer than does the second color.  
   
   
       22 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein second color covers less than about thirty percent of the area visible to the observer.  
   
   
       23 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the observer is a mammal.  
   
   
       24 . The insignium of  claim 12 , wherein the observer is a human.  
   
   
       25 . An article of clothing comprising: 
 a. a first safety color highly visible to an observer having ordinary color vision; and    b. a second color more perceptible by blue-sensitive photoreceptors of a retina of the observer than by other photoreceptors of the retina.    
   
   
       26 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a primary light source.  
   
   
       27 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a secondary light source.  
   
   
       28 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a combination of a primary light source and a secondary light source.  
   
   
       29 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein the article comprises a garment.  
   
   
       30 . The garment of  claim 29 , wherein the garment includes headwear.  
   
   
       31 . The garment of  claim 29 , wherein the garment includes footwear.  
   
   
       32 . The garment of  claim 29 , wherein the garment includes legwear.  
   
   
       33 . The garment of  claim 29 , wherein the garment includes a torso covering.  
   
   
       34 . The garment of  claim 29 , wherein the garment includes a wearable insignium.  
   
   
       35 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength of less than about 500 nanometers.  
   
   
       36 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength between about 350 nanometers and about 500 nanometers.  
   
   
       37 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein the second color includes a wavelength in a range of about 445 nanometers.  
   
   
       38 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein the first safety color covers more of an area visible to the observer than does the second color.  
   
   
       39 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein second color covers less than about thirty percent of the area visible to the observer.  
   
   
       40 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein the observer includes a mammal.  
   
   
       41 . The article of clothing of  claim 25 , wherein the observer includes a human.  
   
   
       42 . A vehicle comprising: 
 a. a first safety color highly visible to an observer having ordinary color vision; and    b. a second color more perceptible by blue-sensitive photoreceptors of a retina of the observer than by other photoreceptors of the retina.    
   
   
       43 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a primary light source.  
   
   
       44 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a secondary light source.  
   
   
       45 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is produced, at least in part, by a combination of a primary light source and a secondary light source.  
   
   
       46 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is applied to a surface of the vehicle.  
   
   
       47 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of the first safety color and the second color is mounted on the vehicle.  
   
   
       48 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein the vehicle includes at least one emissive light source for providing at least one of the first safety color and the second color.  
   
   
       49 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein the vehicle includes a landcraft.  
   
   
       50 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein the vehicle includes a watercraft.  
   
   
       51 . The vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein the vehicle includes an aircraft.