Speaking in colours to become the new language

The Xerox Corporation have announced plans for a new voice-operated technology which creates a colour language by translating human descriptions of colour into accurate numerical codes which machines use to print documents.

Convenience is behind this innovation according to Geoffrey Woolfe, scientist at the Xerox Group. "Today, especially in the office environment, there are many non-experts who know how they would like colour to appear but they have no idea how to manipulate the colour to get what they want," he said.

Developments are still in the early stages and will require further research, but Woolfe points to the implications this technology could have not just for those in the printing and graphic arts, but also for professionals who are involved in the printing of documents. The benefits, he says, will reduce both time and stress for workers.

"In the end it's all about usability," he said. "Colour is so prevalent today, you shouldn't have to be an expert to handle it."

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