Colorblindness is not the worst thing that could happen to someone, but it can be pretty frustrating nevertheless. Objects can often blend with each other, making it difficult to perceive them, and dressing to impress can be a chore that requires the assistance of others. Watching television can be particularly challenging as today’s programming is constantly trying to get the most out of the capabilities of modern screens. The ability to show millions of colors using densely packed pixels can wash out a lot of the definition that colorblind people would otherwise see using older TVs. Spectral Edge, a spin-out company of the University of East Anglia, is now making its image enhancement technology available for televisions to allow colorblind folks to see their favorite shows better.
The company’s Eyeteq technology, which uses mathematical perception models to identify and correct areas difficult for colorblind to perceive, has previously only worked with static images. Now the company is making it also available for video, correcting each frame individually as it comes up on the screen. While the colors of the on-screen video are modified, the company claims that people with normal color vision won’t see too much change in the image and will be able to comfortably enjoy TV programming next to their colorblind loved ones.
The technology is currently being made available to television manufacturers who will be able to integrate it into their products, allowing users to select this feature from an on-screen menu. Those with colorblindness who would like to try out the company’s technology before it shows up on retail shelves can download a free app developed by Spectral Edge that converts any photo to one easier visualized by the colorblind.
Link: Spectral Edge’s free app to try out its technology…
Press release: Spectral Edge launches Eyeteq for video…