DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR THE COLORBLIND: AN APPLICATION OF VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING
It is known that the colorblind are unable to discern certain pairs of different color. For example, protanopic persons are unable to tell red from green. In order to help them overcome their difficulties, I develop simple programs in C to understand the false color vision the colorblind experience and in Java to let them realize what the correct color vision should be. To this end, I first study the basic mechanism of color vision operating in the normal persons and the causes that some people suffer from the colorblindness. Next, I write a C code to simulate the color perception experienced by the colorblind. The method and the result of simulations are described in detail. I use a static image with a spectrum of rainbow color to investigate how the dichromats perceive all the colors on the image. Finally, I developed a simple Java program for the colorblind in an attempt to correct their color vision. The major result is as follows: With this software the colorblind persons can remove the confusion between the two seemingly same colors in question. As a result this person can clearly realize that his/her color vision is abnormal. This type of support software is expected to have many practical applications. As an example, I show an application of this support software to the color-coded JR/Subway system map in the metropolitan Tokyo area. This software has been provisionally tested by a few subjects to assess its effectiveness, but more detailed evaluations are necessary to obtain definitive feedback.