Enhancing trichromatic color experience for color-deficient observers through gamut reconstruction and mapping

Abstract

Color vision deficiency (CVD) affects over 200 million people globally, impairing their ability to perceive and distinguish colors, which hampers performance in color-related tasks. Therefore, developing technologies that enable color-deficient observers (CDOs) to experience colors similarly to color-normal observers (CNOs) is of great importance. In this work, we propose a novel technology that can provide CDOs with a normal trichromatic color experience through a three-stage process. First, a physiologically-based CVD simulation model is employed to estimate the perceivable color gamut for CDOs, considering the display backlight spectrum, and the type and degree of deficiency. Second, an optimized backlight spectrum is designed to reconstruct the color gamut of displays for CDOs, ensuring its coverage to encompass the standard color gamut such as sRGB. Finally, images are mapped from the gamut of CNOs to the reconstructed gamut of CDOs, enabling them to perceive colors in a manner that closely approximates normal trichromatic vision. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed technology enables CDOs to perceive a wider range of colors, potentially surpassing the sRGB gamut. Quantitative image quality evaluations show significant improvements in contrast, naturalness, and chromaticity of the enhanced images, particularly for CDOs with mild to moderate deficiencies. In addition, a trade-off strategy is introduced to balance color gamut enhancement and spectral luminous efficacy, providing guidance for designing optimized backlight spectra. This technology has the potential for integration into display systems and wearable devices, offering real-time trichromatic color experience for CDOs.