Methods and apparatus for enhancing color vision and quantifying color interpretation

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes selecting a first color sample within a target area in a first image of a first object displayed by a display device; selecting a second color sample within a target area in a second image of a second object displayed in the display device; comparing the first color sample against the second color sample to determine a measure of color difference or a measure of color equivalence between the first color sample of the first object and the second color sample of the second object; and displaying the results of the comparison to a user in the display device. One or more of these functions may be performed with a processor.

1 . A method comprising:
 selecting a first color sample within a target area in a first image of a first object displayed in a display device;   selecting a second color sample within a target area in a second image of a second object displayed in the display device;   with a processor, comparing the first color sample against the second color sample to determine a measure of color difference or a measure of color equivalence between the first color sample of the first object and the second color sample of the second object; and   displaying the results of the comparing to a user in the display device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the display device is a part of a head-mounted display device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the results displayed to the user in the display device include
 the first color sample, a first color name and first color values associated with the first color sample;   the second color sample, a second color name and second color values associated with the second color sample; and   difference color values to indicate the measure of color difference between the first color sample and the second color sample.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the results displayed to the user in the display device include
 the first color sample, a first color name and first color values associated with the first color sample;   the second color sample, a second color name and second color values associated with the second color sample; and   equivalence color values to indicate the measure of color equivalence between the first color sample and the second color sample.   
     
     
         5 . A method comprising:
 selecting a first color sample under a target in a first image of a first object displayed in a display device;   selecting a plurality of color samples having a plurality of different colors as a selected set of colors;   with a processor, comparing color of the first color sample against the plurality of different colors of the selected set of colors to determine a closest match color sample of color in the selected set of colors and measure a color difference between the color of the first color sample and the color of the closest match color sample; and   displaying the results of the color comparison to a user in the display device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the display device is a part of a head-mounted display device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the results displayed to the user in the display device include the first color sample, a first color name and first color values associated with the first color sample;
 the plurality of color samples including the closest match color sample;   a second color name and second RGB color values associated with the closest match color sample; and   difference RGB color values to indicate the difference in color between the first color sample and the closest match color sample.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the results displayed to the user in the display device include an emphasis device to emphasize the closest match color sample in the plurality of color samples. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein
 the emphasis device is one of a color ring around the closest match color sample or a bulls eye around the closest match color sample.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a display device in a head-mounted display device displaying   a color comparison results window including   a first color sample within a target area of a first object,   a second color sample within a target area of a second object,   first and second color names associated with the first and second color samples,   first and second color values associated with the first and second color samples, and   difference color values to indicate the difference in color between the first color sample and the second color sample.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the display device in the head-mounted display device further displays
 a first color selection window including   a target, the first object under the target, and   user interface text informing the user regarding the selection of the first color sample within the target area of the first object.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the display device in the head-mounted display device further displays
 a second color selection window including   the target,   the second object under the target, and   user interface text informing the user regarding the selection of the second color sample within the target area of the second object.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein
 the target is a sight of a bulls-eye or a cross-hair.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein
 the first object is a reagent dipstick, and   the second object is reference color chart.   
     
     
         15 - 46 . (canceled)