Technology helps colour blind tell red from green

Called Eyeteq, the technology developed by Spectral Edge allows colour blind viewers to see details they previously could not. It is said to have minimal impact on the picture seen by those who do not have colour blindness, or enabling both to watch the same screen together. Eyeteq, based on research from the University of East Anglia (UEA), uses mathematical perception models to modify image colours, so the 8% of men and 1 in 200 women who are colour blind can better see still and moving images. "Our Eyeteq technology has been proven to enhance the still image viewing experience for colour blind people and we are extending this to TV and video content," said Christopher Cytera, managing director, Spectral Edge. "Our trials have proved the concept and it is now ready for integration into prime time consumer technology in order to transform how colour-blind people, and their families, watch TV." Content streamed to an STB is enhanced on a frame by frame basis before being transmitted to the TV screen. Programmes which contain a large amount of red and green in their images, such as sports, cookery and nature, are particularly enhanced, says the developer. According to Spectral Edge, it has successfully integrated Eyeteq into a STB from a major manufacturer, with deployment taking just a few weeks.