TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to color blindness quantification. More particularly, embodiments of the disclosure provide a color blindness quantification test to a user to quantify color blindness of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

There are a variety of color vision deficiency tests currently available for identifying color blindness in people. One test commonly used to determine color vision deficiency is the Ishihara color test. The Ishihara color test consists of a number of color plates having a circle of dots of random color and size. Within the circle, some of the dots form a number that is visible to a person with normal color vision, but is invisible to a person having a color deficiency. The Ishihara color test provides false positive results since the test pattern used in the picture are fixed numbers and also not based on intensity of the test pattern.

In light of the foregoing description, there exists a need for color blindness quantification test which avoids false positive results and increases the accuracy of the test. Also the present disclosure provides a provision for uneducated people to take up the color blindness quantification test since the test pattern displayed in the test are commonly known images like shapes i.e., square, rectangle, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of method and system of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure solves limitations of existing techniques by providing random test patterns to quantify color blindness of a user.

In one embodiment, the test pattern is randomly generated by a processor whose intensity is varied at a predefined increment of a counter.

In one embodiment, a user inputs his age through input device based on which a processing sets up threshold value for identifying the test pattern in the picture.

In one embodiment, the counter value is compared with predetermined threshold value and provides an indication if the counter value is within the predetermined threshold value.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for color blindness quantification. The method comprises displaying a test pattern with a background color wherein the background color is selected from a group of red, green and blue color, and the color of the test pattern is same as the background color. Upon displaying the test pattern a counter is initialized. After initialization, the intensity of the test pattern is varied from the background color to any other color at a predefined increment of the counter. A counter value is recorded when a user identifies the test pattern. After identifying the test pattern, the counter value is compared with a predetermined threshold value to quantify color blindness of the user. The method further comprises of performing all the above steps until all the background colors in the group are selected.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system for color blindness quantification. The system comprises a display panel for displaying a test pattern with a background color selected from a group of red, green and blue color. Initially the color of the test pattern is same as the background color. The system comprises of a processing unit which is configured to vary intensity of the test pattern from the selected background color to any other color. The intensity is varied at a predefined increment of a counter. The processing unit records a counter value when the user identifies the test pattern and compares the recorded counter value with a predetermined threshold value to quantify color blindness of the user. The system further comprises of an input device for a user to interact with the display panel for identifying the test pattern.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating system architecture for quantifying color blindness.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram which illustrates functional description of the system.

FIG. 3 illustrates color blindness quantification test with an example.

FIGS. 4-6 show reporting formats generated by the processing unit.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and system for color blindness quantification.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating system architecture for quantifying color blindness.

The computer based system (100) comprises of a memory unit (102), a display panel (104), processing unit (106), and input device (108). The input device (108) is coupled to the processing unit (106) through a wireless protocol for a user to interact with the display panel (104) of the system. The input device (108) includes but not limiting to a keyboard, joystick and a mouse. The display panel (104) is connected to the processing unit (106) through an inbuilt driver. The processing unit (106) is embedded with algorithms to process the user inputs and to interpret the results of color blindness quantification test based on the user inputs.

A color blindness quantification test is displayed on the display panel (104) of the system for the user. The user enters his name, age and address through the input device (108). Based on user's age the processing unit (106) set up a threshold value for the user to identify the test pattern. The display panel (104) displays a test pattern (306) with a background color selected from a group of red, green and blue color when the user clicks on any tab (300). Initially the color of the test pattern is same as the background color. In The test pattern (306) includes but not limiting to any shape, number, character and variable. A person skilled in the art would understand that any other type of test pattern (306) can be used for the test. In an embodiment, the test pattern (306) is randomly selected by the processing unit (106). A counter (302) is initialized when the test pattern (306) is displayed. The intensity of the test pattern (306) is varied from the background color to any other color at a predefined increment of the counter. The user disables the counter (302) when he is able to view the test pattern (306). A counter value (302) is recorded when the user disables the counter. The processing unit (106) compares the counter value with the predetermined threshold value (312) for quantifying color blindness of the user. Based on the comparison the processing unit (106) generates a color blindness quantification report. If the counter value is within the predetermined threshold value (312) the user has a normal color vision and if the counter value is more than the predetermined threshold value (312) then the user is color blind. The test report is provided to the user by a thermal printer which is connected to the processing unit through a serial port.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, illustrates functional description of the system (100) with an example process. The display panel (104) of the system is provided with a start/stop button (304) to either start or stop the color blindness quantification test, one or more tabs (300) for displaying the a test pattern (306), a quit button (310) to stop the test and one or more text boxes for a user to provide his personal information like name, age, address, gender and contact number. The user starts the test by entering his name, age and address through input device (108) which will be stored in memory unit (102) of the system (100). The processing unit (106) of the system (100) fixes a threshold value for red background, green background and blue background based on user's age. The threshold value fixed for red background is 85, green background is 100 and blue background is 65 as shown in FIG.3

The user clicks on the start/stop (304) button and then selects a tab (300). For ex. the user selects tab 9, wherein the background color in tab 9 is blue and the test pattern (306) is in any one of the red, green and red-green color background. The test pattern (306) shown in the display panel (104) is the numeral 44. Upon selecting the tab (300), the processing unit (106) starts a counter (302) and records a counter value (302) when the user is able to identify the number 44. Initially the color of the number 44 is same as the background color. The intensity of the number is varied from the background color to atleast one of any other color in the group at predefined increment of the counter. For blue color background the color of the test pattern will be varied to green, red or a mix of green and red color. The user clicks on start/stop (304) button when he is able to identify the number 44. The counter value for tab 9 is 52. Upon disabling the counter (302) the user enters the number 44 on the text box associated with tab 9. The user performs the test similarly for all the other tabs. Upon obtaining counter value for all the red, green and blue combinations of the test pattern the processing unit (106) compares the counter value with the predetermined threshold value (312) to quantify the color blindness of the user.

The counter values obtained for all the red, green and blue combinations are shown at 314. The counter values obtained for the red background are 54, 70 and 60 which are within the predetermined threshold value (312) fixed for the red background i.e 85. The counter values obtained for the green background are 91, 84 and 87 which are within the predetermined threshold value (312) fixed for the green background i.e 100. The counter values obtained for the blue background are 54, 46 and 52 which are within the predetermined threshold value (312) fixed for the blue background i.e 65. Since the counter values obtained for all the red, green and blue combinations are within the predetermined threshold value (312) the user has a normal color vision.

In an embodiment the processing unit (106) generates a report for color blindness quantification test in one or more formats. The user is provided with a provision of taking the print of the generated report using a thermal printer which is connected to the processing unit of the system. FIGS. 4-6 show reporting formats generated by the processing unit. FIG.4 shows result of an individual user along with his personal information. FIG.5 shows result in graphical plot format. FIG.5 shows result of the example test as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The description of the first bar in the graph is as below:

Red bar indicates predetermined threshold value (312) of red background tabs, green bar indicates the predetermined threshold value (312) of green background tabs and blue bar indicates the predetermined threshold value (312) of blue background tabs.

The description of the second bar in the graph is as below:

Red bar indicates average counter value of red background tabs, Green bar indicates average counter value of green background tabs and Blue bar indicates average counter value of blue background tabs. FIG.6 shows the result of the color blindness quantification test of one or more users.

In one embodiment the present disclosure is intensity based which takes age of user as an important parameter.

In one embodiment, random generation of test pattern in the present disclosure avoids false positive results and increases accuracy of the test.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is ideal for mass screening in hospitals, industries, RTO offices (for driving license) , for early identification of other severe medical problems like multiple sclerosis(colorblindness is the first symptom of this disease), glaucoma and so on.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides provision for report generation which contains the quantified result in different formats.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A method for color blindness quantification, said method comprising:

displaying a test pattern with a background color selected from a group of red, green and blue color, wherein color of the test pattern is same as the selected background color;

initializing a counter when the test pattern is displayed;

varying intensity of the test pattern from the selected background color to atleast one of any other color in the group, said intensity is varied at a predefined increment of the counter;

recording a counter value when a user identifies the test pattern;

comparing the counter value with a predetermined threshold value to quantify color blindness of the user; and

performing all the above steps until all the background colors in the group are selected.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 is performed a predetermined number of times for each of the background color.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test pattern is selected from atleast one of shape, numeral, character and variable.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein enabling a start/stop button in the display panel displays the test pattern which in turn starts the counter.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter is disabled by the user by clicking on the start/stop button when the user identifies the test pattern.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprises providing an indication in the display panel upon determining the counter value to be within the predetermined threshold value.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold value is set based on age of the user.

8. A system for color blindness quantification comprising:

a display panel for displaying a test pattern with a background color selected from a group of red, green and blue color, wherein color of the test pattern is same as the background color;

a processing unit configured to vary intensity of the test pattern from the selected background color to atleast one of any other color in the group, said intensity is varied at a predefined increment of a counter; and

an input device for a user to interact with the display panel for identifying the test pattern;

the processing unit records a counter value when the user identifies the test pattern and compares the recorded counter value with a predetermined threshold value to quantify color blindness of the user.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processing unit randomly selects the test pattern.

10. A method of assembling a color blindness quantifier, comprising:
coupling a display panel to a processing unit through an inbuilt driver,
connecting an input device to the processing unit through a wireless protocol, and

connecting a thermal printer to the processing unit through a serial port.