A handy calibrator for color vision of a human observer

The variability among human observers is a challenge to the calibration of modern displays based on Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and lasers. The spectra of the displayed colors are so peaky that slight differences in the cone sensitivities in human color vision are sufficient to make two observers perceiving different colors on the same screen. Recently published results give evidence to the existence of a small number of classes of human observers. In this paper, we present first results on the development of a prototype for a lightweight, inexpensive, temporally stable and easy to calibrate and easy to use instrument that allows classification of an observer with normal color vision in a small number of categories. The instrument employs a set of LEDs having specific wavelengths and is controlled by a computer interface. The use of such an instrument will allow adapting displays and viewing conditions to individual observers in color-critical applications.