Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study is to propose an optimized tongue colour interpolation method to achieve accurate tongue image rendering. Methods We selected 60 colour chips in the chips of DIC color guide selector, and then divided randomly the colour chips into two groups. The colour chips of a group (Gr I) were used for finding the optimized colour correction factor of error and those of the other group (Gr II) were used for verifying the correction factor. We measured colour value of the Gr I colour chips with spectrophotometer, and took the colour chips image with a digital tongue image system (DTIS). We adjusted colour correction factor of error to equal the chip colour from each method. Through that process, we obtained the optimized colour correction factor. To verify the correction factor, we measured colour value of the Gr II colour chips with a spectrophotometer, and took the colour chips image with the DTIS in the two types of colour interpolation mode (auto white balance mode and optimized colour correction factor mode). And then we calculated the CIE-$L^*ab$ colour difference (${\Delta}E$) between colour values measured with the spectrophotometer and those from images taken with the DTIS. Results In auto white balance mode, The mean ${\Delta}E$ between colour values measured with the spectrophotometer and those from images taken with the DTIS was 13.95. On the other hand, in optimized colour correction factor mode, The mean ${\Delta}E$ was 9.55. The correction rate was over 30%. Conclusions In case of interpolating colour of images taken with the DTIS, we suggest that procedure to search the optimized colour correction factor of error should be done first.
