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Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ›› 2009, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (5): 422-427.doi: 10.3736/jcim20090505

• Original Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of tongue color under natural daylight based on chromatic aberration correction

Jia-tuo Xua,Zhi-feng Zhanga,Zhu-juan Yana, Li-ping Tua,Lu-ming Lua,Mei-yu Shib, Feng-lan Zhuc   

  1. a Fei Zhaofu Famous Teacher Research Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
    b Nursing College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
    c Department of Internal Medicine,Taicang First People’s Hospital,Taicang 215400,Jiangsu Province,China;
  • Received:2008-12-01 Accepted:2009-03-18 Online:2009-05-20 Published:2009-05-15

Objective

To establish an analytical method for tongue image acquisition under natural daylight based on L*a*b* error correction, and to observe the classification rules of tongue color using color error correction.
Methods

The tongue images in 413 cases were collected under natural indoor daylight by using Nikon D70 digital SLR camera, and then the color error was adjusted by using Nikon Capture NX software correction according to Kodak Q-13 grey card. The classification and quantitative analysis of the tongue color after software correction was carried out depending on L*a*b* color space.
Results

The software correction method had good effects in adjusting the tongue color image error. The L* values of light red, deep red and cyanosis tongues decreased as compared with that of light white tongue (P<0.01), while the a* values of light red, deep red and cyanosis tongues increased as compared with light white tongue (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in L* value between deep red tongue and cyanosis tongue, and there was also no significant difference in a* value between light red tongue and cyanosis tongue. The b* values of light red and deep red tongues increased as compared with that of light white tongue (P<0.01), while the b* value of cyanosis tongue decreased as compared with light red and deep red tongues (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in b* value between light white tongue and cyanosis tongue, and there was also no significant difference in b* value between light red tongue and deep red tongue. The a* value of white fur was higher than that of yellow fur (P<0.01), while the b* value of white fur was lower than that of yellow fur (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in L* value between white fur and yellow fur.
Conclusion

The analytical method for tongue image acquisition under natural daylight based on L*a*b* error correction is accurate in color restoration and feasible to operate.

Key words: Tongue presentations, Tongue color, Tongue coating, L * a * b * color space

Figure 1

Working page of software correction"

Figure 2

Average color space of CIE 1976 L*a*b*"

Figure 3

Tongue color and tongue coating before and after software correction A1: Light white tongue before software correction; A2: Light white tongue after software correction; B1: Light red tongue before software correction; B2: Light red tongue after software correction; C1: Deep red tongue before software correction; C2: Deep red tongue after software correction; D1: Cyanosis tongue before software correction; D2: Cyanosis tongue after software correction; E1: White fur before software correction; E2: White fur after software correction; F1: Yellow fur before software correction; F2: Yellow fur after software correction; G1: Greyish black fur before software correction; G2: Greyish black fur after software correction"

Table 1

Chromaticity analysis of tongue color in 413 cases (x±s)"

Tongue color n L* a* b*
Light white tongue 10 46.6±5.5 27.2±2.6 13.6±3.4
Light red tongue 256 39.3±5.5** 35.0±5.0** 17.3±4.0**
Deep red tongue 118 35.0±5.0**△△ 37.1±5.3**△△ 18.0±5.1**
Cyanosis tongue 29 35.2±4.7**△△ 33.5±5.2**▲▲ 14.8±4.0△△▲▲

Figure 4

Space distribution of tongue color in 413 cases"

Table 2

Chromaticity analysis of tongue coating color in 395 cases (x±s)"

Tongue coating n L* a* b*
White fur 304 50.5±7.3 20.8±5.6 6.1±4.3
Yellow fur 91 50.0±6.8 17.9±5.2□□ 14.7±6.1□□

Figure 5

Space distribution of tongue coating color in 395 cases"

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