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“Watching TV is actually an important pastime for the visually impaired. It’s an activity that can be enjoyed safely and conveniently in the comfort of your own home.”
– Kyungah Park, MD (Samsung Medical Center Ophthalmology)
Samsung Electronics firmly believes in the power of technology to create a more inclusive world. When it comes to design, accessibility should be a top priority, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully enjoy the benefits of modern innovations. Traditional television can present challenges when accessing and understanding visual content. However, by using visual aids, Samsung is helping to bridge the gap and provide an immersive and enjoyable viewing experience for all.
Relumino Mode is a viewing mode on select Samsung TVs designed to enhance the vision of those with low vision, allowing anyone to watch their favorite shows, movies and documentaries like never before.By highlighting specific parts of the video — such as contrast, color and sharpness — This feature makes it easier than ever to discern what’s on your TV screen.
To learn more about this breakthrough inclusive technology, the Samsung newsroom sat down with Dr. Kyungah Park and Jason (Jaeseong) Park of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business Unit to discuss everything from development to clinical trials.
▲ Jason Park (Samsung Electronics) and Kyungah Park, MD (Samsung Medical Center) discuss their journey to create and clinically test the Relumino model
everyone’s screen — including the visually impaired
Relumino is derived from Latin and means “returning light”. The idea is to restore sight to the visually impaired as much as possible.Earlier this year, at CES, Samsung introduce Relumino mode on some Samsung TVs. Previously, the wearable device “Relumino Glass” and smartphone image processing software “Relumino App” were released at CES in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Prior to this, Relumino was conceived in Samsung Electronics’ internal venture project “C-Lab (Creative Lab)”. It has grown and expanded since then.
▲ Relumino Glass (left) and Relumino mode of Samsung TV (right)
“‘Screen for all’ has been one of our mottos for many years. We are working hard to make television even more accessible and inclusive.” Jason Park, responsible for product and service planning for the Visual Display business ) said. “People with low vision remain a key demographic in need of a better TV viewing experience.”
Innovation rooted in the user’s perspective
To develop the Relumino schema, planners and engineers met with a number of visually impaired consultants to understand their needs.
▲ Jason Park, Visual Display Business Unit, Samsung Electronics
“The early experiences really changed my perspective,” shared Jason. “When we first met the consultant at Relumino Mode, I asked him ‘please sit here,’ and he replied, ‘Where? here? This was a stern and clear wake-up call for me. I’m so embarrassed. At that moment, Jason realized that they were exploring a whole new field and had to first understand the way users see the world.
▲ As part of efforts to understand visually impaired customers, Samsung engineers use special goggles to simulate blurred vision
Despite decades of collective experience in improving television picture quality, This particular project presented unique challenges that engineers had never faced before. Usually, their expertise lies in identifying the slightest imperfection on a screen, but now they have to understand what it looks like for a visually impaired user. In addition to consulting consultants, the engineers used special goggles that simulate blurred vision as a starting point for their explorations. Through a process of generating ideas, conducting trials, and learning from their mistakes, they eventually developed a solution that could be considered a truly effective viewing mode.
Clinical Trials and Direct Feedback
After initial research and development, larger trials were carried out. Samsung Electronics decided to cooperate with Samsung Medical Center, one of the most comprehensive medical institutions in Korea.
▲Dr. Kyungah Park, Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Seoul Hospital
“Clinical trials for people with disabilities are popular, and it’s relatively easy to recruit subjects for these programs. Some people ask to join before we even ask,” says Dr. Parker. “However, this was not the case for the Relumino study. Due to our stricter requirements, the number of pools is more limited — Our target group is people with vision below the World Health Organization standards for visual impairment. “
However, people contacted by Samsung have expressed great enthusiasm for the project. “Many of the people who took part in the trial were very excited and didn’t mind traveling long distances to do the research. Thanks to their support and encouragement, we were able to carry out this study,” added Dr Park.
Four 55-inch Samsung QLED TVs were used in the test. One of them shows a control image with no image enhancement at all. The other three TVs displayed the same content in Relumino mode on high, medium and low. The TVs are mounted on the walls of a room, one meter apart from each other, and the light has a certain intensity.
The test is divided into objective and subjective parts. Objectively assessed using a certified contrast sensitivity test. For subjective assessments, participants were asked to examine a set of eight still images and two videos on each screen. Their satisfaction is measured on a scale of 0 to 10. Based on the results, the researchers conducted additional interviews and adjusted the level of image enhancement on the spot.
▲ Fuzzy vision goggles simulate the impact of Relumino mode on the visually impaired
Relumino mode has been well received by the group. One participant had high praise for the technology, saying: “I’m very happy to see the football ball on the screen. Frustrating. Relumino mode helps me see the ball clearly.”
“The subject’s responses showed the subjective results of the mode, while the contrast sensitivity test showed the objective results. The combination of these two factors allowed us to find the best settings for a great picture on the TV.” Jason Said.
A screen for everyone today and tomorrow
“although [the Relumino Mode] The program is primarily aimed at people with relatively severe vision impairment, and many people with mild symptoms still need help. I wanted to develop projects for them,” explains Dr. Park.
Jason also holds a similar view. He said: “Samsung will continue to promote technological advancement for a long time to provide personalized picture quality for the visually impaired so that they can enjoy TV comfortably.” Samsung remains Firm Improve accessibility and work to use its technology to allow more people to do the things they love.
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