Efficient algorithm for blinking LED detection dedicated to embedded systems equipped with high performance cameras

Abstract

This paper presents the concept and implementation of an efficient algorithm for detection of blinking LED or similar signal sources. Algorithm is designed for embedded devices equipped with high performance cameras being a part of an indoor positioning embedded system. An algorithm to be implemented in such a system should be efficient in terms of computational power what is hard to be achieved when large amount of data from camera devices have to be processed. Together with increasing number of MPs (Megapixels) of camera sensor the possibility of accurate detection of LED signal source also increases, especially when the distance between the source and a camera is long. High number of FPS (Frames Per Second) is necessary if the time period for optical signal transmission have to be short. This condition is important for high detection and identification speed and also makes the whole system less sensitive to tracked object motion and changes in the scene. The cost of these advantages is larger amount of data to be processed by a computation unit what can cause a problem, when the system needs to work in close to real time conditions. In the paper the proposed efficient algorithm for blinking LED detection is described and experimental results are presented as the evaluation of algorithm performance.