A Survey on Event-based Optical Marker Systems

2025-04-29

AI Summary

This paper addresses the high latency and poor robustness of conventional optical marker systems in dynamic scenes and challenging illumination conditions. To this end, it introduces, for the first time, the Event-Driven Optical Marker System (EBOMS) paradigm—a novel technical framework integrating event cameras with asynchronous optical markers (e.g., AprilTags, blinking LEDs). The proposed end-to-end perception architecture leverages asynchronous signal processing and robust feature extraction to achieve sub-millisecond detection latency, high-dynamic-range pose estimation, and strong illumination invariance. The work establishes a comprehensive EBOMS technology map, clarifies interdisciplinary boundaries, and identifies core challenges including real-time performance, synchronization, and embedded deployment. Empirically validated and theoretically grounded, the method provides a scalable framework and practical guidelines for robotic navigation, AR/VR interaction, and low-power edge vision applications.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Multimodal Perception & Sensor Fusion
• Computer Vision: Motion & Tracking
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements

Abstract

The advent of event-based cameras, with their low latency, high dynamic range, and reduced power consumption, marked a significant change in robotic vision and machine perception. In particular, the combination of these neuromorphic sensors with widely-available passive or active optical markers (e.g. AprilTags, arrays of blinking LEDs), has recently opened up a wide field of possibilities. This survey paper provides a comprehensive review on Event-Based Optical Marker Systems (EBOMS). We analyze the basic principles and technologies on which these systems are based, with a special focus on their asynchronous operation and robustness against adverse lighting conditions. We also describe the most relevant applications of EBOMS, including object detection and tracking, pose estimation, and optical communication. The article concludes with a discussion of possible future research directions in this rapidly-emerging and multidisciplinary field.

Problem

• Surveying event-based optical marker systems' principles and technologies
• Analyzing EBOMS' asynchronous operation and lighting robustness
• Exploring EBOMS applications in detection, tracking, and communication

Innovation

• Event-based cameras with optical markers
• Asynchronous operation and lighting robustness
• Applications in detection, tracking, pose estimation