Discreet markers for user localization

This paper describes a localization method for wearable computer users. To realize applications of wearable computers like a navigation system, the position of a user is required for location-based services. Many localization methods in indoor environments have been proposed. One of the methods estimates user´s position using IR beacons or visual markers. However, these methods have problems of power supply and/or undesirable visual effects. In order to avoid the problems, we propose a new localization method which is based on using an IR camera and discreet markers consisting of translucent retro-reflectors. In the proposed method, to extract the regions of the markers from the captured images stably, the camera captures the reflection of IR LEDs which are flashed on and off synchronously.