Arduino number detection
"Number detection" sounds like you're trying to interpret a 7-segment digital display - is that correct? One way would be to place 7 photo-detectors (times the number of digits), one per segment, on or at the face of the display. Sample the photo-detectors and create a 7-bit code representing the lit segments, into a byte. You could start with a simple lookup table that translates from code to the digit it represents. You might need to get clever about interpreting codes that shouldn't appear, but do, due, perhaps to light leakage, ambient lighting, or noise. The "lit" segments may only be lit for a fraction of second at a time, and only one at a time, if the display is multiplexed, so your sampling algorithm will have to take that into account. Must the display remain visible? You might need optics or optical fibers to view the segments without obstructing them.