how can i simply blink an LED from my USB port while controlling the blink rate and etc from MATLAB

I have a code for processing images of tablets and detects them for faults. The criterion for fault rejection is controlled and eventually it results by flagging a variable say fault_detected=1; if this fault detected is 1 I want to blink a LED through my USB port. Can this be accomplished directly ( MATLAB to USB to LED ) or some circuitry or other peripherals are required in between. Please help, THANKS in advance