RemoteTouch

This research explores RemoteTouch, a novel interaction concept that enables touch-screen-like control for TV environments through a hover-tracking remote. To address the spatial separation between the input device and the screen, the project developed "ScreenPad," a thin optical touchpad capable of detecting a thumb's position and height above the surface. This system provides continuous visual feedback on the TV—such as a thumb shadow—allowing users to perform precise gestures, flick lists, and select items without looking down at the controller. Through iterative prototyping, the study refined signal processing to stabilize cursor movement and evaluated various visual feedback designs to improve depth perception. User studies demonstrated that RemoteTouch outperforms conventional touchpads in dragging tasks and provides a more natural, intuitive experience for numeric gestures. By utilizing a one-to-one mapping between the sensor and the display, this research offers a viable solution for complex interaction needs in the evolving smart TV landscape.