The heat is on: thermal input for immaterial interaction

Abstract

In this paper, we present THIO - a non-contact human-computer-interface based on thermal imaging of the body heat. The interface is inherently ambient and can be completely concealed for truly ubiquitous user experience. By using a miniature, low-cost and exports exempt thermal imager we present a general purpose point-and-click input system operating through 'immaterial' display screen at a distance of 50 cm, with better than 0.2 mm spatial resolution and at 9 Hz update rate.