Abstract
This thesis presents a virtual touchpad system for smartphone by using image processing technology based on the depth image captured by HTC One (m8). This system consists of three modules: (1) open palm gesture recognition, (2) active fingertip detection and tracking, and (3) finger gesture recognition. To recognize the open palm gesture, we separate the hand region into three parts: arm, palm, and fingers, and find the fingertips. Then, we locate the position of the fingertips in 3D space to detect the active fingertips. Finally, the trajectory of the active fingertips can be analyzed to recognize the finger gestures. This method can operate in real-time with high precision for implementing the virtual touchpad system.