Input system including position-detecting device

Abstract

A position-detecting device detects a position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument and includes an operation panel detecting the position pointed to by the position-pointing instrument; and a manipulation-detecting unit located at at least one of the interior and the exterior of the operation panel, and detecting a manipulation by a second instrument other than the position-pointing instrument, or detecting a manipulation by both the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument.

1 . A position-detecting device detecting a position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument, comprising: 
 an operation panel detecting the position pointed to by the position-pointing instrument; and    manipulation-detecting means located at at least one of the interior and the exterior of the operation panel, and detecting a manipulation by a second instrument other than the position-pointing instrument, or detecting a manipulation by one of the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument.    
   
   
       2 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position on the operation panel pointed to by the position-pointing instrument is detected by receiving electromagnetic waves to and from the position-pointing instrument.  
   
   
       3 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 1  wherein the manipulation-detecting means detects a touching or pushing manipulation.  
   
   
       4 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the manipulation-detecting means detects the manipulation by one of the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument, and    the position-detecting device determines whether the manipulation is performed by the position-pointing instrument or the second instrument, upon detecting the manipulation through the manipulation-detecting means.    
   
   
       5 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 4 , wherein the operation panel and an area peripheral to the operation panel form a detectable area detecting the position of the position-pointing instrument, 
 the manipulation-detecting means is disposed within the detectable area, and    the position-detecting device determines whether the manipulation detected by the manipulation-detecting means is performed by the position-pointing instrument or the second instrument, based on the position of the position-pointing instrument during the manipulation.    
   
   
       6 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 5 , wherein the manipulation-detecting means is disposed within the operation panel.  
   
   
       7 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the manipulation-detecting means includes at least a first touch pad unit.    
   
   
       8 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the at least first touch pad unit includes a plurality of spaced touch switches.    
   
   
       9 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the spaced touch switches extend parallel to an axis of the operation panel.    
   
   
       10 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the at least one touch pad unit is remote from the operation panel.    
   
   
       11 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the at least one touch pad unit is located within a detectable area of the operation panel.    
   
   
       12 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the at least one touch pad unit is positioned within the operation panel.    
   
   
       13 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 there are at least two touch pad units, each touch pad unit extending along one side of the operation panel.    
   
   
       14 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the at least one touch pad unit includes a touch pad and a plurality of touch switches.    
   
   
       15 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the touch pad and touch switches extend parallel to an axis of said operation panel.    
   
   
       16 . The position-detecting device according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said touch pad unit is operable in at least two axes.    
   
   
       17 . An input system comprising: 
 a position-pointing instrument;    the position-detecting device according to any of  claims 1  to  6  detecting a position pointed to by the position-pointing instrument to output the detected position; and    an electronic device operating based on the detected position from the position-detecting device.    
   
   
       18 . A method of operating a position-detecting device for detecting a position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an operation panel detecting the position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument;    providing manipulation-detecting means located at at least one of the interior and the exterior of the operation panel; and    detecting a manipulation by a second instrument other than the position-pointing instrument, or detecting a manipulation by one of the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument.