Coordinate inputting method and apparatus, and information processing apparatus

A coordinate inputting method of inputting a coordinate via operation means which is operable with a finger or a pen, said method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a position where said finger or pen contacts said operation means;
• detecting the area value of the contact area where said finger or pen contacts said operation means;
• comparing said contact area value detected with a predefined reference value;
• and
• outputting relative coordinate information corresponding to said pressed position detected or absolute coordinate information corresponding to said position detected according to the comparison result performed in said comparison step, thereby automatically switching between said relative coordinate information and said absolute coordinate information on the basis of said comparison means.

An information processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process according to a coordinate input, said apparatus comprising;

• operation means which is operable with a finger or pen;
• position detecting means for detecting a position where said finger or pen contacts said operation means;
• area detecting means for detecting the area value of the contact area where said finger or pen contacts said operation means;
• comparison means for comparing said contact area value detected by said area detecting means with a predefined reference value;
• output means for outputting relative coordinate information corresponding of said position detected by said position detecting means or absolute coordinate information corresponding to said position detected by said position detecting means according to the comparison result given by said comparison means, thereby automatically switching between said relative coordinate information and said absolute coordinate information on the basis of said comparison result;
• transmission means for transmitting said relative coordinate information or absolute coordinate information given by said output means;
• reception means for receiving said relative coordinate information or absolute coordinate information transmitted by said transmission means;
• display means for displaying characters, graphic patterns, or icons corresponding to predefined functions;
• selection means for selecting one of said functions displayed on said display means on the basis of the relative coordinate information received via said reception means;
• and
• processing means for displaying a predefined character or graphic pattern on said display means according to said absolute coordinate information received via said reception means.