Abstract: A touch pad or touch screen having a light transmissive means having a surface receiving light, such as from a stylus or pen emitting light at a point thereof, transmitting the light along the surface and determining the position at the surface receiving the light. This touch pad may be made of a hard material. A flexible element is provided on top of the surface and light transmitted into the flexible element. Depression of the element directs light into the surface for detection. A keyboard may be positioned on the surface of flexible element. Lenses or mirrors may be provided for receiving light from outside the pad/screen for determining a position also outside the pad on a working surface, such as a white board, a desk, or a newspaper.