Abstract: An interface including a panel (100) defining at least one edge (114, 116, 118, 120) at least one detector (102) arranged along the at least one edge (114) of the panel, an electromagnetic radiation beam emitter (152) operative to direct at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the panel (100) from a variable distance and at a variable angle (158), the panel being operative to transmit electromagnetic radiation from the at least one beam impinging thereon to the at least one edge (114) thereof, for detection by the at least one detector, the panel being operative to generally attenuate the electromagnetic radiation passing therethrough to the at least one edge as a function of the distance traveled by the electromagnetic radiation through the panel (100), whereby the at least one detector (102) is operative to provide at least one output which can be used to determine the variable distance and the variable angle.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a display for displaying data stored on said electronic device; input means; sensing means for sensing the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device; and control means for controlling the data displayed on said display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device. The input means includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for directing an infrared conical beam onto the display. The sensing means can sense the elliptical eccentricity of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the angle at which it strikes the display, and can sense the area of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the distance of the input means from the display.