A coordinate inputting/detecting apparatus in which a designating device
for designating a position in a flat or substantially flat
two-dimensional coordinate inputting/detecting area of the coordinate
inputting/detecting apparatus is judged as located in a predetermined
range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area when an optical
detection signal of an optical unit, that optically detects the
designating device inserted into the predetermined range of the
coordinate inputting/detecting area, exceeds a first predetermined
threshold value. Whether or not the designating device has been inserted
into the predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area
is judged and coordinates of the position in the coordinate
inputting/detecting area, designated by the designating device inserted
in the predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area,
are recognized in accordance with the optical detection signal of the
optical unit. A second threshold value is used in recognizing the
coordinates of the position in the coordinate inputting/detecting area,
designated by the designating device inserted in the predetermined range
of the coordinate inputting/detecting area. The second threshold value is
set to be higher than the first threshold value used in judging if the
designating device has been inserted into the predetermined range of the
coordinate inputting/detecting area.