Patent ID: 8228303

Claim:
An information communication apparatus comprising: an electrostatic panel unit that is at least provided with an electrostatically chargeable panel surface; a capacitance detection unit that detects a variation in capacitance of the panel surface of the electrostatic panel unit to detect a location at which an object substantially contacts the panel surface; an electric field communication unit that uses the panel surface of the electrostatic panel unit as an electrostatic field antenna to carry out electrostatic field communication; a connection switching unit that selectively connects any one of the capacitance detection unit and the electric field communication unit to the electrostatic panel unit; and a control unit that controls the connection switching unit so as to connect the electrostatic panel unit to the capacitance detection unit at the time of detecting a location at which an object contacts the panel surface of the electrostatic panel unit and to connect the electrostatic panel unit to the electric field communication unit at the time of the electrostatic field communication.