Method of and apparatus for using the digitizer sensor loop array of a computing device as an antenna for a radio frequency link to an external data source

A pen-enabled computer system with wireless connectivity, the pen-enabled computer system comprising:

• an external keyboard transmitting a serial datastream radio frequency signal;
• a pen-enabled computer, including:
• a digitizer pen;
• a digitizer sensor loop array for cooperatively communicating with said digitizer pen and for said serial datastream radio frequency signal from said external keyboard;
• and
• receiver circuitry electrically coupled to said digitizer sensor loop array, said receiver circuitry including means for retrieving the serial datastream radio frequency signal received by said digitizer sensor loop array and for providing a digital signal responsive to the serial datastream radio frequency signal to the pen-enabled computer.

A system with wireless connectivity, the system comprising:

• a wireless local area network interface transmitting a serial datastream radio frequency signal;
• a pen-enabled computer, including:
• a digitizer pen;
• a digitizer sensor loop array for cooperatively communicating with said digitizer pen and for receiving said serial datastream radio frequency signal;
• and
• receiver circuitry electrically coupled to said digitizer sensor loop array, said receiver circuitry including means for retrieving the serial datastream radio frequency signal received by said digitizer sensor loop array and for providing a digital signal responsive to the serial datastream radio frequency signal to the pen-enabled computer.

A method for establishing a radio frequency data link between a pen-enabled computer system and an external serial data signal source, wherein the external serial data source is other than a pen, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a serial datastream from the external serial data signal source;
• utilizing the digitizer sensor loop array of the pen-enabled computer system as an antenna for reception of said serial datastream;
• and
• demodulating said serial datastream for use as an input to said pen-enabled computer system.

A pen-enabled computer system for use with an external radio frequency serial data signal source including a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a serial datastream radio frequency signal, the computer system comprising:

• a digitizer pen;
• a digitizer sensor loop array for cooperatively communicating with said digitizer pen and for receiving the serial datastream radio frequency signal, wherein the serial datastream radio frequency signal is provided by a source other than said digitizer pen;
• and
• receiver circuitry electrically coupled to said digitizer sensor loop array, said receiver circuitry including demodulation circuitry for retrieving the serial datastream radio frequency signal received by said digitizer sensor loop array and for providing a digital signal responsive to the serial datastream radio frequency signal.

A system with wireless connectivity, the system comprising:

• a wireless local area network interface transmitting a serial datastream radio frequency signal;
• a pen-enabled computer, comprising:
• a digitizer pen;
• a digitizer sensor loop array for cooperatively communicating with said digitizer pen and for receiving the serial datastream radio frequency signal;
• and
• receiver circuitry electrically coupled to said digitizer sensor loop array, said receiver circuitry including demodulation circuitry for retrieving the serial datastream radio frequency signal received by said digitizer sensor loop array and for providing a digital signal responsive to the serial datastream radio frequency signal.