Clock signal generator using a sawtooth oscillator whose frequency is controlled in discrete steps

Claim 1

A variable-frequency oscillator to generate a signal synchronized with a signal derived from a self-clocking recording comprising in combination: a variable-frequency, free-running oscillator having an output terminal and an input terminal, said oscillator generating a periodic signal at said output terminal which varies from an initial value to a final value thereby defining a time interval, said oscillator including means responsive to a feedback signal coupled to said input terminal for varying the frequency of said periodic signal, means responsive to said oscillator signal for generating at least; a first sectorizing signal during the interval when said periodic signal is between an initial value and a first predetermined value reached in less then one-half said time interval, a second sectorizing signal during the interval said periodic signal is between a second predetermined value reached in greater than one-half said time interval and said final value, means responsive to said first sectorizing signal and said signal derived from said self-clocking recording to generate a first feedback pulse of a predetermined magnitude and polarity, means responsive to said second sectorizing signal and said signal derived from said self-clocking recording to generate a second feedback signal of a predetermined magnitude and polarity, and means for coupling said first and second feedback pulses to said oscillator input terminal to vary the frequency of said oscillator in discrete steps.

Claim 8

A method of generating clocking signals which are synchronized with signals derived from a self-clocking recording comprising the steps of: generating a signal having a sawtooth waveform of a predetermined frequency and varying periodically in magnitude between an initial value and a final value to define a time interval, increasing the frequency of said sawtooth wave signal a predetermined amount when the signal derived from said self-clocking recording occurs when the sawtooth waveform is between said initial value and a value less then one-half said final value, and decreasing the frequency of said sawtooth signal a predetermined amount when the signal derived from said self-clocking recording occurs when the sawtooth waveform is between a value greater than one-half said final value and said final value.

Claim 9

A method of generating clocking signals which are synchronized with signals derived from a self-clocking recording comprising the steps of: generating a signal having a sawtooth waveform of a predetermined frequency and varying periodically in magnitude between an initial value and a final value to define a time interval, increasing the frequency of said sawtooth wave signal a predetermined amount when the signal derived from said self-clocking recording occurs when the sawtooth waveform is between said initial value and a value less then one-half said final value, and decreasing the frequency of said sawtooth signal a predetermined amount when the signal derived from said self-clocking recording occurs when the sawtooth waveform is between a value greater than one-half said final value and said final value.