Apparatus for and method of generating a timing signal

Abstract

A circuit for generating a pulse-like timing signal driving a stepping motor which is used to drive for example a magnetic tape to run in an audio tape or video tape recording and reproducing apparatus. A rewritable memory stores output pattern data and time information for generating the timing signal. This timing signal generating circuit comprises a rewrite control circuit responsive to an operation mode instructing signal, for performing a predetermined operational processing on basic pattern data and basic time information and storing the resulting output pattern data and uniquely related time information in the rewritable memory. This timing signal generating circuit further comprises a circuit for generating a clock signal having a predetermined cycle, a counter for counting this clock signal and a circuit for sequentially reading out the time information from the rewritable memory, detecting match between the read-out time information and count value of the counter, and outputting the output data stored in the rewritable memory corresponding to the time information for which match is detected, as the timing signal. This output circuit comprises a circuit for continuously outputting the present output data until another match is detected between the subsequently read-out time information and the count value of the counter.