Here's a link which should be easy enough even for non EE's to follow. IMO the usage of "does not directly" benefits TPL. As can be seen for the diagram for the PLL, the crystal is not directly connected to the VCO. BTW the VCO is part of a pll which as a whole generates the necessary frequency for a microprocessor.

http://www.altera.com/support/devices/pll_clock/basics/pll-basics.html

In addition the link should also give an indication of another potential market for the  patent portfolio.