Microcomputer device having simultaneous input and output functions

Claim 1

A method for measuring a variable as a function of time while simultaneously displaying a plural digit output in a display device capable of separate actuation of each digit display which comprises sequentially activating for display each digit display in an iterative sequence, generating an electric signal consisting of a series of pulses representative of said variable, activating a first control device to indicate when said variable is to be measured, activating a second control device to indicate when time is to be measured, checking in each iteration of activation of a said digit display whether said first control means is activated, when said first control means is found to be activated, checking to see whether there has been a pulse in said electric signal since the previous iteration, when a pulse is found to have occurred storing a count at a first location, then proceeding to the next iteration of display of a said digit display, the time in proceeding from one iteration of display of a said digit to the next being held to a fixed length regardless of whether said first control means is activated and whether a count is stored, continuing said iterations of display in said manner until said display is completed, thereafter checking whether said second control means is activated, when said second control means is found not to be activated repeating the above sequence, when said second control means is found to be activated, storing a count at a second location, repeating the display until both said first and second control means are found to be deactivated, thereafter dividing the stored count at said first location by the stored count at said second location, and displaying the quotient in said display.

Claim 2

A method for measuring a variable as a function of time while simultaneously displaying a plural digit output in a display device capable of separate actuation of each digit display which comprises sequentially activating for display each digit display in an iterative sequence, generating an electric signal consisting of a series of pulses representative of said variable, activating a first control device to indicate when said variable is to be measured, activating a second control device to indicate when time is to be measured, checking in each iteration of activation of a said digit display whether said first control means is activated, when said first control means is found to be activated, checking to see whether there has been a pulse in said electric signal since the previous iteration, when a pulse is found to have occurred storing a count at a first location, then proceeding to the next iteration of display of a said digit display, the time in proceeding from one iteration of display of a said digit to the next being held to a fixed length regardless of whether said first control means is activated and whether a count is stored, continuing said iterations of display in said manner until said display is completed, thereafter checking whether said second control means is activated, when said second control means is found not to be activated repeating the above sequence, when said second control means is found to be activated, storing a count at a second location, repeating the display until both said first and second control means are found to be deactivated, thereafter dividing the stored count at said first location by the stored count at said second location, and displaying the quotient in said display.