Patent ID: 7477176

Claim:
A method for generating, using a single microcontroller output pin, a waveform that is used to concurrently generate multiple separate analog signals, said method comprising: outputting a waveform from said output pin, wherein the waveform comprises plurality of separate digital signals that are serially time multiplexed in said waveform, said plurality of separate digital signals being a plurality of separate digital pulse width modulated (PWM) signals; outputting trinary signals from said output pin, wherein the trinary signals are inserted in said waveform to delineate each one of said plurality of digital signals from others of said plurality of digital signals; utilizing said plurality of digital signals to concurrently generate a plurality of separate different analog signals, wherein said plurality of analog signals are generated by said microcontroller utilizing said single output pin; decoding said waveform to obtain one of said plurality of digital signals; and responsive to a receipt of said one of said plurality of digital signals, generating a first analog signal by integrating a first one of said plurality of digital signals; storing said first analog signal in a first storage device; responsive to a detection of a first trinary signal, selecting a different one of said plurality of digital signals to use to generate an analog signal and receiving a second one of said plurality of digital signals; generating a second analog signal by integrating the second one of said plurality of digital signals; storing said second analog signal in a second storage device; responsive to a detection of one of said trinary signals.