Abstract: Methods for associating ignition signals with a reference cylinder in multiple-spark ignition systems of internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition are proposed; different signal levels for the primary and supporting sparks are used in a first method, and the time offset between the primary and supporting spark onsets is used in a second method for the association.

Abstract: A device for measuring time intervals between a plurality of successive events includes a clock pulse generator coupled via a gating circuit to a counter. The output of the counter is connected to a shift register for screening out and storing momentary counts of the counter. A first logic control circuit is actuated by a first event signal and preferably is controlled by a computer to set in response to the first event signal the start of a gating time determining the measuring cycle. The length of the gating time is controlled preferably by a computer. A second logic control circuit receives the successive events and generates readout command signals after which the shift register reads out and stores the momentary count in the counter.