Method for controlling ignition energy in an internal combustion engine

A method for controlling ignition energy in a rotating internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine being of the type having at least one ignition coil, the ignition coil having a primary winding, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a first signal containing information which is responsive to the rate of rotation of the internal combustion engine, said first signal information being periodic with respect to the rotation of the internal combustion engine;
• generating a second signal containing information responsive to the magnitude of a supply voltage which is applied to the primary winding of the ignition coil;
• generating a third signal containing information which is responsive to a rate at which air is drawn into the internal combustion engine;
• generating a fourth signal containing information which corresponds to an engine firing time, said fourth signal being produced in response to a calculation concerning said information contained in said first and third signals;
• generating a fifth signal containing information which corresponds to a period of time during which current flows in the primary winding of the ignition coil, said fifth signal being produced in response to a calculation concerning said information contained in said first and second signals;
• generating a sixth signal containing information which corresponds to a time of initiating current flow in the primary winding of the ignition coil, said sixth signal being generated in response to a calculation concerning said information contained in said fourth and fifth signals;
• and
• supplying a current to the primary winding of the ignition coil during an interval of time beginning at said time of initiating current flow to a time corresponding to said engine firing time.