Method and apparatus for debouncing signals

Debounce and lockout filters include an input part for receiving a plurality of input signals from switches, a microprocessor and an output part. The filters simultaneously process a plurality of input binary signals in parallel according to a sequence of mask values which individually adjust the filter response function for each of the individual filter channels. A multichannel filter has a filter simultaneously filtering each input signal of a plurality of input signals, the filter including a plurality of independent filter channels, each independent filter channel filtering a corresponding input signal of the plurality of input signals to produce a corresponding output signal of a plurality of output signals. The multichannel filter also has a mechanism for independently adjusting a filter response time of each independent filter channel.