Time signatures in simple meters express two things: how many beats are contained in each measure (the top number), and the beat unit (the bottom number), which refers to the note value that is the beat.
A measure is equivalent to one group of beats (Duple, Triple, or Quadruple).
There are different conducting patterns for Duple, Triple, and Quadruple meters.
Duple Meters have groupings of two beats, Triple Meters have groupings of three beats, and Quadruple Meters have groupings of four beats.
Simple Meters are meters in which the beat divides into two, and then further subdivides into four.