JP2008310449A - Simulation synchronizer and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simulation synchronizer for synchronizing the processing of a plurality of applications without increasing any system loads, and to provide a method for controlling the simulation synchronizer. <P>SOLUTION: The simulation synchronizer comprises: a plurality of applications that have inherent virtual time and operate independently; and a synchronization means for synchronizing the processing of each application to the virtual time of an entire system and relaying an event transmitted and received among applications. Also, the simulation synchronizer synchronizes the processing of all applications and synchronizes processing in applications at the transmission destination and source of an event to the event transmitted among specific applications. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a simulation synchronization apparatus that synchronously executes a plurality of applications that execute simulations independently as one system, and a control method thereof.

  When developing software, debugging is generally performed to detect and correct bugs. In debugging work, a CPU simulator (simulation debugger), a mechanical simulator, or the like that virtually executes software is used. These simulators have the concept of virtual time in the program execution processing by the CPU and the simulation of the operation of the virtual mechanical component.

  For example, a mechanical component operated on a simulator is executed with an operation different from an actual speed. There are various reasons for this, but it is difficult to reproduce the same speed as the actual product due to the processing capacity of the computer system (personal computer, workstation, etc.). There is a case to make it work. Therefore, each of the plurality of applications operating on the simulator has a concept of virtual time different from real time. Therefore, when a plurality of applications are linked to operate as one system, it is necessary to synchronize each virtual time with one virtual time. In the current simulator, a method of synchronizing a plurality of applications according to the reference synchronization time of the entire system is considered.

Patent Document 1 shows a software debugging device that connects a software debugger, a mechanical logic operation simulator, and a hardware model to perform cooperative operation. The software debugging device described in Patent Document 1 is effective in confirming the operation of the mechanism with an animation during debugging because the mechanism and the like are operated cooperatively.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-327956

  According to the above-described conventional technology, the progress of virtual time can be synchronized in each application constituting the system. However, the accuracy of synchronization is limited only to a predetermined synchronization interval. Therefore, the event transmission timing between applications cannot be synchronized at a timing shorter than the synchronization interval.

  In debugging work, for example, there is a case where it is desired to accurately simulate a situation in which a response signal is output from the mechanical simulator to the CPU simulator after a predetermined time has elapsed with respect to an output signal from the CPU simulator to the mechanical simulator. In this case, it is necessary to match the virtual times of the CPU simulator and the mechanical simulator with desired accuracy.

  However, in the conventional synchronization method, it is necessary to shorten the synchronization time to a desired accuracy or less. Thus, if the synchronization time is shortened, the processing time required to perform synchronization increases, and the operating speed of the system decreases. In addition, a synchronization method using only events for all events instead of synchronization at regular intervals is also conceivable. However, even in this method, since it is necessary to synchronize all occurrence events, the system load increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simulation synchronization apparatus that synchronizes the processing of a plurality of applications without increasing the system load, and a control method therefor.

  The present invention can be realized, for example, as a simulation synchronization apparatus. The simulation synchronization apparatus synchronizes the progress of virtual times of a plurality of simulation execution units, each having a unique virtual time, and operating independently, and included in the plurality of simulation execution units. Synchronizing means for relaying a synchronization event and a response event transmitted and received between the first simulation executing means and the second simulation executing means, and the first simulation executing means relays the synchronizing means to the second A synchronization event transmitting means for transmitting a synchronization event to the simulation execution means, and a stop means for stopping the progress of the virtual time in the first simulation executing means in accordance with the transmission of the synchronization event. Receive synchronization events sent from the simulation execution means of The second simulation execution means receives the synchronization event from the synchronization means and performs processing on the synchronization event; and corresponds to the synchronization event received from the synchronization means. Response event transmitting means for transmitting a response event to the synchronizing means, the synchronizing means further includes a response event receiving means for receiving a response event from the second simulation executing means, and based on the received response event, The first simulation executing means includes a determining means for determining a processing time to be processed by the first simulation executing means, and a processing time transmitting means for transmitting the determined processing time to the first simulation executing means. In addition, in order to process the processing time received from the synchronization means, Resuming means for resuming the progress of the virtual time, and notifying means for notifying the end of the processing after finishing the processing of the processing time, and the relay means receives the second in response to the end of the processing notified by the notifying means. The response event received from the simulation executing means is transmitted to the first and simulation executing means.

  In addition, the present invention, for example, synchronizes the progress of the virtual time of each simulation execution unit and the plurality of simulation execution units each having a unique virtual time and operating independently, and in the plurality of simulation execution units This can be realized as a control method of a simulation synchronization apparatus including synchronization events and response events that are transmitted and received between the first simulation execution means and the second simulation execution means that are included. In the present control method, the first simulation execution means relays the synchronization means to transmit the synchronization event to the second simulation execution means, and the transmission of the synchronization event causes the first simulation event to be transmitted. Stopping the progress of virtual time in the simulation execution means, and the synchronization means receives the synchronization event transmitted from the first simulation execution means and transmits it to the second simulation execution means The second simulation execution means receives the synchronization event from the synchronization means, performs a process for the synchronization event, and corresponds to the synchronization event received from the synchronization means. Performing a response event to the synchronization means, and The means further includes a step of receiving the response event from the second simulation execution means, and determines a processing time for the first simulation execution means to perform processing based on the received response event. And a step of transmitting the determined processing time to the first simulation executing means, wherein the first simulation executing means further performs processing of the processing time received from the synchronizing means. And a step of resuming the progress of the virtual time being stopped and a step of notifying the end of the processing after finishing the processing of the processing time, and the relaying step according to the end of the notified processing The response event received from the second simulation execution means is converted into the first simulation execution means. And transmitting.

  The present invention can provide, for example, a simulation synchronization apparatus that synchronizes the processing of a plurality of applications having respective virtual times and a control method thereof without increasing the system load.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims, and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution means of the present invention. Not exclusively.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The simulation synchronization apparatus according to the present embodiment synchronizes simulation execution processing independently performed by a plurality of applications each having a unique virtual time with the virtual time of the entire system. Further, when a predefined synchronization event is transmitted from any one of the applications, the simulation synchronization apparatus transmits the synchronization event transmission source and transmission destination applications (first simulation execution unit, second simulation execution unit). ) The simulation execution process is synchronized. Here, the predefined synchronization event indicates an event transmitted when an application wants to execute processing in synchronization with another application.

  In the following description, a case where the simulation synchronization apparatus of the present invention is applied within one information processing apparatus will be described. Specifically, a method in which the control unit functioning as the control unit synchronizes the processing of each application with the virtual time of the entire system will be described as an example. However, the present invention is applied as an individual information processing apparatus (simulation execution means) in which each application is mounted, and the control unit is one information processing apparatus (an apparatus for executing synchronization processing between information processing apparatuses, a synchronization means) ) May be applied. Further, in the embodiments described below, an example in which the present invention is applied to a simulator of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile will be described.

<Configuration of Information Processing Device 100>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus as a simulation synchronization apparatus according to the first embodiment. Here, description is mainly given about the component regarding this invention. That is, the present invention may be configured to include other components.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 101 that functions as a control unit. The CPU is connected to the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the input interface 104, the output interface 106, and the storage device interface 108 via the bus 110. The input interface 104 is connected to an input device 105 such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a tablet, and acquires input from an operator. The output interface 106 is connected to a display device 107a such as a CRT or LCD and an output device 107b such as a printer or plotter, and displays and outputs data and the like. The storage device interface 108 is connected to a storage device inside the device, for example, a hard disk 111 or an external storage device, for example, a reading device 112 such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and inputs and outputs data.

  The ROM 102 is a read-only memory that can be accessed from the CPU 101 via the bus 110. The RAM 103 is a memory that can be read and written from the CPU 101 via the bus 110. The hard disk 111 stores a processing program 111a that realizes each function of the printer, various setting data 111b for simulation, and firmware 111c.

  When performing printer simulation, the CPU 101 loads the processing program 111a, various setting data 111b, and firmware 111c into the RAM 103 and executes them. The basic operation of the information processing apparatus 100 is executed via an operating system (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that is a basic program. In the present embodiment, Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation is applied as the OS of the information processing apparatus 100. However, the present invention is not limited to a system on Windows (registered trademark).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control block of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Here, only the control block relating to the present invention will be described. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention may be configured to include other control blocks.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU simulator 201, a mechanical simulator 202, and a simulator application 203 that function as applications. The CPU 101 also includes a control unit 204 that functions as a control unit for synchronizing the processing of each application. Each application is loaded from the external storage device to the RAM 103 via the hard disk 111 or the reading device 112 and executed.

<Details of each application>
Details of each application will be described below. The CPU simulator 201, the mechanical simulator 202, and the simulator application 203 are applications that individually operate on Windows (registered trademark), and exist as independent processes. Furthermore, the simulator application 203 may be configured by a plurality of independent applications 223a and 223b depending on functions.

  The CPU simulator 201 is an application that realizes the operation of a CPU to be simulated (hereinafter referred to as a target CPU) on the information processing apparatus 100. Here, the target CPU is not a CPU 101 mounted on the information processing apparatus 100 but a CPU for controlling the printer mounted on a simulation target apparatus (which is a printer in this embodiment). Show. The CPU simulator 201 reads information on virtual input terminals defined corresponding to the terminals of the target CPU 221 and controls the virtual output terminals according to a control program (hereinafter referred to as target firmware) of the target CPU 221.

  The mechanical simulator 202 is an application that causes a mechanism model including a plurality of parts including an actuator and a sensor to operate on the information processing apparatus 100 in a pseudo manner. Each element of the mechanism model (hereinafter referred to as a mechanism part) is defined by the operator 230 in terms of shape, type, operation, interference between mechanism parts, linkage conditions, and the like. Furthermore, external signals are defined for sensors and actuators. These mechanical component definitions are automatically set from a CAD drawing, set by an operator 230 operating dedicated mechanism model creation software, or a combination of both.

  The types of mechanism parts include motors, solenoids, clutches, sensors, gears, cams, rollers, etc., whose functions are defined, and parts that are defined as simple objects. Further, the mechanical parts include not only the constituent elements of the apparatus to be simulated but also those necessary for the operation simulation of the apparatus. For example, in the case of a printer simulation, paper corresponds. These mechanical components are displayed as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphic on the display device 107a of the information processing apparatus 100 when the simulation is executed.

  The mechanical simulator 202 operates the mechanism model of the corresponding actuator in response to the actuator operation signal transmitted from the CPU simulator 201 via the control unit 204. Further, the mechanism component connected to the actuator is operated in association with the operation of the actuator based on the mechanism definition. In addition, regarding the operation in response to the input by the operator 230, the operation of the operator 230 on the input device 105 is simulated and the target mechanical component is operated according to the simulated operation. Further, the mechanical simulator 202 reproduces the operations of all related mechanical components in accordance with the interference between the mechanical components and the linkage definition. The operation of these mechanical components is reproduced as a graphic displayed on the display device 107a, and an output signal generated as a result of the operation of the mechanical model is transmitted to the CPU simulator 201 via the control unit 204. For example, in a sensor defined as a function model, when a predefined action occurs, a sensor signal corresponding to the action is generated.

  The simulator application 203 is an application for performing various tests of the printer. For example, it has a function of setting an external action on a virtual device and analyzing, displaying, and saving a simulation result. An actual device to be simulated is operated by various actions from the outside by an operator 230 who uses the device or a personal computer connected to the device. Accordingly, the simulator application 203 provides a function of setting a pseudo set of external actions other than the mechanical external action set by the mechanical simulator 202. For example, in the case of a printer, mechanical external operations include operation of a paper feed cassette, removal and installation of consumable parts, and the like. On the other hand, other external actions include receiving various commands from the host PC, operating the operation panel by the operator 230, changing the environmental temperature, and the like.

  Furthermore, the simulator application 203 provides a dedicated user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) for setting these external actions. The simulator application 203 gives a predetermined external action to the CPU simulator 201 and the mechanical simulator 202 via the control unit 204 according to the setting by the UI. Specifically, the simulator application 203 may read the setting data 111b stored in the hard disk 111 shown in FIG. 1 and give a series of external actions to the CPU simulator 201 and the mechanical simulator 202. In this case, the setting data 111b stores a macro instruction file describing a procedure for setting a continuous external action and a file describing a series of external action data.

  In addition to the above-described external action setting function, the simulator application 203 has a function of analyzing various data output as a result of the simulation, displaying various information according to the purpose of the test, and storing it in the hard disk 111. . Specifically, changes in various signals are displayed as a timing chart, or a series of operations is compared with operations assumed in advance to evaluate the validity. It also has a function of visually displaying the evaluation result of validity as an event.

  The CPU simulator 201, the mechanical simulator 202, and the simulator application 203 each operate in an independent virtual time. Therefore, when simulating operations related to a plurality of applications, it is necessary to synchronize with the virtual time of the entire system. For this reason, the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 204 that synchronizes the processing of a plurality of applications with the virtual time of the entire system and relays events transmitted and received between the applications.

<Details of the control unit 204>
Below, the detail of the control part 204 is demonstrated. The control unit 204 includes a wiring unit 206, a system management unit 210, a determination unit 213, a start unit 212, and a derivation unit 215 as control blocks. In addition, the control unit 204 and each application are connected by I / F 205 (ad), respectively. The I / F 205 (ad) may be realized using the bus 110 illustrated in FIG. 1, for example. The I / F 205 (ad) relays the connection between the control unit 204 and each application, and associates the external interface of the control unit 204 with the interface specifications of each application. The control unit 204 comprehensively controls these control blocks to perform data transmission management, synchronization processing, and data transmission history (hereinafter referred to as a log) between applications.

  The system management unit 210 manages the configuration of the I / F 205 (ad) in accordance with system configuration definition information preset in the setting data 111 b of the hard disk 111. The wiring unit 206 virtually realizes connection between the applications based on the wiring definition information preset in the wiring database. Here, the wiring database is a database that centrally manages the setting of signal lines connecting an application and other applications. For example, the signal line has a unique name. Therefore, the wiring unit 206 sets transmission / reception of each application to each I / F 205 (ad) using this name as a key.

  In addition, the wiring unit 206 relays an event transmitted from each application and transmits the relayed event to the transmission destination application. Therefore, the wiring unit 206 includes a transmission unit 207, a reception unit 208, and a relay unit 209. The receiving unit 208 receives an event transmitted from an application. For example, the reception unit 208 receives a synchronization event and a response event transmitted from the application. The transmission unit 207 performs transmission of an event received from a transmission source application and transmission for controlling processing timing of each application. The relay unit 209 controls the transmission unit 207 and the reception unit 208 to transmit an event transmitted from each application to a transmission destination application. In addition, designation of a synchronization event and designation of a response event to the synchronization event in event synchronization processing described later are performed on the wiring database. Here, the event synchronization process indicates a process for performing a process in synchronization with an application and another application, and the process is started by a synchronization event transmitted from a certain application.

  The derivation unit 215 and the start unit 212 are control blocks that synchronize the virtual time of each in order to operate the applications that are a plurality of independent processes in combination. Unlike the event synchronization process, the synchronization process here (hereinafter referred to as the overall synchronization process) synchronizes the process of the entire application at regular intervals. Therefore, the event synchronization process is a more detailed synchronization process than the overall synchronization process.

  The deriving unit 215 functions as a deriving unit and derives a reference synchronization time serving as a reference for synchronizing a plurality of applications. Specifically, the deriving unit 215 obtains information on the virtual time applied in each application, and derives a reference synchronization time based on the obtained virtual time. The start unit 212 functions as a start unit, and starts processing in each application according to the derived reference synchronization time. Details of the overall synchronization processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The determination unit 213 is a control block for comprehensively controlling the event synchronization process described above. The event synchronization process synchronizes the process of the application related to the synchronization event, triggered by the synchronization event transmitted from any one application. Hereinafter, an application that transmits a synchronization event is referred to as a transmission source application (first simulation execution unit), and an application that receives a synchronization event is referred to as a transmission destination application (second simulation execution unit). Further, the transmission destination application transmits a response event to the synchronization event.

  According to the present embodiment, in order to realize the synchronization process for the event, the virtual time of the transmission source and destination applications that are progressed from when the transmission source application transmits the synchronization event to when the response event is received. Match. Specifically, when the transmission source application transmits the synchronization event, the transmission source application stops the progress of its own virtual time. On the other hand, when receiving the synchronization event, the transmission destination application processes the synchronization event according to its own virtual time. Furthermore, when the processing is completed, the transmission destination application transmits a response event to the synchronization event. The control unit 204 notifies the transmission source application of the time required for the transmission destination application to execute processing for the synchronization event. The transmission source application executes the process by resuming the progress of the virtual time that is stopped according to the received time.

  In order to implement the event synchronization process described above, the determination unit 213 functions as a determination unit, and determines a processing time to be processed in the transmission source application based on the response event received from the transmission destination application. Moreover, according to this embodiment, the determination part 213 is provided with the time measuring part 214 which functions as a time measuring means. The time measuring unit 214 measures the time from when the synchronization event is transmitted to the destination application until the response event is received from the destination application. Therefore, the determination unit 213 determines the time measured by the time measuring unit 214 as the processing time. When the processing time is determined, the transmission unit 207 transmits the processing time determined by the determination unit 213 to the transmission source application. The transmission source application executes processing according to the received processing time.

<Common functions of each application>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of common functions of each application necessary for performing event synchronization processing. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a common control block for each application according to the first embodiment. Here, only the control block for performing the event synchronization process will be described. Therefore, each application may be configured to include other control blocks. Here, for ease of explanation, the CPU simulator 201, the mechanical simulator 202, and the simulator application 203 will be conceptually described as one block. Furthermore, the application described here functions as an application that transmits a synchronization event and an application that receives a synchronization event.

  Each application includes a communication unit 301, a processing unit 302, a stop unit 303, and a restart unit 304. The communication unit 301 includes a transmission unit 305 and a reception unit 306, and controls communication with the control unit 204. The stop unit 303 and the restart unit 304 are control blocks for realizing event synchronization processing. The processing unit 302 functions as a processing unit and executes various processes according to instructions from the control unit 204.

  The transmission unit 305 functions as a transmission unit, and transmits a synchronization event to the control unit 204 via the communication unit 301, for example, when processing is performed in synchronization with another application. When the synchronization event is transmitted, the stop unit 303 stops the progress of its own virtual time and stops the process being executed. Here, it is desirable that the stopping unit 303 notifies the resuming unit 304 of data that has been processed when the progress of the virtual time is stopped. This data indicates data necessary for the restarting unit 304 to restart the stopped processing. Therefore, the restarting unit 304 restarts the progress of the virtual time that is stopped and restarts the stopped process using this data. Specifically, when the processing time required for the application to which the synchronization event is transmitted is received from the control unit 204, the resuming unit 304 resumes the stopped process.

<Overall synchronization processing>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the overall synchronization processing for synchronizing the processing of each application which is the premise of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining overall synchronization processing for synchronizing the processing of each application.

  Ts indicates a reference synchronization time. Each application executes processing according to the reference synchronization time Ts notified by the start unit 212. A solid line 401 indicates a state in which each application is executing processing for the reference synchronization time according to each virtual time. A broken line 402 indicates a state in which the application has completed the process for the reference synchronization time, and the progress of the virtual time is stopped until all other applications have completed the process for the reference synchronization time. Reference numeral 403 denotes one synchronization unit which is a time from when processing according to the reference synchronization time Ts is started in each application until all applications complete processing for the reference synchronization time. Similarly, 404 and 405 indicate one synchronization unit of different patterns.

  As shown in FIG. 4, even if each application has the same reference synchronization time Ts, when processing is performed in correspondence with the virtual time that each application has, the actual time until the processing is completed differs. In order to realize such control, each application, when the processing for the received reference synchronization time is completed, stops the progress of the virtual time until all other applications complete the processing. For example, in one synchronization unit 403, until the application 3 completes the process, the other application stops the virtual time after completing the process for the reference synchronization time. When all the applications have completed processing for the reference synchronization time, the start unit 212 transmits a signal for starting processing according to the reference synchronization time Ts to all applications again. Accordingly, each application starts processing again according to the reference synchronization time Ts. In this way, the overall synchronization process synchronizes the processes of all applications at regular intervals.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, control of the overall synchronization processing of each application and the control unit 204 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the control procedure of the overall synchronization process in each application. The process described here indicates a common process of the overall synchronization process performed by each application, that is, the CPU simulator 201, the mechanical simulator 202, and the simulator application 203.

  First, in step S501, the application stops the virtual time. Specifically, the application stops the virtual time, and the process executed according to the virtual time is also stopped. Next, in step S502, it is determined whether a virtual time progression instruction has been received from the outside (here, the control unit 204) via a predetermined I / F. If not received, the determination is repeated periodically. On the other hand, when received, in step S503, the application starts the progress of the virtual time and also starts a process executed according to the virtual time.

  Next, in step S504, the application determines whether or not the virtual time progress instruction is accompanied by time designation (designation of the reference synchronization time Ts). When time designation is accompanied, the process proceeds to a time limit process of S505 or lower. On the other hand, if no time is specified, the process proceeds to the continuous execution process from S511.

  When time designation is involved, in step S505, the application determines whether or not the designated time (virtual time) has elapsed. If the specified time has not elapsed, in step S506, the application confirms an internal event (change to be transmitted to the outside) on the process executed according to the virtual time. If an internal event has occurred, the internal event is transmitted to the outside together with timing information on the virtual time in step S507, and then the process returns to S501 to stop the virtual time.

  If no internal event has occurred in step S506, in step S509, the application uses the communication unit 301 to check whether an external event that is an external event has been received. If there is an external event, in step S510, the application performs internal processing for the external event and transmits the external event reception virtual time timing to the outside, and then returns to S501 to stop the virtual time.

  If no internal event occurs in S506 and no external event is received in S509, the processing from S505 is continued until the designated virtual time elapses.

  When the processing of the virtual time specified in S505 has elapsed, in step S508, the application transmits a processing end of the specified time to the outside, returns to S501, and stops the virtual time.

  On the other hand, if the virtual time advance instruction is not accompanied by a time designation in S504, in step S511, the application determines whether a process end instruction is notified from the outside. If the end instruction has not been notified, the application repeatedly repeats the process until the end instruction from the outside in the processing of S511 and the subsequent steps. The processing (S512 to S515) for the internal and external events in the meantime is the same as S506 to S510 at the time designation time, and the description thereof will be omitted. If an end instruction from the outside is received in S511, the timing on the virtual time at that time is transmitted to the outside in S516, and the virtual time is stopped by returning to S501.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the control procedure of the overall synchronization process in the control unit 204. The processing here is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 204.

  First, in step S601, the control unit 204 instructs each application to execute a process of a virtual reference synchronization time Ts. Next, in step S602, the control unit 204 determines whether or not all applications have finished processing according to the reference synchronization time Ts. Here, the control unit 204 determines whether or not a notification indicating the end of processing is received from each application. If the end notification is received from all the applications, the process is shifted to S601 and the process for one synchronization is performed again.

  On the other hand, if an end notification has not been received from any application in S602, the control unit 204 checks event reception from the application in step S603. If an event has been received from any application, in step S604, the control unit 204 transmits the event to the transmission destination application. After that, in step S605, the control unit 204 executes processing for the virtual remaining time until synchronization (a time obtained by subtracting the virtual time between event occurrence or event transmission) from all the applications. Instruct. Thereafter, the control unit 204 shifts the process to S602. On the other hand, when determining in S603 that an event has not been received from the application, the control unit 204 shifts the processing to S602.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, the overall system status in the overall synchronization processing will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the cooperation status of the control unit 204 and each application in the overall synchronization processing. Here, for ease of explanation, two applications are assumed. However, the overall synchronization process can be applied to three or more applications in a similar manner. Here, it is assumed that an event is transmitted from the application 1 to the application 2 during the process according to the reference synchronization time. White circles shown in FIG. 7 indicate processing of the control unit 204 or each application. The arrows from each process indicate the flow of information.

  In step S701, the control unit 204 instructs each application to execute processing for the reference synchronization time Ts. In steps S <b> 702 and S <b> 703, each application starts processing for the reference synchronization time based on the virtual time when receiving an instruction to execute processing.

  During execution of the process according to the reference synchronization time, the application 1 transmits an event in step S704. When the event transmitted by the application 1 is received, in step S705, the control unit 204 transmits the event to the application 2 and instructs each application to execute processing for the remaining reference synchronization time. In step S706, the application 2 receives the event transmitted by the application 1. Subsequently, in steps S707 and S708, each application receives a process execution instruction from the control unit 204 and starts the process.

  Here, the remaining reference synchronization time is Ts-T1 for application 1 and Ts-T2 for application 2. The time from the start of processing according to the reference synchronization time to the occurrence of an event of each application is the same in real time. However, the virtual times T1 and T2 are different because the speed of progress of the virtual time with respect to the real time of each application is different.

  Steps S709 to S713 show a case where an event from the application 2 to the application 1 occurs. Since these processes are the same as the processes of S704 to S708, description thereof will be omitted.

  Thereafter, in step S714, the application 1 ends the process for the specified time, transmits an end notification to the control unit 204, and stops the virtual time. In step S <b> 715, the control unit 204 receives the end notification transmitted from the application 1. On the other hand, in step S716, the application 2 ends the process for the specified time, transmits an end notification to the control unit 204, and stops the virtual time. In step SS717, the control unit 204 receives the end notification transmitted from the application 2. Here, the control unit 204 determines that end notifications have been received from all the applications, and instructs each application to execute processing for the reference synchronization time Ts as in S701. Thereafter, in steps S718 and S719, when receiving an instruction to execute processing, each application starts processing for the reference synchronization time based on the virtual time again.

  Thus, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment executes the overall synchronization process. However, it is difficult to synchronize the processing of an application related to one event only with the overall synchronization processing. This problem will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the timing at which an event that occurs during the overall synchronization process is captured on the virtual time of each application.

  The event transmitted from the application 1 in S704 occurs for the application 1 after the virtual time T1 from the start of the synchronization process. However, the time at which the application 2 receives the event in S706 is captured for the application 2 after the virtual time T2 from the start of the synchronization process.

  The event transmitted from the application 2 in S709 occurs for the application 2 at a virtual time T3 from S706 to S709. However, the time when the application 1 receives the event in S711 is a virtual time T4 from S704 to S711 for the application 1.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, T1> T2 and T3> T4 at the time of occurrence of the event, and the progress of virtual time in each application is different. For example, when it is desired to accurately simulate processing for these events, it is necessary to synchronize the progress of virtual time in each application in correspondence with the event. The information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performs event synchronization processing in order to synchronize the processing of each application for such an event.

<Event synchronization processing>
Next, control in which event synchronization processing is added to the overall synchronization processing, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the overall synchronization process including the event synchronization process according to the first embodiment. The processing described below is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 204. Here, description of the same processing as that described with reference to FIG. 6 is omitted. That is, the processing of S901 to S903 is the same as the processing of S601 to S603, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  If an event has been received from any application, the received event is transmitted to another application in step S904, as in S604. Furthermore, the control unit 204 starts timing by the timing unit 214 that is necessary when the event is a synchronous event. The timer 214 counts the time from when the synchronization event is transmitted to the transmission destination application until the response event for the synchronization event is received from the transmission destination application. Thereafter, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, all the applications are instructed to execute the process up to the reference synchronization time, and the process proceeds to the standby process of S602. However, in the present embodiment, the following processing is different in order to perform event synchronization processing.

  In step S905, the control unit 204 determines whether or not the generated event is a predefined synchronization event. If it is a synchronization event, event synchronization processing from S906 is performed. Here, the transmission unit 305 included in the synchronization event transmission source application functions as a synchronization event transmission unit, and relays the control unit 204 to perform the transmission destination application when processing is performed in synchronization with other applications. Send a predefined synchronization event to Thereafter, the transmission source application causes the stop unit 303 to stop the progress of its own virtual time. On the other hand, if it is not a synchronous event, the process proceeds to S912.

  In step S906, the control unit 204 instructs an application other than the transmission source application that transmitted the synchronization event to perform continuous execution without time setting. Here, the transmission source application stops the virtual time. Thereafter, in step S907, the control unit 204 determines whether an event is transmitted from any application. If an event has been transmitted, in step S908, the control unit 204 determines whether the response event is a predefined response event with respect to the synchronization event. Here, if it is not a response event, in step S913, the control unit 204 transmits the event to all the applications, and again transitions to the event waiting of S907. If it is a response event, the control unit 204 shifts the process to S909. This response event is sent by the destination application. At this time, the transmission unit 305 included in the transmission destination application functions as a response event transmission unit, and transmits the response event to the control unit 204 when the processing for the synchronization event is completed.

  On the other hand, if the event is a response event, in step S909, the control unit 204 resumes the stopped process by transmitting the processing time to the application that has transmitted the synchronization event. Here, the processing time indicates the time required by the transmission destination application in order to execute the processing for the synchronization event. This processing time is determined by the determination unit 213. Specifically, the determination unit 213 determines the time from when the synchronization event timed by the time measuring unit 214 is transmitted until the response event is received as the processing time. Furthermore, the transmission unit 207 functions as a processing time transmission unit, and transmits the determined processing time to the transmission destination application. When the processing time is received, the transmission source application resumes the progress of the virtual time being stopped in order to perform the processing of the processing time received from the control unit 204.

  Subsequently, in step S910, the control unit 204 determines whether or not the transmission source application has finished processing for the specified time. Specifically, when receiving a termination notification from the transmission source application, the control unit 204 determines that the transmission source application has finished processing for the specified time. Here, the transmission unit 305 included in the transmission source application functions as a notification unit, and notifies the control unit 204 of the end of the processing after the processing unit 302 ends the processing for the processing time. On the other hand, if not received, the control unit 204 periodically repeats the process of S910.

  In step S911, the control unit 204 transmits a response event to the transmission source application. Thereafter, in step S912, the control unit 204 instructs all applications to execute the remaining processing until the reference synchronization time. The event synchronization process of each application corresponding to this is the same as the process described with reference to FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the overall system status in the event synchronization process will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a cooperation status of the control unit 204 and each application in the event synchronization processing. Here, for ease of explanation, two applications are assumed. However, the event synchronization process can be applied to three or more applications in a similar manner. White circles shown in FIG. 10 indicate processing of the control unit 204 or each application. The arrows from each process indicate the flow of information.

  In step S1001, the control unit 204 instructs each application to execute processing for the reference synchronization time Ts. In steps S1002 and S1003, when receiving an instruction to execute processing, each application starts processing execution for the reference synchronization time based on the virtual time.

  During execution of processing according to the reference synchronization time Ts, in step S1004, the application 1 transmits a synchronization event. Here, the application 1 stops the virtual time and the process. When the synchronization event transmitted by the application 1 is received, in step S1005, the control unit 204 transmits the synchronization event to the application 2 and instructs the application 2 to execute continuous processing without time limitation. Further, the control unit 204 starts the time counting by the time measuring unit 214 here.

  In steps S1006 and S1007, the application 2 receives the synchronization event and the instruction for executing the continuous process, and starts the continuous execution process. After that, in step S1008, the application 2 transmits a response event for the synchronization event after executing processing for the synchronization event. Here, the response event is transmitted after the virtual time T3 hours from the reception of the synchronization event. Further, when the response event is transmitted, the application 2 stops the progress of the virtual time and stops the process.

  In step S <b> 1009, when the control unit 204 receives a response event, the determination unit 213 determines the processing time described above, and transmits the determined processing time (T <b> 3) to the application 1. Here, the receiving unit 208 included in the control unit 204 functions as a response event receiving unit, and receives a response event from the application 2. When the instructed processing time is received, in step S1010, the application 1 resumes the progress of the virtual time being stopped, and executes processing for the designated time (T3). Thereafter, in step S1011, the application 1 transmits an end notification to notify that the processing of the specified time (T3) has ended.

  When the end notification is received, in step S1012, the control unit 204 transmits a response event to the application 1, and instructs all applications to execute processing for each remaining time. In step S1013, the application 1 receives a response event. The remaining time in this case is Ts− (T1 + T3) for application 1 and Ts− (T2 + T3) for application 2. The subsequent end of the reference synchronization and the resumption of the next overall synchronization processing are the same as in FIG.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 advances the virtual time from when the application 2 receives the synchronization event until the response event is transmitted, and from when the application 1 transmits the synchronization event until the response event is received. The progress of virtual time can be matched. Therefore, the application 1 and the application 2 can perform processing for the synchronization event in a virtually synchronized manner.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has an inherent virtual time, and synchronizes the independently operating application and the processing of each application with the virtual time of the entire system. In addition to this, when a synchronization event is transmitted, the information processing apparatus 100 receives a response event after processing time for the synchronization event in the transmission destination application and the transmission source application transmitting the synchronization event. Synchronize with the time until. As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can perform synchronization processing with high time accuracy for processing between specific applications. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 can synchronize the processes of a plurality of applications having respective virtual times without increasing the system load.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 measures the time from when a synchronization event is transmitted to a transmission destination application until a response event is acquired from the transmission destination application. As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can notify the transmission source application that has stopped the virtual time of the processing time required for the transmission destination application to process the synchronization event. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 can easily realize event synchronization processing.

  In addition, in order to synchronize the processing of a plurality of applications having independent virtual times, the information processing apparatus 100 derives a reference synchronization time synchronized with the virtual time of the entire system, and controls the processing of each application. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 100 can efficiently perform synchronization processing of the entire system in large time units, and can perform synchronization processing with high time accuracy for processing between specific applications. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 can synchronize the processes of a plurality of applications having respective virtual times without increasing the system load.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to one information processing apparatus 100 as a simulation synchronization apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to a plurality of apparatuses. For example, the present invention can be applied between a plurality of applications (information processing apparatuses) that operate applications and a server (information processing apparatus) that synchronizes processing between the first and second applications included in the plurality of applications. . In this case, the function of each application described above is implemented in each application, and the function of the control unit 204 described above is implemented in the server. Thereby, a large-scale simulation having a plurality of information processing apparatuses is also possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present exemplary embodiment, prior to the transmission of a response event after the synchronization event transmission destination application completes the processing for the synchronization event, the scheduled time for transmitting the response event is notified. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can execute the processing corresponding to the processing time described above in parallel in the transmission source and transmission destination applications.

  Specifically, the difference between the situation assumed in the first embodiment and the situation assumed in the present embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the case has been described in which the transmission destination application and the transmission source application are alternately executed by using a synchronization event as a trigger. This is processing when the content of the response event and the event occurrence timing become clear only after the transmission destination application executes processing that progresses with virtual time. For example, it is conceivable in a system that simulates the cooperation processing of two CPUs (CPU1, CPU2) in a multi-CPU configuration by synchronizing two CPU simulators together. Specifically, when simulating a case where some response is returned to the CPU 1 after the process of the CPU 2 is executed with the signal from the CPU 1 to the CPU 2 as a trigger, the content and timing of the response event of the CPU 2 execute the process of the CPU 2 I can't decide unless I try.

  However, depending on the application, when the synchronization event is received, the content of the response event and the timing of the response event may be determined immediately depending on the content of the synchronization event at that time and other situations. For example, it can be considered in a simulation system of a control system that performs feedback control of the rotation speed of a CPU motor.

  This simulation system includes a motor simulator and a CPU simulator. The motor simulator displays the motor image and the motor rotation speed as a graph on the display device of the information processing apparatus, and changes the motor image and the image of the motor rotation speed graph in accordance with an external acceleration / deceleration signal. Further, the motor simulator generates an FG pulse signal having a frequency proportional to the rotation speed of the motor. On the other hand, the CPU simulator generates a motor acceleration / deceleration signal according to a control program and receives an FG pulse as an external interrupt.

  When these simulators are executed synchronously, in the motor simulator, it is necessary to change the motor image and the image of the motor rotation speed graph as the virtual time progresses. However, the generation timing of the FG pulse can be calculated immediately from the motor speed at that time, the motor speed change state up to that time, etc., according to the change in the motor acceleration / deceleration signal from the CPU simulator. Therefore, when simulating the FG pulse generation process of the motor simulator, the content of the response event and the timing of the response event can be determined immediately upon receiving the synchronization event. In this embodiment, such a situation is assumed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a control unit 204 and control blocks of each application according to the second embodiment. Here, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  Each application includes a calculation unit 1101 that functions as a calculation unit in addition to the control blocks shown in FIG. When a synchronization event is transmitted, the calculation unit 1101 calculates a scheduled time for completion of processing corresponding to the synchronization event. Accordingly, each application can notify the control unit 204 of a response event to which the scheduled time calculated by the calculation unit 1101 is given. Thereby, the determination unit 213 determines the scheduled time acquired from the response event as the processing time required for processing for the synchronization event.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the overall synchronization process including the event synchronization process according to the second embodiment. The processing described below is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 204. Here, the same processes as those described with reference to FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. That is, in the following, only the processing of steps S1201 to S1204 will be described.

  If it is determined that the event transmitted in S905 is a synchronization event, in step S1201, the control unit 204 determines whether a response event from the transmission destination application has been received. Here, the application of the transmission destination can determine the content of the response event and the generation timing without performing the process for the synchronous event like the FG pulse generation process of the motor simulator described above. Further, the application at the transmission destination calculates a scheduled time for completion of processing for the synchronization event by the calculation unit 1101, and adds the calculated scheduled time to the response event.

  When the response event is received, in step S1202, the control unit 204 instructs all applications including the transmission source application and the transmission destination application to execute for a predetermined time. The execution time indicated here is the scheduled time added to the response event transmitted from the destination application. That is, it is the time until the response event is notified to the transmission source application.

  Thereafter, in step S1203, the control unit 204 determines whether or not termination notifications have been received from all applications. When the end notification is received from all the applications, in step S1204, the control unit 204 transmits a response event to the transmission source application. In step S912, the control unit 204 instructs execution of the remaining processing up to the reference synchronization time.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a cooperation status of the control unit 204 and each application in the event synchronization processing. Here, for ease of explanation, two applications are assumed. However, the event synchronization process can be applied to three or more applications in a similar manner. White circles shown in FIG. 13 indicate processing of the control unit 204 or each application. The arrows from each process indicate the flow of information.

  In step 1301, the control unit 204 instructs each application to execute processing for the reference synchronization time Ts. In steps S1302 and S1303, when receiving an instruction to execute processing, each application starts processing for the reference synchronization time based on the respective virtual time.

  During execution of processing according to the reference synchronization time Ts, the application 1 transmits a synchronization event in step S1304. Here, the application 1 stops the virtual time and the process. When the synchronization event transmitted by the application 1 is received, the control unit 204 transmits the synchronization event to the application 2 in step S1305. In step 1306, application 2 receives the synchronization event. On the other hand, in step S1307, the application 2 immediately transmits a response event (without progress of virtual time). Here, the application 2 adds the scheduled time for completing the process for the synchronization event to the response event.

  When the response event is received, in step S1308, the control unit 204 instructs all applications to execute processing for the virtual time T3. Here, the virtual time T3 time corresponds to the scheduled time added to the response event transmitted from the application 2. Thereafter, in steps S1309 and S1310, each application executes the processing time (T3) designated according to the virtual time held by itself.

  Thereafter, in steps S1311, S1314, each application transmits an end notification to the control unit 204 when the processing time (T3) ends. On the other hand, in steps S1312, S1315, the control unit 204 receives an end notification. In step S <b> 1313, when receiving a termination notification from the transmission source application, the control unit 204 notifies the response event received from the transmission destination application. In step S1315, the control unit 204 determines that end notifications have been received from all applications, and instructs all applications to execute processing for the remaining time until the reference synchronization time Ts. After that, the end of the reference synchronization and the resumption of the next overall synchronization process are the same as those in FIG.

  As described above, when an application according to the present embodiment receives a synchronization event, the application calculates a scheduled time for completion of processing for the synchronization event. Furthermore, the control unit 204 acquires the scheduled time calculated from the application to which the synchronization event is transmitted, and causes all applications to execute processing according to the scheduled time. As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can further perform efficient event synchronization processing such as efficiency.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to one information processing apparatus 100 as a simulation synchronization apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to a plurality of apparatuses. For example, the present invention can also be applied between an application (information processing apparatus) that operates an application and a server (information processing apparatus) that synchronizes processing between the applications. In this case, the function of each application described above is implemented in each application, and the function of the control unit 204 described above is implemented in the server. As a result, a large-scale simulation having a plurality of information processing apparatuses is also possible.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control block of the information processing apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control block common to each application which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the whole synchronous process which synchronizes the process of each application. It is a flowchart explaining the control procedure of the whole synchronous process in each application. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of overall synchronization processing in control unit 204. It is a figure which shows the cooperation condition of the control part 204 and each application in a whole synchronous process. It is a figure explaining what kind of timing the event which generate | occur | produces during performing the whole synchronous process is caught on the virtual time of each application. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the whole synchronous process including the event synchronous process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the cooperation condition of the control part 204 and each application in an event synchronous process. It is a figure which shows the control part 204 and control block of each application which concern on 2nd Embodiment. Here, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the whole synchronous process including the event synchronous process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the cooperation condition of the control part 204 and each application in an event synchronous process.

Explanation of symbols

101: CPU
201: CPU simulator 202: mechanical simulator 203: simulator application 204: control units 205a to 205d: I / F
206: wiring unit 207: transmission unit 208: reception unit 209: acquisition unit 210: system management unit 211: synchronization unit 212: start unit 213: determination unit 214: timing unit 215: derivation unit 301: communication unit 302: processing unit 303 : Stop unit 304: Restart unit 305: Transmitter 306: Receiver

Claims (7)

A simulation synchronizer,
A plurality of simulation execution means each having a unique virtual time and operating independently;
Synchronize the progress of virtual time of each simulation execution means, and relay synchronization events and response events transmitted and received between the first simulation execution means and the second simulation execution means included in the plurality of simulation execution means And synchronization means
The first simulation execution means includes:
A synchronization event transmission unit that relays the synchronization unit to transmit the synchronization event to the second simulation execution unit;
Along with the transmission of the synchronization event, a stop means for stopping the progress of the virtual time in the first simulation execution means,
The synchronization means includes
A relay unit that receives the synchronization event transmitted from the first simulation execution unit and transmits the synchronization event to the second simulation execution unit;
The second simulation execution means includes:
Processing means for receiving the synchronization event from the synchronization means and processing the synchronization event;
Response event transmission means for transmitting the response event corresponding to the synchronization event received from the synchronization means to the synchronization means;
The synchronization means further includes
Response event receiving means for receiving the response event from the second simulation executing means;
Determining means for determining a processing time for the first simulation execution means to perform processing based on the received response event;
Processing time transmitting means for transmitting the determined processing time to the first simulation executing means,
The first simulation execution means further includes:
Resuming means for resuming the progress of the stopped virtual time in order to perform processing of the processing time received from the synchronizing means;
Notification means for notifying the end of the processing after finishing the processing of the processing time,
The relay means is
A simulation synchronization apparatus characterized by transmitting a response event received from the second simulation execution means to the first and simulation execution means in response to the end of the process notified by the notification means. The response event transmission means
After the processing by the processing means is completed, a response event is transmitted,
The determining means includes
A timing unit that counts the time from when the synchronization event is transmitted to the second simulation execution unit until the response event is received from the second simulation execution unit;
The simulation synchronization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measured time is determined as the processing time. The second simulation execution means includes:
The simulation synchronization apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for stopping the progress of virtual time from when the response event is transmitted until the response event is transmitted to the first simulation execution means. The second simulation execution means includes:
Upon receiving the synchronization event, the computer further comprises a calculation means for calculating a scheduled time for completion of processing for the synchronization event,
The response event transmission means includes:
Before the processing by the processing means is executed, a response event with the calculated scheduled time added is transmitted,
The determining means includes
The simulation synchronization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a scheduled time added to the received response event is determined as the processing time. The processing time transmission means transmits the determined processing time to the second simulation execution means in addition to the first simulation execution means,
The first and second simulation execution means start the processing when notified of the processing time, and after the processing for the processing time ends, the other simulation execution means finishes the processing for the processing time. The simulation synchronization apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for stopping the progress of time. The synchronization means includes
Derivation means for deriving a reference synchronization time as a reference for synchronizing the plurality of simulation execution means;
6. The simulation synchronization apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising start means for starting processing in each simulation execution means in accordance with the derived reference synchronization time. A plurality of simulation execution means each having a unique virtual time and operating independently, and a first simulation execution means included in the plurality of simulation execution means, wherein the progress of the virtual time of each simulation execution means is synchronized And a synchronization means for relaying a synchronization event and a response event transmitted and received between the first simulation execution means and a second simulation execution means,
The first simulation execution means includes:
Relaying the synchronization means to transmit the synchronization event to the second simulation execution means;
Accompanying the transmission of the synchronization event, the step of stopping the progress of the virtual time in the first simulation execution means,
The synchronization means includes
Receiving the synchronization event transmitted from the first simulation execution means, and executing a relay step of transmitting to the second simulation execution means,
The second simulation execution means includes:
Receiving the synchronization event from the synchronization means and performing processing for the synchronization event;
Transmitting the response event corresponding to the synchronization event received from the synchronization means to the synchronization means;
The synchronization means further includes
Receiving the response event from the second simulation execution means;
Determining a processing time for the first simulation execution means to perform processing based on the received response event;
Transmitting the determined processing time to the first simulation execution means,
The first simulation execution means further includes:
Resuming the progress of the stopped virtual time in order to process the processing time received from the synchronization means;
Performing the step of notifying the end of the processing after the processing of the processing time is completed,
The relay step includes
A control method, comprising: transmitting a response event received from the second simulation execution unit to the first simulation execution unit in response to completion of the notified process.

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