JP3256976B2 - Message sequence display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for executing an operation in a real-time system such as a communication system and a method for displaying the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for displaying a message sequence of a real-time system such as a communication system, a method of directly displaying a message sequence created in a batch based on an operation scenario is used. As an example, it is described in "The IPSJ 39th (late 1989) National Convention, Proposal of Visual Design Support for Real-Time Software". According to this paper, the operation scenario is designed for each service function, and the first version of the message sequence is created based on the change of the state of each operation target appearing in the operation scenario. Add and modify the message sequence of the first version of the operation scenario to create a more accurate message sequence.

In this method, the operation specifications of the system are created in advance in time-series operation scenarios, and the operation specifications are described in a combination of the operation scenarios. Therefore, it is necessary to create a message sequence for each operation scenario. There is. Therefore, there is no means for preparing a message sequence while interactively inputting an operation instruction.

Further, there is no means for extracting a necessary message sequence or a means for providing a concept of time.

[0005]

The conventional message sequence display method only displays a message sequence created for each operation scenario of a service function, and it is difficult for a real user to understand the service. I can't say. In addition, since operation instructions cannot be interactively given in the middle of an operation scenario, usability is an issue.

Further, since there is no concept of time, the timing of message communication is not accurately displayed on a message sequence (for example, message collision).

Furthermore, since it is not possible to arbitrarily specify the objects to be displayed in the message sequence, messages that do not need to be displayed are displayed, and there is a problem in understanding the user's message chart.

A main object of the present invention is to directly execute the operation specifications of a real-time system as viewed from the user side interactively and to extract and display a required part of a message sequence created as a result. The object of the present invention is to provide a message sequence display device which can perform the following.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a message sequence display device according to the present invention is provided for setting a device to be handled in a real-time system as a target, and a program object describing the operation of the object and the relationship between the objects. A symbol graphic object in which the program object is described by a meaningful graphic, a conversion table capable of converting the program object name and the symbol graphic object name in both directions,
Communication means for performing message communication between arbitrary objects; command display means for interactively displaying a processing operation instruction for the program object in a menu format;
Command input means for interactively accepting an instruction of a processing operation for a program object from a menu; message sequence storage means for storing a history of messages transmitted and received by the operation of the program object; and necessary message sequences stored in the means. It comprises a message sequence extracting means for extracting a partial message sequence, and a message sequence displaying means for graphically displaying the message sequences extracted by the means in a time-series manner.

[0010] In the message sequence display device according to the present invention, the transmission time and the reception time are further included in the message.

Further, the message sequence display device according to the present invention further displays a message transmission time and a message reception time.

Further, the message sequence display device according to the present invention can designate a name of a message to be displayed.

Further, the message sequence display device according to the present invention can designate between program objects to be displayed as a message sequence.

Further, the message sequence display device according to the present invention can specify the transmission time and the reception time of the message to be displayed.

[0015]

In the message sequence display device configured as described above, the program object and the symbol graphic object representing the operation specification of the object are independently defined, and further, a table group representing the correspondence between the program object and the symbol graphic object. Have prepared. Then, the history of the messages transmitted via the communication control means is stored, and the message sequence can be graphically displayed in chronological order after execution.

When an arbitrary object is specified interactively, only a message sequence between the objects can be extracted and displayed in a time-series manner.

If a message name is specified interactively, only the message having the specified name is extracted, and the sequence can be graphically displayed in a time-series manner with the name.

Further, when the transmission time and the reception time are specified interactively, only the message at the specified time is extracted,
The sequence can be graphically displayed in chronological order with time.

[0019]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a message sequence display device according to the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a terminal device for inputting and displaying figures and texts using a mouse or an icon, 20 denotes symbol figure display means for displaying a symbol figure, and 30 denotes an operation on a program object and a message sequence display. Command input means for receiving a command for designating a display target and a display time on the means, 31 is a command display means for displaying a command menu for instructing operation on a program object, 40 is a program object, 50 is a symbol graphic object, and 60 is a symbol graphic object A program name / graphic name conversion table used to obtain a symbol graphic object name from a program object name; 61, a graphic name / program name conversion table used to obtain a program object name from a symbol graphic object name; 70 is Communication means for performing message communications between programs object or symbol graphic object, 7
1 is a time monitoring means for monitoring the message communication time;
Is a message sequence storage unit for storing message communication history information in a file, 81 is a file for storing message communication history information, 90 is a display target input from the command input unit 30 based on message communication history information. Message sequence extracting means for extracting the history information of the message communication corresponding to the display time; 91, a file for storing the history information of the message communication extracted by the message sequence extracting means 90; 92 is a message sequence display means for graphically displaying the history information of the message communication. Here, a plurality of program objects 40 and a plurality of symbol graphic objects 50 are prepared. Upon receiving the message, the program object 40 and the symbol graphic object 50 execute a corresponding process, and if necessary, send the message to another object, and record the history of messages transmitted and received by the operation of the object. Remember
A necessary portion is extracted from the stored message sequence, and the message sequence is displayed in a chronological manner in a diagrammatic manner.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an operation specification display screen on the message sequence display device of the present invention, which is displayed using an exchange system as an example. On the operation specification display screen 201, a human symbol graphic object 202, a multifunction telephone symbol graphic object 203, an exchange symbol graphic object 205, a line symbol graphic object 204 connecting the multifunction telephone and the exchange, and an operation timing are displayed. It displays the symbol graphic object 206 of the clock to be controlled and the contents 207 of the message sent from the person, the multi-function telephone and the exchange. Each symbol graphic object has a graphic name 208. For example, "exchange" is a graphic name. This screen example displays a scene where the state changes from the number receiving state to the calling state. The display changes each time a message is sent between program objects. The display change is performed by the program object 40 obtaining the corresponding graphic name from the program name using the program name / graphic name conversion table 60 and transmitting a message to the corresponding symbol graphic object. Change the color and shape of

FIG. 3 is a definition example of a program object in the message sequence display device of the present invention, which is described in an object-oriented language. Reference numeral 401 denotes an example of a program object definition of an exchange, and reference numeral 402 denotes an example of a program object definition of a multifunctional telephone. The program object definition has a program name 403 and a slot 404 as a data storage area. Reference numeral 405 denotes a definition example of the operation of the exchange object 401. In this example, when an off-hook request message is received from the multi-function telephone object 402, the multi-function telephone object 402
Returns a message indicating that the off-hook request has been accepted. If more operations are needed, we will add more programs.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen for defining a symbol graphic object in the message sequence display device of the present invention, which describes an example of an object handled in the exchange system. A component display screen 501 displays the defined symbol graphic object. Examples include people, exchanges, multifunction phones, clocks, lines, and the like. Reference numeral 502 denotes an example of a defined symbol graphic object, which has a graphic name 503. The static specification of the exchange system is expressed by selecting the symbol graphic object in the parts display screen and copying it in the operation display screen.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the program name / graphic name conversion table 60. This table comprises a pair of the program name 601 of the program object 40 and the graphic name 602 of the symbol graphic object 50, and the name of the corresponding symbol graphic object 50 can be obtained from the name of the program object 40. The program name 601 of the program object 40 stores the program name 403 of FIG.
The graphic name 503 of FIG. 4 is stored in the graphic name 602 of 0.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the graphic name / program name conversion table 61. This table comprises a pair of a graphic name 611 of the symbol graphic object and a program name 612 of the program object, and the name of the corresponding program object can be obtained from the name of the symbol graphic object. The graphic name 503 in FIG. 4 is stored in the graphic name 611 of the symbol graphic object, and the program name 403 in FIG. 3 is stored in the program name 612 of the program object.

FIG. 7 shows a message sequence storage means 90.
5 is an example of a message information format stored in the message sequence file 91 by the following. The message information format includes a serial number 911 indicating the order in which the messages are stored, an object transmission source name 912 indicating a message transmission source, an object communication destination name 913 indicating a message communication destination, an information size 914 indicating an information area size, and an object. It comprises an information area 915 storing information exchanged between them, a transmission time 916 indicating a message transmission time, and a reception time 917 indicating a message reception time. Information stored in the information area 915 includes a message name, an internal state of an object, and the like. Here, the generated message sequence is only a message transmitted and received between the program objects 40, and does not include a message transmitted and received by the symbol graphic object. The storage of the message sequence in the file 91 is as follows. First, when the communication unit 70 receives a request for message transmission, it checks whether the object transmission source name 701 and the object communication destination name 702 in the message are the program objects 40, In the case of the program object 40, the time obtained by the time monitoring unit 71 is added to the message content as the transmission time 916 and the reception time 917, and the message storage unit 9
Hand over to 0. Then, the message storage unit 90 updates the number of stored messages, sets the value as a serial number 911, assigns a serial number 911, and stores the inherited message in the message sequence file 91.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the time monitoring function realized by using the time monitoring means 71. The time monitoring function is a function of sending a message to a predetermined program object or symbol graphic object at a specified time. For example, when sending a message to the program object 42 at a designated time, the program object 41 first puts the designated sending time in the object sender name 911, the object communication destination name 913, and the information area 915, Send to communication means 70. When the communication unit 70 determines that the designated time is specified in the message, it requests the time monitoring unit 71 to notify the time limit monitoring unit 71 when the designated time comes. When the time reaches the designated time, the time monitoring unit 71 sends a notification to that effect to the communication unit 7.
Return to 0. The communication unit 70 adds the reception time to the message and sends the message to the program object 42. The time specification method may be absolute time or relative time.

FIG. 9 shows a message sequence file 8.
1, the target symbol graphic object and the target transmission / reception time are extracted by the message sequence extracting means 90, and the extracted message sequence history information is displayed by the message sequence displaying means 92 on the message.
This is an example in which the sequence is graphically displayed on the screen 101 in chronological order. The message sequence diagram arranges a designated program object name 102 at a predetermined position,
A boundary line 103 for designating an object boundary is arranged below the program object name. Furthermore, the time axis 10
8 is placed on the left side. On the time axis 108, the start time 106 and the end time 107 of the display time of the message sequence diagram are displayed. An arrow 104 with the object sender name as the starting point and the object receiver name as the ending point
Are chronologically subtracted along the time axis 108. This arrow 10
4, a message name 105 is described. The key array 109 is a command for the message sequence display device. Message name 110, Object name 11
By specifying 1, transmission time 112 and reception time 113, an argument 120 can be added to the command. Also, as keys for scrolling the screen, up scroll 114, down scroll 116, left scroll 115, right scroll 1
17. There is a time scroll 118. In the case of time scrolling, the time to scroll is specified by the argument 120.

FIG. 10 shows the stored message sequence file 81 in the range of the object name to be displayed input from the command input means 30, the name of the message to be displayed, the transmission time and the reception time. It is an operation flow example of the message sequence extracting means 90 for extracting a corresponding message sequence.

(1) The name of the object to be displayed, the name of the message, and the range of transmission time and reception time are input (step 901).

(2) Message sequence file 81
A message is read out (step 902).

(3) Message of specified message name
If there is a page, the processing after (4) is performed. Messe
If there is no page, all processing ends (step 903).

(4) The source object name 912 is extracted from the read message and compared with the designated object name. If the object names match, execute the next process, otherwise skip the corresponding process,
Return to (2) (step 904).

(5) The destination object name 913 is extracted from the read message and is compared with the specified object name. If the object names match, execute the next process, otherwise skip the corresponding process,
Return to (2) (step 905).

(6) The transmission time 916 is extracted from the read message and it is determined whether it is within the designated time. If it is within the time, the next process is executed, and if it is outside the time, the corresponding process is skipped and the process returns to (2) (step 9)
06).

(7) The reception time 917 is extracted from the read message and it is determined whether it is within the designated time. If it is within the time, the next process is executed, and if it is outside the time, the corresponding process is skipped and the process returns to (2) (step 90
7).

(8) The read message is output to the extracted message sequence file 91 (step 90).
8).

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the message sequence display means 92 inputs a message from the message sequence file 81 and the extracted message sequence file 91 and displays a message sequence diagram (FIG. 9). An example of the operation flow of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the program object name 101 as the target of the message sequence diagram and the start time 105 and the end time 106 of the message to be displayed are given by the command input means 30 in advance.

(1) Determine the position of the object name and display the object name 101 and the boundary line 102 (step 9)
21).

(2) Start time 105, end time 106,
And the time axis 107 is displayed (step 922).

(3) The message is stored in the message sequence file 81 or the extracted message sequence file 9
The data is sequentially read from 1 (step 923).

(4) Message sequence file 81
Alternatively, if there is no message to be read from the extracted message sequence file 92, the process proceeds to (8). Messe
If there is a page, (5) to (7) are executed, and the process returns to (3) (step 924).

(5) The source program object name and the destination program object name are extracted from the message, and the boundary 10 of the object name displayed in (1) is obtained.
1 is determined (step 925).

(6) The transmission time 916 and the reception time 917 are extracted from the message, and the position on the time axis 107 displayed in (2) is determined (step 926).

(7) An arrow 103 is displayed from the transmission position determined in (5) and (6) to the reception position. Further, the message name 104 is displayed above the arrow 103, and the process returns to (3) (step 927).

(8) Wait for a command to be input to the message sequence diagram (step 928).

(9) According to the type of the input command,
Processing corresponding to command (10), (11), (12)
(Step 929).

(10) Scroll the message sequence diagram upward or downward by a preset width, and (8)
Return to (Step 930).

(11) The display of the message sequence diagram is terminated, and all the processes are terminated simultaneously (step 93).
1).

FIG. 12 shows an example of a message sequence display screen in which a message name 121 is designated by a key, a parameter 122 is designated, and the message sequence extracting means 90 extracts the message sequence of FIG. is there. It becomes clear at what timing messages with the same name are transmitted and received.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which the object name 131 and the program object 2 are input from the message sequence shown in FIG. 'Is an example of a message sequence display screen extracted in'. It becomes clear at what timing messages between specified objects are sent and received.

FIG. 14 shows a case where the reception time 141 is inputted by a key.
10 is an example of a message sequence display screen extracted by the message sequence extracting unit 90 at the transmission time “1” and the reception time “6” from the message sequence of FIG. 9 by specifying the argument 142. It becomes clear at what timing and between what objects the message at the specified time is transmitted and received.

FIG. 15 is an example of a message sequence display screen when the down-scroll 151 is input by a key on the screen of FIG. The next time 153 is displayed on the time axis, and the next message 154 is displayed.

FIG. 16 is an example of a message sequence display screen when the right scroll 161 is key-inputted on the screen of FIG. New program object 16
The third axis is displayed and a new message is displayed.

FIG. 17 shows the screen of FIG.
11 is an example of a message sequence display screen when an argument 173 is designated by key input of 1; The phenomenon to be examined is "message collision", which is indicated by the broken line 174. This mark can also be displayed by changing the color in addition to the broken line.

[0055]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

The operation specifications of objects handled in the real-time system can be described by software and the corresponding symbol figure, and a message sequence as a result of operating the system interactively can be graphically displayed in chronological order. Confirmation of system operation specifications can be performed visually.

Further, by designating the time between the objects and the transmission / reception time of the message, only the required message can be extracted and graphically displayed in a time-series manner, so that the understanding of the message sequence is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a message sequence display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation specification display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a definition of a program object operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the definition of a symbol graphic object according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a program name / graphic name conversion table of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a graphic name / program name conversion table of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a message format stored in the message storage means of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timed monitoring function according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the message sequence of the present invention is described graphically in time series.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed operation flow for realizing a message sequence extracting means.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed operation flow for realizing a message sequence display means.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which messages extracted by the message sequence extracting means are described in time series.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which messages extracted by the message sequence extracting means are described in time series.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which messages extracted by the message sequence extracting means are described in time series.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a message sequence scrolled down by the message sequence display means.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a message sequence scrolled rightward by the message sequence display means.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a message sequence by marking a message retrieved by the message sequence display means.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Terminal device, 20 ... Symbol graphic display means, 30 ... Command input means, 31 ... Command display means, 40 ... Program object, 50 ... Symbol graphic object, 60 ... Program name / graphic name conversion table, 61 ... Graphic Name / program name conversion table, 70: communication means, 71: time limit monitoring means, 80: message sequence storage means, 81: file for storing message sequence, 90 ... message sequence extraction Means 91: a file for storing the extracted message sequence; 92: a message sequence display means.

Continuation of the front page (56) References Noriyuki Abe and three others, A study of an exchange service modeling system, IEICE Technical Report, Japan, Vol. 90, no. 389, p. 1-6 (SSE90-114) Hikaru Suzuki et al., ISDN User Network Protocol Fault Search System (IP ROT), IEICE Technical Report, Japan, Vol. 90, no. 389,. 25-30 (SS E90-118), 002, CCNT 199800828005 Hironori Saito, Yoshiaki Tsunoda, Protocol Verification System Based on Process Transition Expansion Method, IEICE Technical Report, Japan, Vol. 90, No. 37, p. 31-36 (SSE90-18), 002, CSN 199901537004 Denichi Iwato, Masafumi Koyamada, Proposal of Visual Design Support for Real-Time Software-Outline of Support System-, Proc. {II ▼), Japan, Information Processing Society of Japan, p. 1580- 1581 (5S-8) Masafumi Koyamada, Denichi Iwato, Proposal of Visual Design Support for Real-time Software-Overview of Motion Design Technique-, Proc. Of the 39th National Convention (Late 1989) ), Japan, Information Processing Society of Japan, p. 1582-1583 (5S-9) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 13/00 JICST file (JOIS)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A program object which sets an apparatus to be handled in a communication system as an object and describes an operation of the object and a relation between the objects.
A symbol graphic object describing a graphic meaningful of the symbol graphic object, a conversion table capable of bidirectional conversion between a program object name and a symbol graphic object name, communication means for performing message communication between arbitrary objects, and message communication A time monitoring means for monitoring time, a command display means for interactively displaying a processing operation instruction for a program object in a menu mode, a command input means for accepting a processing operation instruction for a program object from a menu interactively, and a program A message sequence storing means for storing a history of messages transmitted and received by the operation of the object; and a necessary part of a message sequence from the message sequence stored by the means. A message sequence extracting means for extracting a sage sequence, the message sequence display device and a message sequence display means for time-sequentially displaying a message sequence extracted by the means graphically, the transmission time of the message to be displayed
Message sequence extraction function that can specify the reception time
A message sequence display device provided in the means . 2. An apparatus (object) for handling in a communication system.
Object) and set the object behavior and object
A program object that describes the relationships between
Describe the meaningful figure of the symbol figure object
Symbol object and program object
Of the object name and symbol graphic object name in both directions.
Conversion table that can be exchanged, and
Message communication time and message communication time
The time monitoring means to be monitored and the
Interactively display menu instructions for processing operations
Command display means and program object
Commands that accept processing operation instructions interactively from a menu
Command input means and the operation of the program object.
To store the history of messages sent and received
Sequence storage means, and the message stored by the means
Whether the message sequence of necessary part di sequence
Messages to extract the necessary message sequence
Message sequence extracting means, and the message extracted by the means.
Message that displays the message sequence in chronological order
Message sequence provided with sequence display means
By specifying the time on the time axis on the display device,
Scroll message sequence to a specified time
Message sequence display device, wherein the message sequence display means is provided with the following function .