JP6707438B2 - Preview system, preview method and program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a technique for supporting development of an embedded device using a computer.

Broadcasting systems and other social infrastructures are required to pass various verification tasks and tests before actual operation. For example, it is important to verify whether an application (software) to be developed normally functions in an embedded device. However, it becomes difficult to verify the behavior of the device assuming the source code bug fix (Bug Fix) and every situation as the system becomes huge. In recent years, broadcasting stations in Tokyo have been installed with a large-scale digital broadcast master transmission system, and the time required for the verification work has been extended.

In the verification work of the broadcasting system, it is necessary to confirm not only the device itself but also the cooperation of a plurality of devices. Further, it is necessary to confirm not only the correctness of control of the device but also the image and sound of broadcast output, character information, program program information (EPG: Electric Program Guide), and output timing of these. Furthermore, the number of items to be confirmed, such as items to be inspected in a plurality of preconditions and control operations, is very large. In order to increase the efficiency of verification work, it is also considered to build a test environment by using virtualization technology that uses computer resources, and there is a strong need to shorten the time required for verification of social infrastructure as much as possible.

Atsushi Nagaishi, Toyohiko Mukaiyama, Masayuki Kaneda, "Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Master Transmission System", Toshiba Review Vol. 59 No. 2 (2004), p7-17

Just as important as reducing the verification time itself is preventing oversight of verification results. If an oversight of the verification result is found, the verification work must be redone from the beginning, which not only doubles the time required, but also significantly increases the labor. Some measure is desired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a preview system, a preview method and a program capable of improving the efficiency of development of broadcasting station equipment.

According to the embodiment, the preview system targets a social infrastructure including a plurality of broadcasting-related devices each controlled by an application. This preview system includes an execution environment construction unit, a virtual machine generation unit, a scenario creation unit, a scenario shortening unit, a simulation unit, and a marking unit. The execution environment construction unit constructs a virtualized common execution environment. The virtual machine generation unit virtualizes each broadcast-related device equipped with an application to generate a plurality of virtual machines. The scenario creating unit calculates a control point for causing a state transition of a virtual machine according to a broadcast program, and creates a control scenario that reflects the broadcast program. The scenario shortening unit adaptively shortens the time interval of control points included in the control scenario to create a shortened scenario. The simulating unit executes a simulation imitating the cooperative operation of a plurality of virtual machines in the execution environment according to the shortened scenario. The marking unit generates marking information associated with the control points included in the shortened scenario.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a terrestrial digital broadcasting system. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the broadcasting station equipment according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a control sequence associated with the occurrence of an event in the broadcasting station facility shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware environment of the preview system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the preview system shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a verification broadcast program. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the functional blocks provided in the server 500 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a control scenario. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the shortening scenario. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the marker table 52g. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual machine in a virtual execution environment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the server 500 in the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For example, a system that controls a synthesis process of an output of a video/audio device is widely known. The broadcasting-related equipment controlled by this system includes a wide variety of devices such as a VTR, a video synthesizing device, a video output signal switching device (switcher), and a video/audio data compression device. It is necessary to carry out verification work covering a huge number of items before installing these equipment in the station and starting operation.

Each device is a so-called built-in device that is controlled by a specially developed application. In this embodiment, a broadcasting station facility as a social infrastructure including a plurality of broadcasting-related devices is targeted. More specifically, a novel method for verifying an application installed in an embedded device will be disclosed below.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a terrestrial digital broadcasting system. A transport stream (TS) created by the master transmission system of the broadcasting station 100 is transmitted to, for example, a radio tower 300 via a communication network 200 such as a leased line network. The radio tower 300 digitally modulates the TS signal and radiates it in the microwave band. The radiated radio waves are received by the image receiver of each home 400, and video and audio are reproduced. As schematically shown, the equipment provided in the broadcasting station 100 is large-scale and diverse.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the broadcasting station equipment according to the embodiment. The broadcasting station equipment includes an information system 10, a signal processing system 20, a transmission system 30, a monitoring system 40, and a clock node 80. These are interconnected via an intra-station network 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Of these, the clock node 80 supplies the master time to each broadcasting-related device.

The intra-office network 50 transmits, for example, image/audio data, control information exchanged between broadcasting-related devices, various electronic messages, and the like.

The information system 10 includes a broadcast information scheduler 11 and a database 12.
The signal processing system 20 includes a control system 60, a switcher (SW) 21, an encoder (ENC) 23, an SI transmission unit 24, a VBR 25, a multiplexing unit (MUX) 26, and a scrambler (SCR) 27. The signal processing system 20 may have a redundant configuration by preparing, for example, two systems (1 system and 0 system).

The switcher 21 receives program contents and CM contents from the recorded broadcast material server 70, character information, line materials which are LIVE materials, video/audio signals from the studio, or video signals/audio signals/data signals from various equipment. The program is fetched, the route is switched according to the program guide, and the program is connected to the encoder 23 at the next stage.

The encoder 23 encodes the video signal/audio signal/data signal according to a predetermined procedure, and inputs it to the multiplexing unit 26 in the next stage. The multiplexing unit 26 multiplexes the coded signal from the encoder 23, the SI (Service Information) signal from the SI transmission unit 24, the ECM signal, and the signal from the VBR 25, and passes the stream of the transmission system 30 via the scrambler 27. It is sent to the switching units 31 and 32.

The control system 60 of the signal processing system 20 includes a device control scheduler 61, a real-time controller 62, and a node (NODE) 63. The device control scheduler 61 executes processing relating to control of the broadcast schedule.

The real-time controller 62 executes processing related to real-time control. That is, the real-time controller 62 controls each broadcasting-related device based on the control schedule created based on the broadcasting program.

The node 63 is connected to, for example, equipment (an analog VTR or the like) that does not have a connection interface to the intra-station network 50, and provides an interface to the intra-station network 50. This allows older equipment to be placed under the control of broadcasting equipment. A plurality of nodes 63 may be provided as needed.

The monitoring system 40 includes a plurality of monitoring control devices such as broadcast schedule display, system system status display, material/sending video display, and device operation, and their operating functions. The broadcast schedule display is a functional block that performs processing related to, for example, an OA (on-air) display terminal. The system system status display is, for example, a functional block that performs processing related to the monitoring instruction terminal and the alarm terminal. The material/transmitted video display is a functional block that performs processing related to, for example, multiple monitors. The device operation is, for example, a functional block that performs processing related to the monitoring console and the monitoring instruction terminal.
The clock node 80 supplies the master time to each of the above broadcasting-related devices.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a control sequence associated with the occurrence of an event in the broadcasting station facility shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that a message for outputting on-air (OA) data from the VTR 1 is given from the broadcast program sending unit 91 to the device control scheduler 61 at 10:00. Then, the device control scheduler 61 gives a CDT message to the real-time controller 62.

Receiving this, the real-time controller 62 notifies the VTR-NODE 92 of the VTR-start message (START(PLAY)) by a dedicated electronic message. Here, in consideration of the mechanical time lag and control delay of the VTR 93, an instruction to start the VTR 93 is transmitted before the target time (for example, 09:59:57). Upon receiving this, the VTR-NODE 92 gives a PLAY instruction to the VTR 93 and video reproduction is started.

On the other hand, at 10:00:00, a cross point (Xp) switching instruction is given from the real-time controller 62 to the switcher control NODE 94. Thereby, for example, a message is displayed in the log (automatic service control).

The switcher control NODE 94 gives a crosspoint switching instruction to the subordinate switcher 21, and the switcher 21 switches the crosspoints in response to this (automatic operation control). In addition, the switcher 21 notifies the system state display section 95 of the monitoring system 40 of the setting state (Xp state) of its own crosspoint as a tally signal (Xp state display switching).

Next, a novel mode in which the above broadcasting station equipment is virtualized using computer resources and the application software is verified in a virtual environment will be described. Hereinafter, this type of system will be described as a preview system, a virtual test platform (VTP), or a virtual test system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware environment of the preview system according to the embodiment. The preview system shown in FIG. 4 includes a server 500 and a client terminal 700. The server 500 and the client terminal 700 are communicably connected to each other via the network 600. Based on various information displayed on the monitor 75 of the client terminal 700, the user can know information such as application verification work, test process and results.

The network 600 may be a wired LAN, a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like), or a communication network such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) passing through a public network. In short, the server 500 and the client terminal 700 may be in the same building or in separate positions. The client terminal 700 may be realized as a laptop computer, a tablet terminal, or a thin client terminal.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the preview system shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the server 500 and the client terminal 700 are both computers including (CPU Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit (semiconductor memory, hard disk, etc.). The OS (Operating System) installed in each computer may be a well-known OS such as Windows (registered trademark) or Linux (registered trademark), or an OS developed exclusively. In particular, if the client terminal 700 is a tablet terminal, an OS such as Android (registered trademark) or iOS (registered trademark) may be installed.

The server 500 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, and an interface unit 53. Of these, the interface unit 53 communicates with the client terminal 700 via the network 600.
The storage unit 52 may use a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

The control unit 51 includes an execution environment construction unit 51a, a virtual machine generation unit 51b, a scenario creation unit 51c, a scenario shortening unit 51d, a simulation unit 51e, and a marking unit 51f.
The execution environment construction unit 51a interprets and executes the instruction described in the server control program 52a. The execution environment construction unit 51a constructs a virtualized common execution environment in the server 500.

The virtual machine generator 51b interprets and executes the command described in the server control program 52a. The virtual machine generator 51b virtualizes the devices included in the broadcasting station facility shown in FIG. 2 to generate virtual machines. Each virtual machine imitates a device loaded with an application, and is an object that functions in a virtual execution environment.

It should be noted that the platform of each device in the broadcasting station equipment is not usually unified. That is, there are devices based on the x86 architecture and the x64 architecture, devices configured with the PPC (PowerPC (registered trademark)) architecture, or devices based on completely different architectures. The architectural differences extend to all layers such as endian (byte order) differences due to CPU differences, application and OS differences, device data type (length and alignment) differences, and system call differences. The difference between such devices is particularly remarkable in a broadcasting station facility including a wide variety of devices.

Since the application is developed for the platform of the embedded device, it is necessary to solve the difference in platform in order to operate the virtual machines of multiple devices in the virtual execution space. Therefore, in the embodiment, in the case where devices of different platforms are mixed, the virtual machine generation unit 51b hides the specifications specific to the application based on the difference of the platform from the virtual execution environment and generates the virtual machine.

The scenario creating unit 51c interprets and executes the command described in the server control program 52a. The scenario creating unit 51c calculates a control point for changing the state of the virtual machine according to the broadcast program data 72b acquired from the client terminal 700, and creates a control scenario that reflects the broadcast program data 72b.

The broadcast program data 72b is data corresponding to so-called program program information (EPG), and is data indicating time-series broadcast contents for each time. For example, an example of a verification broadcast program is shown in FIG.

The scenario shortening unit 51d interprets and executes the command described in the server control program 52a. The scenario shortening unit 51d adaptively shortens the time interval of the control points included in the control scenario created by the scenario creating unit 51c to create a shortened scenario. That is, the scenario shortening unit 51d creates the shortened scenario by shortening the time interval of the control points as rationally and as possible or flexibly. In other words, there are control points where the time interval can be shortened, and there are control points where the time interval should not be shortened, such as an untimed event described later. The scenario shortening unit 51d makes such a determination for each control point and intelligently shortens the time interval of the control points rather than blindly.

The simulation unit 51e interprets and executes the command described in the server control program 52a. The simulation unit 51e executes a simulation imitating the cooperative operation of the virtual machine in the virtual execution environment constructed by the execution environment construction unit 51a. In particular, the simulation unit 51e executes the simulation according to the control scenario data 52b or the shortened scenario data 52f which is a shortened version thereof.

The storage unit 52, in addition to the server control program 52a that controls the server 500 to realize its functions, the control scenario data 52b, the control information data 52c, the control point data 52d and 52e, the shortened scenario data 52f, and the marker table 52g. Memorize

The client terminal 700 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, an interface unit 73, an operation unit 74, and a monitor 75. Of these, the interface unit 73 communicates with the server 500 via the network 600. The operation unit 74 and the monitor 75 are operation means such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel, and provide a user interface such as GUI (Graphical User Interface).

The control unit 71 includes an operation control unit 71a. The operation control unit 71a interprets and executes the command described in the terminal control program 72a of the storage unit 72. The operation control unit 71a accepts a user's operation using the operation unit 74 and notifies the server 500 of a command according to the operation content via the network 600. In particular, the operation control unit 71a receives the selection designation of the marking information relating to the re-execution of the simulation, and notifies the server 500 of it.

Further, the control unit 71 may have a function of evaluating an application installed in the virtual machine based on the simulation executed by the simulation unit 51e. For example, if the evaluator is a human, the evaluator can evaluate the behavior and malfunction of the application by displaying the progress of the simulation and the result on the monitor 75. Alternatively, a tool (evaluation module) that automatically evaluates the application based on the simulation result may be prepared, and the simulation result may be passed (redirected) to the tool.

The storage unit 72 is a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, an HDD, an SSD, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. The storage unit 72 stores broadcast program data 72b in addition to the terminal control program 72a that controls the client terminal 700 to realize its function.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the functional blocks provided in the server 500 shown in FIG.
The scenario creation unit 51c includes a broadcast program acquisition unit c1, a control information creation unit c2, and a control scenario creation unit c3 as functional blocks according to the embodiment.
The broadcast program acquisition unit c1 acquires the broadcast program data 72b from the client terminal 700 and passes it to the control information creation unit c2.
The control information creation unit c2 calculates control information for appropriately changing the state of each broadcast-related device according to the broadcast program data 72b, and its transmission time. The created control information is passed to the control scenario creating unit c3 and the scenario shortening unit 51d together with the sending time.
The control scenario creation unit c3 creates a control scenario that reflects the broadcast program data 72b based on each control information passed from the control information creation unit c2 and its sending time. The control scenario is stored as control scenario data 52b and control information data 52c.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a control scenario. It can be said that the control scenario is data in which the control information calculated based on the broadcast program and the transmission time thereof are listed in time series. This control scenario is stored as control scenario data 52b in, for example, XML (eXtended Markup Language) format.

The scenario shortening unit 51d includes a time controllable point extracting unit d1, a manual control waiting point extracting unit d2, and a control scenario shortening unit d3 as functional blocks according to the embodiment.

The time controllable point extraction unit d1 extracts, from the control information passed from the control information creation unit c2, points at which the control information transmission time exceeds the specified interval in the control scenario. The extracted points are stored as control point data 52d.

The manual control waiting point extraction unit d2 extracts, from the control information passed from the control information creation unit c2, a control point in the control scenario, which corresponds to an untimed event requiring user intervention and whose time cannot be controlled. The points at which the control information transmission time exceeds the specified interval are extracted. The extracted points are stored as control point data 52e.

The control scenario shortening unit d3 refers to the control information data 52c and the control point data 52d and 52e, and adaptively shortens the time interval of the control points included in the control scenario created by the control scenario creating unit c3 to shorten the scenario. To create. That is, by creating a shortened scenario in which the waiting period for an untimed event is secured by shortening the period between the control point data 52d whose temporal position can be changed, excluding the control point data 52e related to manual control. can do.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the shortening scenario. The event indicated by the mark (*) in FIG. 8 has a free time of about 3 minutes or 10 minutes until the next event. Therefore, the scenario shortening unit 51d modifies the control scenario so as to minimize this idle time, and creates a so-called shortened version of the control scenario as shown in FIG.

In other words, the scenario shortening unit 51d extracts a point at which the control information transmission time in the control scenario exceeds the specified interval, and advances the control information transmission time related to the extracted point to create a shortened scenario. In the shortening scenario shown in FIG. 9, the time interval between events is shortened to about 1 minute as indicated by the mark (◯). At that time, the control information transmission time of the control scenario is not advanced in the part of the untimed event time zone.

As described above, by collecting the dead time in the control scenario created based on the broadcast program and shortening the control scenario based on the result, it is possible to prevent the simulation dead time from being accumulated. This makes it possible to effectively reduce the time required for simulation. The generated shortened scenario is stored as shortened scenario data 52f.

By the way, the marking unit 51f in the control unit 51 (FIG. 5) of the server 500 generates marking information associated with the control points included in the shortening scenario, for example, as the simulation progresses. The generated marking information is associated with the control information and stored as the marker table 52g.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the marker table 52g. The marker table 52g is created by associating uniquely distinguishable marking information with a specific event (for example, CM start, program start, etc.) in the shortened scenario. By specifying the marking information, it is possible to jump to the corresponding event.

The operation unit 74 of the client terminal 700 receives designation of marking information by the user using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) menu or the like, for example. When this operation is performed, for example, after the end of the simulation, the simulation unit 51e executes the simulation again from the control point corresponding to the designated marking information. As a result, for example, the following functions can be realized.

(1) Function to return from the current control point to the previous control point.
(2) Function to move to the next control point (step execution).
(3) A function to jump to a specified place (event). That is, the function of cutting the middle.
(4) A function that executes the specified period in real time.
(5) A function to return to a designated place (event).

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual machine in a virtual execution environment. The server 500 includes a device control scheduler V1 as a virtual machine, a real-time controller V2, a console control device V3, a master switcher V4, an NTP server V5, and a preview server V6. The preview server V6 includes a log collection server V7, a virtual control device V8, and a broadcast time controller V9. All of these are virtual objects that use the resources of the server 500.

The client terminal 700 includes a manual delivery control unit V10 as a virtual machine, a device monitoring unit V11, a delivery service scheduler V12, a message logger V13, and a preview operation unit V14. The preview operation unit V14 includes a log display/retrieval unit V15, a VM (Virtual Machine) operation unit V16, and an emulator operation unit V17. All of these are virtual objects that use the resources of the client terminal 700.

The server 500 and the client terminal 700 are connected via two types of communication interfaces. That is, a general-purpose LAN 601 based on Ethernet (registered trademark) and a dedicated control network 602.

The general-purpose LAN 601 is mainly used for transmitting image data and audio data, and a general-purpose protocol such as TCP/IP can be used. The control-dedicated network 602 is a network capable of ensuring real-time property, and is mainly used for exchanging electronic messages between devices. The topology of this type of network is typically of the token ring type, and for example, there is a network known as SECNET3.

In the comparison between FIG. 11 and FIG. 2, the device control scheduler V1 corresponds to the device control scheduler 61. The real-time controller V2 corresponds to the real-time controller 62. The console control device V3 corresponds to the monitoring system 40. The master switcher V4 corresponds to the switcher 21. The broadcast time controller V9 corresponds to the clock node 80. In addition, the NTP server V5, the preview server V6, the log collection server V7, and the virtual control device V8 can be associated with any of the devices provided in the broadcasting station facility.

The device monitoring unit V11 corresponds to a monitoring console (not shown) or a monitoring instruction terminal provided in the monitoring system 40. In addition, a manual transmission control unit V10, a transmission service scheduler V12, a message logger V13, a preview operation unit V14, a log display/retrieval unit V15, a VM operation unit V16, and an emulator operation unit V17 are also included in any device provided in the broadcasting station facility. Correspondence is possible.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the server 500 in the embodiment. This processing procedure is performed, for example, for verification before actual operation of the broadcasting system. At the time of the verification work, a verification broadcast program is prepared for actual operation, and the operation of the system is confirmed (preview) according to the program.

In FIG. 12, first, a verification time range is set (step S1). Then, the next control information and control point information are read from the database 12 (steps S2 and S3), and the broadcast time for verification is set (step S4).

Next, it is determined whether the verification end time has arrived (step S5), and the loop of steps S6 to S9 is repeated until it is determined Yes here. When entering the loop, first, it is determined whether or not it is a time zone of an uncertain event (untimed event) (step S6).

When the control movement instruction is input from the operation unit 74 in the state other than the time zone of the untimed event (No) (step S7), the server 500 determines the control time next to the time corresponding to the instructed marking information, that is, the control time. From the time point, the sending time of the next control information is detected from the control point data 52e and set (step S8), and the master time (broadcast time) is advanced until that time. That is, the server 500 substitutes the next control time into the broadcast time as a variable (step S8).
On the other hand, if it is the time zone of the untimed event in step S6 (Yes), the server 50060 skips the process of advancing the broadcast time and returns to the determination process of step S5. This keeps the master time synchronized with the real time without advancing.

If the master time is simply advanced toward the next control time, the device may not operate properly with the control information of the advanced destination alone. Therefore, the server 500 clarifies in advance information related to advance preparation including the control, and detects a jumpable control time as a time controllable point. This time controllable point may be embedded in the control scenario. Alternatively, the related information may be separately made into a table in advance so that the jumpable position information can be calculated.

As described above, in the embodiment, when performing system verification by simulation, the points where the control information transmission interval exceeds the specified value in the control scenario are extracted, and the master time is advanced to shorten the period and verify. The dead time in the entire time (test time) was reduced. This can reduce the time required for simulation.

In addition, in the embodiment, since the marking information is generated and recorded in association with the simulation event, it is possible to freely go back and forth between the portions to be verified (tested) in the scenario. As a result, even if the change in the scene is not visually recognized in the simulation process, it is possible to return to the scene and execute the simulation again. Therefore, even if the result is missed, the verification does not have to be performed from the beginning, and the time loss can be significantly suppressed.

From these, it is possible to provide a preview system, a preview method, and a program that can improve the efficiency of development of broadcasting station equipment and further improve operability.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the system and method described in the embodiments can be applied not only to a broadcasting system constructed in a virtual environment using a computer but also to a broadcasting system involving a substance. For example, the preview server V6 and the NTP server V5 on the server 500 shown in FIG. 10 may be actual computers.

It is also possible to implement some or all of the functions of the server 500 in a cloud computing system (so-called cloud). For example, SaaS (Software as a Service) that provides an application (software) as a service, PaS (Platform as a Service) that provides a platform (platform) for operating an application as a service, or a server device or central processing unit. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) that provides resources such as devices and storage as a service (public cloud) is known as a form of cloud. The preview system of the embodiment can be realized in any form, but has a particularly high affinity with PaaS.

It is also possible to record the program that realizes the preview system according to the embodiment on a computer-readable recording medium. A preview system can be realized by causing a computer system to read and execute the program recorded in this recording medium. The “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

The "computer-readable recording medium" means a writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a flash memory, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, a hard disk built in a computer system, or the like. A memory device. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" means a volatile memory (for example, a DRAM (Dynamic) in a computer system that serves as a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)), which also holds the program for a certain period of time.

Further, the program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

Further, the program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

10... Information system, 11... Broadcast information scheduler, 12... Database, 20... Signal processing system, 21... Switcher, 23... Encoder, 24... SI sending unit, 26... Multiplexing unit, 30... Transmission system, 31... Stream switching 32... Stream switching section, 40... Monitoring system, 50... Internal network, 51... Control section, 51a... Execution environment construction section 51b... Virtual machine generation section 51c... Scenario creation section 51d... Scenario shortening section 51e... Simulation section 51f... Marking unit 52... Storage unit, 52a... Server control program, 52b... Control scenario data, 52c... Control information data, 52d... Control point data, 52e... Control point data, 52f... Shortening scenario data, 52g... Marker table, 53... Interface unit, 60... Control system, 61... Equipment control scheduler, 62... Real-time controller, 63... Node, 70... Recorded broadcast material server, 71... Control unit, 71a... Operation control unit 72... Storage unit, 72a... Terminal control program, 72b... Broadcast program data, 73... Interface section, 74... Operation section, 75... Monitor, 80... Clock node, 91... Broadcast program sending section, 100... Broadcast station, 200... Communication network, 300... Radio tower , 400... Home, 500... Server, 600... Network, 602... Control dedicated network, 700... Client terminal, 50060... Server, 601... General LAN, 94... Switcher control NODE, V1... Equipment control scheduler, V2... Real-time controller, V3... Console control device, V4... Master switcher, V5... NTP server, V6... Preview server, V7... Log collection server, V8... Virtual control device, V9... Broadcast time controller, V10... Manual sending control unit, V11... Equipment Monitor unit, V12... Transmission service scheduler, V13... Telegram logger, V14... Preview operation unit, V15... Log display/search unit, V16... Virtual machine operation unit, V17... Emulator operation unit, c1... Broadcast program acquisition unit, c2... Control information creation unit, c3... Control scenario creation unit, d1... Time controllable point extraction unit, d2... Manual control waiting point extraction unit, d3... Control scenario shortening unit.

Claims (9)

A preview system for a plurality of broadcast-related devices, each controlled by an application,
An execution environment building unit that builds a common virtualized execution environment,
A virtual machine generator that virtualizes each of the broadcast-related devices equipped with the application to generate a plurality of virtual machines;
A scenario creation unit that calculates a control point for changing the state of the virtual machine according to a broadcast program and creates a control scenario that reflects the broadcast program;
A scenario shortening unit that adaptively shortens the time interval of the control points included in the control scenario to create a shortened scenario,
A simulation unit that executes a simulation that mimics the cooperative operation of the plurality of virtual machines in the execution environment according to the shortened scenario;
And a marking unit that generates marking information associated with the control points included in the shortening scenario. The preview system according to claim 1, wherein the scenario shortening unit variably controls the time interval of the control point after securing a waiting period for an untimed event requiring user intervention. The scenario shortening unit extracts a control point capable of time control and a control point corresponding to the untimed event, which cannot control time,
The preview system according to claim 2, wherein the shortening scenario is created by shortening the time interval of the control points that can control the time. Furthermore, it is equipped with an operation unit that accepts the designation of marking information,
The preview system according to claim 1, wherein the simulation unit re-executes the simulation from a control point corresponding to the designated marking information. A preview method for executing a preview targeting a plurality of broadcast-related devices controlled by an application by a client and a server, respectively.
The server builds a common virtualized execution environment;
The server virtualizes each of the broadcast-related devices equipped with the application to generate a plurality of virtual machines;
The server calculates a control point for changing the state of the virtual machine according to a broadcast program, and creates a control scenario that reflects the broadcast program;
The server adaptively shortens a time interval of control points included in the control scenario to create a shortened scenario;
The server executing a simulation imitating a cooperative operation of the plurality of virtual machines in the execution environment according to the shortened scenario;
The server generating marking information associated with the control points included in the shortening scenario. The preview method according to claim 5, wherein creating the shortened scenario includes variably controlling a time interval of the control point after securing a waiting period of an untimed event requiring user intervention. Creating the shortened scenario
Extracting a control point capable of time control and a control point corresponding to the untimed event, which cannot be controlled in time,
7. The preview method according to claim 6, further comprising: shortening a time interval of the control points capable of time control to create the shortened scenario. Further, the client accepts designation of marking information,
The server re-runs the simulation from a control point corresponding to the specified marking information. A program including instructions for causing a group of computers including a client and a server to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.