JPH0793398A - Method and device for developing computer incorporated article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the developing device which develops the computer incorporated article (actual machine) sufficiently complying with customers' requests in a relatively short period. CONSTITUTION:The actual machine 1 is generally constituted as shown in a figure (A) by connecting plural actual machine components 2 to a software main body 4 through an actual machine driver 3. Simulator components 2' which represent functions that the respective actual machine components have through software are generated as shown in a figure (B), specific simulator components corresponding to customer's requested specifications are coupled with a software body (having the same contents with 4) through a simulator driver 3' (easily replaced by the coupling of programs) to structure a tentative actual machine 1' corresponding to the actual machine, and simulation is performed by using a simulation device 5. A machine similar to the actual machine can be seen, so it can easily be judged whether or not the actual machine meets the requirements, and then hardware is generated by using actual machine components corresponding to the simulator components.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing computer-embedded products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When developing a microcomputer-embedded product such as a POS, both software and hardware are developed. Considering the development procedure, the customer's required specifications are summarized. The required specifications of the actual machine are summarized above, and then the hardware parts (actual machine parts) that match the specifications are selected and assembled, and the software for operating the hardware is developed.

By the way, the required specifications are often changed during the development of hardware, and the changes are mainly the changes of actual machine parts. If the part to be changed has already been developed, a correction process must be performed, but the correction has a great influence on the software development.

Further, even if the development of software is finished, it is necessary to wait for completion of the hardware, which is the actual machine, to check whether or not the software actually operates normally without bugs. Before completion, various checks cannot be performed during the development of software.
Therefore, it is common practice to first complete the hardware and then to develop the software.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional ones have the following various problems. In other words, since it waits for hardware and shifts to software development, it takes a long time to develop the entire system.

Further, once the required specifications are collected and there is a correction request during the hardware development, not only the work and parts developed up to now are wasted, but also the development is prolonged depending on the correction content.

Furthermore, when it is difficult to create an image of the final product, the ability, performance, rating, etc. are given as numerical values when selecting the required specifications and each part is selected from the catalog. There is a possibility that a requirement specification of the actual machine that does not sufficiently reflect the customer's request may be created,
In addition, there is a possibility that a difference may occur between the actual finished product after development and what the customer imagined at the time of request.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and its object is to enable development in a relatively short period of time and to possibly change required use after the development is started. And a method for developing a computer-embedded product that can easily suppress the difference between the customer's imagination and the actual finished product by making it easier for the customer to imagine the finished product before development. To provide a device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the method of developing a computer-embedded product according to the present invention, the same function is provided corresponding to the actual machine parts constituting the actual machine which is the computer-embedded product. The simulator component which it has and the simulator driver which controls the simulator component are each formed with software. Then, after forming an actual machine program for operating the simulator parts and the simulator driver, the simulator parts, the simulator driver, and the actual machine program are combined to build a virtual actual machine, and the virtual actual machine is operated to perform a simulation. I chose

Further, as a development device for implementing the above-mentioned development method, each simulator part corresponding to each actual machine part constituting an actual machine which is a computer-embedded product and formed by software so as to have the same function. A simulator component storage section for storing the simulator component, a simulator driver storage section for storing a simulator driver for controlling the simulator component, an actual machine program storage section for storing an actual machine program for operating both the simulator part and the actual machine part, A program coupling unit that couples programs stored in the simulator component storage unit, the simulator driver storage unit, and the actual machine program storage unit to generate an execution program for simulation, and is connected to and coupled to the program coupling unit. Program It was composed of a simulator apparatus for line.

[0011]

[Function] Prior to the development of the hardware of the actual machine, a simulator program corresponding to the actual machine parts and expressing the same function in software and a simulator driver for controlling the same are used, and a control program (software ) Development. This control program
By making the functions of the real machine part and the simulator part the same and making the interface parts of the real machine driver and the simulator driver the same, the program can be operated as it is as a real machine program. That is, the development of a program for operating a simulation component, etc. means the development of an actual machine program as it is, and the program is coupled with the simulator component and the simulator driver (both are defined by the program) at the program coupling unit to implement the software. Form a virtual real machine composed of wear,
By executing it using a simulator device,
The simulation is done.

By observing the simulation, it is judged whether or not the virtual real machine satisfies the requirement. If not, the simulator parts are replaced or the program is corrected. Then, when a satisfactory virtual real machine is completed, the next step is to develop the hardware, but the real machine parts are developed (manufactured) in a relatively short time because the simulator parts are being cared for, and the real machine program has already been completed. Since development is progressing, it will be developed in a short time as a whole.

Even when various correction processes are performed because the result of the above simulation is not satisfied, each component is composed of software. Therefore, the component replacement can be performed by calling the simulation component to be replaced and combining the programs. A virtual real machine can be easily configured. That is, the correction work is also performed in a short time.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a computer-embedded product development method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the concept of the present invention. That is, as shown in FIG. 1A, the product (actual device) 1 with built-in microcomputer such as POS is
Generally, it is configured by connecting a plurality of real machine parts 2 to a software main body (real machine program) 4 via a real machine driver 3.

As is well known, the actual machine component 2 is hardware, and specifically includes a printer, a keyboard, a display and the like. On the other hand, the actual machine driver 3 and the software main body 4 are software, and the actual machine driver 3 is a program module for controlling the actual machine parts 2. Further, the software main body 4 has an actual machine program for operating the actual machine part 2, and the completed actual machine program is actually compiled and stored in a state that can be interpreted and executed by the program execution unit of the actual machine. To be done.

Here, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1B, a simulator component 2'which expresses the function of each real machine component 2 by software is generated, and a predetermined simulator according to the customer's required specifications is generated. By connecting the component 2'to the simulator software main body 4'via the simulator driver 3 ', a simulation system (virtual real machine 1') corresponding to the real machine 1 is constructed, and based on this, a final simulation with the customer is completed. After meeting the required specifications, the hardware (the configuration shown in FIG. 1A) can be created based on the confirmed contents.

In order to actually operate the simulation system, each of the programs (1 '...
3 ') is compiled and mounted on the simulator device 5. That is, the simulator component 2'and the simulator device 5 are connected via the I / O.

The simulator component 2'has 3
In order to easily realize the dimension display function, in this example, PE is used.
It uses a library called X. Further, this simulator part 2'is created in advance corresponding to the usable real machine part 2, and as described above, an arbitrary simulator part 2'is extracted and program-combined therewith, thereby making it possible to carry out prior software development. Since the processing corresponding to the development and assembly of the hardware part of the actual machine that had to be completed is completed, the parts to be replaced due to the change in the required usage afterwards, for example, from the simulator part c to two parts in the figure This can be performed easily (compared to reassembly of the actual machine) by executing the program coupling process after replacing the simulator component c'shown by the chain line. In addition, simple function modifications can be dealt with quickly by modifying the program.

By the way, since the function of each simulator part 2'is made to be the same as that of the corresponding real machine part 2, the program part for operating the simulator parts 2, 2'in the software main body 4, 4'is It can be the same as the one for the real machine and the one for the simulation. Furthermore, the software body 4 (4 ') and driver 3
The connection with (3 ') is made by combining programs, and as shown in FIG. 3, since the interface units of the real machine driver 3 and the simulator driver 3'are completely the same, both software main bodies 4 are eventually connected. , 4'are exactly the same, and depending on which driver is selected when the programs are combined, it can be used for the actual machine or for the simulation.

That is, when the development of the software main body 4'for operating the simulator component 2'is completed, it means that the development of the software main body 4 for operating the actual component is completed as it is. When the software main body 4'is developed, the actual hardware does not exist, but the presence or absence of bugs is checked by using the simulator component 2'corresponding to the actual hardware component 2 (having the same function). Since it can be done, if the operation is confirmed by simulation, it is guaranteed that there is no bug even when it is mounted on the actual machine.

Further, both drivers 3 and 3'are a set of a large number of programs created one-to-one corresponding to each component 2 and 2 ', as shown in FIG. Looking at the relationship between the two drivers 3 and 3 ', as shown in FIG. 3, both the interface units 3a and 3a' and the mounting units 3b and 3b 'are shown.
And the interface portions 3a and 3a 'are joint portions with the software main bodies 4 and 4'having the same contents,
The contents are the same as described above.

On the other hand, the mounting parts 3b and 3b 'are different from the actual device parts (hardware) 2 and the simulator parts (software) 2'in the connection target, so that the mounting parts 3b for the actual device are mounted.
Corresponds to I / O, and accesses the I / O to control actual machine parts. Further, the mounting part 3b 'for simulation corresponds to the simulator component 2', and controls the simulator component 2'by calling a function.

Then, an example of a specific internal (program) of the driver is as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Both of them are for accessing the "display" as a component, and FIG. 3 shows the real machine driver 3 and FIG. 4 shows the simulator driver 3 '. As is apparent from the figure, the contents of the interface part defined in the first half are the same, and the contents of the mounting part in the latter half are different correspondingly.

Next, an embodiment of the product development method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a necessary simulator component is selected based on the customer's required specifications, and if necessary, a driver is developed (ST201). Then, a program (which is stored in the software body 4 ') for operating the simulator component is developed (ST202).

When the development is completed, the programs are combined and mounted on the simulator device 5, and the simulation is performed in front of the customer (ST2).
03). In this simulation, since each simulator component 2'can be displayed three-dimensionally, it can be displayed using 3D graphics on the display unit of the simulator device 5 (not shown) and is actually operated on the display unit. be able to. Therefore, the customer can easily imagine the final state of the actual machine, and can easily determine whether or not the required specifications are satisfied.

If it is determined that the request is met (S
T204), after the hardware is developed by using the actual machine parts corresponding to the used simulator parts, the hardware and the program satisfying the requirements (the actual machine program) are combined to complete the final product of the actual machine (ST205,
206).

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step 204 is that the requirements are not met, the program is reworked and simulator parts are replaced or modified as necessary (ST207), and then the process returns to step 203 to perform the simulation. Run. Then, this process is repeated until the request is satisfied. Therefore, when the actual hardware development is started, the software and the simulator parts for specifying the actual machine parts to be used sufficiently satisfy the customer's required specifications.

FIG. 6 shows a more specific block diagram of the development apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the development device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a simulator device 5 as hardware and a development unit 11 for developing a predetermined program to be executed by the simulator device 5 and the like.

The development section 11 stores the simulator parts 2 ', the simulator driver 3', the software body (actual machine program) 4 (4 '), and the actual machine driver 3, each of which is composed of the above-mentioned software. Thirteen
.. 16 and each of the storage units 13 to 16 has an editing unit 17 for correcting each stored program.
Have 20. Then, each of these editing units 17-2
2 can be used to create and modify new parts and drivers, and to develop actual machine programs according to required specifications.

Further, the outputs of the simulator component storage unit 13, the simulator driver storage unit 14, and the actual machine program storage unit 15 in which the programs forming the virtual actual machine are stored are connected to the program combining section 22. The program combination unit 22 reads out a predetermined program stored in each of the storage units 13 to 15 on the basis of a request signal from the simulator component request unit 23, combines them, and can be executed by the simulator device 5 in the next stage. An execution program in a different language is generated and output to the execution program storage unit 24 of the simulator device 5.

The simulator component requesting unit 23 is a table of simulation component groups, simulation driver groups, and actual machine programs to be used for internally stored system numbers based on simulation system numbers given from an input device such as a keyboard (not shown). With reference to the above, each component necessary for system construction, the driver and the actual machine program are detected (actually, the stored address is detected), and the detection result is sent to the program combining unit 22 as a request signal. There is.

The simulator device 5 connects the program execution unit 25 to the execution program storage unit 24, and executes the program stored in the storage unit 24 there. Then, the execution result of the program, that is, the image of the actual machine to be simulated and the operation status of the actual machine are output via the output unit 26 to the display output device 2 such as a terminal display (CRT) in the next stage.
It is supposed to be displayed on 7. Further, the execution timing of the program is based on a command signal such as a character or an event given from the input device such as the mouse 28 or the keyboard 29 via the input unit 30.

That is, in the simulation in front of the customer after the virtual real machine is completed in the above-described development method, a predetermined simulator component constructed according to a request command from the simulator component requesting unit 23, a simulator and a program for operating them are programmed. A virtual real machine (software) is generated by combining by the combining unit 22 and is executed by using the simulator device 5 (see FIG. 5).
ST203 processing). Then, by inputting a predetermined command from the mouse 28 and the keyboard 29, the virtual actual machine is operated, and the operation status is shown to the customer using the display output unit 27, and whether or not the requirement of the customer is satisfied. Is determined (processing of ST204 in FIG. 5).

At this time, if the requirement is not satisfied, the predetermined editing sections 17 to 19 are operated to modify (re-develop) the program so that the requirement is satisfied and the required specifications are determined (see FIG. 5). ST207 processing). Also, with this, the actual machine parts corresponding to the simulator parts used at that time,
It is decided as an actual machine component that constitutes the hardware of the actual machine.

Here, an example of the display of the display output device 27 is shown in three dimensions as shown in FIG.
The customer can easily create the final image of the actual machine. This virtual real machine is composed of a plurality of simulator parts 2 ', such as a monitor and a keyboard, as shown in FIG. 1B, and the unit of this simulator part 2'is replaced in the real machine as is clear from the figure. It is a unit of easy composite parts.

On the other hand, the outputs of the actual machine program storage section 15 and the actual machine driver storage section 16 are output to the program combination section 32.
Is executed by the real machine device 35 by reading the real machine program that satisfies the above-mentioned required specifications and the real machine driver for controlling the real machine parts corresponding to the simulator parts and connecting them by the program combining section 32. An execution program (which constitutes software of an actual device) in a possible language is generated, and the generated execution program is stored in the execution program storage unit 33.

The stored execution program is transferred and stored in the execution program storage unit 36 of the actual device 35 via the program transfer unit 34. The real machine device 35 includes real machine parts (each part corresponding to the simulator part) not shown, and inputs from the keyboard, the card reader input section 37, etc., which are one of the real machine parts not shown, are input to the input section. It is adapted to be given to the program execution unit 38 via 37, and the program execution unit 38 executes the execution program storage unit 36 based on the given input.
The program stored in is executed and the execution result is displayed / outputted via the output unit 39 to a printer, a display or the like, which is also one of actual parts not shown. Then, the output to the printer, the display, or the like becomes the same as the state (shown in FIG. 7) displayed on the display output unit 27 of the simulator device 5.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the above-described first embodiment, the simulator component requesting unit 23
Using the simulator device 5, a simulation of a predetermined connection relationship (a component uniquely corresponding to the system number stored in the table in the simulator component request unit, a driver group) based on the request signal from the simulator device 5 is performed. However, in this example, a predetermined virtual part is replaced with another part, and a new virtual real machine constructed by the replacement can be simulated.

That is, a simulator component determining unit 40 is provided in place of the simulator component requesting unit 23 shown in FIG. 6, and from this simulator component determining unit 40, the numbers of the simulator component groups other than the preset combinations are assigned to the program combining unit. 22 can be output as a request signal.

Specifically, when the system number of the virtual real machine to be simulated is input in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, the simulator parts (developing / setting in advance) that compose the virtual real machine from the system number-component correspondence table 40a. Simulator part number transfer unit 40
It is stored in the basic list storage section (left column in the drawing) of the simulator component combination list 40c via b. And
The required component selection unit 40d accesses the basic list storage unit of the simulator component combination list 40c to read out the stored component number, and sends it to the program combination unit 22 as a request signal.

That is, although not shown concretely, the inside of the simulator component request unit 23 of FIG.
It is provided with a device corresponding to the correspondence table 40a, and the part number obtained by reading the correspondence table 40a is output as a request signal by inputting the system number. Also in this example, although not shown in the drawings, the driver also has a table of driver numbers corresponding to system numbers as in the first embodiment, and if the system number is input, output of the part number and the related driver are performed. The desired driver number obtained by accessing the correspondence table is also output as a request signal (the same applies to the actual machine program).

In this example, the required component selection section 40d outputs the required signal as described above and the list 4
Based on the component number stored in the basic list storage unit 0c, the simulator component storage unit 13 is accessed to search for another component that can be replaced with each component. At this time, each simulator part, as shown in FIG. 9, contains a program body that stores the program part that defines the actual functions, as well as data about the part number such as the catalog number, part name, rating, and replaceable part. Since there is an area to store
The above search is executed by searching the contents of the relevant part specifications.

When the replaceable part number is retrieved in this way, the detected part is found in the replaceable simulator part table 40e designated by the pointer stored in the right column of the simulator part combination list 40c. Store the number.

Further, for example, when the simulation does not satisfy the request, the part number to be replaced is input through the request input section 40f. Then, based on the input, replaceable simulator parts table 4
The part number stored in the basic list storage unit corresponding to and set to the predetermined part number in 0e is rewritten.
Then, the required component selecting unit 40d outputs a request signal to the program combining unit 22 based on the rewritten component number, and again reads a predetermined simulator component from the simulator component storage unit 13 based on the request signal. After the predetermined programs are read from the other storage units 14 and 15 and the programs are combined, the simulator device 5 performs the simulation.

That is, in this example, the replacement work from the simulator part c shown in FIG.
Since the simulations can be sequentially performed in front of the customer, it is possible to compare various variations of virtual real machines in a relatively short time, and it is possible to develop a virtual satisfaction that is more satisfying to the customer.

As an example of the replacement of the above parts, an initial simulator part is provided with an amount display 42 in which one character display plate 42a and ten LEDs 42b are arranged as shown in FIG. 10 (A). In this case, as shown in FIG. 2B, it means changing to an amount display 42 'of a type in which two display plates 42a are placed vertically (no LED is provided). In this case, it is necessary to create a simulator component (program) corresponding to each. On the other hand, for example, when the number of LEDs 42b in the same figure (A) is changed or the height (width) of the character display plate 42a is changed, the constants in the program defining the simulator parts can be changed. Since it is good, the simulator parts are modified and edited using the editing unit or the like.

Also, in the replacement work of the simulation part, since the part specification such as the part number is stored in the simulation part as a pair, the simulation part is replaced by using the catalog number (part number) or the part name. Since it is only necessary to input a new simulation part, the processing is extremely simple. Furthermore, since we have a list of replaceable parts, if a part number that cannot be replaced is entered, an error display etc. will always display only those that can be completed as a real machine in the simulation. False simulation is suppressed.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 9, since performances such as operating speed and print width of the printer are also stored as the simulator parts, selection (designation) of the simulator parts is performed by numbers. Alternatively, the performance may be input as a search condition, and a component satisfying the condition may be selected. As a result, it is possible to automatically extract a part satisfying the usage required by the customer without knowing the existence of the simulation part, and it is possible to eliminate a mistake in reading the part number from the catalog or the like. However, in such a case, the component specifications of the simulator component stored in the simulator storage unit 13 are searched based on the input search condition, the component number of the component is detected, and the required component selection unit 40d or the like is detected. It is necessary to provide means for sending the part number.

Further, in the above embodiment, the performance stored as the component specifications of the simulator component is a crisp value, but as shown in FIG. 11, a value expressing a membership function may be stored. . That is, in this example, a membership value is used to express the print width and the operating speed together with the crisp value (print width = 39), and the numbers in parentheses in the figure indicate the conformance as extracted on the right side. Is a value indicating a boundary (corner portion) between “0” and “1”.

As a result, the specification information (performance / rating) of the part can be expressed in an ambiguous form. If there is nothing that completely satisfies the customer's wishes, the usage information of each part and the customer's wishes It is possible to select a component that is close to the customer's wish by calculating the degree of conformity between the specifications and the specifications that are specified by fuzzy logic based on fuzzy theory and extracting the highest degree of conformity.

Further, the membership function may be incorporated into the values in the search condition. As a concrete input method, as shown in FIG. 12, the horizontal axis coordinate value of the corner portion of the membership function is expressed by a numerical value sequence extracted and the value is input via a keyboard, or As shown in FIG. 13, a large number of points connected by spline curves are arranged on the coordinate axes drawn on the screen, and the points are adjusted to have a goodness of fit (vertical axis) of 0 to 1 by using the mouse. There is a method of using the function editor by moving the spline curve into a desired shape by moving the spline curve within the range. Furthermore, by using the data stored in the database prepared in advance, even if you do not know the specific numerical value, for example, an abstract expression such as "operation speed is fast" or "print width is medium" ( A membership function corresponding to each expression on a one-to-one basis is stored in a database), so that the required use can be created without any specialized knowledge and a satisfactory one can be obtained.

That is, the customer's request may be determined by a crisp as "a certain value" for various reasons, but in many cases, it is acceptable to say that "a certain value" is good if possible. Since there is a width and it is better to be closer to "a certain value" among the allowable widths, by admitting the input of the request using the membership function as described above, it is more consistent with the customer's request (the degree of coincidence is high). You will be able to develop a real machine. The rest of the configuration and effects are similar to those of the above-described first embodiment, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

FIG. 14 shows the essential parts of a third embodiment of the present invention, which is an improvement of the simulator device 5'in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this example, the program execution unit 25
To the configuration information storage unit 43,
Specification changes made during simulation are stored in this storage unit 43.
It can be stored in.

This configuration information storage unit 4
As shown in FIG. 15, the data structure stored in 3 is a table in which a part name is associated with a part information name that is a specification to be changed in the part name and the changed data. It is stored in 43 according to the processing flow shown in FIG. Although the changed numerical value is input from the keyboard as the input method in the first processing step of this flow, it can be handled using a menu board on the output display device as shown in FIG. 17, for example. By displaying only the values (the rectangular frame in the figure moves up and down by operating the mouse etc., the value surrounded by the frame is selected), and by selecting from it, The convenience of the input by the user is suppressed, and the input of unrealizable information is suppressed.

When the specification changes made during this simulation are to be reproduced thereafter, such as for development (manufacturing) of the actual machine, they are stored in the configuration information storage unit 43 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Data is called in order from the first line, the program part (simulation part) that matches the part name of the specification change target is detected, the data to be changed or the stored address is calculated, and the data after the change Write.
As a result, the execution program processed by the program execution unit 25 is rewritten with the contents after the requirement specification change, and by executing the program as it is, the virtual real machine after the requirement specification change is constructed and simulated. Although a part of the execution program being processed is corrected based on the data temporarily stored in the storage unit 43, the performance originally held by the simulator component is stored and retained in the simulator component storage unit 13. The data is not modified. This makes it possible to easily and easily change the required specifications and perform re-simulation.

Further, a graphic coordinate conversion unit as shown in FIG. 19 is provided at a portion for outputting data from the program execution unit 25 to the output unit 26 (arranged in the execution program), and a three-dimensional image is displayed. By rotating it, the state of the virtual real machine can be seen not only from the front side but also from a predetermined direction, and further by enlarging or reducing it, it is possible to grasp the entire image and observe the details.

Specifically, the combined three-dimensional image is converted into 3D images based on the rotation angle given from the rotation angle designating section 45.
A three-dimensional original image is formed by rotating the three-dimensional rotation unit 46, and a two-dimensional image is formed from the three-dimensional image viewed from the viewpoint position specified by the mapping viewpoint specification unit 47 by the two-dimensional conversion unit 47. It maps and sends it to the output. It should be noted that such a configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and is also implemented in the above-described first and second embodiments. Further, other configurations and effects are the same as those in the above-mentioned respective embodiments, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

FIG. 20 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the development device shown in each of the above embodiments,
All of them are physically configured by one device, but as shown in the figure, a plurality of software development devices 50, file servers 51, workstations 52, mainframes 53, etc. are used by using a communication network such as an Ethernet or an optical fiber. Software development device 50
Files and databases stored in the external file server 51 and mainframe 53 can be used.

As a result, the data (programs) about the simulator parts that are rarely used are stored in the external file server 51 or the like, and the capacity of the simulator part storage section in the device for actually developing the program is reduced to save the memory. It is possible to make effective use and reduce the cost of the development device itself. Further, since the simulator component storage unit, each driver storage unit, and the actual machine program storage unit can be physically stored and held in different devices, the above-mentioned effect is more remarkable. In addition, a plurality of workstations 52 can be used for joint development by a plurality of people who are physically separated from each other. Further, when storing the completed real machine program in the program storage section of the real machine, a network is used. Can be done fast through. Although a detailed description is omitted, the internal structure of the development device is the same as that in each of the above-described embodiments.

The data to be stored in the simulator component is not limited to the data in each of the above-described embodiments, and the component unit price may be stored in a predetermined position inside the simulator component, for example, as shown in FIG. With such a configuration, it is possible to quickly estimate the hardware portion of the real machine corresponding to the virtual real machine currently being simulated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, an area indicating whether or not the actual machine component currently corresponding to the simulator component is present at a predetermined position inside the simulator component,
If it does not exist, a part representing the estimation of the number of days required to develop the actual machine part may be stored.

In such a case, after the required specifications are finally determined by the contents of the virtual real machine, the delivery date of the real machine can be estimated more accurately. Furthermore, by using the above network and linking with the inventory management system as data on the presence or absence of the actual machine parts, the presence or absence of stock and the next scheduled delivery date when there is no stock are written in real time. Therefore, it is possible to make various estimates based on more accurate information.

[0063]

As described above, in the method and apparatus for developing a computer-embedded product according to the present invention, after the software is developed, the process is shifted to the hardware development. Since the simulator component corresponding to the actual component is used, the correction process including the bug check can be performed even if the actual component (hardware) is not actually used. Then, by simulating using a virtual real machine constructed by combining the program developed in this way and simulator parts, etc., it becomes easier for the customer to imagine the image of the finished product (real machine), The difference between the imagination and the actual finished product can be suppressed.

Further, even if the required use is changed at this simulation stage, it can be easily performed by changing the programs to be combined, and it is possible to quickly deal with it and it is possible to perform re-simulation. That is, trial and error is easy to occur, and software development can be performed in a relatively short time. The final required specifications (high customer satisfaction) can be confirmed by this simulation, and the required specifications are not changed after the development of the hardware is started. The actual machine parts to be used are confirmed by the simulation parts. Therefore, the time required for hardware development can be shortened. Therefore, the whole can be developed in a relatively short period of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a concept of a development device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a simulator driver and a real machine driver.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an actual machine driver.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a simulator driver.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a development method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a development device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a virtual real machine displayed by simulation. (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the simulator parts are disassembled.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main part of a second embodiment of the development system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a simulator component.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating replacement (replacement) of simulator parts.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a simulator component.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of search conditions input to search for a simulation component to be replaced.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of search conditions input to search for a simulation component to be replaced.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a main part of a third embodiment of the development system according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a configuration information storage unit.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an input method of change data stored in a configuration information storage unit.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process for reproducing a changed virtual real machine from the change data stored in the configuration information storage unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a display function of three-dimensional image data.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a main part of a fourth embodiment of the development system according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a simulator component.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a simulator component.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Real machine parts 2'Simulator parts 3 Real machine driver 3'Simulator driver 4, 4'Software body (real machine program) 5 Simulator device 13 Simulator part storage section 14 Simulator driver storage section 15 Real machine program storage section 16 Real machine driver storage section 22 Program combination Unit (first program combining unit) 23 simulator component requesting unit (request signal generating unit) 32 program combining unit (second program combining unit) 40 simulator component determining unit (request signal generating unit) 43 configuration information storage unit 50 Software development device (processing device) 51 File server (processing device) 52 Workstation (processing device) 53 Mainframe (processing device)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 11, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 12]

[Fig. 13]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

FIG. 15

FIG. 16

FIG. 17

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

FIG. 20

[Figure 5]

FIG. 19

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 14

FIG. 21

FIG. 11

FIG. 22

FIG. 18

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A simulator component having the same function and a simulator driver for controlling the simulator component, which correspond to the actual component constituting an actual computer embedded product, are respectively formed by software, and then the simulator component and A computer-embedded product characterized by forming an actual machine program for operating a simulator driver, and then combining the simulator parts, the simulator driver and the actual machine program to construct a virtual actual machine and performing an operation simulation of the virtual actual machine. Development method. 2. A simulator component storage unit for storing each simulator component formed by software so as to have the same function and corresponding to each actual component that constitutes an actual computer embedded product, and the simulator component A simulator driver storage unit that stores a simulator driver to control, an actual machine program storage unit that stores an actual machine program that operates both the simulator component and the actual machine component, the simulator component storage unit, the simulator driver storage unit, and the A computer set including a program combining unit that combines programs stored in an actual machine program storage unit to generate an execution program for simulation, and a simulator device that executes the programs combined in the program combining unit. Only type development apparatus of the goods. 3. The computer-embedded product development apparatus according to claim 2, further stores information on other simulator parts that can be replaced with the simulator part being simulated, and is based on a part replacement instruction given from the outside. A request signal generation means for sending a signal requesting replacement of simulation parts to the program coupling section,
The computer-embedded product development apparatus according to claim 2, which is capable of simulating a virtual real machine replaced with another simulation component. 4. The simulator part holds information about the performance and rating of the article in addition to the program part defining the function of the corresponding real machine part, and the part replacement instruction given to the request signal generating means is Allowing input in search conditions regarding performance and rating, searching for simulator parts that match the search conditions based on the above information, and outputting the request signal including the searched simulator parts by the request signal generating means. 4. The computer-embedded product development apparatus according to claim 3. 5. At least one of the information stored in the simulator component or the component replacement instruction permits expression by a membership function, and fuzzy inference based on the membership function indicates the satisfaction level for the search condition. The computer-embedded product development apparatus according to claim 4, wherein high simulation parts are searched. 6. The simulator device is provided with a configuration information storage unit for storing information of specification changes for the simulation parts under simulation, and based on the information of specification changes stored in the configuration information storage unit. The computer-embedded product development apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, which is capable of developing actual machine parts. 7. A storage unit and a program coupling unit that constitute the development device are distributed and arranged on an arbitrary plurality of processing devices, and the plurality of processing devices are connected via a desired communication network. 7. The computer-embedded product development apparatus according to any one of 2 to 6.