Auto Diagram Builder for Dynamic Message Sequence Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method for automatically generating and presenting message views that dynamically reflect the execution behavior of computer-generated, executable graphical models, making it difficult for users to understand and analyze the interactions and message sequences within these models.
Innovation Solution
A modeling environment with a user interface engine, model editor, and simulation engine that includes schedulers and solvers, which generates message views through a model analyzer and auto diagram builder, allowing for dynamic and interactive visualization of message sequences, including lifelines, message arrows, and queue elements, with features like scrolling and epoch representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual analysis of graphical models is used, then users can understand model interactions, but it requires significant time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic generation of message sequence diagrams from graphical models without requiring manual intervention. The model analyzer automatically extracts entities, interactions, and message flows from the graphical model and generates MSDs, allowing the system to serve itself in the analysis process rather than requiring user effort
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis by automatically generating message sequence diagrams before users need to analyze model interactions. The automatic MSD generation prepares the interaction documentation in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually trace and document interactions when needed
2Measurement precision
If detailed message sequence diagrams are generated, then interaction analysis is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The model analyzer acts as an intermediary component that bridges the graphical model and the message sequence diagram representation. It automatically extracts entities, interactions, and message flows from the graphical model and transforms them into MSD format, providing precise interaction analysis without requiring the overall system to become more complex
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the analysis process into distinct components: entity extraction, interaction identification, message flow analysis, and diagram generation. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of the analysis independently, maintaining system manageability while achieving comprehensive and precise interaction analysis
3Device complexity
If static message diagrams are used, then simplicity is maintained, but dynamic execution behavior cannot be visualized
Solution Approach 1:
The message sequence diagrams are generated to reflect the dynamic execution behavior of the graphical model. The system captures the temporal sequence of message exchanges and interaction flows as they occur during model execution, allowing the diagrams to adapt and reflect actual runtime behavior rather than showing only static structure
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method automatically generating one or more message view windows or panes based on an analysis of the execution behavior of a model, such as a computer-generated, executable graphical model. A model analyzer examines execution instructions including schedules generated for the model and the sending and receiving of messages by model components or elements. An auto diagram builder generates the one or more message view windows that includes graphical affordances representing at least some of the messages. The messages may be presented in the one or more message view windows in the order of the occurrence of the messages during execution of the model.