Simulation Reproduction Device with Reverse Playback and Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional simulators cannot reproduce state changes in reverse order of time, leading to inefficiencies in identifying the cause of wrong operations during software debugging for embedded systems, as they cannot adjust the speed of reproduction or display continuation periods effectively.
Innovation Solution
A simulation reproduction apparatus and method that includes a storage unit for trace data, a reception unit for setting an upper limit period, and a display unit to adjust the display continuation period of unchanged states, allowing for reverse reproduction and adjustable speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the simulator reproduces state changes at high speed, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because the user may overlook state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment during reproduction, allowing the user to change the reproduction speed mid-process. This enables the system to adapt to different observation needs: fast reproduction for overall progress and slow reproduction for detailed examination of specific state changes, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows changing the reproduction speed parameter during the reproduction process. By enabling parameter adjustment (speed) in real-time, the system can optimize between fast reproduction (high productivity) and slow reproduction (high measurement precision) based on the user's current needs, eliminating the need to choose a fixed speed beforehand
2Device complexity
If the simulator reproduces state changes in forward order only, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates because the user cannot efficiently trace back errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reverse reproduction capability, allowing the reproduction to proceed in reverse chronological order. This enables users to efficiently trace back from the point where an error was detected to its origin, dramatically improving error tracing efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity since it uses the same trace data infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If the display continuation period is long, then measurement precision is improved for observing state changes, but loss of time increases due to inefficient display of unchanged states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by displaying state changes selectively rather than continuously showing all time periods. It concentrates display resources on periods where state changes occur (useful observation) and compresses or skips periods where states remain unchanged (waste reduction), thereby improving time efficiency without sacrificing measurement precision for actual state changes
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage unit (190) stores a trace file (191) obtained by simulating an operation of an object. A reception unit (101) receives a forward direction reproduction instruction. A reproduction unit (110) reads each piece of trace data from the trace file. The reproduction unit determines a timing for updating a graphic display, based on a new display time corresponding to an occurrence time included in new trace data read this time and an old display time corresponding to an occurrence time included in old trace data read last time. A display unit (120) changes a state of the object displayed by the graphic display to a state indicated by a new state value included in the new trace data, at the determined timing.