Summary of the whole project

Summary of the whole project

In this mini project, we mainly focus on showing material properties using GUI. Typically, in the document reading section, we have the basic knowledge of reading the data in a txt file. Using the algorithm we could read the data from the document in a dimensional matrix and then call these data and display on the graphical using interface (GUI). In the section of the curve, we draw three curves to show the three different properties of the material. According to some mat lab resources and model, it is apparent to sketch the curve with the data. Additionally, the most important point in the mini project is that we could use the mouse to choose range of the independent variables in the GUI window. In this condition, the curves with enlarged scale could be show in the next graph area.

Generally speaking, from this this project procedure, we have learned some useful skills for the future study in the similar area. First of all, the ideal model of the GUI window should be designed and separated in several steps such as table reading and curve positioning. Then, we should pay more attention to each section especially the core algorithm in the coursework window though it may be very complicated for no experience group. Additionally, it is necessary to mention some bbs block and some academic website for us to talk and communicate with other researchers. For the future study, it is probably to combine with diagram recognition system to achieve the more powerful function.

In these two days, we look at the method linear fitting to make the curves smoother. With the distribution of the material, we find that it is necessary to record the position of the point which is in the middle of two points. In this case, it has two middle points when sketching three points from the table. Actually, when connecting the points in real curve, we could connect each point with two noted middle points on the left and right previously to get the smoother line as it may have huge differences or uncertainties when connect three points according to the data in the table. Typically, if a point is theoretically out of the line and has difference if connect the point with two neighbor points, we could connect two middle points obtaining by averaging the value of the point and neighbor point on the left and right respectively. 

The summary for week 4

This is the summary for all the works done in week 4.

For this week, the main goal of our work was to enable the program load data from a txt file. As a matter of fact, this was not a work which can be considered as a simple one. The reason for this can be divided into several aspects. First of all, a matrix should be defined to save the data from the specific file. Then, the dimensionality of the matrix and the data should be the same. In other words, the program should be so intelligent that it can automatically recognize the dimensionality of the loaded data and fit them into the appropriate table.

The following figure indicates the process of loading data in our main program.

After consulting many resources about the MATLAB GUI application in the internet, we have firstly designed some small testing program to classify the correctness of this function and then combine them into the main program. As a result, it seems that our attempt can be regarded as successful because the it made program run as we expected before.

The following figure shows how the test program work.

In this week tutorial, as we have already designed and completed some basic targets, supervisor Yan told us some detailed requirement about the project. Firstly, three cures showing the material properties should be sketched in different colors according to the data in the table as the reason that it is not adequate in our GUI window, we just display only one curve. Second, on account of missing basic unit at the end of the axis in the graph, they are emphasized to implement the unit. In addition, the sketched curves could be more precise as they are not smooth enough as it has uncertainty when positioning the relevant point from the table. Professor Yan mentioned the method calling linear fitting, which we have learned before the university, though it is not a very simple issue. In this case, we decide to learn this method linear fitting. 

The summary for week 3

This is the summary for all the works done in week 3.

This week, we achieved a great progress of our project. First of all, the statistic works were done for the data and in this case, for example, the maximum, minimum, average and median value of the whole data can be calculated. Then, the specific curves can also be displayed as well as the curves for selected data sample. However, there were one main problems remained. The program cannot load the data from a txt file which means that the only method to input data is to input it before running the program. In other words, the program can only process the static data sample instead of the dynamical data sample. At this stage, it seems that the program was not so intelligent as expected. 

In this week, we have read lots of books, articles for MATLAB GUI design and found that the contents in the following link was really helpful for the project.

http://www.mathworks.co.uk/help/matlab/

Today, we have some problems in txt document reading. With the help of the professor Yan, we find some relevant resource from the fiving ppt. using the relevant algorithm, we could firstly choose the file we need to read and then put the data in the matrix. As following, read the matrix and convey the matrix to the table we need in the GUI window.

The summary for week 2.

This is the summary for all the works done in week 2.

In this week, after modifying for many times, we have designed a simple graph user interface as the following graph shown. It can be found that the left table is to hold the data which is saved in a specific matrix when users click the button above the table called “Load data”. Therefore, the function of the button above the table is to enable users select a txt file and then load the data into the table below. In the middle of the UI, it can be found another table called Data Statistics. The function of this table is to count the statistic values of the whole data sample and for example, to calculate the number, the maximum, minimum, mean, and median value of the data. There are also two curves on the right of the UI. The first one is to display the overall tendency of the data whereas the second enable users select the specific part of data and enlarge the details of the first one. In addition, the function of the two pushbuttons is to save the graph displayed on the left.

This design work was not very difficult because all the work need to do for designers was to select some corresponding components on the guide interface of MATLAB and arrange them in a reasonable order. In other words, the interface should improve the user experience and in this case, there will be increasingly users selecting our product.