Operation Manual for MOIST SCAN

Supplement - PC-Software
[Version 3.20]

 

Revision 1.0

 

General Module Survey

click here

 

Table of content

 

Table of content 1

MOIST SCAN PC-Software Version 3.20. 2

Installation. 2

Installation of MOISTSCAN 3.20 PC-Software. 2

Working with the program MOISTSCAN V3.20. 4

Embedding of measured data off MOISTSCAN100. 5

Modification of formatting and properties at measuring array. 5

Formatting of a 2D-multilayer-measuring array. 6

Properties and Signatures: Modification and Completion. 7

Allocation of measuring arrays to projects /project administration. 7

Visualization of measuring arrays of projects. 9

Offline analysis of a measuring array. 10

Creation and print of a record. 10

Uninstalling. 12

Manufacturer’s address. 13

 


 

MOIST SCAN PC-Software Version 3.20

 

The software MOISTSCAN V3.20 is derived (adapted version) from the software package MOISTTOOLS of hf sensor and will be used for filing data systematically, for the evaluation and visualization of data recorded with MOISTSCAN 100. By using the report-module, data and results to be interpret can be edited and converted into a significant report, as well as printed and filed.

 

A normal configurated PC with Windows XP as operating system is required. At minimum an USB-port and a CD-drive should being included. A software for displaying HTML-pages i.e. MS Internet Explorer must be installed. This program has to be linked with the file-suffix „.html”

 

The software MoistLabTerminal V3.20 is delivered on a CD. A multiple installation on the same PC and by the same user is not possible (the last installation is the one being active). Other restrictions for the installation procedure do not exist.

 

Installation

 

The installation-CD consists of two directories „[LW:]\MoistTools“ which include the program and the path „[CD-LW:]\USBdriver“ in which the USB-driver for the USB Serial Converter and the USB Serial Port for communication between device and PC-software is filed. Due to that MOISTSCAN cannot be readout via a serial connection - it automatically files hfs-project-data on an USB Stick - the installation of an USB-driver can be neglected. When using Windows XP by default, driver for implementation of flash memory via USB should already being installed. The software will be ready for operation only if both installations have been accomplished.

 

Installation of MOISTSCAN 3.20 PC-Software

 

In advance, you should decide whereupon the hard disk the program shall be installed (installation directory) and where the newly applied projects shall be transmitted to (root-/ project directory). If necessary, set up a new folder, especially for the project directory. (i.e. under: „My files” – there you will have an unconditional write permission.)

 

Thereafter, start the file „[CD-LW:]\MoistTools\MoistTools.exe“ by double-clicking within the Windows-based file explorer. If „automatic play from CD” is activated on your PC, the software should start automatically after the CD was read in the drive.

 

 

At first, the system is going to ask you for the installation directory, in which the program directory „[CD-LW:]\MoistTools_V320\“ shall be copied. This should be the directory „C:\Program“, if you are an authorized administrator, but moreover each other writeable directory on your data processing medium can be used for this purpose.

 

 

After starting copying the files to the wished position, the system requests for entering the project- respectively root directory.

 

 

After taking over the entry, the program initially starts and becomes registered in the Windows registry.

 


 

Working with the program MOISTSCAN V3.20

In case of frequent use it is recommended to create a link or icon on the desktop. Press the right mouse button while holding the cursor on a blank space upon the desktop and choose new/connection in the task menu appearing. Click browse in the form and choose “desktop [installation directory]MOISTTOOLS.exe” in the task menu. Thereafter, change the name of the connection in “MOISTSCAN 3.20” and press “finish”. Now, start the program by clicking the corresponding icon.

 

Basically, the program provides a trisection into the container „data selection”, „control” and „visualisation”. If required, the ratio of these three components can be altered by shifting the bar between the single components. Use the Windows-typical pull-down main menu selectable in the upper section, like „file”, „options” and „help”. Within the single components (labeling of plates = name of the module) there is a help for each module, to find under “help/help topics”.

 

The following part elucidates how user have to go on to successfully utilize the data of MOISTSCAN 100, formatting of measured values, visualization and analyses up to details about the creation, filing and print of a record made.

Textfeld:   Textfeld: data selection - component
control component
              visualization component

Embedding of measured data off MOISTSCAN100

Measured data of MOISTSCAN100 will be transferred from the device to the PC via an USB-storage medium. Therefore projects to be required can be transferred to the storage medium by using the function data transfer of the module “projects” (if the upper node “device” was selected). Now, the storage medium will be connected with a Windows-XP-PC on a idle USB-port. Eventually, the operating system does load driver and allocates the storage medium as a new drive. This enables user for example to copy / shift project data (.hfs) into the required file directory by using the data explorer of Windows. By means of the function “add” or “directory+” of the data selection module “project” (.hfs), user can embed a single project or projects of a directory in the program “MOISTSCAN” by linking it.

 

Modification of formatting and properties at measuring array

 

Project data of MOISTSCAN100 contains entirely formatted 2D-multilayer-measuring arrays, which can be displayed immediately. In case of difficult measuring tasks - meaning more complex conditions - it can be necessary to process the measuring arrays to match them with the appearance to be real. Hence, complete gaps or regions can be deleted or shifted as well as modified regarding the dimensions of a measuring array. Please select the measuring array node in the lower tree and press the right mouse button. A pull down menu will turn up in which “formatting” should be chosen.

 


Formatting of a 2D-multilayer-measuring array

 

A 2D-multilayer-measuring array might be regarded from two points of view. On the one hand as a table, on the other hand in form of a 2D-view. Within the 2D-view dimensions of the 2D-measuring array might be changed - original values are already pre-filled.

 

 

2D-view of 2D-single/multilayer measuring array of a grid measurement

 

While scanning, the grid size is evenly distributed dependent on the entry of the grid size. 

If measuring points shall be shifted, completed or processed ulterior the table view has to be active. In this view the raster as well as single measuring values and regions can be processed.

For that purpose the respective entry has to be marked, whereby a selection menu turns up.

  

The functions of the menu are self-explanatory and dependent on the region marked. Not valid resp. not measured list items surrounded by 3 measured values can be marked with diagonal filling, what equates to a triangular filling of a grid array in the 2D-illustration. By using this function pitched roof areas can better be displayed upon walls or sloping walls as floor limitation.

 

With reference to multilayer-measuring arrays, user urgently should pay attention upon that all layers have exactly the same dimension, because an illustration otherwise will not be possible. 

 

 


 

Properties and Signatures: Modification and Completion

The property panel allows the entry of attributes concerning the physical description of measuring conditions (room temperature; surface temperature; humidity) for description of material and of the object (dry-density; practical moisture content; saturation of moisture) to be measured. The property panel also allows the filing of attributes of signatures (location; date/time; operator). The latter can be taken over by means of matching of signatures within project for all measuring arrays remaining in a project. 

 

 

Allocation of measuring arrays to projects /project administration

 

There is a directory tree with functions common used in Windows applications for navigation. The directory tree can be used for filing and organising the project files and folder via linking these on the PC or in the network.

Data are filed in projects with the same name (xxx.hfs-files). New blank projects are always filed in the project directory, but can be moved later on. The read out data are filed within measuring arrays. Each project possibly contains several measuring arrays. Single structural levels are characterized by means of symbols, that are differentially pronounced, due to their state (closed/inactive <-> open/active). The following data control hierarchy may be derived:

·            directory:          the real position of the directory is irrelevant – there is only a link referring to where the real directory is filed. Thus, different directories of several data storage media can be assembled. A directory can be pasted as a link in the directory tree by pressing the button „Add folder”. Only the project files (.hfs) relevant to MoistLabTerminal are created as a link automatically in the already linked folders.

·            project:             <-> Is the conventional data container for the collection of measuring arrays. Measuring arrays of diverse structure can be filed, too. A project corresponds to the hfs-file upon the data storage medium.

·            measuring array:  <->Is a filing structure of measured data – according to the type of measuring array other structures will be used for filing data, which specifically administrates the geometrical data. In one measuring array and at least, one data layer has to be contained.

·            layer:                <-> In case of measuring with different applicators (sensors or probes) at the same object to be measured, it is reasonable to save the data of each applicator in a separate layer. All layers of a measuring array have got the same structural dimensions.

Via the drag-and-drop-function measuring arrays might be shifted between projects and as well might be shifted into directories. The following menus can be activated via the right mouse button, according to the selected node form in the tree:

·            project menu:   

Delete – the link to the project will be deleted. The deletion of the project file on the data storage medium must be confirmed additionally.
Create new projects – a new (blank) project becomes generated and filed as data in the project folder (changeable via „Options/ General options/ Root directory for data storage“).
Rename project – the name of the project and its file will be displayed editable. Automatically, the valid data suffix „.hfs“ is attached.
Create new project from device data – all measuring arrays of the device buffer file will be copied into a new project.

measuring array-/menu for layers

Open – the measuring array is displayed in the visualisation module in the most obvious form (in the case of MOISTSCAN
à module “2D-plot”);
Formatting
– measured values can be manipulated;
Rename
– the name of the measuring array can be newly given
Clear – the measuring array will be deleted off the project
Properties
– attributes and measuring conditions can be seen and changed while recording the measuring array;

If a measuring array is opened, the usage of the menu and of its homonymous functionality, designed as buttons, is prevented.


 

Visualization of measuring arrays of projects

 

The component visualization consists of five modules – table, 2D-plot, 3D-plot, printer view and textmemo. The first three modules are used for a monograph of measuring arrays. For 2d-single- resp. multilayer-measuring arrays a visualization of all three versions is possible. Each type of measuring arrays has a basic setting, in which a visualization will be automatically chosen due to its priority set up in advance. The following table displays the interrelation of basic types of visualization.

 

 

type of measuring array

prime-visualization

secondary visualization

layers of a 2D-single-/multilayer-measuring array

2D-plot

3D-plot

table

complete 2D-single-/multilayer-measuring array

3D-plot

(active layer gets displayed first)

-

 

If a not valid visualization form was set up the program automatically will select the prime-visualization form when opening (double click) a layer of a measuring array. Otherwise the preselected visualization form will be chosen.

 

If report as control is selected, the visualization of a measuring array can be pasted in the record being active (if no active or open report exists, a new report will be generated). By a right button click on the mouse the import menu for the report will be opened upon the data to be imported in this report. With the same tool data can be copied in the clipboard of Windows. The clipboard is valid program-spanning and allows to paste a marked table area as text, 2D/3D-plot views or diagrams as images for other applications (MS Excel, MS Word …).

If data will be copied from the visualization module table, these data can be pasted in a defined cell position of a worksheet of Microsoft Excel. In other programs too, the line-by-line arrangement (by using TABs) of copied values is analyzable. Basically the column and line marks will either be copied for selected areas.

If clicking the upper left corner in a table all files of this table will be selected resp. the selection will be made undo. Once a cell a or a cell area is marked, a table function menu will turn up displaying the features that are available. When using the modules 2D- and 3D-plot, images of the screen display will be copied into the clipboard.

 

If the control module offline analysis is active when opening a measuring array, all analyses methods being available in this mode will be displayed. Currently, only analyses methods for the 2D-plot-mode are possible to select.

 

 


Offline analysis of a measuring array

 

At present there are only analyses methods for the 2D-plot visualization implemented. A histogram (proportionate distribution within the range) and an analysis for mean value deviation can be applied.

The histogram depicts the result as diagram, which can be pasted as an image in the report or the clipboard by clicking the right mouse button. The zoom in function will be possible for a detailed illustration when selecting a diagram area (pulling of the mouse with pressed left mouse button). Results of the calculation of the mean value deviation are retrievable as text on the basic page, on the information sheet and as a text copy in the same manner.

 

Due to the fact that in case of an active offline analysis the report cannot be the control module being active at the same time, a filing of results in a report directly will not be possible. This results are getting pasted in a report-element-folder of the report module and will be available for a nonrecurring or repetitive usage within reports. 

 

 

Creation and print of a record

The control module report must be activated once a report shall be generated. The designated illustration form for the report would be printer view. The data selection module for filing and administration of reports is called report likewise.

If no existing report was opened for alteration, by means of entry of an arbitrary report element a report can be generated on a blank sheet by allocating a report number. Inside of the data selection module report, a new blank report can be generated as well by pressing the new created button.

 

A further table turns up in the control module report (list of page elements), which contains the elements of the topical page.

A significant name for the report should be selected in advance. Under that name a report directory with a preceded report number will be generated. By pressing save in the control module report, the report by itself will be physically generated as report directory in the report root directory (adjustable via options/report). At the same time a new opened report icon turns up in the data selection module report. Yet, arbitrary report elements can be created (texts, signatures from 2D-plot elements), uploaded from data sets (*.jpg/*.bmp – image files) or pasted as file for report elements when transferring from miscellaneous visualizations of measuring arrays.

By clicking the left button of the mouse a report element will be activated inside of the list of report elements or inside the printer view. Its properties resp. its position/size and content might be changed here. Once all alterations have been accomplished, by pressing save all alterations should now be saved.

 

After selection of an available printer in the visualization module printer view a print out can be carried out. Please press print to go on.

 

 

 


Uninstalling

 

Preferably, the path „[LW:]\MoistTools\Uninstall.exe“, to be found upon the installation manual-CD, is used for uninstalling the software. Please make sure that the program MOISTSCAN is not opened. Please insert the CD inside the drive and finish the MoistTools installation that begins to start automatically - this is not possible, because of defective product key file. Please start „[LW:]\MoistTools\Uninstall.exe“ by double-clicking the file via the Windows file Explorer.

 

 

By using the pull-down menu, please select the „MoistTools(version315)“ installation you wish to have uninstalled - this should be singly available, if you have not being installed any more products of hf-sensor. Please check the descriptions to be found in the installation property list, whether all instructions match up with those, that you want to have uninstalled. In case of uninstalling, the directory of the installation path only (installation directory) will be deleted, including its content. The directories Export and Project/ Work directory remain maintained, even if they were subfolders of the original installation path. Yet, press „Start uninstalling”. The changes will be logged in the protocol. The protocol is provided as a „.txt-file” for storage purposes when finishing the installation. This protocol contains specifications of the remaining directories and files not deletable (i.e. id the uninstalling was started while the program still was running). These directories and files need to be deleted manually. Please remove the installation-CD off the drive. The unstalling process now has been finished.

 

If you do not have the installation-CD, you can start the program „Uninstall.exe” in the installation directory. The uninstalling takes place as described before, with the distinction that the files used for the uninstalling process will not be uninstalled. Ultimately, this should be deleted manually, together with the installation directory, by using the file explorer.


Manufacturer’s address

 

hf sensor GmbH

Weißenfelser Str. 67

 

04229 Leipzig / Germany

 

Phone: ++49-341-49 72 6 0

Fax: ++49-341-49 72 6 22

mail: info@hf-sensor.de

www.hf-sensor.de