The Design of Image Process Software of Dispensing Systems - Advanced Research on Computer Education, Simulation and Modeling - page 93

(2) ActiveX technologies. MATLAB programs can be called as ActiveX parts of
VB programs through ActiveX interfaces. ActiveX technologies can not work
out of MATLAB environments either.
(3) Import Matrx VB technologies. Matrx VB is MABLAB library files for VB
languages provided by Math Works. The advantage is that it can work out of
MATLAB environments. But because it is a third-party control, it can be ac-
quired only by purchase with limited functions.
(4) Import COM technologies. COM technologies are object models released based
on modules. These kinds of object models make modules called by VB lan-
guage to communicate under a uniform mode. By using own COM Builder tool
of MATLAB software, M files can be transferred to COM modules, which are
modules in processes of computers and are stored in DLL format that can be
called directly in VB programs.

Because the system software is integrated in a PC, VB languages are used to de-
velop application programs along with COM technologies.

3 Architecture of the Software Platform

MATLAB COM modules are called by VB programs to accomplish interfacing tasks
of the system. Channels between VB program modules and MATLAB program mod-
ules are established through COM modules, and communications between modules
are also carried on through COM modules. The architecture of the software platform
includes VB visual interface, M files (algorithms), COM modules and image display
four parts, as shown in figure 1. Images acquired from a CCD camera are sent into
computers and captured by ezVidCap modules of the VB software. And images are
displayed on a VB visual interface after image processing by M-file algorithms of
COM modules [2].

PCB board computers

VB software

COM modules Image display

M files
(algorithms)

Fig. 1. Basic structure of the software