UML for Software Modelling and Design
Discuss about the State transition Diagrams and Toothbrush Manual.
The software modelling methodologies are mainly implemented using the unified modelling language. Some of the common software intensive systems such as medical electronics, transportation systems, telecommunication systems, enterprise information systems, and distributed web-based services are implemented using the modelling scheme. Some other non-software related systems are modelled using UML such as workflow, process structures and hardware design especially for networks. Some of the UML models used are Use Case diagrams, the sequence diagrams, collaboration diagrams, state chart diagrams, activity diagrams, component diagrams, deployment diagrams, and object diagrams work together to represent the systems and all its relevant specifications. UML is useful when incorporated to a development process that has a case study that is use case driven, architecture centric, iterative and incremental in nature.
In this case study, the Oral B Braun 5000 SmartScreen Toothbrush is recommended for use by persons above the age of 3 years. It is recommended for use by persons who have reduced physical, sensory, and mental abilities. The user may not have the necessary experience or knowledge and as such may require to have been given supervision or instruction concerning the use of the appliance in a safe way. This Toothbrush has an extended feature beyond the electric brushing; it can connect to one’s smartphone. The connection to the phone requires communication via an application. The radio transmission is deactivated to avoid occurrence of electromagnetic interference and compatibility conflicts.
- Power Mode selection (On/Off)
- Pressure Sensor light
- Charge Indicator light
- Low charge indicator light
- Charging unit which has the basic charger and brush head compartment with protective cover.
- Smartphone holder depending on the model
- Handle that is fitted with radio communication technology (Bluetooth Technology)
- The toothbrush has a battery unit or charging unit which stores the power for use.
- It has a SmartScreen which allows the toothbrush to connect to the phone App. The smartphone App can run on iOS or Android Operating Systems. The App guides one through the entire Bluetooth pairing procedure.
- The radio connectivity is limited to Bluetooth wireless technology.
- The toothbrush is operated by turning it ON at the power mode selection point. The moment the toothbrush is turned ON it connects to the application on the Smartphone and starts sharing information.
- The Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology is employed to enable connection with the iOS or Android based smartphone. The smartphone needs to be in a close proximity of about 5m distance.
- The user guide is keen to mention all the hazards involved to ensure maximum safety of the users.
- It is recommended that the user deactivates the radio transmission after turning off the toothbrush. Turning off the Toothbrush is done by pressing the on/off button for a period of 3 seconds. A user guide on the operation of the toothbrush is available on the smartphone app available from either on Android or iOS play store.
- After brushing, it is recommended that the user brushes the head under running water with the handle switched on. The device is switched off and the brush head is removed. The handle and the brush head are cleaned separately.
In software engineering, the modelling takes the approach of object oriented modelling. It performs a business modelling, object modelling, analysis and design, and coding alongside unit or system testing. The steps of this type of modelling is based on the domain analysis, the product definition and the requirement analysis. When the design is ready, the product can be integrated, validated, maintained and effectively managed. The state machine is a UML construct that allows for visualization, specification, construction and documentation of the artefacts of the software based system. The state charts are widely incorporated in many software designs especially where the system is analyzed as a modular design. The challenge is to extend our SXM based techniques to class testing. The designs seek to compile the empirical evidence about their effectiveness and more so help in the class testing of system based on the requirements design or documentation. The empirical evidence shows that the state-based testing is more effective than random testing. It is not likely to be sufficient to use unless the state diagram is straightforward as illustrated in the figure above. The state charts are used in modelling, a common practice in engineering designs. The use of state transition diagram is to enable the visualization of the operation of the real-life system, it specifies the structure and the behaviour as well as providing a template to enable one to understand and implement the system.
Object-Oriented Approach to Modelling
The state is an abstraction of the attribute values and link status. The component specifies the way the event reacts with other events when it receives a signal or a call. It specifies the events that are key or sensitive to the operation of the system. Some of the basic or common events may be ignored within a state and the activities that the object performs while in the given state. The state duration must be greater than zero at any given instance to indicate the duration an activity is processed.
There are two key states that are demonstrated in the state flow diagram namely the initial and final state. The initial state corresponds to an instance generation while the final state shows the destruction of the instance. For example, the power on is the initial state while the power off is the final state of the brushing process. The common syntax used to demonstrate the states are,
The state transition diagrams are attached to an active class in the object-oriented modelling scheme to demonstrate a reactive behavior. It seeks to describe the dynamic behavior of any instance when receiving events. It shows the relationship between events and state with deterministic finite state machines. The whole concept of using the state transition diagram finds its origin from the Harrell’s state Charts. In our case study there are trigger state transitions. The event is the stimulus that triggers or operates a signal or call. The events carry values such as the toothbrush and SmartScreen events. The state transition diagram events have no duration but the signals and states can use the time concept to define response time or activity time to process a given task. The state transition diagram is composed of the states and the transitions. The transitions from one state to another happen when the event that is labelled on the arc occurs and the conditions are true. The output of the state transition diagram can be associated with the transition.
The software used in this state modelling exercise is Microsoft Visio 2013. It provides very strong features that can perform software and product modelling using the Unified modelling language. This is a hands-on tool that enables the software engineers and designers to come up with different designs using the functions and features presented by the Microsoft Visio 2013 to create, edit and save the Visio diagrams for state machine diagrams, flowcharts, organizational charts, and non-process diagrams.
Each interaction between the states has a trigger and action part. The difference between the two states is known as a transition,
The Boolean condition has been captured using the decision symbol. When the user applies too much pressure, the brush needs to pause the brushing process, sends out an indication on the indicator lights (red light), until the pressure reduces and the brushing proceeds. The action is performed while traversing the transition (Jean-Paul, 2004). The action gives the signals that are sent to other objects while traversing the transition. The modest fault detection of the state-based class testing is the best approach in determining the best model of the system. The functional testing, on the other hand, can be reduced to the state based testing to ensure that the right state model is developed.
The quality assurance and risk management policy is well described by the Standard Operation Procedures provided in the manual. The manual does a comprehensive informative coverage on the health and safety for the toothbrush use. The toothbrush is battery powered and it is important for a user to dispose of the battery in the proper disposal center for electronic matter to guarantee environmental conservation.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the system is clearly demonstrated using the state transition diagram to represent all the operations of the toothbrush and its connection to the SmartScreen. The toothbrush makes sure that the user does not apply too much pressure on the gums or teeth while brushing. If the two outgoing transitions are triggered by the same event, the guard is set to be very exclusive. The events are supposed to be serialized prior to be delivered and the two events can be carried out simultaneous as long as the connection is maintained. The state transition diagrams demonstrated above represent the deterministic finite state machines.
References
Jean-Paul, R., 2004. State transition Diagrams. 2nd ed. s.l.:s.n.
Oral-B Braun 4000-5000 Electric Toothbrush Manual
USC., State Charts lecture notes, https://www.sunset.usc.edu/classes/cs599_2000/September21b.ppt
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