Patent ID: 8069016

Claim:
A computer implemented method of electronically designing an article, the method comprising: receiving a first selection input indicative of an article type to design; iteratively configuring a group of characteristics by receiving a second selection input indicative of one or more options for each characteristic and iteratively modeling the article performance based on a received third selection input indicative of one or more performance parameters for each performance model; automatically presenting the characteristics and the performance models based on the article type to design; dynamically updating a representation of the article for each step of the iterative configuration and/or modeled performance; automatically resolving conflicts between iteratively configured characteristics, between iteratively modeled performances, and across iteratively configured characteristics and modeled performances; comparing input characteristics and/or input performances with iteratively configured characteristics and/or iteratively modeled performances, respectively; and selectively storing and using the input characteristics and/or input performances to improve the method of electronically designing an article.