Virtual designer

Abstract

The present invention includes a method of electronically designing an article, including accessing an electronic article design system, selecting an article type to design, and iteratively configuring a group of characteristics by selecting one or more options for each characteristic and/or iteratively modeling the article performance based on a selection of one or more performance parameters for each performance model. In the iterative configuration and modeling step, the electronic article design system automatically presents the characteristics and the performance models based on the article type selected, dynamically updates the article for each step of the iterative configuration and/or modeled performance, and automatically resolves conflicts between iteratively configured characteristics, between iteratively modeled performances, and across iteratively configured characteristics and modeled performances.

1 . A computer implemented method of electronically designing an article, the method comprising:
 receiving a first input indicative of an article type to design;   receiving a second input indicative of input design data for the article type to design, wherein the input design data is a function of more than one variable;   receiving a third input indicative of additional input design data as necessary to design one or more articles of the article type to design;   automatically presenting the additional input design data based on the article type to design and the input design data;   designing one or more articles with one or more characteristics based on an algorithmic match between the input design data and design data stored for articles of the article type to design;   comparing the input design data with the stored design data; and   selectively storing and using the input design data to improve the method of electronically designing an article.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic design method of  claim 1 , wherein comparing the input design data includes algorithmically analyzing the input design data. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic design method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively storing and using the input design data further comprises receiving a permission input to temporarily or permanently store the input design data. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic design method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively storing and using the input design data includes receiving a selection input indicative of a decision to store the input design data and/or replace the stored design data with the input design data. 
     
     
         5 . A computer implemented method of electronically identifying an object, the method comprising:
 receiving a first input indicative of an object type to identify;   receiving a second input indicative of input object characteristics for the object type to identify;   receiving a third input indicative of additional input object characteristics as necessary to identify one or more objects of the object type to identify;   automatically presenting the additional input object characteristics based on the object type to identify and the input object characteristics;   identifying one or more objects based on an algorithmic match between the input object characteristics and object characteristics stored for objects of the object type to identify;   comparing the input object characteristics with the stored object characteristics; and   selectively storing and using the input object characteristics to improve the method of electronically identifying an object.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic identification method of  claim 5 , wherein comparing the input object characteristics includes algorithmically analyzing the input object characteristics. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic identification method of  claim 5 , wherein selectively storing and using the input object characteristics further comprises receiving a permission input to temporarily or permanently store the input object characteristics. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic identification method of  claim 5 , wherein selectively storing and using the input object characteristics includes receiving a selection input indicative of a decision to store the input object characteristics and/or replace the stored object characteristics with the input object characteristics. 
     
     
         9 . A computer implemented method of electronically designing a cable assembly, the method comprising:
 receiving a first input indicative of a cable assembly type to design;   receiving a second input indicative of input design data for the cable assembly type to design, wherein the input design data is a function of more than one variable;   receiving a third input indicative of additional input design data as necessary to design one or more cable assemblies of the cable assembly type to design;   automatically presenting the additional input design data based on the cable assembly type to design and the input design data;   designing one or more cable assemblies with one or more characteristics based on an algorithmic match between the input design data and design data stored for cable assemblies of the cable assembly type to design;   comparing the input design data with the stored design data; and   selectively storing and using the input design data to improve the method of electronically designing a cable assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic design method of  claim 9 , wherein comparing the input design data includes algorithmically analyzing the input design data. 
     
     
         11 . electronic design method of  claim 9 , wherein selectively storing and using the input design data further comprises receiving a permission input to temporarily or permanently store the input design data. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic design method of  claim 9 , wherein selectively storing and using the input design data includes receiving a selection input indicative of a decision to store the input design data and/or replace the stored design data with the input design data.