Interactive data entry system and method for the design, engineering and manufacture of meter tubes

Claim 1

A data entry system for the design, engineering or manufacture of meter tubes by a user of the system comprising a computer having memory, a database of design criteria in operative association with said computer, communicating means for providing an interface between the user and said computer such that user selections are made based upon prior constraints required by the design criteria in said database, where the user is prompted to select meter tubes available pursuant to the available design criteria in said database, further the user is prompted with user selection criteria, display means for illustrating the proposed meter tube according to the user selection criteria, a database of meter tube parts in operative association with said computer such that said computer calculates the available coupling zones based upon the communication between said database of design criteria and said database of meter tube parts as required by the specific responses of the user through said communicating means such that the user selects the desired location of the coupling zones whereby the final meter tube embodiment is communicated to said display means for final approval by the user or additional modification using said communicating means.