The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for entering data for a goal lattice, displaying the graph of goals and edges, and extracting sublattices of goals and edges for detailed data entry, display, and analysis. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for visualizing goals and their relationship in a multidimensional visualization. In preferred embodiments, goal lattices are displayed such that direct human interaction through a graphical user interface and data entry devices allow for the addition, modification, and extraction of goal lattices and their visualization.
Please help me write a proper abstract based on the patent claims. CLAIM: 1. A method comprising: a) obtaining at least one system goal lattice from an automatic control system; b) displaying the at least one system goal lattice on a visualization device; c) selecting at least one first goal lattice element from the at least one system goal lattice employing at least one input device; d) choosing at least one goal lattice element operation employing at least one of the at least one input device; e) receiving at least one goal lattice element operation parameter utilizing at least one of the at least one input device; f) producing a modified system goal lattice by applying the at least one goal lattice element operation and the at least one goal lattice element operation parameter to the at least one first goal lattice element; and, g) communicating the modified system goal lattice to the automatic control system. 2. A method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the at least one system goal lattice is a multidimensional representation of the at least one system goal lattice. 3. A method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the at least one system goal lattice utilizes a multiplicity of colors to visually differentiate among different elements. 4. A method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the at least one system goal lattice is produced utilizing a mathematical projection of the at least one system goal lattice from a multidimensional space onto at least one rotatable, scalable, editable representation in a two-dimensional space. 5. A method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the at least one system goal lattice is dynamic. 6. A method of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device is an automatic control system. 7. A method of claim 1, wherein the at least one goal lattice element operation comprises at least one of the following: a) modifying the value associated with an input edge; b) modifying the value associated with an output edge; c) deleting an input edge; d) adding an input edge; e) deleting an output edge; f) adding an output edge and specifying its destination goal; g) inserting a goal; h) extracting partial goal lattices; i) inserting a partial goal lattice; and, j) inserting transient goals. 8. A method of claim 1, wherein the choosing of the at least one goal lattice element operation comprises actuating the at least one input device, producing a menu of available at least one goal lattice element operation from which to choose. 9. A method of claim 1 wherein a) the selecting of at least one goal lattice element operation is in accordance with an externally generated goal lattice element operation selection signal; and, b) the receiving of at least one goal lattice element operation parameter is in accordance with an externally generated at least one goal lattice element operation parameter from the automatic control device. 10. An apparatus comprising: a) a system goal lattice reception device configured to receive at least one system goal lattice; b) a system goal lattice visualization device capable of displaying the at least one system goal lattice; c) a system goal lattice element selection device wherein the system goal lattice element selection device selects at least one system goal lattice element from the at least one system goal lattice; d) a system goal lattice element operation selection device wherein the system goal lattice element operation selection device selects at least one goal lattice element operation; e) a system goal lattice element operation parameter selection device wherein the system goal lattice element operation parameter selection device selects the at least one system goal lattice element operation parameter; f) a system goal lattice modification processor configured to produce a modified system goal lattice by applying the at least one system goal lattice element operation and the at least one system goal lattice element operation parameter to the at least one selected system goal lattice element; and, g) outputting the modified system goal lattice to an automatic control system. 11. An apparatus of claim 10 wherein the system goal lattice element selection device comprises at least one of the following: a) a haptic device; b) a touchscreen; c) a mouse; d) a trackpad; e) a trackball; f) an audio input; g) an automatic control system, and, h) a kinematic state input device 12. An apparatus of claim 10 wherein the system goal lattice element selection device is wirelessly connected. 13. An apparatus of claim 10 wherein the system goal lattice visualization device is a heads-up display. 14. An apparatus of claim 10 wherein the goal lattice visualization device utilizes at least two visual effects to differentiate among goal lattice elements. 15. An apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least two visual effects comprise at least one of the following: a) line thickness; b) line color; c) goal shape; d) line intensity; e) line style; and, f) temporal variations. 16. An apparatus of claim 10 wherein the system goal lattice visualization device utilizes the visual effects to differentiate between goal lattices of collaborating automatic control devices. 17. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one system goal lattice element operation comprises at least one of the following: a) modifying the value associated with an input edge; b) modifying the value associated with an output edge; c) deleting an input edge; d) adding an input edge; e) deleting an output edge; f) adding an output edge; g) inserting a goal; h) extracting partial goal lattices; i) inserting a partial goal lattice; and, j) inserting transient goals. 18. An apparatus comprising: a) a system goal lattice reception device configured to receive a system goal lattice from an automatic control system; b) a system goal lattice visualization device; c) at least one input device generating at least one system goal lattice visualization control signal; d) a system goal lattice modification processor configured to modify the system goal lattice in accordance with the at least one system goal lattice visualization control signal to produce a modified system goal lattice; and, e) a modified system goal lattice display device. 19. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one system goal lattice visualization control signal comprises at least one of the following: a) zoom in; b) zoom out; c) warp; d) transform; e) fit; f) translate; and, g) rotate. 20. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein the system goal lattice modification processor comprises a graphics processing unit.