JPH09251371A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment for preferentially displaying frequently used menu information on a menu screen by changing the display priority of menu information corresponding to the using frequency of the menu information displayed on the menu screen. SOLUTION: In a manu selecting processing, a CPU 8 counts the number of times of using a sub menu symbol other than a message confirmation symbol and a main menu symbol and decides the priority of the sub menu symbol displayed in an auxiliary symbol display area inside a default menu screen based on the counted number of times. Then, the priority of the auxiliary symbol of a symbol code correspondence chart stored inside an EEPROM 9 is rewritten corresponding to the decision, the contents of a default symbol code stored inside the EEPROM 9 are also rewritten and the auxiliary symbol to be displayed in the auxiliary symbol display area inside the default menu screen is changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a menu display function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional electronic device such as an electronic notebook and a pager, a symbol is set for each of various functions to be installed,
This symbol is displayed on the menu screen, and when this symbol is designated, the processing function corresponding to the designated symbol is executed.

That is, in the conventional electronic device, the symbols are displayed on the menu screen according to the function so that the user can intuitively identify the function.
This makes it easy to specify functions.

Further, in the menu display in such an electronic device, when the power is turned on, first, a main menu screen displaying a main symbol group showing the contents of the main menu is displayed, and a submenu is displayed under each main symbol. It is prepared. Then, when the main symbol is specified on the main menu screen, the sub-menu screen set in association with the main symbol is displayed. On this sub-menu screen, various functions corresponding to the main symbol are displayed. The sub-symbol indicating is displayed.

In the case of such a display form of the main menu and the sub menu, the user needs to first select the main symbol on the main menu screen and then select the desired sub symbol on the sub menu screen.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional electronic device, when the main menu and the sub menu are displayed, the user first selects the main symbol on the main menu screen, and then Since it is necessary to select a desired sub-symbol on the sub-menu screen, the desired function in the sub-menu cannot be directly selected and the operability is poor.

In recent years, electronic devices such as electronic notebooks and pagers have abundant functions, but the functions that users frequently use are limited. Therefore, the display order of the main menu prepared in advance is not always convenient for the user. Therefore, the conventional menu display form has a problem in terms of ease of use for the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device which changes the display priority of the menu information according to the frequency of use of the menu information displayed on the menu screen and preferentially displays frequently used menu information on the menu screen. Is to provide.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A display unit that displays various menus representing various functions as a menu screen and a selection unit that selects menu information on the menu screen are provided, and the menu information on the menu screen displayed on the display unit by the selection unit is displayed. When selected, in an electronic device that executes a function corresponding to the menu information, a menu information storage unit that stores menu information that exceeds the number of menu information that can be displayed at one time on the menu screen displayed on the display unit. The specific menu information in the menu information stored in the menu information storage means and the menu information having a large number of menu selections by the selection means in the menu information other than the specific menu information are used as the initial menu screen. And display control means for displaying on the display.

According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, a display unit for displaying various menus representing various functions as a menu screen and a selection unit for selecting menu information on the menu screen are provided. When the menu information on the menu screen displayed on the display unit is selected by the selection unit, the electronic device that executes the function corresponding to the menu information displays the menu information on the menu screen displayed on the display unit at once. Menu information storage means for storing menu information that exceeds the number of possible menu information items, specific menu information in the menu information stored in the menu information storage means, and the selection in menu information other than the specific menu information. The menu information that is frequently selected by the means is displayed as the initial menu screen by the display control means. It is displayed in.

Therefore, it is possible to always display the specific menu information as the initial menu screen, and always display the frequently used initial menu information on the menu screen, thereby improving the usability for the user on the menu screen. You can

In this case, as in the invention described in claim 2, in the electronic device according to claim 1, each display position of the specific menu information and other menu information is fixedly set. Good.

According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the display positions of the specific menu information and other menu information are fixedly set.

Therefore, since the display positions of the specific menu information and the other menu information do not change, the menu screen can be easily viewed, and it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by the change of the display position of the menu information.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 3,
The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specific menu information is main menu information, and the other menu information is submenu information of the main menu information.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in claim 3, in the electronic device described in claim 1 or 2, the specific menu information is main menu information, and the other menu information is the main menu information. This is submenu information.

Therefore, while the main menu information is always displayed as the initial menu screen, the frequently used submenu information can be displayed within the same initial menu screen, so that the desired submenu can be displayed on the initial menu screen. It is possible to directly select, the troublesome operation of moving to the sub menu from the main menu and selecting the sub menu can be eliminated, and the operability on the menu screen can be improved.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 4,
In the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, the specific menu information may be menu information selected and set by a user.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in claim 4, in the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, the specific menu information is menu information selected and set by a user.

Therefore, as the initial menu screen, the menu information managed by the user can always be displayed, and the frequently used menu information can be displayed, and the usability in operating the menu screen can be improved. .

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 8 are views showing a first embodiment of a pager to which an electronic apparatus of the present invention is applied.

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a main circuit of a pager 1 of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the pager 1 includes an antenna 2, a receiving unit 3, a decoder unit 4, an ID-ROM 5, a key input unit 6, a RAM 7, a CPU 8, an EEPROM 9, a sound signal generating unit 10, an amplifier 11, and a speaker 12. The flashing pattern signal generation unit 13, the amplifier 14, the LED 15, the character generator 16, the display buffer 17, and the display unit 18 are included.

The antenna 2 receives a radio signal transmitted from a transmission base station (not shown) and outputs it to the receiving unit 3. The receiving unit 22 intermittently receives the call signal input from the antenna 2, amplifies and demodulates the received signal, and outputs the amplified signal to the decoder unit 4. The decoder unit 4 has an ID-ROM in which a recognition code is registered in advance as to whether or not the ID code of the calling signal input to the reception unit 3 matches its own recognition code.
5, the call detection signal is output to the CPU 8, and the receiving unit 3 continues to receive the signal, and the message information received subsequently is also output to the CPU 8.

The key input unit 6 is provided with a numeric key, a cursor key, a decision key, a function release key, etc., and outputs an instruction from each key to the CPU 8.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 7 is a C
The PU 8 forms a memory area for temporarily storing data being processed, a TEL bank memory area (not shown) for storing telephone number information, a message storage area for storing received message information, and the like.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 8
Executes various processes based on various control programs stored in the EEPROM 9. That is, when the ringing signal is received from the receiving unit 3, the ringing signal generating unit 10 outputs the ringing signal to notify the speaker 12 of the ringing, and the blinking pattern signal generating unit 13 outputs the ringing signal. Outputs a blinking pattern signal to indicate that there is a call
15 is made to notify by blinking display, and the received message information input subsequently from the receiving unit 3 is stored in the message storage area in the RAM 7. Further, the CPU 8 uses the key input unit 6
The telephone number information input from is stored in the TEL bank memory in the RAM 7.

Further, the CPU 8 counts the number of times of use of the sub-menu symbols other than the message confirmation symbol and the main menu symbol in the menu selection processing described later, which is executed immediately after the power of the pager 1 is turned on, and the counted use Based on the number of times, the priority order of the submenu symbols displayed in the auxiliary menu symbol display area in the default menu screen is determined, and the priority order of the submenu symbols in the symbol code correspondence table stored in the EEPROM 9 is rewritten according to this determination. , The content of the default symbol code stored in the EEPROM 9 is rewritten to change the sub-menu symbol displayed in the auxiliary menu symbol display area in the default menu screen.

The EEPROM 9 stores the relationship between the display position of each of the main menu symbol and the auxiliary menu symbol displayed in the default menu screen on the display unit 18 as 8-bit code data. The default symbol code table shown in FIG. And the symbol code correspondence table shown in FIG. 3, which stores the 8-bit code data corresponding to the main menu symbol and the sub menu symbol, the number of times of use of the auxiliary symbol, and the priority order.

In the symbol code correspondence table of FIG. 3, from the top, the symbol code of "message confirmation", the next 3 rows are the symbol codes corresponding to the main menu, and the next 9 rows are the symbols corresponding to the submenu. Is the code. Symbol codes corresponding to submenus are "TEL bank function", "Original message function", "Fixed message function", "Alarm setting", "Timer setting", "Clock setting", "Melody setting", "Contrast". "Setting" and "Secret function" are set. Then, in the symbol code corresponding to this sub-menu, following the original code data, a "use count" data area for storing the use count to be added when the symbol is selected, and a A "priority order" data area for storing the priority order of symbols displayed on a default menu display screen which will be described later.

Further, the EEPROM 9 has a structure shown in FIGS.
In addition to the data shown in (1), in practice, for example, information indicating the relationship between the main menu and the submenu, display position information of the submenu for displaying the submenu, and the like are stored.

The tone signal generator 10 generates a tone signal in response to an instruction from the CPU 8 when the call is detected, and outputs the tone signal to the amplifier (AM).
The speaker 12 is driven by P) 11 to notify the user that a call has been made.

The blinking pattern signal generator 13 includes a CPU 8
A blinking pattern signal is generated in response to an instruction when a call is detected, and the LED 15 is driven by the amplifier (AMP) 14 to blink the display to notify that there is a call.

The character generator (CG) 16 is
Character data corresponding to incoming message data or telephone number data input from the CPU 8 is displayed in the display buffer 1
Output to 7. The display buffer 17 forms a memory area for temporarily storing the incoming message display data generated from the incoming message data input from the character generator 16 by the CPU 8, or the instruction display data based on the key input contents, and controls the CPU 8. The incoming message display data stored by is sequentially transferred to the display unit 18.

The display unit 8 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, displays incoming message display data or key input instruction display data sequentially input from the display buffer 17, and immediately after the power of the pager 1 is turned on. In the menu selection process executed by the CPU 8, a default menu screen described later is displayed.

In this default menu screen, the above E
Main menu symbols prepared in advance are displayed based on the symbol code data set in the default symbol code table shown in FIG. 2 stored in the EPROM 9.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

The menu selection processing executed by the CPU 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power of the pager 1 is turned on, FIG.
Of the main menu symbol prepared in advance as the default menu screen based on the symbol code data set in the default symbol code table shown in FIG. To display.

As shown in FIG. 5, the default menu screen displayed on the display unit 18 is composed of a display area for displaying a main menu symbol and a display area for displaying an auxiliary menu symbol. In the display area, four main menu symbols are fixedly displayed based on the symbol code data set in the default symbol code table shown in FIG. 2, and in the auxiliary menu symbol display area, initially, , The submenu symbol is not displayed because the submenu symbol is not selected yet. The main menu symbol at display position 1 shown in FIG. 5 indicates the "message confirmation" process, and the main menu symbols at display positions 2 to 4 indicate the symbols corresponding to the main menu.

The display position of the main menu symbol displayed on the default menu screen of FIG. 5 is determined based on the display position information corresponding to each symbol code data shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the priority order (larger ← → smaller) is set according to the display position (1 to 6) of each symbol.

Next, on the default menu screen displayed in step S1, it is determined whether or not a menu symbol has been selected by operating the cursor key or the like with the key input unit 6 (step S2). If the menu symbol is not selected, the display process of the default menu screen in step S1 is continued, and if the menu symbol is selected, the menu symbol is "message confirmation".
It is determined whether or not (step S3). If the selected menu symbol is "message confirmation", the process proceeds to step S8, the function processing corresponding to various input operations related to the message confirmation processing is executed, and the operation of the function release key in the key input unit 6 or predetermined operation is performed. If there is no time key operation, it is determined that the selected functional process is completed (step S9), and the process returns to the default menu screen display process of step S1. That is, it returns to the display state of the default menu screen of FIG.

If a menu symbol other than "message confirmation" is selected in step S3, that is, if the main menu symbol is selected and the sub-menu symbol is selected, it corresponds to the selected sub-menu symbol. The number of times the submenu symbol is used in the symbol code correspondence table shown in FIG. 3 is incremented by 1 (step S4). Next, the added number of times of use is compared with the number of times of use of another submenu symbol, and the priority order of the selected submenu symbol is determined based on the comparison result (step S5). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the first or second priority within the submenu symbol according to the determined priority (step S6). If there is no change, step S8
If there is a change, the 8-bit symbol code data corresponding to the display positions 5 and 6 in FIG.
Rewrite to bit symbol code data (step S
7).

As a result, the sub-menu symbol corresponding to the rewritten symbol code data is displayed at the display position 5 or the display position 6 in the default menu screen shown in FIG. 5 from the symbol code correspondence table of FIG. 3 in step S1. It will be read and displayed.

Next, the function processing of the auxiliary symbol selected in step S2 is executed, and if there is no operation of the function release key in the key input unit 6 or no key operation for a predetermined time, it is judged that the selected function processing has ended. Then (step S9), the process returns to the display process of the default menu screen in step S1.

As described above, by repeatedly executing the processing corresponding to the selection operation of the menu symbol on the default menu screen, every time a sub-menu symbol is selected, the corresponding symbol code correspondence table in FIG. 3 is displayed. Since the number of times submenu symbols are used is added and the display priority between submenu symbols is determined each time the number of times of use is added, the submenu symbol display area in the default menu screen is always frequently selected. The submenu symbol will be displayed.

For example, when the first submenu symbol is selected from the default menu screen display state of FIG. 5 and the other submenu symbol is not selected even once, the submenu symbol is operated first. Since the submenu symbols have the first display priority among the submenu symbols, for example, when the "clock setting" submenu symbol is selected, the "clock setting" submenu is selected from the symbol code correspondence table in FIG. The 8-bit code data (00001010) of the symbol is written in the fifth display position of FIG. 2, and as shown in FIG. 6, the “clock” selected in the fifth display position of the submenu symbol display area in the default menu screen. The Settings "submenu symbol is displayed.

Then, when the operation of selecting each sub-menu symbol is repeated and the number of times of use of each sub-menu symbol in the symbol code correspondence table of FIG. 3 is added, for example, "clock setting" of the sub-menu symbol Assuming that the "TEL bank function" is used many times and the number of times of use is compared between the sub-menu symbols, "clock setting" is firstly determined and "TEL bank function" is secondly determined in the display priority order. As shown in FIG. 7, the submenu symbols of the first "clock setting" and the second "TEL bank function" with the first priority are displayed at the display positions 5th and 6th in the auxiliary menu symbol display area in the default menu screen. Is displayed.

As described above, in the pager 1 of the first embodiment, the default menu screen is displayed on the display unit 18 immediately after the power is turned on, and the main menu symbol corresponding to the main menu is displayed in this default screen. The main symbol display area for displaying and the auxiliary menu symbol display area for displaying the submenu symbol corresponding to the submenu are set. Furthermore, in the menu selection processing, the correspondence is set each time the submenu symbol is selected. The number of times submenu symbols are used in the symbol code correspondence table of FIG. 3 is added, and the display priority is changed between submenu symbols each time the number of times of use is added. The second submenu symbol is displayed in the auxiliary menu symbol display area in the default menu screen. Because of the way, always giving priority to sub-menu symbol that you use frequently can be displayed on the default menu screen, it is possible to improve the usability of the user.

Since the main menu symbol corresponding to the main menu and the submenu symbol corresponding to the submenu are displayed in the same default menu screen, the desired submenu symbol is directly selected on the main menu screen. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome operation of moving from the main menu to the sub menu and selecting the sub menu symbol as in the related art, and it is possible to improve the operability on the menu screen. For example, if you want to call the telephone number registered in the TEL bank function immediately, the sub menu symbol of "TEL bank function" is displayed in the default menu screen as shown in FIG. 7 above.
It can be operated directly from the TEL bank function.

In the first embodiment, the number of times of use is added every time the submenu symbol is selected in the menu selection process, and the display priority order between the submenu symbols is determined. However, for example, when the number of times of use of a certain sub-menu symbol exceeds the number of times of use of another sub-menu symbol by 5 times or more, the number of times of use is incremented by 1 to change the display priority order. May be.

In addition to changing the display priority among the sub-menu symbols displayed in the default menu screen displayed after the power of the pager 1 is turned on,
The display priority order determined at this time may be used to change the display priority order of the submenu symbols displayed on the submenu screen.

In the first embodiment, the display position of the main menu symbol displayed in the main menu symbol display area in the default menu screen is fixed, and the sub menu symbol displayed in the auxiliary menu symbol display area is displayed. Although the position is changed according to the frequency of use, for example, the main menu symbol code data in the symbol code correspondence table of FIG. 3 is provided with a data area for setting each data of the number of times of use and the priority order, and the main menu The display priority may be changed by adding the number of times the symbols are used and comparing the number of times the main menu symbols are used with the number of times the sub menu symbols are used. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the auxiliary menu symbol (the “self-made message function” at the second display position) is displayed in the main menu symbol display area.

However, the main menu symbol is always displayed and does not disappear from the default menu screen.

In the default menu screen shown in FIG. 5, it has been described that the main menu symbol and the auxiliary menu symbol can be displayed up to 6 symbols, but if only 4 symbols can be displayed, the scroll display function is provided. By adding it, the auxiliary menu symbol can be displayed. Further, in the default menu screen shown in FIG. 5, the main symbol is basically left in the menu screen.
When there are two or more, a display method in which the main symbol including the function is masked on the menu screen may be considered.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the menu symbol displayed in the main menu symbol display area is fixed, but in the second embodiment, the menu symbol shown in FIG. In the pager 1, a menu symbol setting function for allowing the user to arbitrarily set the menu symbol displayed in the main menu symbol display area in the default menu screen displayed on the display unit 6 after the power is turned on will be described.

Since the configuration of the pager 1 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the pager 1 of FIG. 1, its illustration and configuration description will be omitted. However, in the default menu screen displayed on the display unit 6, a symbol setting display area in which the user can set menu symbols and a symbol priority display area in which symbols are displayed based on the display priority order are set. Further, in order to start the menu symbol setting process, the menu symbol setting mode can be designated by a predetermined operation on the key input unit 6.

C in the pager 1 of the second embodiment
The menu symbol setting process executed by the PU 8 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the menu symbol setting mode is designated by a predetermined operation on the key input unit 6, the menu symbol setting process of FIG. 9 is started, and the menu symbol can be set on the default menu screen shown in FIG. 5, for example. A symbol setting display area, a symbol priority display area for displaying symbols based on display priority,
Is set, and the cursor can be moved only in the symbol setting display area, for example, four symbol setting display areas.

In the symbol setting display area, when the cursor position is designated by operating the left and right cursor keys in the key input section 6 (step S21), the menu symbol is scrolled by operating the up and down cursor keys at the cursor position. The display is stopped, the cursor is stopped at the desired menu symbol position, and the enter key is operated with the key input unit 6 to complete the menu symbol selection operation (step S22).

Next, the 8-bit symbol code data corresponding to the menu symbol selected in step S22 is read from the symbol code correspondence table of FIG. 3 above, and the default symbol of FIG. 2 above corresponding to the display position designated in step S21 is read. The 8-bit symbol code data at the display position in the code table is rewritten (step S2
3). By this data rewriting process, the selected menu symbol is displayed at the display position designated in the symbol setting display area of the default menu screen of FIG.

Next, in the symbol setting display area, it is checked whether or not the cursor position is designated by operating the left and right cursor keys (step S24). If the cursor position is designated, the process returns to step S21 and the menu symbol is displayed. If the cursor position is not specified by repeating the setting process of step 1, it is determined whether or not the selection operation of the menu symbol is completed depending on whether or not the function release key is operated in the key input unit 6 (step S25). If the release key has not been operated, the process returns to step S24 to check the operation of the left and right cursor keys, and if the function release key has been operated, this process ends and returns to the normal default menu screen display state.

As described above, in the pager 1 of the second embodiment, the menu symbol setting function is added, and it is possible to display an arbitrary menu symbol in the symbol setting display area in the menu screen. The user can freely set a desired menu symbol, and the usability for the user can be further improved.

In the second embodiment described above, the settable area of the menu symbol is fixed to the symbol setting display area. However, the settable area of the menu symbol is not fixed and the menu symbol can be displayed in the menu screen. If desired, a desired menu symbol may be set at an arbitrary symbol display position. Also, the display position may be changed depending on the frequency of use of the menu symbol. However, the set menu symbol is always displayed.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the number of main symbols displayed in the default menu screen, the number of symbol settings, and the number of auxiliary symbols are 2, which is 6 in total, but more symbols are displayed. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to such cases.

[0068]

According to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to always display specific menu information as the initial menu screen, and always display the frequently used initial menu information with priority on the menu screen. It is possible to improve the usability of the user on the menu screen.

According to the electronic device of the invention of claim 2, since the display positions of the specific menu information and other menu information do not change, the menu screen is easy to see and the display position of the menu information changes. Those who are confused can be eliminated.

According to the electronic apparatus of the invention described in claim 3,
While the main menu information is always displayed as the initial menu screen, frequently used submenu information can be displayed in the same initial menu screen, so that a desired submenu can be directly selected on the initial menu screen. Therefore, the troublesome operation of moving from the main menu to the sub menu and selecting the sub menu can be eliminated, and the operability on the menu screen can be improved.

According to the electronic apparatus of the invention described in claim 4,
As the initial menu screen, the menu information frequently used by the user can be displayed while always displaying the menu information managed by the user, and the usability when operating the menu screen can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a main circuit of a pager according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a default symbol code table stored in the EEPROM of FIG.

3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a symbol correspondence table stored in the EEPROM of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of menu selection processing executed by the CPU of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a display example of a default menu screen displayed on the display unit immediately after the power is turned on in the menu selection process of FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a state in which an auxiliary symbol is additionally displayed on the default menu screen of FIG. 5 when an auxiliary symbol is selected in the menu selection processing of FIG.

7 is a diagram showing a state in which auxiliary symbols are additionally displayed on the default menu screen of FIG. 5 when the display priority order between auxiliary symbols is determined in the menu selection processing of FIG.

8 is a diagram showing a state where auxiliary symbols are displayed in a main symbol display area on the default menu screen of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a menu symbol setting process executed by the pager of the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 pager 2 antenna 3 receiving unit 4 decoder unit 5 ID-ROM 6 key input unit 7 RAM 8 CPU 9 EEPROM 10 sound signal generating unit 11 amplifier 12 speaker 13 flashing pattern signal generating unit 14 amplifier 15 LED 16 character generator 17 display buffer 18 Display

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A menu screen for displaying various menus representing various functions as a menu screen, and a selection unit for selecting menu information on the menu screen, the menu screen being displayed on the display unit by the selection unit. When the above menu information is selected, the electronic device that executes the function corresponding to the menu information stores the menu information that exceeds the number of menu information that can be displayed at one time on the menu screen displayed on the display unit. The menu information storage means, the specific menu information in the menu information stored in the menu information storage means, and the menu information in the other menu information other than the specific menu information, which is frequently selected by the selection means, is used as an initial menu. A display control means for displaying on the display unit as a screen; Vessel. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display positions of the specific menu information and the other menu information are fixedly set. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific menu information is main menu information, and the other menu information is submenu information of the main menu information. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific menu information is menu information selected and set by a user.