What is claimed is:
1. Computer software comprising computer readable code configured to create a printer label format based on a printed label that has been scanned, said computer readable code configured to convert a scanned label into a label format using optical character recognition (OCR), wherein said computer readable code is configured to recognize text on the scanned label as text, is configured to recognize graphics on the scanned label as graphics, and is configured to characterize as graphics any items on the scanned label which are not specifically recognized by the computer readable code.
2. Computer software as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer readable code is configured to recognize barcodes on the scanned label as barcodes.
3. Computer software as recited in claim 2, wherein said computer readable code is configured to determine at least one parameter about a barcode on the scanned label, said at least one parameter comprising at least one of aspect ratio, size and human readability.
4. Computer software as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer readable code is configured to prompt a user, using a visual display, to confirm that the objects on the scanned label have been correctly characterized by the computer readable code.
5. Computer software as recited in claim 4, wherein said computer readable code is configured to allow the user to change any of the characterizations made by the computer readable code.
6. Computer software as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer readable code is configured to allow a user to link at least one object identified on the scanned label to a variable field.
7. Computer software as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer readable code is configured to allow a user to input embedded printer-specific non-printing control codes into the label format.
8. Computer software as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer readable code is configured to provide that, once a label format has been created, said label format can be saved and printed.
9. A method of creating a printer label format: comprising scanning a printed label; converting the scanned label into the label format using optical character recognition (OCR), wherein text on the scanned label is recognized as text, wherein said graphics on the scanned label is recognized as graphics, and wherein any items on the scanned label which are not specifically recognized is characterized as a graphic.
10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising using optical character recognition (OCR) to process barcodes on the scanned label as barcodes.
11. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising using optical character recognition (OCR) to determine at least one parameter about a barcode on the scanned label, said at least one parameter comprising at least one of aspect ratio, size and human readability.
12. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising using a visual display to confirm that objects on the scanned label have been correctly characterized.
13. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising linking at least one object identified on the scanned label to a variable field.
14. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising embedding at least one printer-specific non-printing control code into the label format.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An audio output device comprising:
an amplification circuit configured to amplify an input signal;
a signal detecting circuit configured to detect whether the input signal is in a signal present state or in a signal absent state;
a period detecting circuit configured to detect a signal present duration for which the signal detecting circuit detects that the input signal is in the signal present state;
a time setting circuit configured to set a control waiting time, depending on the signal present duration detected by the period detecting circuit; and
a control circuit configured to limit outputting of the amplification circuit after the control waiting time set by the time setting circuit has elapsed since the signal detecting circuit detected the signal absent state of the input signal.
2. The audio output device of claim 1, wherein
the time setting circuit sets the control waiting time to a first period of time when the signal present duration is shorter than a predetermined period of time, and to a second period of time longer than the first period of time when the signal present duration is longer than the predetermined period of time.
3. The audio output device of claim 1, wherein
the control circuit limits the outputting of the amplification circuit by stopping the amplification circuit.
4. The audio output device of claim 1, wherein
the period detecting circuit measures the signal present duration by counting, and
the time setting circuit sets the control waiting time, depending on a count value of the period detecting circuit.
5. The audio output device of claim 1, further comprising:
a loudspeaker,
wherein the amplification circuit includes:
a first amplifier configured to amplify the input signal; and
a second amplifier configured to invert and amplify the input signal, and the loudspeaker is driven by outputs of the first and second amplifiers.
6. The audio output device of claim 1, wherein
the amplification circuit, the signal detecting circuit, the period detecting circuit, the time setting circuit, and the control circuit are integrated in the same semiconductor integrated circuit.