Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which an image signal is divided into blocks each comprising a plurality of pixels and a quantization and a variable length encoding are executed so that a code amount of a plurality of blocks lies within a certain range. As a plurality of blocks, the position of the block which is selected at the nth order approaches the periphery of a picture screen with an increase in value of (n).

Abstract: A motion image and a still image are selectively recorded onto a recording medium. When the recording of the still image is instructed during the recording of the motion image, one picture plane in the motion image is extracted and stored into a memory. After completion of the recording of the motion image, the image data of one picture plane stored in the memory is repeatedly read out and recorded as a still image. A continuity of motion images to be reproduced is held and a reproduction image of a high picture quality is obtained.

Abstract: First and second digital data to which a code to correct errors was added are inputted. For a certain period of time, processes to detect errors in the first and second digital data are executed in accordance with the order of the first digital data and the second digital data. In this period of time, on the basis of the processing results, processes to correct the errors in the first and second digital data are executed in accordance with the order of the second digital data and the first digital data. Thus, the error detecting processes of the digital data that is inputted on a predetermined unit basis can be executed in parallel and an error correcting process in which a circuit scale is small and costs are low can be realized.

Abstract: An aliphatic copolyester having a plurality of first: ester units of the formula: —CO—[R1]t—CO—O—R2—O— wherein R1 represents a divalent aliphatic group, R2 represents a divalent aliphatic and t is an integer of 0 or 1, and a plurality of second ester units of the formula: wherein R1 and t are as defined above and R3 represents an aliphatic group. The molar ratio of the first ester unit to the second ester unit is 90:10 to 99.9:0.1. The copolyester is produced by reacting an aliphatic diester with an aliphatic glycol and with a monoacylated glycerin under ester exchanging conditions.

Abstract: A process of producing a polyester or copolyester, wherein at least one cyclic lactone of the following formula (I): wherein n is an integer of 1-4 provided that n is not 2 when only one cyclic lactone is used, is polymerized under a pressure of at least 200 MPa in the absence of any catalyst or in the presence of a metal-free polyesterification catalyst.

Abstract: When input data is written into or read out from a plurality of memories, operations of the plurality of memories are controlled in a manner such that, as for data which is read out from a predetermined memory among a plurality of memories each of which can store the input data, the data stored in the other memory is set to the read data from the predetermined memory. By virtue of this construction, even when the read data is uncorrectable data, the data with a higher correlation can be read out and a reproduction signal of a higher quality can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel .beta.-lactam compound, a 7-substituted-2-oxa-7-azabicyclo?3.2.0!heptan-6-one represented by the general formula ##STR1## in which R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, halogen-substituted aryl or alkaryl group, having usefulness as an intermediate for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. The compound can be prepared by the reaction of an isocyanate compound RNCO, R being the same as above, and 2,3-dihydrofuran, preferably, under pressurization up to 2000 atmospheres or higher.

Abstract: A novel and simple method is proposed for the synthetic preparation of an N,N-disubstituted .beta.-ketothioamide compound represented by the general formulaR.sup.1 R.sup.2 N--CS--CH.sub.2 --CO--R.sup.3,in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each a monovalent hydrocarbon group or each a divalent hydrocarbon group jointly forming a cyclic structure together with the nitrogen atom and R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, a monovalent hydrocarbon group or a divalent hydrocarbon group forming a cyclic structure jointly with R.sup.1, R.sup.1 being a divalent hydrocarbon group and R.sup.2 being a monovalent hydrocarbon group. The method comprises:(a) mixing an N,N-disubstituted amide compound represented by the general formulaR.sup.1 R.sup.2 N--CO--R.sup.3,and a bis(trialkylsilyl)thioketene compound represented by the general formula(R.sub.3 Si).sub.2 C.dbd.C.dbd.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preparation of a .beta.-thiolactam compound, i.e. a 7-substituted-2-oxa-7-azabicyclo [3.2.0]-heptan-6-thione, represented by the general formula ##STR1## in which R is an alkyl or aryl group, having usefulness as an intermediate for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. The compound can be prepared by the reaction of an isothiocyanate compound R--NCS, R being the same as above, and 2,3-dihydrofuran, preferably, under pressurization up to 2000 atmospheres or higher at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel .beta.-lactam compound, a 7-substituted-2-oxa-7-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-6-one represented by the general formula ##STR1## in which R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, halogen-substituted aryl or alkaryl group, having usefulness as an intermediate for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. The compound can be prepared by the reaction of an isocyanate compound RNCO, R being the same as above, and 2,3-dihydrofuran, preferably, under pressurization up to 2000 atmospheres or higher.