Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for outputting an image pickup signal by forming an image of a subject on an image pickup element through an optical system includes a determining circuit for picking up a plurality of color information signals from the image pickup element, comparing the color information signals with a predetermined reference value to determine that the color information signals reach a predetermined level and detecting quantity of a skin color signal component; and a control circuit for controlling the exposure of the image pickup element in accordance with the result of the determination.

Abstract: An optical disk and method of preparing it in which a macromolecular substrate has information bits mechanically formed on its surface and a reflective metallic reflective film is deposited thereover. The grain size of the metallic reflective film is kept to less than 50 nanometers by depositing at a rate of no more than 1.5 nanometers per second.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device for picking up the image of a subject, a zoom lens of changing a magnification for the image entering the image pickup device, and a scan range changing circuit for changing the scan range of the image pickup device. It enlarges and reduces the image signal by a combination of a variable magnification of the zoom lens and a variable scan range of the image pickup device.

Abstract: A pretreatment method of frying processing comprises the steps of; dipping a raw material into a sugar solution thereby enabling the material to endure a relatively high temperature; drying-up a fried product for a short period of time without deteriorating the quality thereof at relatively high temperature; and raising the oil temperature at the beginning of frying processing rather than in the middle of the frying processing to stabilize the oil temperature as well as increasing the amount of water initially evaporated thereby shortening the time required for the frying processing.

Abstract: A molding composition comprising a thermoplastic resin in admixture with flaky graphite and carbon black is molded into an acoustic article which shows a high specific modulus of elasticity due to graphite and an increased internal loss due to carbon black. Preferred molding compositions contain 10-90 wt % of polyvinyl chloride or a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and 90-10 wt % of graphite flakes plus carbon black submicron particles. Carbon black is present in an amount of 0.1-2 parts per part of flaky graphite. Speaker diaphragms, arm pipes and head shells are fabricated from the molding composition. The composition is kneaded and rolled to orient the graphite flakes, and subsequently molded into an article, which is then optionally carbonized or graphitized.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter which is effective for an interpolative decoder for decoding a linear PCM signal is disclosed. An output signal of a binary rate multiplier which develops signals of several less-significant bits of the linear PCM signal onto a time axis is directly applied to a driver circuit, by which is driven the segment of a ladder resistance network corresponding to the least significant bit, the ladder resistance network having segments corresponding to signals of several more-significant bits of the linear PCM signal. Thus, an adder for the digital addition between the output signal of the binary rate multiplier and the signals of the several more-significant bits is dispensed with.

Abstract: A current control circuit comprises a current proportional circuit having two terminals, the current of one terminal being a proportional relationship with the current of the other terminal. An output terminal coupled with the current proportional circuit and a load through which a controlled current flows, and a constant current source. A steering circuit to which a switching signal is applied, is provided between the two terminals of the current proportional circuit and the constant current source, in order to couple the constant current source to one of the two terminals in response to the switching signal.