Abstract: A moving picture is encoded into groups of video image pictures with each frame composed of fields of different field polarities including a predetermined field polarity. The polarity of the first field of a series of frames to be encoded into a respective group of image pictures is set to the predetermined field polarity. Alternatively, the polarity of the first field of the series of frames may be identified by data transmitted with the encoded moving picture. The encoded moving picture is decoded at a decode start time designated when the first field in each respective group of image pictures is of the predetermined field polarity. Alternatively, the decode start time is generated on the basis of the data designating the field polarity of the first field.

Abstract: In a picture signal decoding method, preceding of the display operation to the decoding operation can be prevented as to a bidirectional predictive picture. When the user specifies an arbitrary magnification display mode in which a part of a decoded picture is magnified to an arbitrary size and displayed on a display screen, the decoding operation of an input picture signal which corresponds to a bidirectional predictive picture in input picture signals is started from a signal portion corresponding to the input display start position. Thereby, a picture signal decoding apparatus in which decoding operation can always be finished before display operation starts, can be accomplished with a simple construction.

Abstract: A digital signal decoding apparatus for preventing errors which cannot be corrected sufficiently by error correction from reflecting on a decoded signal. An uncorrectable error part of a digital signal or a data part including the error part is replaced with a special code including a synchronous code, and is output to decoding means. Because the decoding means capable of identifying the synchronous code can also identify the special code, a proper error processing can be executed by confirming the presence of errors at the time of decoding. Therefore, by using the decoding means, it is possible to prevent errors which cannot be sufficiently corrected from reflecting on a decoded signal.

Abstract: A catalyst component for use in the polymerization of .alpha.-olefins, comprising a compound represented by the following general formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 s represent a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-6 hydrocarbon group or a C.sub.1-12 hydrocarbon group containing silicon; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represents a divalent group selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms and a silicon-containing hydrocarbon group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms and 1 to 6 silicon atoms, provided that at least one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is said silicon-containing hydrocarbon group; Q represents a C.sub.1-20 divalent hydrocarbon group, a silylene group, a silylene group with a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbon group, a germylene group, or a germylene group with a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbon group; X and Y represent H, a halogen, a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbon group, or a C.sub.

Abstract: An image signal processing device includes a logarithmic compression circuit, filtering circuit, filtering characteristic setting circuit and dynamic range/gain control circuit. The logarithmic compression circuit subjects an input image signal containing a color signal to the logarithmic compression. The filtering circuit serves to filter the input image signal. The filtering characteristic setting circuit adaptively sets the band pass characteristic of the filtering circuit according to the feature of the input image signal. The dynamic range/gain control circuit controls the dynamic range and gain of the filtered input image signal.

Abstract: An electronic camera apparatus provides an image pickup signal to serve an image display by an image monitor. An image pickup section has at least a solid-state image pickup element and generates an image signal by electrically picking up an image of a target object to be photographed. A control section time-divisionally and repeatedly executes image pickup processing of the target object a plurality of times by using the image pickup section and a read operation of the image signal obtained by the image pickup processing. An accumulative addition section sequentially performs accumulative addition of the image signals repeatedly read from the image pickup section by the control section. A processing section processes the image signal obtained by the accumulative addition section upon sequential, accumulative addition so as to allow the image signal to be used for an image display by the image monitor.

Abstract: A three dimensional sorting apparatus utilizes a plurality of frame members, supported for circulating movement in a closed path. A tray is mounted for up and down movement on each of the frame members and is guided along rails which determine its height. Change-over rails, controlled to move up and down, are provided to connect a first guide rail extending past an intake station to a selected one of a plurality of secondary guide rails extending at different levels past a plurality of discharge stations. This enables an article to be discharged into a selected one of several discharge ports at a selected discharge station. Discharge is carried out by pivoting the tray forward upon release of a tray-retaining latch by a discharge assisting device at each discharge station. Alternatively, the article is carried on a conveyor driven by a pinion which is activated by a discharge assisting rack at each discharge station.