Abstract: In a vehicle monitoring method, recognition processing of a specific character pattern of a vehicle is performed by extracting a specific character pattern area from a taken image data. When the specific character pattern cannot be recognized, a compression range is judged as being a vehicle area clipped from the taken image data, and image data of the clipped area is compressed at a low compression ratio. When the specific character pattern is partially recognized, the compression range is judged as being the specific character pattern area clipped from the taken image data, and image data of the clipped area is compressed at the low compression ratio. When the specific character pattern is fully recognized, the compression range is judged as being the specific character pattern area clipped from the taken image data, and image data of the clipped area is compressed at a high compression ratio.

Abstract: A part of a high-resolution image captured by a camera is extracted as a partial image, a low-resolution image is generated using the extracted partial image, and a mobile object is detected using a low-resolution image. Then, using a high-resolution image, a recognition process for the detected mobile object is performed.

Abstract: A dubbing apparatus for inhibiting high-speed dubbing for a predetermined time period if, at a time of high-speed dubbing of a program from a first storage medium onto a second storage medium, the first storage medium is found to have been subjected to high-speed dubbing earlier by another predetermined time period. The apparatus is arranged to indicate that high-speed dubbing is being inhibited while displaying a waiting time to be observed before high-speed dubbing is again permitted.

Abstract: The present invention is capable of dubbing again even when a data transfer error occurs, because the dubbing is tried again by sending a command to reproduce to the optical disc reproducing apparatus 1 from the magneto-optical disc recording/plying system 3 after completing the reproducing retry preparation and recording retry preparation.

Abstract: A dubbing apparatus for inhibiting high-speed dubbing for a predetermined time period if, at a time of high-speed dubbing of a program from a first storage medium onto a second storage medium, the first storage medium is found to have been subjected to high-speed dubbing earlier by another predetermined time period. The apparatus is arranged to indicate that high-speed dubbing is being inhibited while displaying a waiting time to be observed before high-speed dubbing is again permitted.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of disc reproducing apparatus and a controller for controlling the apparatus. The controller manages control so that no silent time interval is produced during disc exchange or during switching between the plural disc reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for a recording medium such as a disc-like recording medium includes a transfer member, a drive unit, a detector and a controller. The transfer member moves between a recording medium changing position and a disc-like recording medium recording and/or reproducing position. The drive unit drives the transfer member. The detector continuously detects a position of the transfer member moved on the basis of a drive force from the drive unit in accordance with a movement of a movable part of the drive unit. The controller controls the drive unit so that a moving speed of the transfer member is slowed under the condition prior to arriving at the changing position and the recording/reproducing position of the transfer member on the basis of a detection signal from the detector.