Abstract: A management device is connected to image formation devices, each having at least one network interface, via a network.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of at least one of reading an image to generate image data representing the image and printing an image represented by image data is provided. The image forming apparatus comprises a detecting system to detect an error occurred in the image forming apparatus, a requesting system to request at least one external device for solution information indicating a solution to the error detected by the detecting system, an obtaining system to obtain the solution information from the at least one external device, and a display controlling system, which is adapted to display the solution information obtained by the obtaining system.

Abstract: A computer program product for a wireless LAN system is configured such that connection settings necessary for a first communication terminal to connect with a wireless access point are made in accordance with an instruction from a second communication terminal, the second communication terminal being capable of performing data communication with the first communication terminal, the computer program product comprising computer readable instructions that cause a computer to function as the second communication terminal, the instructions defining procedures of determining, with performing data communication with the first communication terminal, whether the first communication terminal is capable of realizing a predetermined process regarding the connection settings by itself, and instructing the first communication terminal by sending the instruction for the connection settings to the first communication terminal in accordance with a result of determination made by the determining procedure.

Abstract: A device management system that can easily manage devices on a network existing beyond a router. In the device management system, firstly, a management device transmits a packet to a probe device beyond a router. Then, the probe device broadcasts onto a network. Then, the device on the network transmits, by return, a reply-packet to the probe device. Then, the probe device determines whether the reply-packet is one received from the device that is to be managed, and transmits to the management device only the reply packet received from the device that is to be managed.

Abstract: A substrate attracting and holding method includes steps of supporting a substrate by use of a protrusion provided on a holding table for holding the substrate and reducing pressure between the holding table and the substrate to attract and hold the substrate. The protrusion is disposed to be placed in a predetermined positional relation, with respect to a direction along the surface of the substrate, with (i) a position of an alignment mark to be used for processing the substrate or (ii) a position to with respect to which an alignment mark is to be produced. The method also includes attracting and holding the substrate.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a movable stage, a chuck device which is arranged on the stage and holds a substrate, a first gas supply device for supplying a gas to a position of the substrate to be exposed, and a plurality of divided planar members which are arranged adjacent to a periphery of the substrate such that at least a part of the divided planar members covers a position measurement mirror of the movable stage, and are flush with or substantially flush with a surface of the substrate or a substrate holding surface of the chuck device.

Abstract: A substrate attracting and holding system includes a holding table for holding a substrate, a protrusion provided on the holding table, the protrusion being disposed to be placed in a predetermined positional relationship with a position of an alignment mark to be used for processing the substrate or a position with respect to which an alignment mark is to be produced.

Abstract: A moving mechanism includes a reference structure having a guide surface, a movable portion being movable along the guide surface, and an actuator having movable elements, provided at opposite end portions of the stage, and at least two stators. The stators are separated from each other and each is movable in two-dimensional directions by a reaction force produced as the movable portion is driven.

Abstract: A substrate attracting and holding system includes a holding table for holding a substrate, a protrusion provided on the holding table, the protrusion being disposed to be placed in a predetermined positional relationship with a position of an alignment mark to be used for processing the substrate or a position with respect to which an alignment mark is to be produced.

Abstract: A scan type exposure apparatus for transferring an image of a pattern formed on a mask onto a substrate by synchronously scanning the mask and the substrate in a scanning direction. The apparatus includes a movable stage for holding a substrate thereon, an optical system through which an exposure light path extends, a cover member for encircling the exposure light path, from an end of the optical system toward the stage, and a gas supplying port for discharging an inactive gas into the cover member, wherein the gas is supplied at a predetermined angle with respect to the scan direction.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for lithographically transferring a pattern of an original onto a substrate to be exposed includes a first detector for detecting a position of an alignment mark on an exposure shot formed on the substrate, a second detector for detecting a local tilt adjacent to the alignment mark, the position of which is detected by the first detector, and a third detector for detecting a tilt of the exposure shot.

Abstract: A scanning exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate with a pattern formed on an original while scanning the original and the substrate. The apparatus includes a chuck for holding a substrate, a stage for moving the chuck to align the substrate, a mechanism for purging an exposure optical path near the stage with inert gas, the mechanism having a cover covering the exposure optical path between a substrate-side lower end of an optical system and a vicinity of the stage, and a supply port for supplying inert gas into the cover, and a top plate which is mounted on the stage and has a surface substantially flush with a surface of the substrate. The top plate is arranged to form a gap between the top plate and a side surface of the substrate, a depth of the gap is not less than a width of the gap, and a dimension from the side surface of the substrate to an outer edge of the top plate is larger than that of a substrate-side opening of the cover in a scanning direction.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to prevent a decrease in purge pressure in exposure and an increase in oxygen concentration caused by a purge error near the periphery of a wafer or reticle. To achieve this object, an exposure apparatus includes a movable stage, a chuck device which is arranged on the stage and holds a substrate, a first gas supply device for supplying gas to a position of the substrate to be exposed, and a plurality of divided planar members which are arranged adjacent to the periphery of the substrate, and are flush with or almost flush with the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A facsimile device 10 serving as a transmission device of the present invention has a maintenance information base (MIB) 23a storing address data. When the facsimile device 10 receives a SNMP-based packet including a GET command, the address data is retrieved and transmitted to an external device 3. When the facsimile device 10 receives a SNMP-based packet including a SET command, address data included in the packet is retrieved and registered into the MIB 23a.

Abstract: A data analysis provider system includes a client device and a data analysis provider both capable of two-way transmission. The client device transmits either target-of-analysis data or information relating to the target-of-analysis data to the data analysis provider. Additionally, the client device notifies the data analysis provider of a desired process to be performed on the target-of-analysis data. The data analysis provider receives the target-of-analysis data or information relating to the target-of-analysis data transmitted from the client device and confirms the desired process. Then, the data analysis provider prepares response data that enables the client device to perform the desired process and transmits the response data to the client device. The client device receives the response data from the data analysis provider.

Abstract: A device for effectively purging part of an ultraviolet path in an exposure apparatus with inert gas has been developed in an exposure apparatus for forming a mask pattern on a photosensitive substrate via a projection optical system by using ultraviolet rays as exposure light. An exposure apparatus according to this invention includes a chuck for holding a substrate, a stage for aligning the substrate via the chuck, a mechanism for purging an exposure optical path near the stage with inert gas, and a top plate which is mounted on the stage and forms a surface almost flush with the surface of the substrate. A gap is formed between the side surface of the substrate and the top plate, and the depth of the gap is equal to or larger than the width of the gap. Oxygen, moisture, or the like in the gap can be satisfactorily purged. This invention can provide an exposure apparatus for strictly removing oxygen in the exposure optical path and performing stable exposure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a moving mechanism which includes a reference structure having a guide surface, a movable portion being movable along the guide surface, and an actuator having a movable element disposed at the movable portion side and at least two stators, the stators being separated from each other and being moved by a reaction force produced as the movable portion is driven.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exposure apparatus which includes a movable stage for holding a substrate thereon, an optical system through which an exposure light path extends, a cover member for encircling the exposure light path, from an end of the optical system toward the stage, and a gas supplying port for discharging an inactive gas into the cover member. This structure assures a purge system effectively purging a particular portion, along an exposure light path inside the exposure apparatus, by use of an inactive gas.

Abstract: A printer control device includes a joining unit, a transmission unit, and a control unit. The joining unit causes at least one network printer to join a predetermined multicast address. The transmission unit converts print data into packets and multicast transmits the packets to the predetermined multicast address. The control unit monitors transmission/reception status of the packets at the at least one network printer that has joined the multicast address. Based on monitoring results the control unit controls transmission of packets to, waiting for packets from, and retransmission of packets to the predetermined multicast address.

Abstract: An IP address setting device includes a request packet transmitting unit, a response reception unit, an address information designation unit, and a setting packet transmission unit. The request packet transmitting unit transmits a request packet to a particular multicast address. The request packet requests transmission of an MAC address from each node of the network. The response reception unit receives responses from the nodes to the request packet transmitted by the request packet transmitting unit. Each response includes the MAC address of the corresponding node. Based on the responses received from the nodes by the response reception unit the address information designation unit designates a node to be set with address information including an IF address and designates the address information. The setting packet transmission unit transmits a setting packet to the particular multicast address.