Abstract: In an electrode substrate used in a liquid crystal display device, a contact hole for connecting a signal line to a drain electrode of a pixel thin film transistor is provided in a position overlapping a pixel electrode in order to improve yields by reducing a short circuit between adjacent pixel electrodes. With this configuration, the contact hole does not exist at a boundary between the two adjacent pixel electrodes. Accordingly, the pixel electrodes do not suffer an influence of an electrode material remaining at a recess of the contact hole, and a short circuit between the adjacent pixel electrodes can be thereby prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-plane switching mode LCD and a method of manufacturing the same, in which data electrodes and common electrodes in a unit pixel have the same light transmitting area to reduce the luminance difference according to positive or negative polarity of an applied DC voltage. The in-plane switching mode LCD comprises first and second substrates; a plurality of pixel areas defined on the first substrate; data electrodes and common electrodes alternately formed in each of the pixel areas and patterned to have the same light transmitting area according to the applied voltage; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A wire for a liquid crystal display has a dual-layered structure comprising a first layer made of molybdenum or molybdenum alloy, and a second layer made of molybdenum nitride or molybdenum alloy nitride. To manufacture the wire, a layer made of either a molybdenum or a molybdenum alloy, and another layer one of either a molybdenum nitride or molybdenum alloy nitride by using reactive sputtering method are deposited in sequence, and then patterned simultaneously. The target for reactive sputtering is made of either molybdenum or molybdenum alloy, and the molybdenum alloy comprises one selected from the group consisting of tungsten, chromium, zirconium, and nickel of the content ratio of 0.1 to less than 20 atm % of. The reactive gas mixture for reactive sputtering includes an argon gas and inflow amount of the nitrogen gas is at least 50% of argon gas, to minimize the etch rate of the molybdenum nitride layer or the molybdenum alloy nitride layer for ITO etchant.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device, and a fabricating method thereof, that is capable of providing uniform liquid cell gaps. A main seal defines a liquid crystal injection area. A first step coverage-compensating layer is provided between a substrate on which the main seal has been coated and the main seal. A plurality of dummy seals is arranged external to the main seal. A second step coverage-compensating layer having the same thickness as the first step coverage-compensating layer is provided between the substrate on which the dummy seals are arranged and the dummy seals. Accordingly, a main seal and dummy seals having the same thickness produce uniform liquid crystal cell gaps. The liquid crystal display device is beneficially made by a fabrication process employing four or five masks.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an illumination system for conditioning a beam of radiation, and a support structure for supporting a patterning device. The patterning device serves to impart the beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross-section. The apparatus also includes a substrate table for holding a substrate, a projection system for projecting the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a fastener for fastening a first part of the apparatus to a second part of the apparatus. The fastener includes at least one integrated spring.

Abstract: A projection optical system for digital lithography includes an Offner imaging system with a defined optical axis. The Offner imaging system has a well-corrected region. The system includes means for shaping an optical beam having an extent too large to fit within the well-corrected region to propagate through the Offner imaging system within the well-corrected region.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compensating for the movement of a substrate in a lithographic apparatus during a pulse of radiation include providing an optical structure configured to move a patterned projection beam incident on the substrate in synchronism with the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformity correction such that a defined uniformity specification is met while minimizing a set of selected constraints is provided. The system includes illumination optics, an opto-mechanical correction system, a contrast device, projection optics and a correction module coupled to the correction system. The correction system includes a plurality of adjustable components such as fingers. The correction module is configured to determine adjustments to the components to correct uniformity. A method for discretizing the continuous intensity integral is also provided. The illumination slot is divided into a grid having multiple grid points. “pupils” are then superimposed onto the grid. Multiple second grids are also defined. Each ““pupil”” is mapped to a second grid such that the center of the second grid is coincident with the ““pupil”” center. The continuous intensity integral is then discretized using the first grid, plurality of second grids, and ““pupil”” mappings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining an optical gap between optical structures in a photolithography system is described. A frame defines first and second opposing surfaces. The first opposing surface defines a first opening and the second opposing surface defines a second opening. A plurality of spacing members are spaced apart on the first opposing surface around the first opening. The spacing members have substantially co-planar surfaces configured to mate with a surface of a first optical structure. A bonding agent seals a space around the first opening between the first opposing surface and the first optical structure. The frame thereby encloses the optical gap between the first optical structure and a second optical structure.

Abstract: A preferred apparatus and method is presented in which a distributed fiber optic sensor is used in order to detect a disturbance along its length. A pulse of polarized light is launched into an optical fiber; as the pulse propagates along the optical fiber, it continuously loses a small portion of its energy due to Rayleigh backscatter. The Rayleigh backscattered light is analyzed using a polarization sensitive element such as a fiber polarizer. The dynamics of the time dependence of the polarization analyzed backscattered light is used to ascertain if there has been a disturbance along the length of the optical fiber. This technique can be used for applications in areas such as fiber optic telecommunications, perimeter security, fire detection, and pipelines.

Abstract: A method for calibrating and aligning a metrology system comprising a machine including multi-axis part-positioning means and a wavefront-measuring gauge embedded in the machine. The gauge is used in determining spatial relationships among the translational and rotational axes, between part surface coordinates and machine coordinates, and between machine coordinates embedded gauge coordinates; in calibrating various components of the machine and the embedded gauge; and in aligning itself to the machine. A complete method comprises the steps of coarsely aligning the machine rotary axes with their respective translational axes and setting nominal zero points for the rotary axes; aligning the embedded gauge mainframe to the machine axes; aligning the embedded gauge focal point onto a spindle axis; determining the spatial offsets between the rotary axes when so aligned; precisely aligning the machine rotary axes with their respective translational axes; and setting precise zero points for the rotary axes.

Abstract: Image inspection is used to inspect defective or non-defective screw heads. An inspection device includes an inspecting portion for positioning and holding a screw, with a head, with the head up, a CCD camera provided right over the inspecting portion, an annular light source arranged between the inspecting portion and the CCD camera, and a determining device for processing an image of the CCD camera and determining whether the screw is defective or non-defective based on this processed image. An operating hole of the screw is illuminated by the annular light source so that no shadow forms to vividly photograph a hole bottom of the operating hole with the CCD camera. It is also possible to inspect a top surface of a head of a screw.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a specimen includes obtaining an image of a specimen through a first optical system, displaying the obtained image of the specimen on a display screen; dividing the displayed image of the specimen into plural regions and setting defect detection sensitivity for each of the plural divided regions, transferring the specimen from the first optical system to a second optical system, obtaining an image of the specimen through the second optical system, detecting defects on the specimen by processing the image obtained through the second optical system using the defect detection sensitivity set for a respective region, and displaying information of the detected defects on the display screen.

Abstract: System for scanning a surface, comprising a light source producing an illuminating light beam; an objective lens assembly, located between the light source and the surface; a plurality of interchangeable telescopes, a selected one of the interchangeable telescopes being located between the light source and the objective lens assembly; and at least one light detector, wherein at least one of the light detectors detects at least a portion of a reflected light beam, reflected from the surface and received from the selected telescope.

Abstract: A spectroscope is equipped with a temperature compensation mechanism that can reliably reduce a drift of a spectral image in the wavelength dispersion direction caused by a change in the environmental temperature irrespective of the form of the spectroscope. The spectroscope is provided with a first support member 17 that integrally supports an incidence member 11, a collective optical system 13 and a detection element 15, a second support member 21, made of a material different from the first support member, that supports a wavelength dispersion element 14, and a transmission member 24, 25 that transmits a contraction/expansion amount of the first support member to the second support member when environmental temperature changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating the effects of polarization on wavelength determinations is disclosed. An optical source produces light across an optical spectrum, while a polarization element changes the polarization of the light at a first rate. The resulting light is applied to an optical element that produces a spectral response with a feature of interest from the polarization changed light. The optical element and the polarization element are such that the bandwidth of the feature of interest of the optical element is significantly greater than the first rate. A receiver network produces received signals from the received spectrum; and a data processing unit calculates a wavelength that is insensitive to ripple in the received signal and/or the received signals are low-pass filtered to reduce the ripple resulting from the polarization change.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal nephelometer is disclosed herein that uses an integrating sphere with attached truncation-reduction tubes to contain the sample volume and to integrate the scattered light. The disclosed nephelometer improves on the imperfect angular response by using an integrating sphere design with forward (backward) truncation angles of ?1° (?179°), it reduces sampling losses by employing a substantially straight vertical flow path. In one disclosed embodiment, an illumination assembly consisting of one or multiple diffuse light sources is provided for homogenously illuminating the integrating sphere. An illumination aperture admits light from the light sources, a sensing aperture admits scattered light to an optical detector, and a dark aperture provides a dark background viewing area for the optical detector.

Abstract: A method for determining and displaying polarization profiles of points in a scene from a single imaging detector array, which utilizes a filter system comprised of a retarder, four linear polarizers, four lenses, a color filter, camera lens and CCD video camera. Light from points in a scene are transmitted through the system and exits with attenuated intensities unique for each wavelength of the light. A narrowband color filter selects the wavelength of interest. The four lenses in the system produce four images of the scene, which are recorded as a single CCD-image. The attenuated intensities in each of the four scene-images are used to calculate the Stokes parameters for selected points in the scene for the selected wavelength. A unique pseudo-color scheme that utilizes the Poincarè sphere is used for encoding and displaying polarization parameters.

Abstract: Before the diffraction from a diffracting structure on a semiconductor wafer is measured, where necessary, the film thickness and index of refraction of the films underneath the structure are first measured using spectroscopic reflectometry or spectroscopic ellipsometry. A rigorous model is then used to calculate intensity or ellipsometric signatures of the diffracting structure. The diffracting structure is then measured using a spectroscopic scatterometer using polarized and broadband radiation to obtain an intensity or ellipsometric signature of the diffracting structure. Such signature is then matched with the signatures in the database to determine the grating shape parameters of the structure.

Abstract: A normal incidence rotating compensator ellipsometer includes an illumination source that produces a broadband probe beam. The probe beam is redirected by a beam splitter to be normally incident on a sample under test. Before reaching the sample, the probe beam is passed through a rotating compensator. The probe beam is reflected by the sample and passes through the rotating compensator a second time before reaching a detector. The detector converts the reflected probe beam into equivalent signals for analysis.

Abstract: A CCD-based biochip reader includes a light source for emitting light beams, a collimating lens for converting the light beams into wide parallel rays of light, passing said wide parallel rays of light through a biochip and exciting fluorescence from fluorescent targets on the biochip, a focusing lens for focusing the fluorescence, a filter for filtering out said parallel rays of light, and a charge-coupled device camera for generating images from said fluorescence. For recording intensity of the fluorescence from the fluorescent targets, images of the charge-coupled device camera is converted into digital data through an image converting device. Wide parallel laser beams are produced by the laser and through the collimating lens, and excite all samples on the biochip with high efficiency at the same time. In addition, time for analysis is saved when fluorescent images of a large area on biochips are collected and analyzed through the charge-coupled device camera.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is a system and a method for the detection and identification of biological agents. The system incorporates elements that enable it to obtain an air sample, extract particulates from the air sample onto a stationary-phase collection media, expose the particulates to electromagnetic radiation, and monitor for fluorescent emissions. In some embodiments, particulates are exposed to electromagnetic radiation using a plurality of LEDs, wherein some of the LEDs emit electromagnetic radiation at relatively shorter wavelengths and some other of the LEDs emit electromagnetic radiation at relatively longer wavelengths.

Abstract: In an apparatus for inspecting and evaluating fiber material, for example a sliver or fleece, an opto-electronic system, is provided across the width of a textile machine and scans the moving fiber material and converts the measured values into electronic signals. The system is in communication with an image-evaluating device which evaluates the raw data of the system. In order to produce an apparatus that is space-saving and permits a lower overall height combined with at least the same image quality, three or more imaging devices are provided side by side and, in relation to the unit of width, the number of cameras increases as the distance between objective and fiber sliver decreases.

Abstract: A measuring device for immunochromatography test piece comprising an irradiation optical system for irradiating measurement light onto an immunochromatography test piece, and a detection optical system for detecting reflected light from the immunochromatography test piece under irradiation with the measurement light. The irradiation optical system comprises a semiconductor light emitting element, a beam shaping member, a lens, a first baffle portion, a second baffle portion, and a third baffle portion. The beam shaping member shapes light from the semiconductor light emitting element, into a beam of a beam section extending in a direction substantially parallel to a colored line formed on the immunochromatography test piece. The lens focuses the beam from the beam shaping member on the immunochromatography test piece. The first baffle portion removes stray light, which is disposed between the semiconductor light emitting element and the beam shaping member.

Abstract: A measuring device for immunochromatography test piece comprising an irradiation optical system for irradiating measurement light to an immunochromatography test piece, and a detection optical system for detecting reflected light from the immunochromatography test piece under irradiation with the measurement light. The irradiation optical system comprises a semiconductor light emitting element and is placed so that light from the semiconductor light emitting element is irradiated as the measurement light from a direction substantially normal to the immunochromatography test piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote gas sensing comprising a light source, a photodetector, a gas cell containing gas or a zone through which the gas passes and through which light from the light source passes and is reflected back to the photodetector, wherein the light source, photodetector and gas cell are connected by a single polarization preserving optical fiber through which light from the light source passes to the gas cell, which light reflected back from the cell passes back through the optical fiber with a different polarization to that to the light transmitted by the light source. In one form the gas cell comprises a resonant optical cavity.

Abstract: A system for the automated determination of retroreflectivity values for reflective surfaces disposed along a roadway repeatedly illuminates an area along the roadway that includes at least one reflective surface using a strobing light source. Multiple light intensity values are measured over a field of view which includes at least a portion of the area illuminated by the light source. A computer processing system is used to identifying a portion of the light intensity values associated with a reflective surface and analyze the portion of the light intensity values to determine at least one retroreflectivity value for that reflective surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of sorting plant products based on damage to the plant products is disclosed. A beam emitter emits an illumination light toward the outer surface of a plant product. A beam detector detects substantially a single wavelength of a reflected light produced by the plant product responsive to the illumination light. A control unit determines at least one of a presence, an amount, and a severity of damage responsive to the reflected light. The control unit assigns a damage category to the plant product responsive to the determination of damage.

Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream.

Abstract: In an inclination adjusting apparatus comprising two base members opposing each other, an adjusting screw for relatively inclining the two base members with respect to each other is rotatably threaded into and held by one of the two base members while projecting a leading end part from the one base member toward the other base member. The other base member is provided with a sphere-bearing surface opposing the leading end part of the adjustment screw. A rigid spherical member is held between the adjustment screw and the sphere-bearing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of rotating microscopic objects uses a beam of electromagnetic radiation. A microscopic, non-circularly symmetric distribution of electro-magnetic radiation is projected on to a region containing an object to be rotated so as to cause photons in the beam to refract around the objects. Rotating means then rotate that distribution and so rotate the objects. The distribution may be formed on the interference pattern between a beam having a Laguerre-Gaussian wave fronts and either a plane wave or a further Laguerre-Gaussian beam of opposite helicity.

Abstract: A method for increasing the long-term operational reliability of a fiber optic interferometer. Noise in a detector output signal is set to a desired value by correcting the detector light power. Detector light power is corrected by varying a light source current of a light source of the interferometer. A change in the light source power results. It is thereby possible to increase both the reliability and useful life of the interferometer.

Abstract: A diaphragm optic sensor comprises a ferrule including a bore having an optical fiber disposed therein and a diaphragm attached to the ferrule, the diaphragm being spaced apart from the ferrule to form a Fabry-Perot cavity. The cavity is formed by creating a pit in the ferrule or in the diaphragm. The components of the sensor are preferably welded together, preferably by laser welding. In some embodiments, the entire ferrule is bonded to the fiber along the entire length of the fiber within the ferrule; in other embodiments, only a portion of the ferrule is welded to the fiber. A partial vacuum is preferably formed in the pit. A small piece of optical fiber with a coefficient of thermal expansion chosen to compensate for mismatches between the main fiber and ferrule may be spliced to the end of the fiber.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for parallel detection of the behaviour of mechanical micro-oscillators interacting with the sample (21). The amplitude and the phase of resonance of micro-oscillators (12) are measured with optical means. The invention is characterised in that a source (1) is active during a fraction 1/n of the period (n being an integer) and of variable phase p/n of the period (p being an integer). Interferences are produced between light beams generated by reflection of incident light beams (7) and (8) on the micro-oscillators (12). Periodically the micro-oscillators (12) are displaced by means. The value of the parameter p (p being an integer) is varied and N elementary measurements are integrated to obtain a measurement representing each of the values of p. The phase and amplitude of each micro-oscillator (12) are calculated on the basis of the representative data obtained for each value of p and this for a large number of accumulations.

Abstract: A system for inspecting specimens such as semiconductor wafers is provided. The system provides scanning of dual-sided specimens using a diffraction grating that widens and passes nth order (n>0) wave fronts to the specimen surface and a reflective surface for each channel of the light beam. Two channels and two reflective surfaces are preferably employed, and the wavefronts are combined using a second diffraction grating and passed to a camera system having a desired aspect ratio. The system preferably comprises a damping arrangement which filters unwanted acoustic and seismic vibration, including an optics arrangement which scans a first portion of the specimen and a translation or rotation arrangement for translating or rotating the specimen to a position where the optics arrangement can scan the remaining portion(s) of the specimen. The system further includes means for stitching scans together, providing for smaller and less expensive optical elements.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus for aligning a reflective reticle includes a light source for emitting alignment light, an optical alignment mark provided on the reticle, and a reference mark provided on a reticle stage that holds the reticle. A detecting unit detects the alignment light reflected from the alignment mark and the reference mark, and the reticle is aligned on the basis of the result of detection by the detection unit.

Abstract: In a sheet post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet post-processing apparatus is provided with discharge rollers for discharging a sheet, a fixed stacking portion for supporting a portion of the discharged sheet, a storage tray established below the fixed stacking portion with a larger surface area, and a stapler for applying a finishing process to the sheet in a state of straddling the fixed stacking portion and the storage tray. A pushing member moves the sheet finished by the stapler in a direction different from a discharge direction by the discharge rollers to discharge the sheet to the storage tray, thereby providing the sheet post-processing apparatus that can securely discharge the stapled sheet bundle to a storage tray after a post-processing such as stapling.

Abstract: A technique for distributed printing that ensures favorable operability within a sufficiently short time. The procedure first generates intermediate print data and executes the parallel rendering process by time sharing to sequentially convert page data on the first page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers. Transmission of final print data converted for the first printer is carried out in parallel with the rendering process for the second printer. In a similar manner, transmission of converted final print data to the second printer and third printers is carried out in parallel with the rendering process for the next printer. The parallel rendering process sequentially converts page data on the second page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers. Subsequently, the parallel rendering process sequentially converts page data on the third page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers.

Abstract: This invention comprises a converged printer architecture for controlling both electro-photographic (EP) processing and raster image processing (RIP) of data for laser modulation over a video line. By converging EP process control with image processing control, significant advantages in cost, image quality, and output stability are achieved. A digital signal processor (DSP) serves as the central processing resource of the architecture. The DSP is well suited for the dual role of image processing and real-time feedback process control. The DSP can operate in open loop motor/motion control, print process control, and in closed loop feedback control including image processing adaptations for quality and stability enhancements.

Abstract: An image forming device that uses a power transformer (T) such that no action delay and performance degradation/malfunction occur even in a power save mode, thereby achieving high energy efficiency. Circuits (2, 3, 4) of the image forming device are divided into to two blocks (A, B), and the power transformer (T) has two sets of windings (TA, TB), one for one of the blocks (A) that always needs power feeding and one for the other block (B) that needs power when necessary. Switches (SW) are provided on lines (L1 to L5) extending from the latter block (B) such that these switches are opened to interrupt power supply when the device is brought into the power save mode.

Abstract: A multifunction machine/server system capable of dealing with electronic documents at a higher efficiency and being actualized at low costs, is disclosed. The multifunction machine executes, when given a request for a second kind of process, the requested second kind of process without linkage with the server, and, when given a request for a first kind of process, requests the server to execute the first kind of process. The server incorporates a function of executing the first kind of processes that a plurality of multifunction machines request the server to execute. The multifunction machine/server system is constructed of the thus structured server and the plurality of thus structured multifunction machines.

Abstract: A method of printing a digital photo including transmitting instructions for printing the photo to a printer, printing the photo onto a surface using the printer; also printing on the surface coded data indicative of an identity of the photo and a plurality of reference points on the photo, wherein the coded data is printed on the surface in a form which can be read by an optical sensing device to identify a location of the sensing device relative to the photo, thereby enabling a function to be invoked in relation to the photo.

Abstract: A data controller having a data control function and an image read function is added to a printer. A print data prepared by a host can be normally printed and a read image can also be printed without the intervention of the host for enabling a local copy of the original image. Normally packet communications are conducted between the data controller and the printer and a response is made to a status request, etc., sent from the host to the printer in real time. To make a local copy, packet communications are not conducted and data is sent at command level from the data controller to the printer, thereby increasing the processing speed.

Abstract: A display section of a scanner is connected to a printer controller of a printer via a bus line, so that detailed information regarding the scanner the printer and so on is controlled by the printer controller. Both display contents respectively regarding the printer or the scanner are stored in a VRAM of the printer controller. Because of this, the detailed information regarding the printer is displayed on the display section of the scanner, which is a large LCD. This provides an image forming system, which notifies a user of the detailed information of the printer in a such manner that the user can easily understand the detailed information, when the scanner and the printer, each of which can be used independently, are combined as a system.

Abstract: Collective transmission of image data for a same destination, containing one-side and two-side originals in mixed manner is enabled without deteriorating the interchangeability of a facsimile communication. A one-touch dial memory is rendered capable of storing timer transmission data, and, when the memory transmission is designated by a one-touch key of an operation unit, two-side and one-side images are read and are stored in an image memory. When the image data of plural sets are to be transmitted to the same destination at a designated time, such image data of plural sets are collectively transmitted to the same destination by separately connecting the calling between the set of the two-side images and that of the one-side images.

Abstract: Disclosed are a communication apparatus capable of efficiently using a communication line, a control method of the communication apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a communication method, and a program. To accomplish this, if “print later” in a menu is selected with an image displayed during data communication while a line is connected (S432), printing data is generated from an HTML file of the displayed image (S433). That is, the displayed image is designated as an image to be printed after the line is disconnected. The generated printing data is stored in a printing data buffer (S434). If the presence of the data in the printing buffer is detected (S437) after the line is disconnected (S436), the data is printed (S438).

Abstract: A computer implemented method of rasterizing a page in a page description language efficiently utilizes the resources of a multiprocessor integrated circuit by spawning of subtasks from a RISC type processor to one or more DSP type processors. The RISC type processor interprets the page in the page description language and detects a Y coordinate of edge intersection using the floating point calculation unit. The DSP type processors sort polygon edges in increasing Y coordinate and detect a Y coordinate of edge intersections via successive midpoint approximation using an integer multiplier unit.

Abstract: There is provided a print system in which a print instruction is received from an information appliance (IA), a print request is issued to a server in response to the print instruction from the IA, and print data formed by the server is received in accordance with the print request, thereby enabling the print data to be printed from the IA.

Abstract: An effects module for a modular camera and printer assembly includes a body that houses processing circuitry. The processing circuitry includes a central processing core. Memory circuitry is connected to the core. User interface circuitry is connected to the core to facilitate operation of the module. Module interface circuitry permits communication between the central processing core and other modules of the camera and printer assembly. A connector is arranged on the body and is connected to the module interface circuitry to permit the effects module to be connected to said other modules.

Abstract: A data storage and reproduction system is provided using a computer network that comprises a server, at least one attachment unit that is coupled to the server and first and second reproduction devices. The server storing data to be reproduced. At least one attachment unit comprising means for interfacing with a portable memory device having a reference to the reproduction data. The first reproduction device capable of performing a first data reproduction of the reproduction data and the second reproduction device capable of performing a second data reproduction of the reproduction data, the second data reproduction being different than the first data reproduction. A rule processing means for processing a rule set to determine whether the reproduction data satisfies selection criteria of the rule set, wherein the at least one attachment unit requests the reproduction data from the server for use by the reproduction device, if the reproduction data satisfies the selection criteria.