Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a common data model management unit that manages information indicating a common data model corresponding to a plurality of modules in common; a unique data model management unit that manages information indicating a unique data model corresponding to at least one of the modules; and a common management unit that manages a version of a module corresponding to the common data model managed by the common data model management unit, a version of a module corresponding to the unique data model managed by the unique data model management unit, and a version of a module corresponding to a newly installed data model, and verifies compatibility of the versions.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp fixture is disclosed in which a truncated bowl-shaped reflector 6 is formed as a single unit in front of each respective LED 5. Each reflector is formed from a transparent substance and has an aperture in the front surface. Each reflector also has a reflective surface 6b that totally reflects light from the LED 5 and a light conductive member 6c that conducts at least a portion of light reflected by the reflective surface toward the front of the light fixture. A transparent front lens can thereby be used that does not include light-distributing facets.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes a distillation unit for distilling feed water. The distillation unit includes an evaporation part, a condensation part and a hydrophobic porous membrane interposed between the evaporation part and the condensation part, which are integrated with one another. A heating unit for heating the feed water and a cooling portion for cooling distillate produced by distillation of the feed water are provided apart from the distillation unit. One or both of the heating unit and the cooling unit are provided with a heat pump. With this construction, an additional heater does not need to be provided, and the distillation unit and both of the heating unit and the cooling unit can be changed in size and performance independently of each other, so that the overall size of the distillation apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: Method of opening and closing a fluid passage comprises the steps of freezing fluid in the fluid passage by first cooling the fluid to a temperature below the freezing point of the fluid to close the fluid passage and after the fluid passage is closed, raising the temperature of the fluid close (or just below) to the freezing point of the fluid, whereby the fluid passage is maintained in a closed state with a small power supply and the responsiveness in opening the fluid passage is enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid is arranged such that a liquid channel is closed by causing a controller to control one heat absorbing and generating part of a cooling/heating element to execute heat absorption and cooling a heat transmitting element to solidify the liquid in the channel. The apparatus is also arrangement such that the channel is opened first by causing the controller to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute heat generation and heating the heat transmitting element to melt the liquid solidified in the channel. A method of controlling the opening and closing of a channel according to the invention includes the steps of: solidifying a liquid in a channel by cooling it from the outside to close the channel; and opening the channel thus closed by melting the liquid solidified in the channel by the application of heat.