Abstract: An order supporting apparatus connected to a monitoring apparatus over a network, the monitoring apparatus determining a supply status of devices in the network and sends supply shortage information regarding at least one of the devices determined to have a supply shortage to the order supporting apparatus. In particular, the order supporting apparatus includes a device information storage part that stores device information describing whether each device is monitored as a monitoring target, and maintenance contract information of each device, and a determination part that determines, based on the device information, whether each device is subject to the maintenance contract when the order supporting apparatus receives the supply shortage information. Further, the determination part deselects, in the device information, a device as the monitoring target when the device is determined to have a supply shortage by the monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A separator includes a plurality of first and second sandwiching sections, a plurality of first bridges connected thereto, and first and second fuel gas supply units integrally connected to the first bridges. Electrolyte electrode assemblies are sandwiched between the first and second sandwiching sections. A fuel gas supply channel is formed in each of the first bridges. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the first and second fuel gas supply units in a stacking direction. A pressure loss generator mechanism is provided in the fuel gas supply channel. The pressure loss generator mechanism generates a pressure loss over the entire fuel gas supply channel for distributing a fuel gas equally to each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system (10), an electrically conductive first case unit (86a) and an electrically conductive second case unit (86b) are fixed by screws such that insulating members (87a to 87d) are interposed between the first case unit (86a) and the second case unit (86b). A load applying mechanism (21) is provided in the first case unit (86a). A fuel cell stack (12), a heat exchanger (14), and a reformer (16) are provided in the second case unit (86b). One pole of the fuel cell stack (12) is electrically connected to the first case unit (86a) through an electrically conductive end plate (70b), and the other pole of the fuel cell stack (12) is electrically connected to the second case unit (86b) through an electrically conductive end plate (70a).

Abstract: A disclosed information processing apparatus includes an information processing unit configured to operate as a daemon process; an information displaying unit configured to operate as a process different from the daemon process and display a screen relevant to the information processing unit; a first ending unit configured to end the information displaying unit due to a first factor; and a second ending unit configured to end the information displaying unit due to a second factor different from the first factor. The information displaying unit ends the information processing unit in the event of receiving a request to end from the first ending unit and the information displaying unit does not end the information processing unit in the event of receiving a request to end from the second ending unit.

Abstract: An order supporting system includes a machine monitoring apparatus including a status data obtaining part for repetitively obtaining status data of plural supplies of plural machines connected to a network, a status data storing part for storing the status data obtained by the status data obtaining part, a status change detecting part for detecting change in the status of the supply by comparing the status data stored in the status data storing part and new status data that is newly obtained by the status data obtaining part, and a status data transmitting part for transmitting status data corresponding to the supply of the machine from which status change is detected by the status change detecting part, and an order supporting apparatus for receiving the status data transmitted from the status data transmitting part via the network and transmitting an electronic mail to a mail address associated to the machine corresponding to the transmitted status data in accordance with the received status data.

Abstract: An ordering support system is disclosed. The ordering support system includes a device monitoring apparatus that retrieves a device information item about a device connected to a network and a status information item about a consumable of the device, determines whether the consumable is depleted based on the status information item, and sends, if the consumable is determined to be depleted, the device information item and the status information item to an ordering support apparatus. The ordering support system further includes the ordering support apparatus that receives the device information item and the status information item from the device monitoring apparatus, creates an electronic mail message including a URL indicating a Web page for ordering the consumable determined to be depleted, and sends the electronic mail message to a pre-registered mail address associated with the device.

Abstract: In an image formation apparatus that prints out print data to a sheet, a print data storage unit stores the print data, a printing unit conducts print processing to the print data stored in the print data storage unit, a password acquisition unit acquires a password for the print data from an outside of the apparatus, and a printing control unit allows the printing unit to start the print processing of the print data under condition that the password acquisition unit acquires the password for the print data.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked together in a stacking direction, and end plates provided at opposite ends of the fuel cells in the stacking direction. A fluid unit is provided on one side of the fuel cell stack. The fluid unit includes a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, and a reformer for reforming a fuel to produce a fuel gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assembly. Each of the separators is a single plate, and includes a plurality of circular disks. First protrusions and second protrusions are provided on both surfaces of the circular disk. The first protrusions contact the anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly, and the second protrusions contact the cathode of the electrolyte electrode assembly. A channel member is provided on a surface of the separator facing the cathode. The channel member forms a plurality of fuel gas supply channels connected between a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas inlet for supplying a fuel gas into a fuel gas flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and separators. The separator includes first through third plates which are stacked together. The first plate has a first protrusion section on its surface contacting an anode of a first circular disk. The first protrusion section includes a large number of protrusions and a substantially ring shaped protrusion which is provided around the protrusions. The first protrusion section protrudes toward the anode, and a fuel gas flow field is formed between the anode and the first protrusion section.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly including a cathode, and an anode, and an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode is made of porous material of Ni, for example. A dense layer is formed integrally on an outer circumferential surface of the anode as a protective layer by densifying process. The dense layer prevents an exhaust gas from flowing into the anode. The dense layer is formed by heating an outer circumferential region of the anode by a laser or the like.

Abstract: In an image formation apparatus that prints out print data to a sheet, a print data storage unit stores the print data, a printing unit conducts print processing to the print data stored in the print data storage unit, a password acquisition unit acquires a password for the print data from an outside of the apparatus, and a printing control unit allows the printing unit to start the print processing of the print data under condition that the password acquisition unit acquires the password for the print data.