Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of power distribution control output channels operatively coupled to at least one power source, and comprising an access control input from an access control device, and a control output for a controlled device. A controller receives an access control input signal for each power distribution control output channel and provides a control signal to each power distribution control output channel such that each power distribution control output channel provides a control output signal according to requirements of a corresponding controlled device. The controller can individually isolate one or more power distribution control output channels from the at least one power source such that the control output signal is removed from the corresponding controlled device, while any other power distribution control output channels coupled to the same power source continues to operate without interruption.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling and/or regulating a technical system, in which actions to be carried out on the technical system are first of all determined using an action selection rule which was determined through the learning of a data-driven model and, in particular, a neural network. On the basis of these actions a numerical optimization searches for actions which are better than the original actions according to an optimization criterion. If such actions are found, the technical system is regulated or controlled on the basis of these new actions, such that the corresponding actions are applied to the technical system in succession. The method is suitable, in particular, for regulating or controlling a gas turbine, wherein the actions are preferably optimized with respect to the criterion of low pollutant emission or low combustion chamber humming.

Abstract: A method is provided for populating a function for a control unit with data, in which method measurements are performed on a system at different measuring points on a test stand, and a global data-based model is set up based on the obtained measured values, and virtual measurements which simulate real measurements on the test stand are carried out on the global data-based model, and uncertainties for virtual measured values of the virtual measurements are determined from the global data-based model, the uncertainties of the virtual measured values being taken into account when populating the function for the control unit with data.

Abstract: Described embodiments relate generally to energy harvesting systems and interface devices for such systems. In particular, such energy harvesting systems may be configured to harvest kinetic energy from the environment, such as wind, hydro, wave or geothermal energy or to harvest electromagnetic energy like solar radiation. Embodiments also relate to systems and methods to facilitate remote monitoring and/or control of a system comprising an interface device.

Abstract: There is provided a building management system and a method for associating a portable sensor device with a stationary control device in such a system. Upon detection of a movement of the portable sensor device, the portable sensor device starts to transmit signals more frequently to the stationary control devices. It is determined that the movement of the portable sensor device has stopped if the signal strength of the transmitted signals received at the stationary control devices is essentially constant during a time window. In response to such a determination, the portable sensor device is associated with the stationary control device having the highest received signal strength and the portable sensor device returns to an energy-saving mode.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a method for controlling an electric power consumption amount of a consumer by a server coupled to a smart grid for managing electric power distribution. The method may include receiving signals having information on electric power consumption amounts from a meter of a consumer through a communication network, determining an electric power consumption pattern of the consumer based on the information on electric power consumption amounts, calculating electric power supply amounts for a predetermined time period based on the determined electric power consumption pattern of the consumer, and transmitting a control signal to the meter of the consumer through a communication network for controlling an electric power consumption amount of the consumer based on the calculated electric power supply amounts.

Abstract: A method and a terminal device for controlling a smart home appliance are provided in the present disclosure. The method includes: obtaining a current operation instruction; determining whether there is a preset combination instruction corresponding to the current operation instruction; sending at least two operation instructions in the preset combination instruction to a corresponding smart home appliance if there is the preset combination instruction and the preset combination instruction is selected; sending the current operation instruction to the corresponding smart home appliance if there is no preset combination instruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an object (2) comprising providing a digital model (14) of the object (2) that is to be produced; using the digital model, identifying one or more parts (8) of the object (2) that satisfy certain criteria; for each identified part (8), adjusting, in the digital model (14), the thickness of that part (8) to satisfy further criteria, thereby producing an updated model; performing a first production process to produce the part or parts (4, 6) of the object (2) that do not satisfy the criteria, thereby producing an initial object (17); performing an Additive Manufacturing process to add, to the initial object (17), the one or more identified parts (8), thereby producing the object (2). The initial object (17) and identified parts (8) are made of the same material. The first production process is different to the Additive Manufacturing process.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for generating and/or displaying a graphical user interface used to control an energy-consuming system, such as a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system. Such an electronic device may include, for example, a processor that generates the graphical user interface and an electronic display that displays the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a menu formed from discrete display elements that, owing to the way in which the discrete display elements are shifted into and out of view on the screen, appear to be spatially related to one another.

Abstract: A machine learning device which learns the cleaning frequency of a fan motor which cools an electric motor mounted in a machine includes a state observation unit which observes the state of the machine, and a learning unit which updates an action value table for cleaning the fan motor, on the basis of a state variable observed by the state observation unit. This can improve both the life of the electric motor and the operating ratio of the machine.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to energy management and more particularly to energy management systems and methods. In one embodiment, a method of communicating data within an energy management system is disclosed. The method includes performing energy management analytics on data collected from a plurality of devices in the energy management system. The method further includes transmitting a plurality of dynamically configurable data frames. Each dynamically configurable data frame comprising at least a portion of data collected from the plurality of devices and a result of the energy management analytics and being encrypted in a format that avoids transmission of a plurality of repetitive data parameters. The method includes decrypting the plurality of dynamically configurable data frames received to perform advanced analytics on the data and the result.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to learn and share remote commands are disclosed. An example method to configure a playback device to be controlled by a remote control includes receiving by the playback device a first code for a first command from the remote control. The example method includes identifying by the playback device a second code for a second command based on the received first code. The example method includes receiving by the playback device the second code from the remote control. The example method includes executing the second command by the playback device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for analysis and characterization of manufacturing information such as process trees or genealogies using graph theory. More specifically, using graph theory to analyze manufacturing information of a manufacturing operation allows for deep analysis of relationships between batches or units in a process tree and their closeness or distance, to identify clusters associated with specific quality characteristics or problems, to identify common antecedents of specifically labeled batches (e.g., problem batches), and/or to detect overall desirable or undesirable characteristics of the process tree (e.g., centrality, etc.).

Abstract: In a method for actuating at least one actuator, two control units and a selection logic are provided, and each of the control units is designed to influence the actuator. Each of the control units performs a self-diagnosis, and each of the control units generates at least one activating signal as a function of the self-diagnosis. The activating signal indicates which of the control units is to be activated. The selection logic activates one of the two control units for influencing the actuator as a function of the activating signals.

Abstract: A control system CPU card includes a control CPU chip having a first core and a second core, and a main memory for storing information. A standby system CPU card includes a standby CPU chip having a first core and a second core, and a main memory for storing information. An I/F performs communication to allow the CPU cards to share the information. In the control system CPU card, when the first core is normal, the first core performs control calculation and outputs a calculation result. When the first core is abnormal, the second core is switched to a control core, to perform control calculation and continue output of a calculation result. When the cores are both abnormal, system switching is performed from the control system CPU card to the standby system CPU card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for machining a part for an assembly. First sensor data is acquired for a surface of a first part from a first sensor system. Second sensor data is acquired for a set of existing holes in a second part from a second sensor system. A surface model of the surface of the first part is generated using the first sensor data. First offset data is computed based on a nominal model of a third part that is nominally positioned relative to the surface model within a three-dimensional virtual environment. Second offset data is computed for the set of existing holes using the second sensor data. Overall offset data is generated using the first and second offset data, wherein the overall offset data is used to drill a set of holes in the third part for use in fastening the third part to the second part.

Abstract: Systems and methods NC plasma cut a metal fabric based upon a two-dimensional cutting path. An NC cutting machine is controlled to make a first pass along the cutting path with the laser height measuring device to collect height data from the metal fabric positioned on a bed of the NC cutting machine. Positions for starting and stopping a plasma arc of a cutting torch of the NC cutting machine are determined based upon the height data. An enhanced NC program is generated based upon the cutting path, the height data, and the positions for starting and stopping the plasma arc, to control the NC cutting machine to cut metal of the metal fabric along the cutting path.

Abstract: Maximum values of actual machining allowances of a workpiece in respective cutting flutes are averaged by control amounts of respective cutting flutes calculated by an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit converts the calculated control amounts into an amount in each axis direction and subtracts the value from a feed axis command value in an NC program stored in a storage unit. Then, a numeral value control unit performs machining by controlling respective feed axes based on the subtracted feed axis command value.

Abstract: A method of operating a power tool identifies motion of an implement in a power tool. The method includes obtaining a plurality of samples of an electrical signal that passes through the implement, identifying a parameter for the plurality of samples corresponding to a variation in values of predetermined groups of samples in the plurality of samples, updating a status for the implement with a first status indicating that the implement is not moving with reference to the identified parameter being less than a predetermined threshold, and updating a status for the implement with a second status indicating that the implement is moving with reference to the identified parameter being greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system that can analyze and modify a point map file corresponding to a digital lens design is described. The digital lens design is optimized to meet a patient's ophthalmic prescription. However, a digital surfacing machine may not be physically capable of producing on a lens blank a lens curvature required by the prescription and defined by the point map file. The system takes into account limitations of physical characteristics of the digital surfacing machine, such as the diameter and speed of movement of the cutting tool, and modifies the point map file so that the digital surfacing machine can produce the lens curvature on the lens blank.

Abstract: A polishing machine is described in which a surface treatment tool is moved across the surface of a workpiece in accordance with a predefined tool-path, in order to carry out the desired treatment process. The tool-path is non-periodic and preferably pseudo-random. Various techniques are described for generating data representing the tool-path to be followed. A technique is also described for determining optimum control parameters used to control the polishing machine for a given tool-path. The surface treatment may be a shaping technique in which material is removed from the surface, or a technique for adding material to the surface of the workpiece, or a technique for modifying the surface or a region under the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A system is provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine. The system includes a computer-aided design (CAD) file processing portion and a user interface including a workpiece inspection program simulation portion, an editing user interface portion, and a simulation status and control portion. The simulation status and control portion is configured to respond to selection of workpiece features or inspection operation representations (e.g., as selected in the workpiece inspection program simulation portion or editing user interface portion). The simulation status and control portion response to the selection includes altering a simulation status portion (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method relating to an assembly process of a machine is disclosed. The machine may include a plurality of attachments categorized as core or optional. Each attachment may include a plurality of components each categorized the same as the attachment which the component is a part of. The system may comprise a user interface and a controller configured to display machine information. The machine information may include an image of a portion of the machine. Components categorized as core may be visually differentiated from components categorized as optional. The controller may be configured to modify the categorization of a first attachment, change a first process day on which the first attachment is deducted from inventory to a second process day as a result of modifying the categorization, and adjust a need date for the plurality of components of the first attachment based on the change.

Abstract: A production configuration is determined for controlling a product processing plant that comprises a collecting system having a conveyor and a plurality of feeders for preparing product collections from products supplied by the feeders. The production configuration defines a production of a plurality of production sequences for a plurality of delivery routes, wherein each delivery route is assigned one or more production sequences, each of which define a production of a plurality of production collections of a collection type comprising a plurality of products. For each feeder an occupancy with products, which are to be conveyed by the feeder to the conveyor for preparation for the product collections, is determined. A production optimization parameter determines whether a defined production order is to be maintained for the delivery routes or whether the production order of the delivery routes can be altered.

Abstract: Disclosed inventory systems, methods, and devices can be used to retrieve and transport resources from one location to another. Specifically, a vertically mobile drive unit including a vertical element retention mechanism can be controlled by a management component to retrieve a resource, transport the resource from one floor to a different floor in an inventory system, and deposit the resource at a destination. The vertically mobile drive unit can transit vertically along a vertically disposed element in an inventory system, such as a structural pole or column; and can rotate around the structural pole or column in order to set down on an upper level after ascending, or to clear the upper level prior to descending.

Abstract: A self-propelled device can determine an initial reference frame of the self-propelled device in three-dimensional space, receive control inputs from a controller device, where the control inputs can be inputted by a user on a steering mechanism of the controller device. The self-propelled device can interpret the control inputs as control commands to maneuver the self-propelled device, and implement the control commands on an internal drive system of the self-propelled device to maneuver the self-propelled device based on the control inputs. While maneuvering, the self-propelled device can determine an orientation of the internal drive system within a spherical housing of the self-propelled device in relation to the initial reference frame, and transmit feedback to the controller device based on the orientation of the internal drive system in order to calibrate an orientation of the steering mechanism with the orientation of the internal drive system.

Abstract: An interface includes a human machine interface (HMI) to provide a visualization of current and future states of a mission associated with one or more unmanned vehicles. A time specifier provides input to the HMI to specify a current time or a future time for the visualization of the current and future states of the mission. A prediction engine generates predictions of the current and future states of the mission for the visualization based on the current time or the future time specified by the time specifier.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a display unit; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a flying object; and a controller configured to receive an input for setting at least one member of a created group of members to be a target, and remotely control the flying object to obtain an image of the at least one member set as the target.

Abstract: A device for visually inspecting the external surfaces of an aircraft includes an inspection area to receive an aircraft, at least one visual inspection robot, and a control center. A movable platform of the robot supports a turret having an observation unit. The robot includes a processing unit which guides the movable platform and process the data received from the observation unit. The processing unit of the robot are configured to autonomously control the robot during the visual inspection of the external surfaces of the aircraft parked in the inspection area; to interrupt a visual inspection in the event of a detection of an anomaly on the external surface of the aircraft; to transmit a visual inspection data to the control center; and to receive instructions from the control center.

Abstract: A system and method for traffic data collection using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel powered by a propulsion system includes accepting inputs to an electronic navigation device and generating a desired track based on the inputs. The desired track includes a series of waypoints, each waypoint in the series of waypoints being associated with a respective heading. The method also includes sending position and orientation information corresponding to each waypoint and its associated heading to a control module. Based on the position and orientation information, the control module generates steering and thrust commands that are required to maneuver the marine vessel from a current waypoint and heading in the series to a following waypoint and heading in the series. According to the steering and thrust commands, the propulsion system thereafter propels the marine vessel along the desired track to each waypoint and its associated heading in succession. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an autonomous vehicle system includes an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle includes a communications system configured to communicate with the base station, and a control system communicatively coupled to the communications system, the control system comprising a processor. The processor is configured to receive driving commands from the base station, execute the driving commands to drive the autonomous vehicle, and execute a vehicle controller-to-subsystems latency protocol to determine a communications latency between a vehicle controller and vehicle subsystems, and to stop the autonomous vehicle if the communications latency exceeds a user-configurable latency value, wherein the vehicle controller and vehicle subsystem are disposed in the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In an apparatus for correcting a location of a vehicle, a satellite positioning unit mounted in the vehicle measures the location of the vehicle using navigation satellites. A locational trajectory generating unit generates a locational trajectory of the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle measured by the satellite positioning unit. A location correcting unit corrects the location of the vehicle based on the locational trajectory and map information stored in a map information storage. The location correcting unit, for each of the vehicle locations included in the locational trajectory, determines in which one of the lanes of the road the vehicle was traveling as the vehicle location was measured, and geometrically compares at least one traveled lane of the road acquired from the determination and the locational trajectory, and based on the comparison, calculates a locational correction amount of the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile robot system capable of estimating the occurrence of various risks within its environment and executing appropriate processing to achieve an objective is provided. The mobile robot system includes an environment recognition unit for recognizing an external environment, a travelling unit, and a travelling control unit which controls the travelling unit on the basis of environment information from the environment recognition unit. The mobile robot system also includes a calculation unit which generates a travelling command to the travelling control unit, a potential risk area recognition unit, and a risk occurrence condition detection unit. When a risk occurrence condition is satisfied, the calculation unit calculates a degree of influence of the occurring risk on achievement of an objective quantitatively in each stage. When the possibility of achieving the object is low, a movement planning unit replans a moving route to raise the possibility of achieving the objective.

Abstract: A driving control device uses a recognition reliability, and more specifically, uses an inter-vehicle distance, a radius of curvature of a road, and a gradient of the road, to determine detection precision with respect to a leading vehicle. Lane markings are set as restriction positions in cases in which the recognition reliability for the leading vehicle is greater than or equal to a reference. Positions closer to the vehicle than the lane markings are set as the restriction positions in cases in which the recognition reliability for the leading vehicle is lower than the reference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting a vehicle feature of a vehicle, where the system includes a first sensor, an onboard computer, a camera, a mirror, a controller; an actuator; and an algorithm. The algorithm instructs the onboard computer in steps for adjusting one or more vehicle features. The first sensor and the controller are in electronic communication with the onboard computer and the controller is in electronic communication with one or more actuators that connect to and adjust the various vehicle features. The onboard computer includes or accesses a database that correlates users, features, and vehicle feature settings. Such vehicle features include seat position and camera viewing angle.

Abstract: A method of delivery of fluid through a computer controlled fluid network, the network including; regulators to control the flow of fluid to deliver a predetermined amount thereof to at least one customer; a first control system for opening and closing the regulators, which collects data based on timed measurements of fluid levels upstream and downstream of respective regulators and the opening positions of respective regulators, using data analysis to provide models for prediction of fluid levels between regulators; a second control system that is a supervisory layer interacting with the first control system to provide adjustments to the controlling of the regulators based on constraint and future flow load; and a third control system interacting with the first and second control systems, which processes fluid delivery requests from the at least one customer to provide a flow load delivery schedule based on the hydraulic capacity of the network.

Abstract: A liquid material application device can alleviate programming work for drawing a line. The device includes a discharge head (50) for discharging a liquid material, a worktable (25) on which a workpiece is placed, a robot (20) for moving the discharge head and the worktable relative to each other in XYZ directions, and a control unit including an arithmetic device and a storage device for storing an application program, the liquid material application device applying the liquid material to be drawn in the form of a line on the workpiece while the workpiece and the discharge head are moved relative to each other, the control unit includes a first control unit (30) for moving the workpiece and the discharge head relative to each other in accordance with the application program, and a second control unit (40) for controlling a discharge amount of the discharge head.

Abstract: A control system for optimizing the flow of fluid from a plurality of pipelines in communication with a resource field includes a sensor array detecting characteristics of the resource field, the plurality of pipelines, and the flow of fluid through the plurality of pipelines. A first manifold assembly and a second manifold assembly each selectively receives the flow of fluid from any of the plurality of pipelines. A controller is provided to be in communication with the sensor array, the first manifold assembly and the second manifold assembly. The controller selectively diverts the flow of the fluid from a first group of the plurality of pipelines to one of the first and the second manifold assemblies, and diverts a second group of the plurality of pipelines to another of the first and the second manifold assemblies, in dependence upon the characteristics being communicated to the controller.

Abstract: A field device that includes a primary valve, a main actuator, a bypass line, a secondary valve, and a position controller. The primary valve can be configured to adjust a process fluid flow. The main actuator can be configured to control the primary valve. The main actuator includes a working chamber to be subjected with a process fluid and a return device configured to bias the valve member. The bypass line can be configured to fluidly connect an inlet and an outlet of the primary valve to feed the process fluid to the working chamber. The position controller configured to control a pneumatic actuator to control the secondary valve to change a process fluid pressure in the working chamber. The controlling of the pneumatic actuator can include generating a pneumatic control signal based on a position of the primary valve and supplying the pneumatic control signal to the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: Fluid regulator systems having reset apparatus and methods are described herein. A fluid regulator system includes a fluid regulator including a loading chamber and a supply chamber. The supply chamber is in fluid communication with a supply fluid. The system includes a first fluid control device having a loading inlet and a loading outlet. The loading inlet receives a loading fluid from a loading fluid source and the loading outlet is in fluid communication with the loading chamber. The first fluid control device controls fluid flow between the loading fluid source and the loading chamber. A second fluid control device includes a vent inlet and a vent outlet. The vent inlet is in fluid communication with the loading outlet and the loading chamber and the vent outlet is in fluid communication with a vent. The second fluid control device to control fluid flow between the loading chamber and the vent.

Abstract: In an embodiment, control is performed to operate a three-way valve in accordance with a reaching ratio of pH adjustment. When process of certain steps is performed, bubbles of ammonia generated in a nebulizer can be extruded by air so as to be injected from an injection port together with aqua ammonia remaining in the nebulizer. Therefore, the pH adjustment can be performed while a large amount of bubbles of ammonia are prevented from being generated in the nebulizer.

Abstract: A pressure balanced thermal actuator includes a flow housing having an inlet and an outlet, with the flow housing being affixed at opposing ends to two bellows housings, each of which contains a bellows. An actuation rod is operably coupled to each bellows and contains a fluid passage therewithin. When the temperature of the area surrounding the actuator increases, the pressure inside the bellows housings increases, and exerts a force on the bellows therein, compressing it. As a result, the actuation rod moves from a first position to a second position to align the fluid passage with the inlet and the outlet, enabling the controlled passage of a first fluid from the inlet, and through the fluid passage, to the outlet, to reduce the temperature of the area surrounding the valve assembly. The actuator is unaffected by changes in the ambient pressure, by working equally on two opposing bellows areas.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors including a connection to at least one call relay wire. The thermostat may also include a powering circuit, including a rechargeable battery, which is configured to provide electrical power to the thermostat by power stealing from a selected call relay wire. The power stealing may comprise an active power stealing mode, in which power is taken from the same selected call relay wire that is used to call for an HVAC function, and an inactive power stealing mode in which, in which no active call is being made. The powering circuit may be configured to substantially suspend (or at least reduce the level of) power stealing for at least a first time period following each transition of the thermostat from between operating states.

Abstract: A low dropout linear regulator circuit comprises a voltage reference source module (100), an error amplifier (200), a reference voltage determining module (300), a power transmission device (400) and a feedback module (500); wherein the voltage reference source module (100) provides a reference voltage for the error amplifier (200), the reference voltage determining module (300) controls an enablement of the error amplifier (200) according to whether the voltage reference source module (100) is completely started, the error amplifier (200) controls ON/OFF of the power transmission device (400) according to the reference voltage provided by the voltage reference source module (100) and a feedback voltage provided by the feedback module (500). A chip having the above low dropout linear regulator circuit and a electronic device having the above chip are provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a control transistor, a control circuit, a reference circuit, a current source, and a stabilizing circuit including a first transistor whose base is connected to a node to receive the reference voltage. The reference circuit includes series-connected second transistor and first and second resistors, third and fourth transistors and third and fourth resistors, and fifth and sixth transistors. The fifth transistor has connected base and collector, which base is connected to a base of the third transistor, the second transistor has a base connected to a node between third and fourth transistors, fourth and sixth transistors have bases connected to a first node between first and second resistors or a second node between second transistor and first resistor, a potential at the first or second node is the reference voltage, and a gain is determined depending on a resistance of the first resistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing power on an electric power grid including a server for communicating IP-based messages over a network with distributed power consuming devices and/or power supplying devices, the IP-based messages including information relating to activities by the power consuming devices and/or the power supplying devices; and wherein the information is transformed by the system into settlement grade data corresponding to the activities of the power consuming devices and/or the power supplying devices.

Abstract: A power system is provided for a machine, such as a marine or petroleum drilling vessel. The power system may have a plurality of power sources, each with an operating range divided into a plurality of power zones. The power system may also have at least one power consumer driven by the plurality of power sources, a load manager associated with the at least one power consumer and configured to create a load demand for the plurality of power sources, and a controller in communication with the load manager and the plurality of power sources. The controller may be configured to determine a current operational mode of the power system, and to selectively cause the plurality of power sources to operate in particular zones of the plurality of power zones based on the current operational mode and the load demand.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the data transmitted from an energy management system is described. The system and method include a critical event evaluator receiving data from a plurality of data sources, where the critical event evaluator monitors the data for critical events requiring immediate transmission to a monitoring center. A schedule comb and a delta comb receive the data from the plurality of data sources, the schedule comb operable to reduce the data according to data schedule rules stored in a data definition database and the delta comb reduce the data by eliminating data values that have not changed since a previous transmission. The schedule comb and delta comb produce a reduced data set. A queue stores the reduced data set, which is transmitted when the queue reaches a trigger size or a critical event is found.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein relate to accessing a cloud based service. Responsive to a user of a first communication device initiating access to the cloud based service via the first communication device, a prompt for a valid password to be entered to access the cloud based service can be received by the first communication device. Responsive to the valid password required to access the cloud based service not being stored on the first communication device, the first communication device can automatically retrieve the valid password from a second communication device via a peer-to-peer ad hoc communication link between the first communication device and the second communication device. The valid password can be automatically provided, by the first communication device, to a login service for the cloud based service to obtain access by the first communication device to the cloud based service.