Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake actuator for a vehicle can include an electric motor configured to operate at about 28 Vdc, and to operate at about 2 Amps or less to hold a vehicle brake in a disengaged position. A hydraulic master piston can be operatively coupled to the electric motor, the hydraulic master piston configured to slidingly move within a master cylinder fillable with a hydraulic fluid such that advancement of the master piston within the master cylinder varies the hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle brake. The electric motor and hydraulic master cylinder are configured to fit within a wheel hub corresponding to the vehicle brake, the motor configured to operate the hydraulic master piston to vary the hydraulic pressure applied to the brake.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake system for a vehicle can include at least one hydraulic piston that exerts a force on a brake pad in a direction away from a brake disk and opposite to a force exerted, e.g., by a spring, on the brake pad in a direction toward the disk. A hydraulic pressure actuator can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic piston to hold the brake in a disengaged position. A controller can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic pressure actuator to advance the brake pad into engagement with the disk to exert a braking force based on a brake command signal, and can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic pressure actuator to retract the brake pad from engagement with the disk upon receipt of a brake release signal. In one embodiment, the brake pad can move into engagement with the brake disk when an emergency (e.g., a loss of power or hydraulic pressure) occurs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the communications to and from a mobile communication device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example in accordance with an embodiment, each of the data services on a mobile communication device may be monitored against rules stored in a central data center repository. The data services may include all forms of communications between the mobile communication device and a third party along with changes to application or data within the mobile communication device. An alert may be provided to an administrator when unauthorized data service activity and/or a message may be sent to the mobile communication device to prevent the unauthorized data service activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the communications to and from a mobile communication device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example in accordance with an embodiment, each of the data services on a mobile communication device may be monitored against rules stored in a central data center repository. The data services may include all forms of communications between the mobile communication device and a third party along with changes to application or data within the mobile communication device. An alert may be provided to an administrator when unauthorized data service activity and/or a message may be sent to the mobile communication device to prevent the unauthorized data service activity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for implementing a new insurance industry business processing system, called a “Shared Industry Platform”, are described. A network-based computing platform is defined which includes a communications portal and industry shared databases which are controlled by enabling application and security software and which may be accessed through a global computer network by insurance company computers, managing general agency computers, selling agent computers, and consumer computers. This shared industry platform allows communication among the various components of the insurance industry in a flexible manner as specified by each insurance company, no matter what the company's customary internal processing system might be.