Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a biometric information recognizer and a shape memory material. The biometric information recognizer recognizes biometric information (such as speech) and signals the shape memory material with a current. The current causes the shape memory material to change shape, thereby reconfiguring a mechanical device. Such mechanical device may include a lock. In such manner, the lock may be isolated from external tampering (such as physical stressing) yet receptive to biometric information for controlling access.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-implemented pronunciation training method comprising receiving a spoken utterance from a user, the spoken utterance including a plurality of sub-units of sound, analyzing the speech quality of the plurality of sub-units of sound of the spoken utterance and generating an audio signal of the spoken utterance from the user while simultaneously displaying the speech quality of each sub-unit of the spoken utterance as each sub-unit of the spoken utterance is generated.