Abstract: Encoding a sequence of digital speech samples into a bit stream includes dividing the digital speech samples into one or more frames, computing model parameters for a frame, and quantizing the model parameters to produce pitch bits conveying pitch information, voicing bits conveying voicing information, and gain bits conveying signal level information. One or more of the pitch bits are combined with one or more of the voicing bits and one or more of the gain bits to create a first parameter codeword that is encoded with an error control code to produce a first FEC codeword that is included in a bit stream for the frame. The process may be reversed to decode the bit stream.

Abstract: A block of user data is formatted by arranging the user data block into a byte array having plural rows and plural columns of bytes. An error correction code is applied to individual ones of the rows of bytes, such that each row has four code words.

Abstract: A haptic output device is associated with a computer or other text reading device. The haptic device is controlled by the computer to react to a users finger position to provide a reaction force which defines characters (for example using Moon alphabet representation by stimulating grooves or ridges on a virtual plane. Feelable texture may be added to standard characters whereby the characters (or other non-standard characters) may be used as short handrepresentration for particular user-selectable words or phrases.