Method of converting information words, which includes receiving m-bit information words, where m is an integer, and converting the m-bit information words into n-bit code words based on a code conversion table including a plurality of coding states, where n is an integer greater than m. The paddle device enables a user to produce power strokes similar to strokes that are achieved with a traditional canoe paddle used by an individual using two unimpaired arms and two unimpaired hands. range from 3% to 35% respectively. A process comprising controlling the delivery of a lubricant to at least one of two moving surfaces in order to decrease friction between said moving surfaces, is also disclosed. And the method further includes a physical property measuring step of measuring a transient current flowing through the liquid crystal layer to which the voltage that cyclically varies is applied in the voltage application step to measure physical properties of the liquid crystal layer. Furthermore, the period of the finite state machine is adjusted to be directly proportional to the supply voltage.