A laser utilizes a cavity design which allows the stable generation of high peak power pulses from mode-locked multi-mode fiber lasers, greatly extending the peak power limits of conventional mode-locked single-mode fiber lasers. A first bi-directional dc-to-ac voltage inverter is coupled to the first energy storage device and to the dc bus, and a first electromechanical device coupled to the first bi-directional dc-to-ac voltage inverter. Techniques are also provided for protecting information in an audio file. The smartpad can also include a port adapted to receive the device. The wire of the interface can also carry a signal indicating a indicating at least one of transmitting state and a receiving state of a microcontroller of the monitor.