Method of and apparatus for generating random numbers
US6415309B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K3/84
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
For generating random numbers, the output of a random pulse generator having a radioactive source is monitored and the number of decay events detected counted over a predetermined time period. The number of detected events is then compared to one or more selected numbers and a first signal, for example binary “1”, is produced where the detected count is equal to the one or more selected numbers and a second signal, binary “0”, is produced where the detected count does not equal the one or more selected numbers. The time period is determined so that the probability of the first signal being generated is equal to the probability of the second signal being generated. In this way a truly random number can be generated by repetition of the method steps described above producing a stream of binary “1's” and “0's”. Virtually no radioactivity is required for the apparatus to operate and it can in principle be integrated into a single chip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.