Method of and apparatus for generating random numbers
US6697829B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/0662
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A random number generator has a random event source, a random event detector, and a counter for counting the number of pulses generated by the detector for a predetermined length of time. Two memories are provided in which are stored successive sets of counts and a controller compares the sets to determine whether one or both of the sets counted one or more events. Where both sets have one or more events, no output is generated, and where both sets have no events, no output is generated. However, where one set has one or more events and the other set has no events, then a binary number is output in dependence on which of the two sets recorded events. This random number generator has the advantage that the probability of counting no events does not have to be exactly equal to the probability of counting one or more events while still ensuring truly random results.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.