Method and system for generating a cryptographically random number stream
US7502468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/0662
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for generating a cryptographically random number stream (100) is provided. A system includes a module (102) configured to provide at least two statistically random number streams (106) and (108) and an oscillator (104) operably coupled to the module (102). The oscillator (104) is configured to operate at a frequency which varies in response to physically unpredictable events and to select a current number from one of the at least two statistically random number streams (106) and (108) based on the oscillator's state. A process includes several steps. At least two statistically random number streams are provided (138). A current number is selected (140) from one of the at least two statistically random number streams based on the state of an oscillator operating at a frequency which varies in response to physically unpredictable events. The step of selecting (140) is repeated (142) to create the cryptographically random number stream. The number streams can be carried by signals (132), (134), and (136). An apparatus for performing the process is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.