Abstract: A programming device (110) arranged to obtain and store a random bit string in a memory device (100), the memory device (100) comprising multiple one-time programmable memory cells (122), a memory cell having a programmed state and a not-programmed state, the memory cell being one-time programmable by changing the state from the not-programmed state to the programmed state through application of an electric programming energy to the memory cell.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an electronic cryptographic device configured to determine a cryptographic key. The cryptographic device has a physically unclonable function, a debiasing unit, and a key reconstruction unit. The PUF is configured to produce a first noisy bit string during an enrollment phase and a second noisy bit string during a reconstruction phase. The debiasing unit (120) is configured to determine debiasing data from the first noisy bit string during the enrollment phase. The debiasing data marks bits in the first noisy bit string as retained or discarded. The key reconstruction unit is configured to determine the cryptographic key from bits in the second noisy bit string marked as retained by the debiasing data, the cryptographic key being independent from bits in the second noisy bit string marked as discarded by the debiasing data.

Abstract: A programming device (110) arranged to obtain and store a random bit string in a memory device (100), the memory device (100) comprising multiple one-time programmable memory cells (122), a memory cell having a programmed state and a not-programmed state, the memory cell being one-time programmable by changing the state from the not-programmed state to the programmed state through application of an electric programming energy to the memory cell.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an electronic cryptographic device configured to determine a cryptographic key. The cryptographic device has a physically unclonable function, a debiasing unit, and a key reconstruction unit. The PUF is configured to produce a first noisy bit string during an enrollment phase and a second noisy bit string during a reconstruction phase. The debiasing unit (120) is configured to determine debiasing data from the first noisy bit string during the enrollment phase. The debiasing data marks bits in the first noisy bit string as retained or discarded. The key reconstruction unit is configured to determine the cryptographic key from bits in the second noisy bit string marked as retained by the debiasing data, the cryptographic key being independent from bits in the second noisy bit string marked as discarded by the debiasing data.

Abstract: A cryptographic system for reproducibly establishing a reliable data string, such as a cryptographic key, from a noisy physically unclonable function (PUF, 110) is provided. The system comprises a hard decision decoder (150) to decode a first multiple of error correctable data words to obtain a second multiple of corrected and decoded data words and a reliability information extractor (180) to determine reliability information, e.g. soft decision information, that is indicative of a reliability of corrected and decoded data words. The system further comprises a soft decision decoder (160) configured to use the reliability information to decode at least one further correctable data word. Error correcting a PUF using reliability information decreases the false rejection rate.

Abstract: A cryptographic system for reproducibly establishing a reliable data string, such as a cryptographic key, from a noisy physically unclonable function (PUF, 110) is provided. The system comprises a hard decision decoder (150) to decode a first multiple of error correctable data words to obtain a second multiple of corrected and decoded data words and a reliability information extractor (180) to determine reliability information, e.g. soft decision information, that is indicative of a reliability of corrected and decoded data words. The system further comprises a soft decision decoder (160) configured to use the reliability information to decode at least one further correctable data word. Error correcting a PUF using reliability information decreases the false rejection rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing acoustical properties of an outer ear 130, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a first acoustic signal 125 towards the outer ear 130, receiving a second acoustic signal 150 from the outer ear 130, and characterizing acoustical properties 165 of the outer ear on the basis of the second acoustic signal 150. The method is characterized in that the first acoustic signal 125 comprises at least one of the following elements: music, and speech. The present invention further relates to a method and apparatus for enrolling, authenticating and identifying a person on the basis of acoustical properties of an outer ear 130.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing acoustical properties of an outer ear 130, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a first acoustic signal 125 towards the outer ear 130, receiving a second acoustic signal 150 from the outer ear 130, and characterizing acoustical properties 165 of the outer ear on the basis of the second acoustic signal 150. The method is characterized in that the first acoustic signal 125 comprises at least one of the following elements: music, and speech. The present invention further relates to a method and apparatus for enrolling, authenticating and identifying a person on the basis of acoustical properties of an outer ear 130.