Abstract: A method and a device generate a truly random number. The novel method obtains the true random number on the basis of a stochastically distributed duration of an electric charge exchange or charge reversal process. The processes for charge exchange in memory cells, for example the EEPROM or FLASH memory cells, carried out by way of a charge pump are particularly suitable for this purpose.

Abstract: A random signal generator includes a differential noise generation circuit, an amplification circuit and a single-ended amplifier. The differential noise generation circuit includes a pair of input nodes and a pair of output nodes, and is configured to receive noise signals at the pair of input nodes and to generate differential noise signals at the pair of output nodes. The differential noise generation circuit is self-biased such that the pair of input nodes is coupled to the pair of output nodes. The amplification circuit is configured to amplify the differential noise signals output from the differential noise generation circuit to generate amplified differential signals. The single-ended amplifier is configured to generate a random signal based on the amplified differential signals, the random signal having irregular transition time points.

Abstract: A method of uniforming physical random numbers while concurrently maintaining a random number generating rate and ensuring security. The method sequentially inputs a plurality of physical random numbers to a shift register to hold them there, and shifts them every time a reference pulse signal rises. Physical random numbers held in the shift register are randomly selected and output by a selector based on part of them. Accordingly, physical random numbers input to the shift register are uniformed and then output even thought they have a deviation, thereby eliminating the chance of not outputting random numbers or letting others recognize the deviation of random numbers.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing random numbers for a gaming system. A random number generator (RNG) processor is arranged to select a plurality of RNG system components and configure them in an RNG pipeline, to provide random numbers to a gaming system. In one embodiment, a true random number generator (TRNG) is used to generate seeds for a pseudo random number generator in the pipeline. Analysers, loggers and other elements may also be included in the pipeline.

Abstract: A quantum random number generator uses measurements of a quantum state to generate a random value and to authenticate that the quantum state had the required properties for generation of a random series having the desired statistics. One exemplary embodiment generates an entangled photon pair in the singlet Bell state, measures one photon to extract a random value, and measures the other photon for confirmation that the photon pair were in the singlet Bell state. Another embodiment of the invention performs tomographic analysis of a state used for random number generation to confirm that the state used had the desired properties.

Abstract: A random number generator includes a ring oscillator having an EX-OR gate and four inverters together forming a loop. This loop enters stable state for a start signal having the low level and oscillates for the start signal having the high level. When the start signal has a pulse of a width shorter than the loop's delay time, output nodes responsively, sequentially enter metastable state hovering between the high and low levels. The metastable waveform becomes smaller with time and finally disappears. As metastable state cannot be controlled in longevity, it disappears at any random number node. A counter thus outputs a signal serving as true random number data depending on the longevity of the metastable state. A random number generator miniaturized and having reduced power consumption, and of high performance can thus be implemented.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing valid random elements, including at least a first module and a second module. The first module is connected to a provider of valid random elements and to the second module. The first module includes a controller that passes valid random elements from the first module to the second module.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for true random number generation is described. One aspect of the invention relates to a digital logic circuit that includes N logic gates, where N is an integer greater than two. For each logic gate in the N logic gates: a first input terminal thereof is coupled to an output terminal thereof; a second input terminal thereof is coupled to an output terminal of a left neighbor thereof; and a third input terminal thereof is coupled to an output terminal of a right neighbor thereof. A sampling logic circuit may be provided to sample the output of the N logic gates to produce N-bit binary numbers. The N-bit binary numbers are true random numbers produced using pure digital logic without using an external source of randomness. A linear hybrid cellular automaton (LHCA) may be provided for scrambling output data of the sampling circuit.

Abstract: A random signal generator circuit includes a thermal noise generator circuit and a self-biased inverter having an input coupled to the thermal noise generator circuit and to a feedback resistor coupled to an output of the self-biased inverter, the self-biased inverter configured to produce a sensed noise signal at the output responsive to thermal noise generated by the thermal noise generator circuit. An amplifier circuit is coupled to the output of the self-biased inverter and configured to amplify the sensed noise signal to produce a saturated random signal. The saturate random signal may be sampled, e.g., with a flip-flop, to generate a random binary signal that may be used for random number generation.

Abstract: A device for and method of generating an uncorrelated pseudo-random bit sequence by first selecting a user-definable value K. Next, factoring K+1 into m prime factors q1, q2, . . . , qm, where q1, q2, . . . , qm are ordered from smallest value q1 to largest value qm. Next, generating m pseudo-random sequences r1, r2, . . . , rm, where each pseudo-random bit sequence ri is uniformly distributed over a range (0, . . . , qi?1), and where i=1, 2, . . . , m. Finally, generating the uncorrelated pseudo-random sequence as R=r1+q1r2+q1q2r3+ . . . +q1q2 . . . qm?1rm.

Abstract: A random number generator includes a plurality of groups of independent flip flops, each of the groups having different configurations. Each of the outputs of the plurality of groups of flip flops being connected in an exclusive-or (XOR) arrangement, with a latch connected to the output of the DXOR. A metastable output of at least one of the flip flops causes a random signal to be output by the XOR for random number generation. The groups of flip flops can be divided into equally-sized groups, or unequally-sized groups with different configurations, such as the cross-connecting of NAND gates with or without buffers inserted between the data and clock signals, or inserting buffers between a data line of at least one NAND gate of each of the pairs of NAND gates being connected, or inserting a buffer between clock input of at least one NAND gate of each of the pairs of NAND gates being connected via a buffer. Capacitive loading and cross-connected buffers may also be used to induce varying delays.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for retaining the maximum speed of flip-flop metastability based random number generators includes a fixed delay unit having an input for receiving a common signal from a digital signal generator, and a variable delay unit having an input also for receiving the common signal from the digital signal generator. Each of the delay units is attached to the input of a respective logic gate. A frequency measurement of the occurrences of metastability, which is the speed of the random bit generation and delay tuning module 312 receives an output of one of the first NAND gates, checks the frequency of random number bit generation and updates the variable delay unit to according to predetermined criteria to tune the delay so as to maximize the speed of the random bit generation. An algorithm is used to determine whether the optimum delay is equal to, smaller or larger than the delay used to achieve the measured frequency.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing random bits are described. In one embodiment, random bits are provided by storing a succession of random bits in a buffer. A quantity of bits is selected from the buffer at a source location and used as a basis of a new quantity of random bits. The content of the buffer is altered and the source location is advanced to the next position in the buffer. The source location is placed at the beginning of the buffer plus an offset when the next location is beyond the limit of the buffer.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of random number generation are disclosed, wherein a detector receives a group of n light pulses having single-photon intensity levels. Each of the n light pulses has a probability of less than one to produce a successful detection event at its time of arrival at the detector, and the detector is adapted to detect only one of the n pulses in the group. This single detection per group is thus a discrete random event that occurs only during one of n fixed time slots. The random event occurring during one of n timeslots is converted into a corresponding random integer from 1 to n. A series of such random numbers is generated by using a plurality of groups of n light pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a jittered clock signal has a reverse-biased diode. The reversed-biased diode has a leakage current which decreases a reverse voltage on the diode, time-dependent on a shot-noise of the leakage current. The apparatus for providing a jittered clock signal further has a unit for periodically increasing the reverse voltage of the diode to a value, which is above a switching value and the apparatus has a unit for comparing the reverse voltage of the diode to the switching value and for outputting a jittered clock signal dependent on the comparison.

Abstract: A sequence generator for generating a pseudo random sequence for random number generation or a stream cipher engine includes a plurality of linear feedback shift registers operable to generate a plurality of binary sequences. A plurality of nonlinear functions having the binary sequences as their input and operable to generate a second plurality of binary sequences. There are at least two switches and a controller including a shift register operable to control said first and second switches. The first switch is operative to select one of the second plurality of binary sequences to the first bit of the shift register, and the second switch is operative to select one of said second plurality of binary sequences to the output of the sequence generator.

Abstract: A hybrid architecture for realizing a random numbers generator comprising a digital circuitry portion able to provide for a random bytes sequence as well as an analog circuitry portion able to provide a seed of the true random type is described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating high quality real random numbers is provided. In particular, the present invention enables a hard disk drive of a computer to function as a generator of high quality real random numbers by monitoring one or more of a disk drive's parameters, wherein such parameters are subjected to environmental effects. The system of the present invention does not require the addition of any hardware not normally associated with a computer. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a parameter of the disk drive is monitored, and after processing and filtering the parameter is provided to an application as a random number. Monitored parameters may include the position error signal of a transducer head with respect to a track, temperature, channel gain, transducer head flying height, etc. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the various other parameters may be combined or used in concert to provide high quality real random numbers.

Abstract: A random number generator having a simple construction which generates physical random numbers necessary for encryption. The random number generator has an amplifier to amplify noise signals generated from a noise source and digitizer to digitize the amplified noise signals. The digitizer includes a serial register.

Abstract: A random-bit sequence generator includes a biasing circuit, a source of a noisy voltage signal biased by the biasing circuit, an amplification stage generating an amplified signal representative of the sole non-zero-frequency (AC) component of the noisy voltage signal and an output stage electrically in cascade to the amplification stage that generates a random bit sequence in function of the amplified signal. The generator also filters the undesired low-frequency disturbance components because the amplification stage comprises an input low-pass filter that feeds the zero- (DC) component of the noisy voltage signal to one of the inputs of a differential amplifier, to another input of which is fed the non-filtered noisy voltage signal.

Abstract: An RNG circuit is connected to the parallel port of a computer. The circuit includes a flat source of white noise and a CMOS amplifier circuit compensated in the high frequency range. A low-frequency cut-off is selected to maintain high band-width yet eliminate the 1/f amplifier noise tail. A CMOS comparator with a 10 nanosecond rise time converts the analog signal to a binary one. A shift register converts the serial signal to a 4-bit parallel one at a sample rate selected at the knee of the serial dependence curve. Two levels of XOR defect correction produce a BRS at 20 kHZ, which is converted to a 4-bit parallel word, latched and buffered. The entire circuit is powered from the data pins of the parallel port. A device driver interface in the computer operates the RNG. The randomness defects with various levels of correction and sample rates are calculated and the RNG is optimized before manufacture.

Abstract: A random number generating method and a random number generating device are provided which are capable of generating uniform random numbers. Random pulses are generated by comparing a voltage level obtained by amplifying a voltage level of a thermal noise produced by a thermal noise generating device with a reference voltage level. A pulse controller, if time intervals among random pulses are within a predetermined time, excludes random pulses occurred within the predetermined time and if time intervals among random pulses exceed the predetermined time, random numbers are generated based on time intervals among pulses measured by a counter.

Abstract: A random number generating system operates to generate an output number bit sequence based on an entropy estimation of a true random number bit sequence, the randomness of the output number bit being an improvement of the randomness of the true random number bit sequence. A physical random number generator communicates the true random number bit sequence to an entropy estimator, which generates an estimation signal indicative of the randomness of the true random number bit sequence. The estimation signal is communicated to a decimator whereby, in accordance with estimation signal, the decimator generates the output number bit as a representation of a decimation of a mixing of the true random number bit sequence and the pseudo random number bit sequence, or as a representation of a decimation of the pseudo random number bit sequence when the pseudo random number bit sequence is generated as a function of the true random number bit sequence.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for testing random numbers generated by a random-number generator in real time. A stream of random bits generated by the random-number generator is converted into ±1 binary bits and segmented into a predefined block of vector bits, then these vectorss undergo a Hadamard-transform calculation. The Hadamard-transform output values are counted in each of a predetermined range of values and applied to an exponential frequency calculation to compute and update an average number of times that each output of the Hadamard-transforms falls into the corresponding predetermined range of values for a predetermined time period. The updated frequency values are compared to at least one predetermined acceptance range, so that if at least one of the updated frequency values repeatedly falls outside the predetermined acceptance range more than a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the generated random bits are insufficiently random.

Abstract: A method for performing a cryptographic operation involving transforming digital information is described. A digital operator is provided that has a component selected from a large set of elements. The component is expanded into a plurality of factors, each factor having a low Hamming weight. Digital information is transformed using the digital operator. Computer readable medium embody instructions for the method.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for reliably generating a random number sequence. The apparatus comprises a digital pseudo-random number sequence generator having a first output and an analog random number sequence generator having a second output. The pseudo-random number sequence on the first output and the random number sequence on the second output are combined using logic such as an exclusive-OR operation to generate an output number sequence.

Abstract: The random number generating apparatus includes as a random number generation block: an A/D converter for converting a pick-up signal output from a pick-up block, into a digital image; a memory where the digital image is stored as pixel values; and a random number generator for extracting a digital data from pixel values of a plurality of pixels within the digital image of the pick-up signal output when no subject is present from the pick-up block stored in the memory and generating a random number from the digital data correlated to the plurality of pixels. Thus, it is possible to generate a random number having a long periodicity.

Abstract: A method and circuit is presented for generating a random bit stream based on thermal noise of a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) device. A circuit implementing the invention preferably includes at least a pair of identically implemented thermal noise generators whose outputs feed a differential amplifier. The differential amplifier measures and amplifies the difference between the noise signals. A sampling circuit compares the difference with a threshold value that is selected to track with process/voltage/temperature variations of the noise generator circuits to output a binary bit having a bit value determined according to the polarity of the noise difference signal relative to the threshold value. The sampling circuit may be clocked to generate a random bit stream.

Abstract: A pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) for a cryptographic processing system is disclosed in which the PRNG is reseeded at each instance of input entropy and in which a standard timestamp variable used in determining random sequence outputs is replaced with a running counter. The method employed by the PRNG demonstrates increased resistance to iterative-guessing attacks and chosen-input attacks than those of previous technologies. The PRNG is suitable for use in, for example, a mobile telephone system for accomplishing secure communications.

Abstract: A random number generation system, including a turbulent fluid source, a pressure sensor adapted to monitor a pressure of the turbulent fluid source, and a computation module operatively connected to the pressure sensor the module adapted to generate a numeric representation of the pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating random numbers includes a source for generating random quantum phenomena, a detector to detect instances of the random quantum phenomena, and a recorder to record the instances of the random quantum phenomena for use in generating random numbers.

Abstract: A method and random number generator are provided for generating random numbers. Under the method, a filter coefficient value that is used by a filter to filter an input signal is set and then compared to a default value for the filter coefficient. At least one bit of the random number is then set based on the comparison between the filter coefficient value and the default value.

Abstract: A random number generator includes a first oscillator that provides a first oscillatory signal to a processor, and a second oscillator that provides a signal to a frequency multiplier, which in turn provides a second oscillatory signal to the processor. The relative jitter between the two oscillatory signals contains a calculable amount of entropy that is extracted by the processor to produce a sequence of true random numbers.

Abstract: A digital true random number generator circuit, comprising a linear feedback shift register having an input and an output, a system clock having a system clock frequency value for driving the shift register, and a plurality of free running oscillators operatively connected to the input of the shift register. The oscillators and the system clock having different oscillation frequency values, the greatest common divisor of which having the value one, thereby avoiding locking of the oscillators and the system clock.

Abstract: A device for generating a spreading code in a CDMA communication system is disclosed. In the device, an ML (Maximal Length) sequence generator generates an ML sequence according to a generator polynomial of an ML sequence having a length 2S−1 and a given initial value, and reloads the initial value whenever an ML sequence having a length shorter than the length 2S−1 is generated, to repeatedly perform an operation of generating the ML sequence. A mask selector including first and second masks having a given offset, selects the first mask in an ML sequence period of the desired length and selects the second mask in the other period. A modulo-2 adder adds an output of the ML sequence generator and an output of the mask selector to generate the spreading code, and truncates the ML sequence upon receipt of the second mask.

Abstract: An RNG circuit is connected to the parallel port of a computer. The circuit includes a flat source of white noise and a CMOS amplifier circuit compensated in the high frequency range. A low-frequency cut-off is selected to maintain high band-width yet eliminate the 1/f amplifier noise tail. A CMOS comparator with a 10 nanosecond rise time converts the analog signal to a binary one. A shift register converts the serial signal to a 4-bit parallel one at a sample rate selected at the knee of the serial dependence curve. Two levels of XOR defect correction produce a BRS at 20 kHZ, which is converted to a 4-bit parallel word, latched and buffered. The entire circuit is powered from the data pins of the parallel port. A device driver interface in the computer operates the RNG. The randomness defects with various levels of correction and sample rates are calculated and the RNG is optimized before manufacture.

Abstract: A non-repeating sequence of numbers having a substantially uniform distribution is obtained from a shift register whose contents are shifted, with the shifted digits being replaced by digits from a continuous sequence. The contents of the shift register are also replaced by their complement in dependence for the value of the most significant bit, so that the operations performed on the contents are represented by a tent map, thereby providing uniform distribution of the numbers. A randomising subsystem can be used to convert the output sequence into a random sequence.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for generation of random numbers. The apparatus comprises an alpha-radiation source, such as Am 241, for which the decay product produces no secondary radiation with the energy equal or higher than that of the prime alpha radiation. The alpha particles emitted by the isotope and having reached the detector have a narrow energy spectrum and, hence, produce identical electrical pulses in a detector. An alpha-particle detection system is provided which includes a differential discriminator in combination with a logical selector. This combination of elements allows a positive identification of individual events of alpha-decay in the alpha-radiation source to be made and filters out any other signals produced by different radiation sources both inside and outside the apparatus. An electronic unit processes the stream of identical electric pulses into a stream of random numbers.

Abstract: A random number generating system operates to generate an output number bit sequence based on an entropy estimation of a true random number bit sequence, the randomness of the output number bit being an improvement of the randomness of the true random number bit sequence. A physical random number generator communicates the true random number bit sequence to an entropy estimator, which generates an estimation signal indicative of the randomness of the true random number bit sequence. The estimation signal is communicated to a decimator whereby, in accordance with estimation signal, the decimator generates the output number bit as a representation of a decimation of a mixing of the true random number bit sequence and the pseudo random number bit sequence, or as a representation of a decimation of the pseudo random number bit sequence when the pseudo random number bit sequence is generated as a function of the true random number bit sequence.

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.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating a random number on a quantum-mechanics machanics basis using the fundamentally random choice of path of a quantum particle on a beam splitter. Detectors are provided for capturing the particles being assigned to the outputs of the beam splitter. The detectors or their counting events represent different number values of the random number, or random number sequence. The generation of a multi-particle state in the output channel of the beam splitter, and thus of several particles which impact on a detector (D1, D1′, D2, D2′), significantly and advantageously increases the response probability of the detector and thus the probability of obtaining a useable counting event for every multi-particle state generated by the particle source. In this way a random sequence can be obtained more rapidly and more reliably than with single-particle detection.

Abstract: A random number generating apparatus which is suitable for miniaturization and which can easily generate binary random numbers that are cryptographically secure is provided. The apparatus comprises: a semiconductor device having a junction; reverse bias applying circuit for applying a reverse bias voltage of a degree so as to cause a breakdown current in the junction; and a binarizing circuit for binarizing a noise signal created in a current path including said junction for generating random numbers from the binarized signal.

Abstract: A random number generator comprises a laser for generating photons, an assembly of neutral density filters to attenuate the photons, a photomultiplier tube to detect the occurrence of a fraction of the attenuated photons at a rate of a single photon detected during a set length of time and to detect the occurrence of a single photon during each interval in a series of like time intervals, and a clock and shift register to record a first value for detection of any photons during a selected single time interval in the series of time intervals and to record a second value for detection of no photons during the selected single time interval. The values recorded in the shift register for the series of time intervals are a string of random numbers.

Abstract: A random number generator includes a first oscillator that provides a first oscillatory signal to a processor, and a second oscillator that provides a signal to a frequency multiplier, which in turn provides a second oscillatory signal to the processor. The relative jitter between the two oscillatory signals contains a calculable amount of entropy that is extracted by the processor to produce a sequence of true random numbers.

Abstract: Physical random number generator, characterized in that it comprises a logic circuit (10) comprising at least a data input (D) and a clock input (CLK), the data input (D) receiving a first clock signal and the clock input (CLK) receiving a second clock signal different from the first one; and in that the two clock signals of different frequencies are respectively issued by two different oscillators (OSC1 and OSC2) operating asynchronously from one another and not adhering to the setup time of the logic circuit (10), the output of the circuit (10) delivering a signal in an intermediate state between “0” and “1,” qualified as metastable and being constituted by a random number sequence.

Abstract: A method for generating actual random numbers within a multiprocessor system is disclosed. A first processing thread is continuously writing to a shared memory space while a second processing thread is continuously reading from the same shared memory space without utilizing a locking mechanism for synchronizing the two processing threads. Preferably, each of the processing threads is executed on a separate processing unit. An actual random number can then be generated from the data read from the shared memory space by the second processing thread.

Abstract: A digital true random number generator circuit, comprising a linear feedback shift register having an input and an output, a system clock having a system clock frequency value for driving the shift register, and a plurality of free running oscillators operatively connected to the input of the shift register. The oscillators and the system clock having different oscillation frequency values, the greatest common divisor of which having the value one, thereby avoiding locking of the oscillators and the system clock.

Abstract: A system for creating non-algorithmic, digital random numbers (20) and publishing the numbers (20) at both a high and low rate of speed on a secured Internet site (34). The numbers (20) which are used for encryption and are stored as a sequence of numbers that can incorporate a predetermined time delay, and are subsequently published on the Internet site.

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.

Abstract: A random-check generator for generating a random number, which is preferably represented in binary form, having a particle source, a random-check generating element which acts on particles emitted by the particle source, and a detection system which allocates a numerical value, preferably in binary form, to the detection of a particle emerging from the random-check generating element. The random-check generator is not susceptible to external interference and delivers high-quality random numbers. To that end, the particle source can emit at least two particles substantially simultaneously, and one particle can activate the detection system in order to detect a further particle influenced by the random-check generating element and allocate a numerical value thereto.