Generation of seed value for pseudo random number generator
Two or more numerical samples are read from a storage location (or many storage locations) and the samples are compared to generate a single bit of entropy. This method is repeated to populate two arrays which are also compared to generate a single bit. Comparison of the arrays is also repeated to generate a sequence of bits which are formed into computer words. The words are combined with a shift register to generate a seed block array of any length. The seed block array is used to seed a pseudo random number generator. The storage location is a register, accumulator, buffer, clock, address, memory location, etc., that changes periodically. Comparison may be performed by counting the number of certain types of bits in the two values and returning a one or zero depending upon the count.
1. A method of generating a word of random bits in a computer, said method comprising:
reading a first value from a first storage location in a computer;
reading a second value from a second storage location and said computer;
comparing said first and second values to produce a single bit;
repeating said first, second and third steps to create a sequence of bits; and
forming said sequence of bits into said word of random bits.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said first storage location and said second storage location are the same location.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the values in said first storage location and in said second storage location periodically change.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:
inputting said word of random bits as a seed value in a pseudo random number generator.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 further comprising:
generating a random number using said pseudo random number generator.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:
comparing said first and second values by counting the number of certain types of bits in said first and second values.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the values in said first and second storage locations change on the order of a frequency of a clock in said computer.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the values in said first and second storage locations are derived from a clock of said computer.
9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the values in said first and second storage locations are derived from an input sensor of said computer.
10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said first storage location and said second storage location are the same location, wherein values in said first storage location periodically change, and wherein said first and second values are different.
11. A method of generating a block of words in a computer, said method comprising:
successively reading two values from a location in said computer that are different;
comparing said two values that are different and generating a single bit;
repeating said first and second steps to create a computer word of said single bits; and
repeating said first, second and third steps to create a plurality of computer words; and
outputting said plurality of computer words as said block of words.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the values in said location periodically change.
13. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising:
inputting said block of words as a seed value in a pseudo random number generator.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising:
generating a random number using said pseudo random number generator.
15. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising:
comparing said values by counting the number of certain types of bits in said values.
16. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the values in said location change on the order of a frequency of a clock in said computer.
17. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the values in said location are derived from a clock of said computer.
18. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the values in said location are derived from an input sensor of said computer.
19. A method of generating a seed value, said method comprising:
reading a plurality of values from storage locations in said computer, each of said values being different from the other values;
comparing bits in said plurality of values that are different to generate a single bit;
repeating said reading and comparing to create a sequence of single bits;
forming a plurality of computer words using said sequence of single bits;
outputting said plurality of computer words as said seed value.
20. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said storage locations are the same location.
21. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said values periodically change.
22. The method as recited in claim 19 further comprising:
inputting said seed value into a pseudo random number generator.
23. The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising:
generating a random number using said pseudo random number generator.
24. The method as recited in claim 19 further comprising:
comparing said bits by counting the number of certain types of bits in said values.
25. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said values change on the order of a frequency of a clock in said computer.
26. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said values are derived from a clock of said computer.
27. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said values are derived from an input sensor of said computer.
28. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein each of said values is read from one of said storage locations.
29. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said storage locations are the same location, wherein values in said same storage location periodically change, and wherein said plurality of values are different.