Patent ID: 7020283
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A random number generation apparatus comprising: a pick-up block structurally adapted to capture living body information and to output a pick-up signal depicting said living body information; A/D converter structurally adapted to convert said pick-up signal into a gray scale image composed of a plurality of gray scale pixels, a gray scale pixel of said plurality gray scale of pixels having a gray scale pixel value expressed by a plurality of bits; a image processor structurally adapted to generate a binary image from said gray scale image, a binary image pixel of said binary image being generated by comparing said gray scale pixel value with an average of gray scale pixel values for said plurality of gray scale pixels, said binary image pixel having a binary pixel value expressed by a single bit; and an encryption block having a random number generator structurally adapted to generate a random number sequence from said pick-up signal when no living body information is captured by said pick-up block, said random number sequence being generated using either said gray scale pixel value or said binary pixel value, said gray scale pixel being located at a start address, said random number generator generating said random number sequence by extracting the least significant bit of said gray scale pixel value and the least significant bit for each of the gray scale pixel values of a predetermined number of gray scale pixels succeeding said gray scale pixel, said start address being located at an appropriate position in said gray scale image, said appropriate position being at a horizontal address and a vertical address, said horizontal address being a value expressed by said gray scale pixel value, and said vertical address being a value expressed by another gray scale pixel value of another gray scale pixel of said plurality gray scale pixels that is adjacent said gray scale pixel.