Patent ID: 8234322
Filing Date: 2012-07-31
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A random-number generating apparatus, comprising: a noise generating element; an amplifier to amplify a waveform based on a noise generated in said noise generating element; a random-pulse generator to generate a random pulse when an output signal from said amplifier exceeds a given threshold from the state of being less than said threshold, or falls below said threshold from the state of being greater than said threshold; a reference-pulse generator to generate a reference pulse having a constant period; and a timer to measure a time interval between said reference pulse and said random pulse, wherein the measured value in said timer is output as a random number value, wherein said timer includes a clock-signal generator to generate a clock signal having a higher frequency than that of said reference pulse, and a counter for counting the number of clocks of said clock signal, wherein a counted value obtained by counting the number of clocks in the time interval between said reference pulse and said random pulse is output as a random number value.