Patent ID: 7516169

Claim:
A method for generating random data, the method comprising repeatedly performing a series of operations, and the series of operations comprising processing a seed value of a first predetermined number of bits by means of a modulo exponentiation algorithm to generate a resulting value for use as the seed value in a subsequent performance of the series of operations and to generate output random data; the series of operations also comprising: collecting new truly random data at a source; determining whether the collected truly random data comprises a second predetermined number of bits; and only if the second predetermined number of bits is available, modifying the generation of at least the resulting value in dependence on the new truly random data; wherein said modifying step comprises performing an operation on at least some of the first predetermined number of bits of the seed value with a corresponding second predetermined number of bits of collected truly random data; wherein the truly random data is generated by comparing the rates of two oscillators; wherein one of the oscillators generates a signal for radio frequency modulation or demodulation of communication data, and wherein the other of the oscillators generates a signal for timing of idle communication periods.