Patent ID: 8595277

Claim:
A hybrid random number generator comprising: an output; a combinational logic; a true random number generator; a pseudo random number generator; and an interconnection circuitry comprising a selection circuit comprising selection circuit inputs and controllable to connect one of the selection circuit inputs to the output of the hybrid random number generator; a first switch connected between an output of the true random number generator and an input of the pseudo random number generator via which an internal state of the pseudo random number generator is influencable; and a second switch connected between an output of the pseudo random number generator and a first one of the selection circuit inputs, wherein the hybrid random number generator is configurable to operate in a first and a second mode via the interconnection circuitry, wherein in the first mode the first switch is closed, the second switch is closed and the selection circuit is controlled so as to select the first one of the selection circuit inputs so that the pseudo random number generator is serially connected between the true random number generator and the output of the hybrid random number generator and the true random number generator intermittently influences the pseudo random number generator, and in the second mode the first switch is open, the second switch is open and the selection circuit is controlled so as to select a second one of the selection circuit inputs to which am output of the combinational logic is connected with inputs of the combinational logic being connected to the output of the true random number generator and the output of the pseudo random number generator, respectively, so that the true random number generator and the pseudo random number generator are connected to the output of the hybrid random number generator via the combinational logic.