Ambient Light Random Number Generator for Compact Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing random number generators based on light require a light emitter, which increases costs, complexity, energy consumption, and space requirements, making them difficult to integrate into smaller devices, and introduces reliability issues due to the potential failure of the light emitter.
Innovation Solution
A random number generator that utilizes a light sensor with existing pixels in electronic devices to generate random numbers based on ambient light, eliminating the need for additional hardware and using a controller to select and combine digital signals from pixels receiving different light components for higher entropy, while also incorporating privacy measures to protect image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light emitter is used in the random number generator, then random number generation is enabled, but device complexity, space requirements, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the light emitter from the system, utilizing only the light sensor component that is already present in modern electronic devices. This eliminates the need for additional hardware while maintaining random number generation capability through ambient light detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing light sensor serve multiple functions: its original function for detecting ambient light levels, and a new function for generating random numbers. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated random number generation hardware.
2Reliability
If a light emitter is used in the random number generator, then random number generation is enabled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the light sensor to generate random numbers using ambient light that is already present in the environment, without requiring additional energy input from a light emitter. The system utilizes freely available environmental resources (ambient light) to perform the random number generation function.
3Reliability
If a light emitter is used in the random number generator, then random number generation is enabled, but integration into smaller devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light emitter component, reducing the physical space required for random number generation hardware. Only the light sensor is used, which can be integrated into smaller form factors suitable for modern portable devices.
4Device complexity
If a light emitter is used in the random number generator, then random number generation is enabled, but reliability decreases due to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light emitter component that is prone to failure, leaving only the light sensor which is already integrated into the device. This elimination of additional components reduces potential failure points and improves overall system reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the generation of random numbers in smaller devices without additional hardware, improves reliability by using ambient light, and enhances privacy by ensuring no meaningful image can be derived from the combined signals, reducing the risk of data exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor, comprising a plurality of pixels configured to output a corresponding plurality of digital signals, each digital signal encoding a digital value representative of an amount of light reaching the respective pixel
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a random number generator (100, 400, 500, 600, 800) comprising a light sensor (110, 310, 710, 810), comprising a plurality of pixels (111, 311, P0-Pn) configured to output a corresponding plurality of digital signals (SO-Sn), each digital signal encoding a digital value representative of an amount of light reaching the respective pixel (111, 311, P0-Pn, P'0-P'n), and a controller (120), configured to generate (S240) a random number (RN) based on at least part of at least one of the plurality of digital signals (S0-Sn).