Fluid Agitated Random Number Generator for Cryptographic Key Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional true random number generators are inefficient, bulky, and require complex setup/maintenance, making them unsuitable for use in data centers, and pseudorandom number generators lack the quality of entropy needed for cryptographic applications.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical apparatus that generates true random numbers using a container filled with a viscous fluid and objects like dice, agitated by motors or pumps, with cameras capturing images of the objects' features to generate random numbers, providing a compact and efficient solution for cryptographic applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional true random number generators use radiation decay, thermal noise or oscillator imperfections, then they can generate random numbers, but they are bulky, require complex setup/maintenance and are too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electromechanical random number generation systems with a simpler optical-mechanical system. Instead of using radiation decay, thermal noise, or oscillator imperfections that require complex setup and maintenance, the invention uses a mechanical shaker to displace objects in a fluid, captured by a camera and processed to generate random numbers. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving generation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified model of random movement by using visible objects (like dice or marbles) in a fluid that can be directly captured and analyzed by a camera. Rather than relying on subtle physical phenomena that are difficult to measure, the system copies the essence of randomness through macroscopic object movement that is easily recorded and processed, reducing both complexity and improving speed.
2Productivity
If conventional true random number generators use radiation decay, thermal noise or oscillator imperfections, then they can generate random numbers, but they are too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration through a shaker that rapidly displaces objects in the fluid, creating chaotic movement that is captured by the camera. This mechanical vibration generates randomness at high speeds by leveraging the inherent chaos in the fluid dynamics and object movement, achieving both high productivity and reliable randomness quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic fluid flow and object movement to generate randomness. The fluid is continuously agitated by the shaker, creating ever-changing patterns of object position and movement. This dynamic approach allows the system to generate random numbers at high speeds while maintaining reliability, as the chaos in the fluid dynamics ensures unpredictable outcomes.
3Reliability
If pseudorandom number generators are used, then they are fast and simple, but they lack the quality of entropy needed for cryptographic applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system between the mechanical shaker and the random number output. The camera captures the physical movement of objects, and image processing algorithms analyze these captures to extract random numbers. This intermediary chain ensures high-quality entropy by leveraging physical chaos while maintaining system simplicity, as the camera and processing are standard technologies that don't significantly increase complexity.
4Device complexity
If an electromechanical apparatus with fluid and objects is used, then compact and efficient random number generation is achieved, but the system must handle fluid dynamics and mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into distinct modular components: a shaker mechanism, a fluid container with objects, a camera system, and a processing unit. This segmentation makes the system compact and easier to maintain, as each component can be independently serviced or replaced. The fluid and objects are contained in a separate chamber, isolating them from the electronic components, which simplifies maintenance operations.
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
The apparatus provides high-quality, compact, and efficient true random number generation, suitable for data centers, enabling rapid response times and secure cryptographic key generation.
Implementation Method 1
a container that is at least partially filled with a viscous fluid (e.g., a liquid, such as water, or a gas, such as air)... One or more objects (e.g., dice) are suspended freely in, added to, dispersed in, or distributed in, the fluid... One or more agitators configured to agitate (e.g., stir or circulate) the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus generates truly random numbers. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially filled with a fluid (e.g., water or air). The apparatus also includes objects (e.g., dice) suspended freely in the fluid. The apparatus includes agitators configured to agitate the fluid, and cameras configured to capture images of the objects. When the agitators agitate the fluid, the objects move freely (e.g., move with the created currents) in the fluid in the container. The apparatus also includes a random number generation circuit coupled to the cameras. The random number generation circuit is configured to generate random numbers based on the images captured by the cameras. In some embodiments, the agitators are one or more motor-driven propellers that stir the fluid. Some embodiments use a hydraulic pump to agitate the fluid (e.g., circulating the fluid using both a push action and a pull action).