Random number generator seeding method and apparatus

• US 6,728,740 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: McLoughlin, Bruce, Kelly, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, CHUONG D
• Application Number:
  US10/292,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20030069910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 708/250, 708/251, 708/252, 708/253, 708/254, 708/255, 708/256, 463/16
• US Class Current: 708/250
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/582 Pseudo-random number generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/588 Random number generators, i.e. based on natural stochastic processes

Abstract

A random number generator seeding method and apparatus which includes the provision of an RNG seed register and means for capturing a current count number from one or more fast running counters contained within the apparatus upon the occurrence of an act or acts by an apparatus operator as he performs the normal set-up and initialization function. In the preferred embodiment means are provided for sensing particular acts of the operator, and upon detection of each such “event”, one or more of the counters within the system are read and the count value is appended to previously captured counter values until the desired seed length is obtained. At this time, the RNG is said to be seeded, the initialization phase is completed and the apparatus may be made available to players to commence game play or other use of the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for seeding a random number generator, comprising:

a random number generator;

a shift register coupled to the random number generator;

a counter coupled to the shift register, wherein the counter generates a count signal;

an event sensor coupled to the counter, wherein the event sensor, upon detecting an event, causes the count signal to be transferred from the counter to the shift register and causes contents of the shift register to be shifted; and

a shift register full detector coupled to the shift register and that detects when the shift register is full, wherein the shift register full detector causes at least some of the contents of the shift register to be transferred to the random number generator when the shift register full detector determines that the shift register is full, thereby seeding the random number generator with the contents of the shift register.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of event sensors, each coupled to the counter, wherein each event sensor, upon detecting an event, causes the count signal to be transferred from the counter to the shift register and causes the contents of the shift register to be shifted.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of counters coupled to the shift register, each counter generating a corresponding count signal;

and

a plurality of event sensors, each coupled to a corresponding counter, wherein each event sensor, upon detecting an event, causes the corresponding count signal to be transferred from the corresponding counter to the shift register and causes the contents of the shift register to be shifted.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising

a device for determining when a predetermined number of count value bits have been transferred to the shift register.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the device for determining when a predetermined number of count value bits have been transferred to the shift register also disables the additional transfer of signals into the shift register.

6. A method for seeding a random number generator, comprising:

generating a plurality of count values by a plurality of counters;

sensing an event through a sensor and generating a corresponding event signal;

capturing simultaneously in a seed register the plurality of count values from the plurality of counters in response to the event signal;

concatenating and appending the captured plurality of count values to previously captured count values in response to the event signal;

detecting through a seed register full detector when the seed register is full;

transferring at least some of the contents of the seed register to the random number generator; and

seeding the random number generator with the contents of the seed register.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining when a predetermined number of count value bits have been transferred to the seed register.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising disabling the additional transfer of signals into the seed register when a predetermine number of count value bits have been transferred to the seed register.