Random number generator seeding method and apparatus

• US 20030069910A1
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Kelly, John R., McLoughlin, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 6,728,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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. A method of seeding a random number generator comprising the steps of:

sensing an operator induced event;

capturing a current value of a fast running counter; and

using the captured count value to build a seed value that can be used to seed a random number generator.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the seed value is generated by count values captured from a plurality of counters.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of event sensors are utilized to initiate the capture of count values.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein each counter corresponds to a particular event sensor and outputs a count value in response to an input received from its corresponding sensor.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of count values obtained from a plurality of counters are simultaneously appended to a current seed value in response to the sensing of a single event.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein means are provided for determining when a predetermined number of count value bits have been collected, and for using the collected data bits as a seed for use by the random number generator.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein said means for determining that the seed value is complete also disables the events sensor so as to terminate, capture and load of count values into the seed.

8. Apparatus for seeding a random number generator in a device using such a generator, said device having at least one fast running counter associated therewith, comprising:

at least one sensor for sensing an event and operative to generate a corresponding event signal;

at least one detector/latch responsive to said event signal and operative to capture a corresponding current count value of said fast running counter(s); and

at least one seed register for receiving the captured current count value and for using such value to build a seed for use by said random number generator.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the seed is generated by count values captured from a plurality of counters.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein a plurality of event sensors are utilized to initiate the capture of count values.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein each said event sensor corresponds to a particular counter and causes the capture of a present count value in response to the sensing of a particular event.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein a plurality of count values are obtained from a plurality of counters, concatenated and simultaneously appended to previously captured count values in response to the sensing of a single event.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said count values are expressed as data bits and means are provided for determining when a predetermined number of count value data bits have been collected and for using the collected data bits as a seed for use by the random number generator.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for determining that the predetermined number of data bits has been collected also disables the event sensor so as to terminate capture and load of additional count values into the seed.

15. Apparatus for developing a seed for a random number generator in a device using such a generator, said device having at least one fast running counter associated therewith, comprising:

means for sensing an event and operative to generate an event signal;

means responsive to said event signal and operative to capture a corresponding current count value of at least one fast running counter; and

means for receiving the captured current count value and for using such count value to build a seed for use by said random number generator.