Publishing Venue
The IP.com Prior Art Database
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of generating unique, quasi-random numbers as a function of time and space. Benefits include improved ease of number generation and the utilization of existing hardware.
Method of generating unique quasi-random numbers as a
function of time and space
Disclosed is a method of generating unique, quasi-random numbers
as a function of time and space. Benefits include improved ease of number
generation and the utilization of existing hardware.
Description
Many
applications require either a random number or a unique number or both to
facilitate the encryption and unique identification of a transaction or other
entity. The disclosed method generates unique quasi-random numbers if GPS
functionality is available. A time value from a GPS device is concatenated with
the location value from the device. If additional quasi-randomness is required,
some simple function of the two values can be performed, such as XOR or
multiplication. The function masks the actual values from which the result is
derived. When two closely co-located devices are used to generate undisguised
values, the resulting values are unique even if generated at exactly the same
time because the location values are unique.
The
resulting values could serve as random numbers in a key negotiation. For
example, the quasi-random numbers could serve as an ID for a transaction
between a GPS-equipped cell phone and an e-commerce site. The ID would contain
information about both the time and location from which the transaction was
originated. Many other possibilities exist for the use of quasi-random values.
Advantages
Truly
random numbers are notoriously difficult to generate. The disclosed met...