US Patent 7647366 Apparatus and method for generating a random number

Apparatus for generating a random number includes a sampler that samples a noise signal to obtain a noise signal sample, and a provider that provides at least three noise signal threshold values selected such that a first probability of the noise signal sample being between the first and second threshold values, and a second probability of the noise signal sample being between the second and third threshold values are different from each other by less than a predetermined differential value or are identical. An outputter outputs the random number such that when the noise signal sample is between the first and second threshold values, a first digit of a random number is occupied by a first logical state, whereas a second digit is occupied with a different logical state, so that a random number which is at least 2 bits wide results from one noise signal sample.