US Patent 9971566 Random number generating systems and related methods

A method of identifying a memory cell state for use in random number generation (RNG) includes comparing at least one physical parameter of a memory cell with a threshold value of the physical parameter and identifying a relationship of the at least one physical parameter of the memory cell to the threshold value. A state of 0, 1, or X is associated to the memory cell based on the relationship of the at least one physical parameter to the threshold value. At least one state storage memory cell is programmed with a value corresponding with the associated 0, 1, or X state. The programmed value of the at least one state storage memory cell is included in an RNG data stream.