Extracting entropy from the vibration of multiple machines

摘要

Generating a pool of random numbers for use by computer applications. Vibration sensors are placed throughout a machine and collect entropy data from the measurements of the vibration sensors. The data is then filtered and sent via secure connection to a second machine to be added to the second machine's entropy pool. Applications needing a random number may acquire a number from the pool. A method, computer program product and system to generate the pool are provided.

主权项

1. A method to utilize the vibration of a machine for random number generation, the method comprising:
acquiring, by at least one sensor on a first machine, analog vibration data; converting, by a computer processor of the first machine, the analog vibration data to digital data form; filtering, by the computer processor of the first machine, the digital data; transmitting the filtered vibration data to a second machine; and storing the filtered data within a memory unit of the second machine, thereby forming a random number pool from the filtered data from which random numbers may be selected; wherein the filtered vibration data is encrypted and signed by the first machine prior to transmission to the second machine; and wherein filtering comprises removing the non random parts of numbers.