True Random Number Generation Based on Instrument Data

Apparatus for generating random numbers, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to:
• receive data output from an instrument characterising macromolecules in a sample, the data including measurement event information relating to measurements of individual macromolecules recorded over time;
• determine, for each measurement event in a sequence of measurement events in the data, an event timing representative of the duration of event or the time passing between consecutive events;
• compare data based on each event timing with a comparator value to generate a bit value;
• generate data representative of a random number by assembling a vector of bit values determined from the event timings in sequence;
• wherein the determined sequence of event timings for the sequence of measurement events represents a source of entropy extracted by the comparison step to generate the random number.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

• receive data output from an instrument characterising macromolecules in a sample, the data including measurement event information relating to measurements of individual macromolecules recorded over time;
• determine, for each measurement event in a sequence of measurement events in the data, an event timing representative of the duration of event or the time passing between consecutive events;
• compare data based on each event timing with a comparator value to generate a bit value;
• generate data representative of a random number by assembling a vector of bit values determined from the event timings in sequence;
• wherein the determined sequence of event timings for the sequence of measurement events represents a source of entropy extracted by the comparison step to generate the random number.