U.S. patent number RE42,134 [Application Number 11/865,705] was granted by the patent office on 2011-02-08 for process for generating a serial number from random numbers.
Invention is credited to Chui-Kuei Chiu.
United States Patent |
RE42,134 |
Chiu |
February 8, 2011 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Process for generating a serial number from random numbers
Abstract
A process for generating a serial number from a random number is
suitable for being used on a device that uses serial number in a
bus. First, this process generates a serial number for use from a
random number according to a seed number, and then it checks if
this generated serial number is repeated in the bus. When this
generated serial number is the same as the serial number
corresponding to any other devices that are of the same kind as the
above mentioned device in the bus, a new serial number for use will
be generated.
Inventors: |
Chiu; Chui-Kuei (Hengshan
Shiang, Hsinchu County 312, TW) |
Family
ID: |
31190455 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/865,705 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11274714 |
Nov 14, 2005 |
Re. 40389 |
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Reissue of: |
09655151 |
Sep 5, 2000 |
06647402 |
Nov 11, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
708/250; 708/254;
710/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
7/588 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
1/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Malzahn; David H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stolowitz Ford Cowger LLP
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for
the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,402 filed as application Ser.
No. 09/655,151 on Sep. 5, 2000.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/274,714 filed Nov. 14, 2005, which in turn is a reissue of
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/655,151 filed Sep. 5, 2000, all of
which are assigned to the assignee of the present
invention..Iaddend.
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A process for generating a serial number from a random
number, which is suitable for being used on a device that uses the
serial number in a bus, the process comprising: generating the
serial number for use from a random number based on a seed number,
wherein the seed number is taken from an actual operation quantity
carried by the device; checking if the generated serial number is
repeated in the bus; and when the generated serial number is the
same as a serial number corresponding to any other device of the
bus, regenerating another serial number for the device..].
.[.2. A process for generating a serial number from a random number
according to claim 1, wherein the seed number is a serial number
corresponding to any of other devices in the bus..].
.[.3. A process for generating a serial number from a random number
according to claim 2, wherein the generated serial number for use
is formed by the combination of the serial number corresponding to
any of the other devices in the bus..].
.[.4. A process for generating a serial number from a random number
according to claim 3, wherein the said serial number is formed by
permuting in a random way the said serial number corresponding to
any of the other devices in the bus..].
.[.5. A process for generating a serial number from a random
number, which is suitable for being used on a device that uses the
serial number in a bus, the process comprising: generating the
serial number for use from a random number based on a seed number;
checking if the generated serial number is repeated in the bus; and
when the generated serial number is the same as a serial number
corresponding to any other device of the bus, regenerating another
serial number for the device, wherein the device is a scanner, and
the seed number is taken from a quantity selected from the group
consisting of a variability of increasing of a tube's brightness
after the scanner is started, a brightness of a reflected light of
a correcting board, a random noise of a charge couple device, and a
distance between an edge of the correcting board and a home
position of the correcting board..].
.[.6. A process for generating a serial number from a random number
according to claim 5, wherein said generated serial number for use
comprises a plurality of digit bits..].
.[.7. A process for generating a serial number from a random number
according to claim 6, wherein each said digit bit of the generated
serial number is generated from the seed number..].
.[.8. A process for generating a serial number from a random number
according to claim 5, wherein the seed number is a serial number
corresponding to any of other devices in the bus..].
.[.9. A process for generating a serial number from a random number
according to claim 8, wherein the generated serial number for use
is formed by the combination of the serial number corresponding to
any of the other devices in the bus..].
.[.10. A process for generating a serial number from a random
number according to claim 9, wherein the said serial number is
formed by permuting in a random way the said serial number
corresponding to any of the other devices in the bus..].
.Iadd.11. An apparatus, comprising: a processor configured to
generate a random number based on a seed number and to generate a
serial number for use by a device on a bus, the generated serial
number based at least in part on the random number that is based on
the seed number; wherein the seed number is taken from a property
of the device, and wherein the processor is configured to determine
whether the generated serial number is the same as a serial number
corresponding to another device on the bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device comprises a
scanning device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the seed number is
based on at least one property selected from the group comprising a
variability of a tube's brightness after the scanning device is
started, a brightness of a reflected light of a correcting board, a
random noise of a light sensing device, and a distance between an
edge of the correcting board and a home position of the correcting
board..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is
configured to generate a new serial number for use by the device on
the bus in response to a determination that the generated serial
number is repeated by another device on the bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is
configured to check other devices on the bus to determine whether
the generated serial number is being used by another
device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is
configured to: generate several random numbers using the seed
number; and combine the generated random numbers to form the serial
number..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor
comprises a central processing unit for the apparatus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bus operates
according to either the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard or the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394
standard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. An apparatus to generate a serial number for use by a
device on a bus, the apparatus comprising a processor configured
to: obtain a serial number associated with another device on the
bus; generate the serial number for use by the device by combining
a random number with the obtained serial number, wherein the
processor is configured to use a seed number to obtain the random
number, the seed number based on a property of the device; and
determine whether the generated serial number is the same as a
serial number corresponding to other devices on the
bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is
configured to: identify any other devices on the bus that are the
same type as the device; and determine whether the generated serial
number is the same as a serial number corresponding to only the
identified devices..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is
configured to: generate a new serial number for use by the device
on the bus in response to a determination that the generated serial
number is repeated by another device on the bus, the new serial
number generated by combining the obtained serial number and a
random value..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the device comprises a
scanning device, and wherein the seed number is based on at least
one property selected from the group comprising a variability of a
tube's brightness after the scanning device is started, a
brightness of a reflected light of a correcting board, a random
noise of a light sensing device, and a distance between an edge of
the correcting board and a home position of the correcting
board..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. An apparatus to generate a serial number for use by a
device on a bus, the apparatus comprising: means for obtaining a
serial number associated with another device on the bus; means for
generating the serial number for use by the device by combining a
random number with the obtained serial number, wherein the random
number is based on a property of the device; and means for
determining whether the generated serial number is the same as a
serial number corresponding to other devices on the
bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: means for
identifying other devices on the bus that are a same type as the
device; and means for obtaining the serial number only from the
identified other devices..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: means for
determining whether the generated serial number is the same as a
serial number corresponding to only the identified other
devices..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. A method, comprising: generating a random number based on
a seed number to generate a serial number for use by a device on a
bus, the generated serial number based at least in part on the
random number that is based on the seed number; wherein the seed
number is taken from a property of the device; and determining
whether the generated serial number is the same as a serial number
corresponding to another device on the bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The method of claim 26, wherein the device comprises a
scanning device, and wherein the seed number is based on at least
one property selected from the group comprising a variability of a
tube's brightness after the scanning device is started, a
brightness of a reflected light of a correcting board, a random
noise of a light sensing device, and a distance between an edge of
the correcting board and a home position of the correcting
board..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The method of claim 26, further comprising generating a
new serial number for use by the device on the bus in response to a
determination that the generated serial number is repeated by
another device on the bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The method of claim 26, further comprising checking other
devices on the bus to determine whether the generated serial number
is being used by another device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The method of claim 26, further comprising: generating
several random numbers using the seed number; and combining the
generated random numbers to form the serial number..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. A computer readable storage medium having instructions
stored thereon, that, in response to execution by a system cause
the system to perform operations comprising: generating a random
number based on a seed number to generate a serial number for use
by a device on a bus, the generated serial number based at least in
part on the random number that is based on the seed number; wherein
the seed number is taken from a property of the device; and
determining whether the generated serial number is the same as a
serial number corresponding to another device on the
bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein
the device comprises a scanning device, and wherein the seed number
is based on at least one property selected from the group
comprising a variability of a tube's brightness after the scanning
device is started, a brightness of a reflected light of a
correcting board, a random noise of a light sensing device, and a
distance between an edge of the correcting board and a home
position of the correcting board..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein
the operations further comprise generating a new serial number for
use by the device on the bus in response to a determination that
the generated serial number is repeated by another device on the
bus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein
the operations further comprise checking other devices on the bus
to determine whether the generated serial number is being used by
another device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein
the operations further comprise: generating several random numbers
using the seed number; and combining the generated random numbers
to form the serial number..Iaddend.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process for generating serial
number, and particularly to a process for generating serial number
from random number.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In USB (Universal-Serial Bus) or IEEE 1394 Bus, every device will
be given one and only serial number or ID. Generally speaking, the
processes for generating serial number at present can be divided
into two kinds. Wherein one kind of the processes for generating
serial number is to use a fixed serial number on devices of the
same kind. Although this process is simple and convenient, the
devices of the same kind cannot be connected to one and the same
USB or IEEE 1394 Bus and be used normally.
The other commonly known process for generating serial number is to
store the serial number of devices in ROM, EPROM, EEPROM or flash
memory, in order to make the serial number one and only. However,
this process will cause the increase of the cost for programming
the serial number and the increase of the expenses for memory
circuit components in the process of manufacturing the devices.
Apart from this, it is necessary to have control to prevent the
serial number from repetition in the process of manufacturing, and
in order to have the function of control, a related control circuit
must be provided accordingly.
In such a situation, the present invention provides a process for
generating serial number from random number. The process is
suitable for being used on devices that use a serial number in a
bus. This process first generates the serial number for use from
random number based on a seed number, it then checks whether the
serial number for use is repeated in the bus. If the generated
serial number for use repeats the serial number corresponding to
any other devices of the same kind in the bus, a new serial number
for use is generated.
Among these numbers, the seed number can be any of the serial
number corresponding to any of the devices of the same kind in the
bus. The serial number for use is obtained from the combination in
a random way of the serial numbers corresponding to these devices
of the same kind.
Apart from this, when the device is a scanner, the seed number can
be obtained by the variability of the increase of the tube's
brightness after the device is started, the brightness of the
reflected light of the correcting board, the random noise of the
Charge Couple Device (CCD), or the distance between the edge of the
correcting board and the home position, or by other ways. If the
serial number for use includes several digits, any one of the
digits can be generated from the seed number obtained by any one of
the ways for obtaining seed numbers.
To sum up, the present invention is to generate a needed serial
number for use from random number. In most devices nowadays, a
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is installed, therefor it will not be
a problem to generate a random number. The invention can save time
and the expense of related components, and can at the same time
avoid the interference of the same serial numbers; thereby devices
of the same kind can be installed on the same bus.
In order to make the above description and other objects,
characteristics, and advantages of the invention clearer and easier
to understand, A detailed description will be provided with
preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying
drawings as follows:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a step flow chart of a preferred embodiment according
to the present invention; and
FIG. 2 shows another step flow chart of a preferred embodiment
according to the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a step flow chart of a preferred embodiment according
to the invention. First in Step 110, the device that uses the
process of the invention must obtain a seed number, and generate
random number based on the seed number. Here the seed numbers that
can be used may vary with devices. The better way would be to
choose device that can obtain seed number with the least need of
extra devices. For example, when this device is a scanner, the way
to obtain seed number can be by the variability of the increase of
the tube's brightness after the device is started, the brightness
of the reflected light of the correcting board, the random noise of
the Charge Couple Device, or by the distance between the edge of
the correcting board and the home position.
Following Step 110, Step 120 is to generate a serial number from a
combination of the random number. In this step, the most typical
way is to take directly the random number obtained from Step 110 as
the serial number for use. After this, Step 130 determines if the
serial number for use obtained from Step 120 repeats the serial
number of the other devices of the same kind in the bus. If it
repeats, the device goes back to Step 110 to obtain a new seed
number and then to obtain a new random number and a new serial
number. Of course, it is also possible to renew only the random
number without the need to obtain a new seed number.
Apart from this, when the serial number for use includes several
digits, Step 110 can be repeated for several times, and a random
number is obtained in the process of each repetition. Then the
random numbers obtained from every time are combined together in
Step 120. In another word, several random numbers can be taken as
digits that form the serial numbers in use.
FIG. 2 shows flow chart of another preferred embodiment according
to the invention. In this embodiment, the device that uses the
process of the present invention first in Step 210 obtains serial
numbers from the other devices of the same kind in the bus, then in
Step 220 combines random numbers with these serial numbers, and
obtain the serial number of the device according to the result of
the combination. Finally, in Step 230 it checks the serial number
for use in order to make sure the serial number for use does not
repeats the serial numbers of the other devices of the same kind.
When the serial number for use repeats the serial numbers of the
other devices of the same kind, the device goes back to Step 220 to
combine random number and serial numbers again to obtain another
serial number for use.
It must be noted that while this invention can be used in devices
with Central Processing Unit, it is not limited to the scanner
mentioned herein. In addition, the processes disclosed in the two
examples of embodiment for generating serial number from random
number can be used together. They do not have to be used
separately.
To sum up, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:
the invention saves working time and the cost of the relevant
component, and it easily avoids the disturbance caused by the same
serial numbers.
While the invention is disclosed above with the preferred examples
of embodiment, the invention is not limited by the preferred
examples of embodiment. Anyone who is familiar with the art can
make various modifications thereto, and it is intended that the
appended claims cover all such modifications as fall within the
true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *