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.

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. 
     
     
       11. A method, comprising:
   generating a serial number for use by a device on a bus, wherein the serial number is generated at least in part from a random number based on a seed number, wherein the seed number is taken from an actual operation characteristic of the device; and        determining whether the generated serial number is the same as a serial number corresponding to another device on the bus.     
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein generating a serial number for use by a device comprises generating a serial number for use by a scanner. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the seed number is taken from a quantity selected from a group consisting of a variability 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 coupled device, and a distance between an edge of the correcting board and a home position of the correcting board. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , 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. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
   checking other devices on the bus to determine whether the generated serial number is being used by another device.     
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising generating a new random number and a new serial number in response to a determination that the generated serial number is used by another device on the bus. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
   generating several random numbers using the seed number; and        combining the generated random numbers to form the serial number.     
     
     
       18. An apparatus, comprising:
   means for generating a serial number for use by a device on a bus; and        a processor capable of generating a random number based on a seed number, wherein the serial number is based at least in part on the random number based on the seed number, wherein the seed number is taken from an actual operation characteristic associated with the device, and wherein the processor is further adapted to determine whether the generated serial number is the same as a serial number corresponding to another device on the bus.     
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the seed number is taken from a value selected from a group consisting of a variability 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 coupled device, and a distance between an edge of the correcting board and a home position of the correcting board. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is further adapted 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. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is further capable of checking other devices on the bus to determine whether the generated serial number is being used by another device. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is further capable of generating a new random number and a new serial number in response to a determination that the generated serial number is used by another device on the bus. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is further capable of:
   generating several random numbers using the seed number; and        combining the generated random numbers to form the serial number.