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.

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. 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.     
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the device comprises a scanning device. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processor comprises a central processing unit for the apparatus. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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.     
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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.