System and method for processing protected text information

Abstract

A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User's System via a Programmer's Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer's Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer's Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User's System. Advanced features will thus re-lock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User's System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

1 . A method for controlling access to text information on a device on a network, the method comprising:
 receiving text information at the device, the text information including one or more protected features;   in response to an attempt to access the one or more protected features, generating at the device an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the one or more protected features is linked;   utilizing the identifier, at the device, to validate a password accessible to the device by determining that the identifier is a result of a prime factorization of a value contained in the password, the password controlling access to the one or more protected features is linked; and   enabling access to the one or more protected features if the password is validated.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more protected features include the display of the text information. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more protected features include display of a portion of the text information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more protected features include an advanced feature of the text information. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the advanced feature is printing the text information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising accessing the password from a licensing processor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising accessing the password from a user input device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising accessing the password from a storage location at the device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier includes an N-digit number, where N is a predetermined value.