Method and apparatus for preventing reuse of text, images and software transmitted via networks
View Patent ↗A method for providing textual information in a network environment, the method comprising: receiving a request via a network for text-editable textual information; converting the text-editable textual information into a non-text-editable textual format on line upon receiving the request; and sending the non-text-editable textual information via the network. Network-based systems are also disclosed.
1. A method for limiting the operational life of software in a network environment, the method comprising:
transmitting a program applet with a password embedded therein from a server computer to a client computer, via a network, the password having a limited operational life, and the program applet including executable code that runs on the client computer;
receiving by the server computer, from said program applet running on the client computer, via said network, (i) a request for information stored in a restricted access storage area of the server computer, and (ii) said embedded password;
authenticating said embedded password by the server computer, whenever said receiving occurs;
thereafter transmitting said information from the server computer, to said program applet running on the client computer, via said network, while said embedded password is valid; and
invalidating said embedded password by the server computer, coincident with an invalidation event.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said invalidating comprises invalidating said embedded password at a predetermined time.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said invalidating comprises invalidating said embedded password after lapse of a predetermined time from when said request was received.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said invalidating comprises invalidating said embedded password upon the detection of a loss of communication with said client.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said transmitting a program applet comprises generating said embedded password.
6. A network-based software authentication system comprising a server computer, the server computer comprising:
a password generator;
password validation apparatus;
a restricted-access storage area;
a program applet including executable code that runs on a client computer; and
invalidation apparatus;
wherein said server computer is operative to:
a) cause said password generator to generate a password, the password having a limited operational life;
b) embed said password within said program applet, and transmit said program applet with said password embedded therein to the client computer via a network;
c) receive from said program applet running on the client computer, (i) a request for information, and (ii) said embedded password for authentication;
d) authenticate said embedded password using said password validation apparatus, whenever information requested is stored in the restricted-access storage area;
e) transmit said information to said program applet running on the client computer, via said network, while said embedded password is valid; and
f) invalidate said embedded password using said invalidation apparatus coincident with an invalidation event.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said invalidation event comprises the arrival of a predetermined time.
8. A system according to claim 6 wherein said invalidation event comprises the lapsing of a predetermined time from when said request was received.
9. A system according to claim 6 wherein said invalidation event comprises the detection of a loss of communication with said client.