Electronic book, books downloadable from Internet site, encryption and decryption in accordance with reader resident key

An electronic publication publishing and distribution system is provided for dissemination of written materials that can be read on a portable electronic book. A host computer contains an inventory of written materials in electronic form, that can be selected and then downloaded into the portable electronic book's memory. The host computer keeps track of the transactions, and encodes the data prior to downloading, using an encryption system involving a security number that is unique to the portable electronic book. The encrypted data cannot be decrypted until it is resident in the memory of the portable electronic book. Upon receipt of the encrypted data, the portable electronic book decrypts the data, and can display the text of the original material on its display screen. The portable electronic book has a central processing unit with an operating system for controlling the functions of the portable electronic book. There is non-volatile electronic memory storage for retaining publications in the portable electronic book. A plurality of electronic keys is provided in the portable electronic book that corresponds to graphical representations such as icons on the portable electronic book display adjacent to each key. These keys are integral to the user interface for controlling the devices.