摘要 |
A system, method, and apparatus for integrating a user's access to electronic works from multiple services or sources. The invention is preferably practiced at a content location, a host location and/or a user location. In a preferred embodiment, the user has access to works at the host through an account and access to additional works at the content location. To integrate access to works available from the host location and the content location, the content location searches its own memory for electronic works available to the user. When the search is complete, the content location transmits a message to the host. The message preferably includes user identification information needed to access the user's account with the host, an address of the content location and an identifier or work code for each work identified in the search. The message may also include some meta-data. In response, the host links the information received with the user's account. When a user accesses his or her account and requests a work, the host identifies the work and its location with a uniform resource locator or other indicator. The host also sends a message or request to the content location to deliver the work identified by the uniform resource locator to the user location. Next, the content location delivers the requested work to the user location via streaming, downloading, or any other type of electronic delivery.
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