System and method for allowing a user to opt for automatic or selectively sending of media

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows for the seamless integration of the sending mechanism with the media acquiring mechanism of a portable device. In this manner the end-user has instant access to media sharing with complete control over how the media is shared. This integration is accomplished by presenting to the user a series of screens that are available directly from the media creation applications (e.g. cameras or audio recorders) and media viewing applications (e.g. photo galleries or screen savers) on the device. When a photo (or other media) is captured or viewed, a series of pre-established processing options, including on-device uses for the media, internet services and accounts, email addresses and/or phone numbers to which the media can be sent are presented to the user. Some options require no further user interaction. Defaults are also available which require no user interaction at all, combining together the manual selection of certain processing options or destinations with the automatic selection of other processing options or destinations. Thus, the sending process becomes essentially a selection process allowing the user to override defaults by either selecting from choices tailored to the user including already known address information of potential recipients or to allow the media to be automatically sent to a previously identified location according to the current 'default' user preferences. In the situation where a new address or phone number is desired, the user can add such information in a simple and straight-forward manner.