User content sharing system and method with automated external content integration

Abstract

Described are various embodiments of a user content sharing system and method with automated external content integration. In one embodiment, a system and method are provided in which a graphical user interface (GUI) is rendered on each system users' personal communication device. The GUI produces a content selection function selecting, under user operation, user content for sharing, and a sharing platform selection function selecting, under user operation, one or more sharing platforms. The system further comprise a digital content integrator communicatively linked to the user interface to gain access to the selected user content in response to the content selection function, the integrator having access to stored external content distinct from user content. The integrator integrates the external content with the selected user content to output integrated content. The system further comprises a communication interface communicatively linked to the integrator and selectively operable to interface with each of the distinct content sharing platforms, wherein the integrated content is concurrently relayed to the selected sharing platforms via the communication interface on behalf of system users as originating therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for sharing digital user content via a content sharing platform, the system comprising:
 an input communication interface communicating with respective user client devices to access therefrom user-selected content to be shared via the content sharing platform, and further access therefrom a user-selected integrated external content preference selected from a plurality of such preferences;   a server-accessible storage having stored thereon a plurality of external content items each having at least one of said preferences associated therewith;   an external content integration engine operated by a digital data processor to integrate a selected external content item corresponding with said user-selected preference with said user-selected content to output a sharable integrated content item; and   an output communication interface interfacing with the content sharing platform to relay said sharable integrated content item to be shared thereon on behalf of said user as originating therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said input communication interface communicates with said respective user client devices to access from a respective user specific user-authorization for posting externally-directed postings on behalf of said respective user;
 wherein said external content integration engine, in response to said user-authorization, digitally integrates a respective user identifier with an externally-directed content item to produce a user-specific integrated externally-directed content item; and   wherein said output communication interface relays said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item over the sharing platform on behalf of said respective user as originating therefrom to be viewed by contacts of said respective user as being approved thereby.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said respective user identifier identifies said respective user as being sponsored by an external entity identifiable from said externally-directed content. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a server-based tracking function associating a respective incrementing tracking value with each said respective user based at least in part on at least one of a number of externally-directed content items posted on its behalf and a visibility of said externally-directed content item once posted. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item is posted via said output interface as a function of a posting or user activity of said respective user. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item is automatically posted during a low posting activity period automatically designated as a function of a tracked posting history for said respective user. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item is automatically posted immediately before said respective user posts its own content to act as an introduction to said respective user's own content. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item is automatically posted as a function of a geographical location of said respective user to integrally reference said geographical location in said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item is automatically posted as a function of a demographic or personal attribute of said respective user. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said user-specific integrated externally-directed content item automatically comprises redeemable content redeemable specifically by said contacts of said respective users and accessible only via said sharing platform. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a server-based tracking function associating a respective incrementing tracking value with each user based at least in part on a number of content items respectively selected thereby for external content integration and sharing via the system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said user-selected integrated external content preference is selected from at least one of different specifically selectable external content brands and different specifically selectable external content items. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a graphical user interface to be rendered on said respective user devices and having a content selection function selecting, under user operation, said user-selected content; and an external content preference selection function selectably displaying said plurality of preferences and selecting, under user operation, said user-selected integrated external content preference therefrom. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a graphical user interface to be rendered on said respective user devices and having a content selection function selecting, under user operation, said user-selected content; and an external content preference selection function selectably displaying said plurality of preferences along with a respective tracking rate to be respectively associated with selection of each of said preferences and to be applied in tracking for said respective incrementing tracking value, and selecting, under user operation, said user-selected integrated external content preference from said plurality of preferences. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a client application locally operable on each of said user client devices to render a graphical user interface having a content selection function and an external preference selection function; wherein at least some of said client devices consist of camera-enabled devices and wherein said content selection function is communicatively linked with a camera function thereof to select digital content acquired therewith as said user-selected content. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said content selection function automatically activates said camera function to acquire new content therewith, and enable said users to automatically upload said new content as said user-selected content to said integration engine for sharing. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the content sharing platform comprises at least one of a Short Message Service (SMS) platform and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) platform. 
     
     
         18 . A server-based method for automatically integrating external content within a user's shared content, the method comprising automatically:
 receiving as input user-selected content and user selection of a destination third-party server-based content sharing platform therefor;   selecting an external content item for integration with said user-selected content;   integrating said selected external content item with said user-selected content to output a sharable integrated content item;   relaying said integrated content item to said destination third-party server-based content sharing platform to be shared thereon on behalf of said user as originating therefrom;   incrementing a tracking value associated with the user based at least in part on a number of user-selected content items selected thereby for sharing post external content integration.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising tracking a visibility factor for the user defined as a function of at least one of a number of user contacts having access to said shared integrated content, a number of recorded active views for said shared integrated content, a historical record of previously recorded views, and a user reputation value attributed by said selected sharing platform, and wherein said incremental tracking value is set at least in part as a function of said visibility factor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising receiving as input one or more user-selected external content preferences; wherein said external content item is selected as a function of said one or more user-selected external content preferences. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said one or more external content preferences comprise at least one of: a selectable external content type, brand and item. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said one or more external content preferences comprise a selectable level from a range of escalating external content integration levels, and wherein said tracking value is incremented at a rate defined at least in part by said selected level. 
     
     
         23 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having statements and instructions stored thereon for implementation by a processor of a personal communication device in sharing digital user content via a server-based content sharing platform by:
 receiving as input via a graphical user interface implemented on the personal communication device, selection of the user content to be shared via the server-based content sharing platform;   receiving as input via said graphical user interface, selection of an integrated external content preference selected from a plurality of such preferences; and   communicating said user content selection and said integrated advertisement preference selection to an external content integration engine operated by a remote digital data processor to integrate a selected external content item corresponding with said preference selection with said user content to output a sharable integrated content item, with instructions to have said sharable integrated content item relayed to the server-based content sharing platform to be shared thereon on behalf of said user as originating therefrom.