A
client-side
multimedia content targeting
system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of
multimedia content on a
client system storage device. The invention accepts as input a prioritized
list of program viewing preferences which is compared with a
database of program guide objects that indicate when programs of interest are actually broadcast. The viewer may request that certain content be captured, which results in the highest possible priority for those content. The viewer may also explicitly express preferences using appurtenances provided through the viewer interface. Preferences may additionally be inferred from viewing patterns. The viewer's
client system locally retains the viewer's preferences and other personal information that the viewer has entered and is sent targeting information relating to program guide objects by a
server. Using the viewer's preferences and personal information, the
client system creates a viewer profile, which is used with the targeting information by the
client system to
record content that is within the viewer profile. The invention's client-based form of targeting can be applied to almost any
multimedia situation, including, but not limited to: TV shows, movies, advertisements, product and service offerings, music, radio, audio, etc.