Patent ID: 8826331

Claim:
A method comprising: generating a graphical user interface operable to receive input defining a first condition associated with a first recording rule, the graphical user interface including: a field input operable to receive a selection of a particular field of electronic program guide data; an operator input operable to receive a selection of a particular operator; a value input comprising text box or a list of available values wherein when the value input comprises the list, the list is populated based on the selected particular field; and an add more conditions option operable to receive a selection of a second condition and a logical operation to be performed with respect to the second condition and the first condition; wherein when the value input comprises the text box and the text box receives a first value and a second value separated by a logical operator, the first condition is associated with the first value, a third condition associated with the second value is generated, and a second logical operation associated with the logical operator is to be performed with respect to the first condition and the third condition; accessing, via a memory, at least one recording rule, generated via the graphical user interface, that specifies a fourth condition, wherein the at least one recording rule indicates that a program of media content is to be scheduled for recording when the program satisfies the fourth condition; accessing, via the memory, at least one recording exception, generated via the graphical user interface, that specifies a fifth condition, wherein the at least one recording exception prohibits recording media content that satisfies the fifth condition; determining, at a processor, a recording schedule by analyzing information regarding a plurality of programs of media content with respect to the at least one recording rule and the at least one recording exception; storing the recording schedule, wherein the recording schedule identifies a plurality of programs to be recorded; and modifying the stored recording schedule based on user input.