Abstract: An optical network is provided that includes at least one strand of a plurality of strands of optical fiber optically connected to a first fiber distribution hub and an access terminal. The at least one strand optically is also connected to a second fiber distribution hub and the access terminal. The at least one strand thus provides a full duplex optical path in a first direction from the first fiber distribution hub to the access terminal and in a second direction from the second fiber distribution hub to the access terminal.

Abstract: A gigabit passive optical network (GPON) includes: at least one strand of optical fiber optically coupled to a fiber distribution hub and terminating at a termination port, the strand optically coupled to another termination port, the strand thus configured to provide a full duplex optical path for the GPON. A method of communication, a method of testing and a method of configuring a network are disclosed.

Abstract: A switching platform comprises a first circuit for recognizing tones generated by an originating telephone line, the tones representing a common number of a party and associated with telephone lines of the party, a second circuit for recognizing that the party has answered one of the associated telephone lines, a third circuit for sending a challenge to the answered telephone line, a fourth circuit for awaiting the party to satisfy the challenge, and a fifth circuit for establishing a telephone connection between the originating telephone line and the answered telephone line if the challenge is satisfied.

Abstract: A switching platform comprises a first, second, and third circuit. The first circuit is adapted for recognizing a first set of tones generated by art originating telephone line. The originating telephone line is associated with a call origin telephone number. The first set of tones represents a request for a telephone conference over a conference line. The second circuit is adapted for determining whether the call origin telephone number is included in a set of defined telephone numbers permitted to connect to the conference line without further authentication. The third circuit is adapted for establishing a telephone connection between the originating telephone line and the conference line if the set of defined telephone numbers includes the call origin telephone number.

Abstract: A method to obtain visual content items matched to scheduled programs comprising: providing a program guide display that includes a grid with grid locations that identify scheduled programs, and that correspond to respective a scheduled program air times and a respective program sources; wherein the program guide extends over a time frame prior to the current date; providing an icon associated with a grid location that indicates that a visual content item matched to the program identified by the grid location currently is available; providing an identifier that is encoded in computer readable storage device and that is associated with the grid location and that indicates a location where the visual content item can be obtained; and accessing the location indicated by the identifier in response to a user selection of the grid location associated with the icon.

Abstract: A method is provided to designate visual content that is accessible from a computer readable storage device and that correspond to programs distributed according to a predetermined schedule comprising: comparing attribute information of a respective program metadata record with respective attribute information of multiple respective content metadata records to measure similarity between corresponding attributes; determining respective program-content attribute match scores for each of the compared content metadata records as a function of the measure of similarity between the program attributes of the respective compared program metadata record and corresponding visual content attributes of respective content metadata records and of relative weighting of respective attribute comparisons; and selecting a respective visual content based upon the determined program-content attribute match score.

Abstract: A method to obtain visual content items matched to scheduled programs comprising: providing a program guide display that includes a grid with grid locations that identify scheduled programs, and that correspond to respective a scheduled program air times and a respective program sources; wherein the program guide extends over a time frame prior to the current date; providing an icon associated with a grid location that indicates that a visual content item matched to the program identified by the grid location currently is available; providing an identifier that is encoded in computer readable storage device and that is associated with the grid location and that indicates a location where the visual content item can be obtained; and accessing the location indicated by the identifier in response to a user selection of the grid location associated with the icon.

Abstract: A method to obtain visual content items matched to scheduled programs comprising: providing a program guide display that includes a grid with grid locations that identify scheduled programs, and that correspond to respective a scheduled program air times and a respective program sources; wherein the program guide extends over a time frame prior to the current date; providing an icon associated with a grid location that indicates that a visual content item matched to the program identified by the grid location currently is available; providing an identifier that is encoded in computer readable storage device and that is associated with the grid location and that indicates a location where the visual content item can be obtained; and accessing the location indicated by the identifier in response to a user selection of the grid location associated with the icon.

Abstract: A method is provided to designate visual content that is accessible from a computer readable storage device and that correspond to programs distributed according to a predetermined schedule comprising: comparing attribute information of a respective program metadata record with respective attribute information of multiple respective content metadata records to measure similarity between corresponding attributes; determining respective program-content attribute match scores for each of the compared content metadata records as a function of the measure of similarity between the program attributes of the respective compared program metadata record and corresponding visual content attributes of respective content metadata records and of relative weighting of respective attribute comparisons; and selecting a respective visual content based upon the determined program-content attribute match score.

Abstract: A method is provided to designate visual content that is accessible from a computer readable storage device and that correspond to programs distributed according to a predetermined schedule comprising: comparing attribute information of a respective program metadata record with respective attribute information of multiple respective content metadata records to measure similarity between corresponding attributes; determining respective program-content attribute match scores for each of the compared content metadata records as a function of the measure of similarity between the program attributes of the respective compared program metadata record and corresponding visual content attributes of respective content metadata records and of relative weighting of respective attribute comparisons; and selecting a respective visual content based upon the determined program-content attribute match score.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced telephone services via a computerized telephone services device for use in conjunction with multiple telephone lines and providers. According to embodiments of the invention, a subscriber to telephone services or a group of subscribers may be reached on multiple telephone lines from a single dial-in number; calls in progress may be transferred seamlessly from one line associated with a subscriber to another; and group calling features may be enhanced.