Abstract: A test automation system (FIG. 1) comprises storage and process components connected by file interfaces. BPLAN (103) creates and stores test descriptions in test information database (102). Tests are stored in test storage hierarchy (100). BSYNC (104) completes test descriptions in database (102) from contents of hierarchy (100). BQUERY (105) examines descriptions and selects tests for execution. TESTLOCS file (106) identifies selected tests. BQUERY (105) uses BBC (118) to communicate requests for tests and test descriptions to other systems. BBCMON (120) causes BQUERY (105) to satisfy requests and uses BBC (118) to communicate responses to requesting systems. BDLOAD (107) gathers tests identified by file (106) from hierarchy (100) into file (117) for downloading from host (10) to target (11) processor. BRUN (109) executes download tests, collects test results in files (110-112), and reports result summaries. BULOAD (113) assembles files (110-112) into file (114) for uploading to processor (10).

Abstract: A telephone network having a public announcement system is disclosed. Announcements are divided into message segments each of which is stored in a sector of a disc memory. When an announcement is activated, the message segments are loaded into a corresponding number of buffers for transmittal to calling customers. Each buffer will transmit the entire message, but in real time the buffers contain different message segments. Upon request for an announcement, the buffer containing the beginning message segment is selected to minimize holding time and customer waiting.

Abstract: An inverter-cycloconverter power supply providing for the selective augmentation of the battery source (17) output voltage as needed to compensate for reductions in the effective voltage output of the latter source. The output tap points (for example, 48, 50) of the coupling transformer secondary winding (43) of the cycloconverter section (30) are selected to produce a pseudo-sine wave voltage (FIG. 2, 81) composed of alternating square wave voltages of a first and a second, higher level. A regulator section (60) including a second transformer secondary winding (63) controlled by a pair of thyristors (61, 62) adds a rectified voltage to the battery source (17) voltage as required as determined by regulator control circuitry. The latter comprises monitoring circuit means (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 92, 95) for detecting the output voltage levels of the cycloconverter and for generating control signals (FIG. 2, 86) of a duration corresponding to the effective voltage drop of the battery source (17).