In a method for determining the passing time of a moving transponder passing a detection antenna of a base station, a sequence of first signals are exchanged between a first transponder coil and the detection antenna, and a sequence of second signals are exchanged between a second transponder coil and the detection coil. The first and/or second signals are associated with time instances indicating the time when the first and/or second signals are exchanged between the transponder and the base station. The passing time of said transponder is determined on the basis of the signal strengths of the first and second signals and the time instances.

In a method for determining the passing time of a moving transponder passing a detection antenna of a base station, a sequence of first signals are exchanged between a first transponder coil and the detection antenna, and a sequence of second signals are exchanged between a second transponder coil and the detection coil. The first and/or second signals are associated with time instances indicating the time when the first and/or second signals are exchanged between the transponder and the base station. The passing time of said transponder is determined on the basis of the signal strengths of the first and second signals and the time instances.

Systems and methods for detecting the failure of a precision time source using an independent time source are disclosed. Additionally, detecting the failure of a GNSS based precision time source based on a calculated location of a GNSS receiver is disclosed. Moreover, the system may be further configured to distribute a time derived from the precision time source as a precision time reference to time dependent devices. In the event of a failure of the precision time source, the system may be configured to distribute a time derived from a second precision time source as the precision time signal during a holdover period.

Systems and methods for detecting the failure of a precision time source using an independent time source are disclosed. Additionally, detecting the failure of a GNSS based precision time source based on a calculated location of a GNSS receiver is disclosed. Moreover, the system may be further configured to distribute a time derived from the precision time source as a precision time reference to time dependent devices. In the event of a failure of the precision time source, the system may be configured to distribute a time derived from a second precision time source as the precision time signal during a holdover period.

Techniques for film tensioning in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, a film forming part of a container in an additive fabrication device may be tensioned by different forces along different axes. According to some embodiments, an adjustable tensioning system may be provided within an additive fabrication device that may couple to one or more components of a removable container comprising a film. The tension of the film may be adjusted by the additive fabrication device via the adjustable tensioning system and its coupling to the container.

Techniques for film tensioning in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, a film forming part of a container in an additive fabrication device may be tensioned by different forces along different axes. According to some embodiments, an adjustable tensioning system may be provided within an additive fabrication device that may couple to one or more components of a removable container comprising a film. The tension of the film may be adjusted by the additive fabrication device via the adjustable tensioning system and its coupling to the container.

An ultralong time constant time measurement device includes elementary capacitive elements that are connected in series. Each elementary capacitive element is formed by a stack of a first conductive region, a dielectric layer having a thickness suited for allowing charge to flow by direct tunnelling effect, and a second conductive region. The first conductive region is housed in a trench extending from a front face of a semiconductor substrate down into the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer rests on the first face of the semiconductor substrate and in particular on a portion of the first conductive region in the trench. The second conductive region rests on the dielectric layer.

A method and system for controlling a commercial transaction is presented. An article of manufacture has a time cell that is read by an electronic apparatus. In response to a determination of a state of the time cell by the electronic apparatus, usage of the article of manufacture in a commercial transaction is enabled or denied based on the determined state of the time cell. The expiration period of a time cell controls the time period during which the commercial transaction is enabled or is denied to be performed; an unexpired time cell may both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction, and an expired time cell may also both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction. The time cell may be used to restrict the usage period of a coupon, a promotional offer, a pre-paid service, or some other commercial transaction that involves an article of manufacture.

A method and system for controlling a commercial transaction is presented. An article of manufacture has a time cell that is read by an electronic apparatus. In response to a determination of a state of the time cell by the electronic apparatus, usage of the article of manufacture in a commercial transaction is enabled or denied based on the determined state of the time cell. The expiration period of a time cell controls the time period during which the commercial transaction is enabled or is denied to be performed; an unexpired time cell may both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction, and an expired time cell may also both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction. The time cell may be used to restrict the usage period of a coupon, a promotional offer, a pre-paid service, or some other commercial transaction that involves an article of manufacture.

Multi-film containers for use in additive fabrication devices are provided. According to some aspects, a container may include multiple films that are at least partially detached from one another. In some embodiments, the multiple films may include films formed from different materials. As one example, an upper film may be formed so as to be relatively impermeable to substances within a source material of an additive fabrication device, whereas a lower film may be formed so as to provide desirable mechanical properties. In some cases, the multiple films may be commonly tensioned while being unattached to one another.