Patent ID: 8121583
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for use by a controller in a push to talk type service involving a terminal and the controller, the method being performed in response to the controller deciding to grant a talk burst to the terminal for an allowed talk time in response to a talk request received from the terminal, and the method comprising: sending to the terminal an indication of the allowed talk time for the granted talk burst, the indication being for use at the terminal to determine when it needs to send a release message to the controller in order to avoid a penalty being applied to the terminal by the controller if the release message is not received at the controller before expiry of the remaining allowed talk time monitored at the controller and to monitor the remaining allowed talk time during the granted talk burst; monitoring the remaining allowed talk time at the controller; receiving a release message sent from the terminal to the controller in response to expiry of the remaining allowed talk time monitored at the terminal; and applying the penalty to the terminal if the release message is not received at the controller before expiry of the remaining allowed talk time monitored at the controller.