Method and apparatus for supporting delivery of a short message service message to a sleeping mobile station in a cellular communication system

摘要

A cellular communications system including a mobile station that shifts periodically between a stand-by operating mode where communications are possible and a deep sleep operating mode wherein communications are impossible and battery power is conserved. Thus, while the mobile station is in deep sleep mode, message transmissions to the mobile station are impossible. The messages are, however, stored for later delivery, and a record of the stored, undelivered messages is maintained for future access. When the mobile station emerges from deep sleep, the maintained message record is checked, and the stored messages for the awakened mobile station are retrieved and delivered.