Patent ID: 8130762

Claim:
A method for assembling a message from a sequence of data packets in a communications system having a group of interface devices within a gateway, each configured with the same functionality for receiving and assembling messages transmitted as sequences of data packets from within a coverage area of a wireless communications network, wherein the group of interface devices operate in a same network layer, the method comprising: receiving at one interface device of the group of interface devices within the gateway, each configured with the same functionality, from the wireless communication network at least one data packet of a sequence of data packets that collectively form a message; receiving at said one interface device a request from another interface device of the group of interface devices for any data packets of the sequence of data packets of which at least one packet of the sequence has already been received by the another interface device to trigger the request from said another interface device which claims ownership of the sequence of data packets; in response to said request, sending to said another interface device any data packets of said sequence of data packets received by the one interface device; and assembling the data packets of the sequence into the message at said another interface device.