Distributed wireless packet assembly

An interface device connected to a group of interface devices within a gateway, each configured with the same functionality, for receiving messages transmitted as sequences of data packets from within a coverage area of a wireless communications network, the group of interface devices being coupled for communicating there between, the interface device comprising a controller configured for:

• receiving at said interface device at least one data packet of a sequence of data packets that collectively form a message;
• receiving at said 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;
• and
• responding to said request for sending to said another interface device any data packets of said sequence of data packets received by the interface device.

A gateway for exchanging messages between a packet-based wireless communication network and a second communication network, the packet-based wireless communication network enabling a mobile device to transmit a message as a sequence of data packets, the gateway comprising:

• a gateway network;
• a group of interface devices, each configured with the same functionality to assemble the received data packets into messages, for receiving messages transmitted as sequences of data packets from within a coverage area of the wireless communications network, the group of interface devices being coupled to the gateway network for communicating there between, each of the interface devices comprising a controller configured for:
• receiving at the interface device at least one data packet of a sequence of data packets that collectively form a message;
• receiving at the 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;
• and responding to said request for sending to said another interface device any data packets of said sequence of data packets received by the interface device.

An interface device connected to a group of interface devices within a gateway, each configured with the same functionality, for receiving messages transmitted as sequences of data packets from within a coverage area of a wireless communications network, the group of interface devices being coupled for communicating there between, the interface device comprising:

• means for receiving at said interface device at least one data packet of a sequence of data packets that collectively form a message;
• means for receiving at said 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;
• and
• means responsive to said request for sending to said another interface device any data packets of said sequence of data packets received by the interface device.