Method for a subscriber unit to compile message fragments transmitted from different zones

In a messaging system wherein long messages are divided into fragments each containing a plurality of characters, and wherein the fragments are transmitted to subscriber units that can roam from one zone to another zone, a method for a subscriber unit to compile a complete message, comprising:

• receiving at least a first fragment of a message from a transmitter located in a first zone and transmitting on a first channel;
• associating a first marker with the first fragment;
• receiving at least a second fragment of the message from a transmitter located in a second zone and transmitting on a second channel;
• associating a second marker with the second fragment;
• if the first marker is different from the second marker, correlating at least some characters of the second fragment with characters in the first fragment to identify matching characters;
• and
• if a complete match is found between the first and second fragments, deleting one of the fragments.

In a messaging system wherein long messages are divided into fragments each containing a plurality of characters, and wherein the fragments are transmitted to subscriber units that can roam from one zone to another zone, a method for a subscriber unit to compile a complete message, comprising:

• receiving at least a first fragment of a message from a transmitter located in a first zone and transmitting on a first channel;
• associating a first marker with the first fragment;
• receiving at least a second fragment of the message from a transmitter located in a second zone and transmitting on a second channel;
• associating a second marker with the second fragment;
• if the first marker is different from the second marker, comparing the first "N" characters in the second fragment to groups of "N" characters in the first fragment, beginning with the last characters received in the first fragment and working toward the first characters received in the first fragment to identify matching characters;
• if N duplicate characters are found, comparing other characters in the first fragment to characters in the second fragment;
• and
• if a match is found between all other characters in the first fragment and duplicate characters in the second fragment, erasing duplicate characters.