Delay times are modified in Ethernet network devices by adding an integer multiple of a delay interval to the minimum interpacket gap (IPG) interval, and decrementing the integer in each network station in response to detected activity on the media. Each station has a unique integer value from...http://www.google.de/patents/US5784375?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5784375 - Rotating priority arrangement in an ethernet network
