# US 2013/0156047 A1 · Communication Protocol Converter and Method of Protocol Conversion

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- Number: US 2013/0156047 A1
- Document ID: US20130156047A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/612,309
- Filed: 2012-09-12
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2003-11-13
- Assignees: Lantronix, Inc.
- Inventors: Nicholas J. Witchey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156047A1

## CPC

- H04L 69/08: Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
- H04L 69/167: Adaptation for transition between two IP versions, e.g. between IPv4 and IPv6 (translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses H04L61/2503)
- H04L 69/329: in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a communication protocol converter to allow a legacy device utilizing IPv4 to operate across the network using IPv6. In a first embodiment of the invention, two modular Ethernet connectors are placed side-by-side. A first modular connector receives IPv4 Ethernet data which is converted to a raw data signal. The data is transmitted from the first modular connector to a second modular connector by a bidirectional data line. The second connector receives the raw data, and a raw data-to-Ethernet conversion is completed providing output at IPv6. The present invention utilizes the form factor structure of the Ethernet connectors, so that the entire electronic circuitry is contained within the connectors to complete the conversion. An alternate embodiment incorporates the connectors into a single housing and the conversion is completed internally by a microprocessor and embedded software. A method of IPv4 to IPv6 conversion is additionally disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A communication protocol converter comprising:
a mountable Faraday shield housing;
a first communication port and a second communication port that are at least partially disposed within the housing and accessible through the housing;
a conversion circuitry disposed within the housing and configured to convert a first internet protocol associated with the first communication port to a second internet protocol associated with the second communication port.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The converter of claim 1, wherein the first internet protocol comprise IPv4.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The converter of claim 2, wherein the second internet protocol comprises IPv6.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The converter of claim 1, wherein the first communication port comprises a first Ethernet connector.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The converter of claim 4, wherein the second communication port comprises a second Ethernet connector.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The converter of claim 4, wherein the second communication port comprises a memory interconnect.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The converter of claim 1, wherein the conversion circuitry comprises a memory storing instructions that configure the circuitry to convert the first internet protocol to the second internet protocol according to a protocol conversion method.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The converter of claim 7, wherein the protocol conversion method employs conversion based on raw data.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The converter of claim 7, wherein the protocol conversion method employs conversion based on an IPv4/IPv6 stack.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The converter of claim 7, wherein the protocol conversion method employs conversion based on tunneling the first protocol over the second protocol.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The converter of claim 7, wherein the protocol conversion method employs conversion based on network address translation-protocol translation.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The converter of claim 7, wherein the protocol conversion method employs conversion based on application layer gateway translation.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The converter of claim 1, further comprising at least one RJ-45 jack at least partially disposed within the housing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The converter of claim 1, further comprising mount points.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The converter of claim 14, wherein mount points comprise ground tabs coupled with the housing.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The converter of claim 14, wherein the mount points are configured to couple with a board.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The converter of claim 1, further comprising a power input through the housing and configured to draw power from an external source.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The converter of claim 17, wherein the power input is configured to draw power over Ethernet.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The converter of claim 17, wherein the power input is configured to draw power from at least one of the following: an external wall jack, a USB source, and a parasitic power source.