Cross-OS Execution via Cloudified Application Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no solution that enables the execution of Windows-based software applications on devices with non-Windows based operating systems while providing seamless integration with cloud storage services, due to incompatibility between different operating systems and file systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for cross-operating system execution of legacy software applications, where a cloudified application is executed on a server, rendering outputs to a native application on a user device with a different operating system, and performing file system operations through a cloud storage service, allowing compatibility across incompatible OS environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a Windows-based application is executed on a non-Windows device, then cross-platform compatibility is improved, but OS incompatibility prevents direct execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based virtualization layer as an intermediary between the Windows application and the non-Windows device. The application runs in a virtualized Windows environment on a remote server, which then streams the output to the device. This mediator layer translates and adapts the application execution context, allowing Windows apps to run on iOS, Android, or other non-Windows platforms without requiring direct OS compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the application execution from the local device dimension to a remote cloud server dimension. Instead of attempting to run the Windows application directly on the device's operating system, the system executes the application in a completely separate virtualized environment on a server, then transmits the result back to the device. This dimensional shift to cloud-based execution resolves the OS compatibility barrier.
2Speed
If local file system operations are performed on the device, then data access speed is improved, but file system incompatibility between OS types prevents access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cloud storage services as an intermediary file system layer. Instead of attempting to access the device's local file system directly (which would be blocked by OS incompatibility), the system uses cloud storage as a mediator. The virtualized application on the server accesses files through the cloud storage interface, which then serves the data to the device. This resolves the file system compatibility issue while maintaining data accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a virtualized execution environment is deployed, then application compatibility across OS is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex virtualization and application execution logic from the client device and places it on the remote server. The device-side complexity is minimized to essentially just displaying the streamed output and receiving input. All the heavy lifting - virtual machine management, application execution, file system operations - is extracted and performed on the server infrastructure, significantly reducing the complexity burden on the end device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the Windows operating system and application environment on the remote server. Instead of modifying the original Windows application or the device's non-Windows OS, the system copies the Windows execution environment to a server where it can run natively. This copying approach maintains application compatibility while avoiding the complexity of modifying either the app or the device OS.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cloud storage services are used instead of local storage, then cross-OS file access is improved, but network dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cloud storage services as an intermediary file system layer that operates independently of the device's local operating system. The virtualized application on the server interacts with cloud storage through standardized interfaces, and the cloud storage service acts as a mediator that serves files to any device with network connectivity. This resolves cross-OS file access issues while introducing network dependency as a trade-off.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cross-operating systems execution of a legacy software application on a user computing device is provided. The method comprises upon launching a native application on the user computing device, executing, on a server, a cloudified application corresponding to the legacy software application, the legacy software application is compliant with a first operating system, wherein the user computing device is compliant with a second operating system, the first operating system and the second operating system are incompatible with each other; rendering outputs responsive of inputs generated by the native application and received at the cloudified application; streaming the rendered outputs to the user computing device to be displayed by the native application; and performing file system operations requested by at least one of the native application and the cloudified application on at least a cloud storage service.