US7774762B2 And 5 Similar Patents Show How Old Software Runs On New Systems

Running legacy software on modern systems is a common challenge for many organizations. Patent US7774762B2 proposes a solution that allows older applications to run on incompatible platforms. It uses a capsule system that isolates application files and adjusts system behavior to mimic the original environment. This eliminates the need to rewrite the software.

Although this patent is currently involved in a dispute between VirtaMove, Corp, and Microsoft Corporation, this article focuses on the underlying technology. Understanding how it works can help teams facing similar compatibility issues.

Using the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool, we explore technologies with comparable features. GPS helps identify overlapping systems and highlights how other inventions align with the structure of US7774762B2.

But first, let’s take a quick look at what the patent talks about:

Understanding Patent US7774762B2

US7774762B2 describes a system that allows software applications to run on computer platforms they weren’t originally designed for. The invention uses a capsule to mimic the original platform. It is an isolated file environment containing both the application and necessary system files. A capsule runtime system manages execution by filtering system services and redirecting requests. This ensures the software functions as if it were on its native system.

Source: Google Patents

Its Four Key Features Are

1. Capsule-based isolation: Application and OS-specific files are isolated from the host system inside a secure capsule.

2. Runtime service filters: System service requests are intercepted and modified to return capsule-specific values.

3. Cross-platform execution: Software designed for one OS can run on another incompatible OS without modification.

4. Dynamic state management: Capsule runtime tracks and manages file locations, resource use, and application state.

The runtime includes kernel and user-mode filters that intercept and redirect system service requests. Capsule files replace host system files to maintain expected behavior. Legacy applications run as if still operating on their original supported platform.

Similar Patents As US7774762B2

To explore the inventions surrounding US7774762B2, we used the Global Patent Search tool to identify related patents. These references address shared challenges such as cross-platform compatibility, legacy software execution, and operating system abstraction. They reflect similar strategies used to preserve application behavior across different computing environments.

#1. US2003177285A1

This US patent, US2003177285A1, published in 2003, introduces a translation layer between applications and the operating system. It enables legacy applications to continue functioning by intercepting and converting API calls into object-based system interactions.

Source: GPS

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Translation layer architecture – A middleware layer intercepts and transforms function calls for OS compatibility.
   
2. Legacy application support – Allows unmodified applications to operate despite OS protocol changes.
   
3. Function call conversion – API requests are converted into object calls that are readable by OS resource objects.
   
4. Distributed resource handling – OS resources are defined as movable objects across platforms or networks.
   
5. Indirection mechanism – Adds a layer between apps and OS without modifying either party.
   
6. Object-based OS interfaces – System calls are redirected to object identifiers instead of low-level handles.
   

How It Connects To US7774762B2

• Both use an intermediate software layer to translate legacy behavior into something the modern OS can handle.
  
• Each supports legacy applications without requiring changes to the application’s source code.
  
• Both isolate and redirect system-level function calls to maintain compatibility with newer environments.
  
• Each enables software designed for one system to operate on another through controlled abstraction layers.

Related Read: US9965237B2 and related patents addressing system interoperability across platforms. Read on the patent to know more.

Why This Matters

This patent highlights the importance of abstracting system resources for backward compatibility. It aligns with the growing need to maintain older software without rewriting it, especially in mixed-platform environments.

#2. US2005060722A1

This US patent, US2005060722A1, published in 2005, introduces a system for containerizing application sets within isolated environments. It enables applications with differing OS requirements to run securely and concurrently on a shared platform without needing a separate OS instance for each.

Source: GPS

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Secure container environments – Applications run within isolated containers separated from the host and other apps.
   
2. Shared operating system kernel – Containers share a single OS kernel, unlike traditional virtual machines.
   
3. Resource-limited execution – Containers are assigned CPU, memory, disk, and network limits during setup.
   
4. Spoofing system values – System call intercepts return container-specific hostnames and IP addresses.
   
5. Application identity tracking – System calls like fork and exit are monitored to track containerized processes.
   
6. Portable deployment – Containers can be moved across platforms while retaining configuration and behavior.
   
7. Root file system isolation – Each container has a unique root filesystem, inaccessible to others.
   
8. Flexible installation methods – Containers are created from install media or existing server environments.
   
9. Controller-driven startup – Startup scripts define the launch order of applications in the container.
   
10. Unified file packaging – Containers bundle all required application and system files into a single deployable unit.

How It Connects To US7774762B2

• Both use encapsulated environments to isolate applications from the host OS.
  
• Each intercepts system calls to return values tailored to the execution environment.
  
• Both avoid the need to modify legacy applications to ensure compatibility.
  
• Each allows applications to retain expected behavior when moved to new platforms.
  

Why This Matters

This patent highlights an efficient alternative to full virtualization. It shows how containers can preserve application behavior, ensure platform independence, and enforce system boundaries. These are the key principles also central to US7774762B2.

#3. US6836880B1

This US patent, US6836880B1, published in 2004, introduces a modular software execution method using containers. It separates software components from the operating system using container interfaces, enabling platform-independent execution without domain-specific logic inside the container.

Source: GPS

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Container-based execution – Software components run through containers acting as intermediaries to the operating system.
   
2. No domain logic in containers – Containers don’t perform functions; they only manage software execution.
   
3. Standardized interfaces – Communication uses OCX or Java Beans-based container and sub-component interfaces.
   
4. Platform abstraction – Software runs independently of OS specifics through uniform container communication.
   
5. Sub-component structure – Applications may be composed of multiple sub-components communicating internally.
   
6. Generic interface model – The container interface is generic, supporting varied application types.
   
7. OS-container connection – Operating systems and containers use matched interfaces for seamless communication.

How It Connects To US7774762B2

• Both use containers or capsules to abstract software from the underlying operating system.
  
• Each separates application logic from system-level execution responsibilities.
  
• Both rely on standardized interfaces to manage communication between system layers.
  
• Each supports modular execution to enhance portability and maintain application behavior.
  

Why This Matters

This patent reinforces the value of separating application execution from system specifics. It shows how structured container interfaces can enable portability and simplify cross-platform software deployment. These are the core goals also addressed by US7774762B2.

#4. US2004172618A1

This US patent, US2004172618A1, published in 2004, introduces a common runtime container framework for deploying modular software components. It provides standardized containers that manage application state, context, and communication across varied protocols and environments.

Source: GPS

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Common runtime containers – A unified container system supports modular application deployment and management.
   
2. Component-level abstraction – Containers simplify development by hiding low-level complexity from application developers.
   
3. Standardized programming model – Provides consistent APIs and behavior across all component types.
   
4. Inheritance structure – Containers can inherit functionality from base containers through a class-based hierarchy.
   
5. Context-aware dispatching – Metadata-driven routing determines how services process requests and responses.
   
6. Stateless processing – Stateless components handle requests using metadata for session and context information.
   
7. Protocol translation – Servlets convert external protocols (HTTP, SOAP, CORBA) into a uniform internal format.
   
8. External service integration – Containers manage callbacks, message routing, and session states for external services.
   
9. Control components – Specialized modules handle message flow, security checks, and preprocessing operations.
   
10. Extensible container APIs – Developers can extend base containers using public interfaces and factory patterns.

How It Connects To US7774762B2

• Both use runtime containers to isolate and manage application execution.
  
• Each system filters and processes external inputs using a controlled, containerized framework.
  
• Both emphasize abstraction and modularity to simplify compatibility across environments.
  
• Each supports dynamic behavior management through metadata or filtered service calls.
  

Why This Matters

This patent demonstrates how unified runtime containers can standardize application behavior across platforms. It supports scalable and modular deployment. These are the key themes that also underpin the capsule system in US7774762B2.

#5. US2004068553A1

This US patent, US2004068553A1, published in 2004, introduces a method for dynamically selecting containers for hosting remotely instantiated Web services. It enables programmatic container selection based on runtime requirements, library compatibility, and service grouping preferences.

Source: GPS

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Dynamic container selection – Web services are hosted based on compatibility, not fixed deployment.
   
2. Grid-based architecture – Queries are distributed across remote hosts for container capabilities.
   
3. Library matching – Containers are selected by comparing required and available library versions.
   
4. Clone instantiation logic – New Web service instances are deployed using a factory method.
   
5. Client and server modes – Both client-initiated and server-controlled container selection processes are supported.
   
6. Remote deployment processor – Enables installation of Web services into distant containers.
   
7. Service grouping – Related services can be clustered in one container for performance and management.
   
8. Descriptor-based deployment – Uses XML metadata to define service requirements and compatibility.
   
9. Shared container resources – Allows multiple Web services to share library files in one container.
   
10. Fallback container creation – Creates a new container when no existing one meets requirements.

How It Connects To US7774762B2

• Both use container-based deployment for runtime isolation and flexibility.
  
• Each enables applications to run in customized environments without modifying the underlying system.
  
• Both perform compatibility checks before assigning resources for execution.
  
• Each supports dynamic system behavior depending on runtime conditions.

Related Read: US10694399B1 and Related Patents Reducing Last-Mile Latency with Edge Control

Why This Matters

This patent highlights the value of intelligent, runtime-driven container allocation. It strengthens the technical foundation for scalable deployment, isolation, and compatibility. These are the key goals also addressed by the encapsulation approach in US7774762B2.

How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search

Understanding the broader patent landscape is essential when exploring innovations in software migration, runtime environments, or platform compatibility. The Global Patent Search tool makes this process easier by surfacing inventions that solve similar problems across legacy systems, containers, and cross-platform execution.

1. Enter the patent number into GPS: Start by entering a patent number like US7774762B2 into the GPS tool. GPS automatically creates a targeted search that can be refined with terms such as “legacy application container,” “runtime environment,” or “cross-platform software execution.”

Source: GPS

2. Explore conceptual snippets: Rather than focusing on legal claims, GPS presents curated text snippets. These highlight how other patents use system call interception, object-based resource management, or container-based deployment to support incompatible software on new platforms.

3. Identify related inventions: GPS uncovers systems that use virtualization, application isolation, or secure containers to maintain application functionality. Many focus on avoiding code changes while preserving runtime behavior across different OS environments.

4. Compare technical solutions, not legal claims: The tool emphasizes how different systems solve engineering problems, like capsule-based execution or kernel-level runtime control. It does this without requiring deep legal knowledge.

5. Bridge system-level innovation gaps: Whether you work in enterprise software, cybersecurity, or platform migration, GPS helps you trace technical strategies that support application portability, backward compatibility, and runtime integrity.

With Global Patent Search, it becomes easier to see how capsule execution models, containerization, and OS abstraction support modern cross-platform solutions. This helps researchers, developers, and analysts discover trends and improve how applications are deployed across systems.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.