Update system employing reference software to reduce number of update packages

A system for updating software, the system comprising:

• an electronic device capable of having software installed thereon;
• a software delivery device for receiving and installing a reference software to the electronic device if the electronic device does not have the reference software previously installed;
• and
• the software delivery device receiving and delivering at least one update package to the electronic device, wherein the reference software facilitates, using the at least one update package, at least one update to application software installed on the electronic device.

A method for updating software in an electronic device, the method comprising:

• generating a first update package for updating at least one software application, the first update package being generated based upon difference information between first and second software versions;
• generating a second update package for updating the at least one software application, the second update package being generated based upon difference information between first and third software versions;
• generating a third update package for updating the at least one software application, the third update package being generated based upon difference information between the first and second update packages;
• and
• updating the at least one software application using the third update package.

A method for updating software in an electronic device, the method comprising:

• generating a first update package for updating at least one software application, the first update package being generated based upon difference information between a first software version and a reference software corresponding to the at least one software application;
• generating a second update package for updating the at least one software application, the second update package being generated based upon difference information a second software version and the reference software corresponding to the at least one software application;
• generating a third update package for updating the at least one software application, the third update package being generated based upon difference information between the first and second update packages;
• and
• updating the at least one software application using the third update package.

A system for updating software, the system comprising:

• an electronic device capable of having software installed thereon;
• a first update package generator for generating update packages based upon difference information between different versions of software;
• a second update package generator for generating update packages based upon difference information between different update packages;
• and
• a software delivery device for delivering at least one update package generated based upon difference information between different update packages to the electronic device.

A system for updating software, the system comprising:

• an electronic device capable of having software installed thereon;
• a first update package generator for generating update packages based upon difference information between a version of software and a reference software corresponding to at least one software application;
• a second update package generator for generating update packages based upon difference information between different update packages;
• and
• a software delivery device for delivering at least one update package generated based upon difference information between different update packages to the electronic device.