Sync-time read only memory image binding for limited resource devices

A computer system comprising:

• a bus;
• a processor coupled to said bus;
• and
• a computer-readable memory unit coupled to said bus;
• said processor for implementing a first operating system comprising a plurality of software routines;
• said processor also for performing a computer-implemented method for installing an application on a client device, said method comprising:
• identifying said application;
• determining whether a modification of a second operating system residing on said client device is required to support use of said application at said client device, wherein said second operating system is comprised of only those software routines necessary for executing applications installed on said client device;
• generating a subset of said first operating system, said subset comprising specific software routines associated with said application and for modifying said second operating system to allow said application to be used on said client device;
• and
• installing on said client device said application and just said subset of said first operating system to modify said second operating system, wherein only changes required to support said use of said application are included in said subset and wherein said second operating system is incrementally modified on said client device using said subset so that subsequent to said installing said second operating system continues to comprise only those software routines necessary for executing applications installed on said client device.

A method for installing an application onto a client device from a host device, said method comprising:

• identifying said application on said host device, said host device having a first operating system stored therein, said first operating system comprising a plurality of software routines;
• determining at said host device whether a modification of a second operating system residing on said client device is required to support use of said application at said client device;
• generating a subset of said first operating system, said subset comprising software routines minimally required for using said application on said client device;
• downloading to said client device said application and only said subset of said first operating system, said subset used to modify said second operating system on said client device, said subset downloaded instead of downloading said first operating system in entirety;
• removing a second application from said client device;
• and
• removing from said second operating system those software routines used only by said second application.