Patent ID: 7987241

Claim:
A method for replicating a custom EIP service application across a network of computer platforms each forming a subnet of multi-function document reproduction devices, said method comprising: installing a custom EIP service application on a host computer platform in communication with a plurality of computer platforms over a peer-aware network, each computer platform being a registrar for automatic runtime registration and de-registration of EIP service applications with multi-function devices being served on their respective subnets, said multi-function devices having a user interface for displaying selectable icons; broadcasting, by said host computer platform, information about said installed EIP service application over said network; and in response to said information having been broadcasted each computer platform forming a respective subnet performing: creating a service proxy for said EIP service application, said service proxy facilitating a communication between said EIP service application and each multi-function device in said subnet; creating an entry for said EIP service application in a respective lookup table, said lookup table mapping said installed EIP service application to a unique location on said host computer platform; associating said service proxy with said table entry; and registering said EIP service application with each multi-function device in said subnet, said registration comprising: placing an iconic representation of said EIP service application on a user interface of each multi-function device, said icon being selectable on said user interface; and associating said icon with said service proxy, said association enabling said service proxy to initiate a call to said EIP service application upon a user selection of said icon.