Sharing EIP service applications across a fleet of multi-function document reproduction devices in a peer-aware network
What is disclosed is a system and method for automatically registering and de-registering custom EIP service application solutions across a fleet of multi-function document reproduction devices in peer-aware network. As described herein, through an implementation of the present method, custom EIP service solutions installed on one computer platform can be automatically replicated and shared across a fleet of multi-function devices without requiring manual registration of the newly deployed service with each device. Registration makes the service user-selectable directly from the device's UI. Further, when a service goes off-line or otherwise becomes available, the service is automatically de-registered with devices whereon the service has been registered. A single instance of an application service can be rapidly replicated without manual intervention. The present system is scalable from a few nodes to many nodes as additional resources are brought online.
1. 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.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising each computer platform forming a respective subnet determining whether said EIP service application is still available on said host computer and in response to said EIP service application being no longer available, each computer platform de-registering said EIP service application from multi-function devices on their respective subnet wherein said EIP service application is registered.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein de-registering said EIP service application comprises:
removing said icon from said user interface of each multi-function device on said respective subnet;
deleting said entry for said EIP service application from said respective lookup table; and
terminating said service proxy.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising each of said computer platforms periodically requesting an update from said host computer platform about said installed EIP service application.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating a timestamp with information about said installed EIP service application; and
periodically comparing said timestamp with a current time to determine whether information is stale.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein upon receipt of said broadcasted information, each computer platform forming a respective subnet further performing:
determining whether said EIP service application has already been registered with the multi-function device; and
in response to a determination that said EIP service has not been registered with a multi-function device, registering said newly installed EIP service with said multi-function device.
7. A system for replicating a custom EIP service application across a network of computer platforms each forming a subnet of multi-function document reproduction devices, said system comprising:
a plurality of multi-function devices each having a user interface for displaying selectable icons;
a plurality of computer platforms in communication over a Deer-aware network, each of said computer platforms being a registrar for automatic runtime registration and de-registration of EIP service applications with multi-function devices being served on their respective subnets, one of said computer platforms serving as a host computer platform whereon a custom EIP service application is installed, said host computer platform broadcasting information about said installed custom EIP service application over said network; and
in response to said information having been broadcasted each of said computer platforms having 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.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising each computer platform forming a respective subnet determining whether said EIP service application is still available on said host computer and in response to said EIP service application being no longer available, each computer platform de-registering said EIP service application from multi-function devices on their respective subnet wherein said EIP service application is registered.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein de-registering said EIP service application comprises:
removing said icon from said user interface of each multi-function device on said respective subnet;
deleting said entry for said EIP service application from said respective lookup table; and
terminating said service proxy.
10. The system of claim 7 , further comprising each of said computer platforms periodically requesting an update from said host computer platform about said installed EIP service application.
11. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:
associating a timestamp with information about said installed EIP service application; and
periodically comparing said timestamp with a current time to determine whether information is stale.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein upon receipt of said broadcasted information, each computer platform forming a respective subnet further performing:
determining whether said EIP service application has already been registered with the multi-function device; and
in response to a determination that said EIP service has not been registered with a multi-function device, registering said newly installed EIP service with said multi-function device.