Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading multiple animated images on a Web page during browsing over a network with limited bandwidth. The method comprising the steps of: (1) retrieving hypertext objects containing a Java applet from servers over a network into a browser utilizing a Java engine for running Java applets; (2) displaying a default image and default image effects by the Java applet; and (3) the Java applet retrieving a target image series comprising a series of related images from the server and loading the target image series one image at a time with screen transition effects in between each image so that a speed of the screen transition effects is set to finish when a next image in the image series is retrieved over the network of limited bandwidth and prepared for loading by said Java applet, thereby making the speed of the screen transition effects proportional to a time required to retrieved the next image in the image series.

Abstract: A firewall isolates computer and network resources inside the firewall from networks, computers and computer applications outside the firewall. Typically, the inside resources could be privately owned databases and local area networks (LAN's), and outside objects could include individuals and computer applications operating through public communication networks such as the Internet. Usually, a firewall allows for an inside user or object to originate connection to an outside object or network, but does not allow for connections to be generated in the reverse direction; i.e. from outside in. The disclosed invention provides a special "tunneling" mechanism, operating on both sides of a firewall, for establishing such "outside in" connections when they are requested by certain "trusted" individuals or objects or applications outside the firewall.

Abstract: A firewall isolates computer and network resources inside the firewall from networks, computers and computer applications outside the firewall. Typically, the inside resources could be privately owned databases and local area networks (LAN's), and outside objects could include individuals and computer applications operating through public communication networks such as the Internet. Usually, a firewall allows for an inside user or object to originate connection to an outside object or network, but does not allow for connections to be generated in the reverse direction; i.e. from outside in. The disclosed invention provides a special "tunneling" mechanism, operating on both sides of a firewall, for establishing such "outside in" connections when they are requested by certain "trusted" individuals or objects or applications outside the firewall.