Abstract: Improved techniques for rapid and efficient delivery of objects from a network (e.g., the Internet) to users are disclosed. The improved techniques can be utilized in a variety of apparatuses, including a proxy system or an acceleration apparatus. Such a proxy system operates to produce an accelerated version of content information from the network, cache the accelerated version (and possibly original versions) for subsequent requests for the same information content, and supply the accelerated version of the information content to a requesting user.

Abstract: Improved techniques for rapid and efficient delivery of objects from a network (e.g., the Internet) to users. The improved techniques can be utilized in a variety of apparatuses, including a proxy system or an acceleration apparatus. Such a proxy system operates to produce an accelerated version of content information from the network, cache the accelerated version (and possibly original versions) for subsequent requests for the same information content, and supply the accelerated version of the information content to a requesting user.

Abstract: Improved techniques for condensing or reducing animated image data streams are disclosed. The improved techniques enable the transmission and storage of animated images in a rapid and efficient manner. Animated images are normally stored as image files that include a series of images which produce an animation effect when sequentially displayed. For example, animated image files are often used by Internet sites to provide animation to their web pages. In the case of a proxy server for a network (e.g., the Internet) that caches images, the condensing or reducing of the animated image files is particularly helpful because it not only to reduces image storage space but also accelerates the delivery of these animated images to end users. The improved techniques are particularly well suited for use in reducing or condensing animated GIF images.

Abstract: Improved image format conversion techniques that provide improved conversion from an image format supporting transparency to an image format not supporting transparency. The techniques replace a transparency color in an original image format prior to format conversion. Consequently, the format conversion uses the replacement transparency color instead of the original transparency color, and thus is able to provide improved image conversion when converting from an image format supporting transparency to an image format not supporting transparency.

Abstract: A proxy system that offers connection services and acceleration services is disclosed. The acceleration services provide for accelerated delivery of content to requestors (e.g., clients) while guaranteeing a minimum level of service (for content delivery) to the requestors. The acceleration services are facilitated by improved techniques for rapid and efficient delivery of objects from a network (e.g., the Internet) to users. The improved techniques can be utilized in a variety of apparatuses, including a proxy having an acceleration apparatus (e.g., an acceleration server). The acceleration apparatus manages and monitors its utilization of processing resources so that performance of the proxy system can during worst case conditions guarantee a minimum level of service (for content delivery) to the requestors. The proxy system is also well suited for being scaled to provide additional processing resources.