Shortly off-topic / Access to local ports (COM & LPT)

Hello List 

         Sorry to disturb the list with such an off topic question but,
         
         Wonder if there's a way to have access from the browser to local 
ports, such as paralell and serial (COM & LPT).

         Guess one can do that using Java applets. 
         
         Has anyone else ever heard about it ?


                                Obrigado/Thanks a lot,

                                Jose Adriano Baltieri
                                Analista de Sistemas
                                CPD - CENTRO
                                UNIMEP - Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba
                                PIRACICABA - SP - BRASIL
                                Fone : 055 0 XX 19 430-1858 (english spoken)
                                Fax  : 055 0 XX 19 430-1898 (cx postal 42778)