Is there a way to communicate with USB devices from browser?

Question

Is there a way to communicate with USB devices within regular browser (FF, Safari, IE8, etc)? I assume it could be Javascript -> Java bridge or something else.

Please a

Answer 1

Why would the point of browser based sofware be useless?

Browser -> USB seems like a huge security flaw.

I don't let the browser talk to my hard drive, why should it talk to my flash drive?

I don't let my browser talk to my built in webcam; why should it take to my usb webcam?