Abstract: The invention provides a session-based bi-directional multi-tier client-server asynchronous information database search and retrieval system for sending a character-by-character string of data to an intelligent server that can be configured to immediately analyze the lengthening string character-by-character and return to the client increasingly appropriate database information as the client sends the string.

Abstract: A session-based client-server asynchronous information search and retrieval system for sending character-by-character or multi-character strings of data to an intelligent server, that can be configured to immediately analyze the lengthening string and return to the client increasingly appropriate search information. Embodiments include integration within an Internet, web or other online environment, including applications for use in interactive database searching, data entry, online searching, online purchasing, music purchasing, people-searching, and other applications. In some implementations the system may be used to provide dynamically focused suggestions, auto-completed text, or other input-related assistance, to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for asynchronously retrieving information over a network based on incremental input. The system comprises a client part, a communication protocol, and a server part. The server part receives incremental text-based input from one or more objects in the client part, and asynchronously returns matching information to the client part depending on server-defined content channels that each query one or more underlying or connected content sources, such as databases or search engines, to return matches for the latest input and for the latest values and state of other content channels.