Abstract: A split-server architecture for processing a search query provided by a user, and identifying and retrieving documents from a database corresponding to the search query. A session server is provided for receiving the search query from the user. The session server has at least a first processor coupled to the user over a communications channel. A query server is coupled to the session server. The query server has at least a second processor coupled to a first database having records representative of the documents to be searched. The query server includes the ability to receive the search query from the session server, the ability to search the first database to identify documents responsive to the search query; and the ability to send search results information representative of the documents identified by the first database search from the query server to the session server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying textual documents and multi-media files corresponding to a search topic. A plurality of document records, each of which is representative of at least one textual document, are stored, and a plurality of multi-media records, each of which is representative of at least one of multi-media file, are also stored. The document records have text information fields associated therewith, each of the text information fields representing text from one of the plurality of textual documents. The multi-media records have multi-media information fields for representing only digital video or audio information and associated text fields, each of the associated text fields representing text associated with one of the multi-media information fields. A single search query corresponding to the search topic is received. The single search query is preferably in a natural language format.

Abstract: A method for storing information in an information retrieval system having a database for retrieval of the input information in response to a query. Text information representative of text is received for storing in the system. Image information representative of an image is also received for storing in the system. Additionally, image text information representative of text associated with the image information is received. The image information is stored in an image information format. The text information and the image text information are stored in a common text information format whereby the format of the stored text information is identical to the format of the stored image text information. The text information and image text information are searched in the common text format and the text information and image text information are retrieved in response to a single query.