Search query autocompletion

A system for assisting users in generating search queries for submission to a query server of a database access system, comprising:

• a first component that extracts autocompletion strings from at least one of the following sources (a) a log of queries submitted to the query server by a plurality of users, and (b) descriptions of items stored within a database of the database access system;
• a second component that dispatches the autocompletion strings extracted by the first component to computing devices of users of the database access system;
• and
• a third component that runs on the computing devices and suggests the autocompletion strings to users as the users enter search queries for submission to the query server of the database access system.

A method of assisting a user in generating a query to submit to a query server, comprising, on a computing device:

• retrieving a dataset of autocompletion strings from a server, wherein at least a portion of the dataset corresponds to the query server;
• storing the dataset in a memory of the computing device;
• and
• in response to entry by a user of a search query for submission to the query server, suggesting autocompletion strings from the dataset to the user.

A search engine system, comprising:

• a multi-user query processing system that maintains a log of search queries submitted by users of the query processing system, said search queries including search strings;
• a first component that analyses the log to identify search strings that are deemed to be useful as search query autocompletion strings, and which incorporates selected search strings into a dataset of autocompletion strings;
• and
• a second component that monitors entry by a user of a search query, and during said entry, suggests corresponding autocompletion strings to the user from the dataset of autocompletion strings to assist the user in entering the search query.

A method of facilitating the formulation of search queries, the method comprising:

• maintaining a log of search queries submitted to a multi-user query server by users thereof, said search queries including search strings;
• selecting a plurality of the search strings from the log based on search string selection criteria;
• incorporating the plurality of search strings into a dataset of autocompletion strings;
• and
• dispatching the dataset of autocompletion strings to each of a plurality of user devices that are adapted to suggest autocompletion strings therefrom to users during entry of search queries.

A method of facilitating user searches of a database, comprising:

• transmitting a search page from a server to a computing device of a user together with an associated dataset of autocompletion strings, said search page including a field for entering a search query for submission to a query server;
• on the computing device, monitoring entry by the user of a search query into the field of the search page;
• and
• during said entry of the search query, suggesting at least one autocompletion string of the dataset to the user to assist the user, in completing the search query.