Using search.php without a 's' field in searchform.php
Sorry if this is a simple/daft question but I'm still getting to grips with how WordPress search functions.
I want to completely replace the standard search within my template with a custom search that only queries a certain custom post type and its meta fields. I have a search form which does this and search.php which returns the correct data. However, the search will not function unless I include a input field named 's' and it is not empty. I take it WP needs this to access search.php?
I have no need for a search field as my search is based upon custom taxonomies and meta fields. So how can I still use my search without this field?
Is this possible?