[web2py] Controller result: assign to Javascript variable

[Vineet]

I am trying a custom AJAX like functionality.
I know, AJAX function in web2py is there.
But i need to populate values of html elements by their IDs.
Not just show the result in a 'target' DIV.

----simplified code follows----
[Controller]

def lod():
    do some processing on "request.vars.i1"
    and calculate "emp_id"
    return emp_id

[/Controller]

[View]

{{extend 'layout.html'}}
<input type='text' value='type a value' id='i1' name='i1' />
<a href='#' onclick='populate()'>Load result via AJAX </a>
<br /><br />

<input type='text' id='i2' name='i2' value='result here' />

<script>
function populate(){
var empid = "{{URL(('lod'))}}";
window.alert(empid);
$('#i2').val(empid);
}
</script>
[/View]

Any suggestion on the same?

Thanks,

Vineet