Techniques, Technologies and Patents Related to Intelligent Educational Systems
E-learning systems play an increasingly important role in lifelong learning. Tailoring the learning process to individual needs is a key issue in such systems. Intelligent Educational Systems (IESs) are e-learning systems employing Artificial Intelligence methods to effectively adapt to learner characteristics. Main types of IESs are Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) and Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems (AEHSs) incorporating intelligent methods. In this chapter, the authors present technologies and techniques used in the primary modules of IESs and survey corresponding patents. They present issues and problems involving specific IES modules as well as the overall IES. The authors discuss solutions offered for such issues by Artificial Intelligence methods and patents. They also discuss categorization aspects of patents related to IESs and briefly present the work described in some representative patents. Lastly, the authors outline future research directions regarding IESs.