Andrzej Bargiela - Böcker

Granular computing is an emerging conceptual and computing paradigm of information processing. It has been motivated by the urgent need for intelligent processing of empirical data that is now commonly available in vast quantities, into a humanly manageable abstract knowledge. In this sense, granular computing offers a landmark change from the current machine-centric to human-centric approach to information and knowledge. The theoretical foundations of granular computing are exceptionally sound and involve set theory (interval mathematics), fuzzy sets, rough sets, and random sets linked together in a highly comprehensive treatment of this emerging paradigm. This text covers the full spectrum of granular computing from the basic methodology through algorithms and granular worlds, to a representative spectrum of applications.

This book is about Granular Computing (GC) - an emerging conceptual and of information processing. As the name suggests, GC concerns computing paradigm processing of complex information entities - information granules. In essence, information granules arise in the process of abstraction of data and derivation of knowledge from information. Information granules are everywhere. We commonly use granules of time (seconds, months, years). We granulate images; millions of pixels manipulated individually by computers appear to us as granules representing physical objects. In natural language, we operate on the basis of word-granules that become crucial entities used to realize interaction and communication between humans. Intuitively, we sense that information granules are at the heart of all our perceptual activities. In the past, several formal frameworks and tools, geared for processing specific information granules, have been proposed. Interval analysis, rough sets, fuzzy sets have all played important role in knowledge representation and processing. Subsequently, information granulation and information granules arose in numerous application domains. Well-known ideas of rule-based systems dwell inherently on information granules. Qualitative modeling, being one of the leading threads of AI, operates on a level of information granules. Multi-tier architectures and hierarchical systems (such as those encountered in control engineering), planning and scheduling systems all exploit information granularity. We also utilize information granules when it comes to functionality granulation, reusability of information and efficient ways of developing underlying information infrastructures.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the European Conference on Modelling and Simulation (ECMS), this inspirational text/reference reviews significant advances in the field of modelling and simulation, as well as key applications of simulation in other disciplines. The broad-ranging volume presents contributions from a varied selection of distinguished experts chosen from high-impact keynote speakers and best paper winners from the conference, including a Nobel Prize recipient, and the first president of the European Council for Modelling and Simulation (also abbreviated to ECMS). This authoritative book will be of great value to all researchers working in the field of modelling and simulation, in addition to scientists from other disciplines who make use of modelling and simulation approaches in their work.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the European Conference on Modelling and Simulation (ECMS), this inspirational text/reference reviews significant advances in the field of modelling and simulation, as well as key applications of simulation in other disciplines.

Information granules and their processing permeate a way in which we perceive the world, carryout processing at the conceptual (abstract) level, and communicate our findings to the surrounding environment. The importance of information granulation becomes even more apparent when we are faced with a rapidly growing flood of data, become challenged to make decisions in complex data settings and are required to appreciate the context from which the data is derived. Human centricity of systems that claim to be “intelligent” and the granular computing come hand in hand. It is not surprising at all to witness that the paradigm of Granular Computing has started to gain visibility and continues along this path by gathering interest from the circles of academics and practitioners. It is quite remarkable that the spectrum of application and research areas that have adopted information granulation as a successful strategy for dealing with information complexity covers such diverse fields as bioinformatics, image understanding, environmental monitoring, urban sustainability, to mention few most visible in the literature. Undoubtedly, there are two important aspects of Granular Computing that are worth stressing. First, there are several formalisms in which information granules are articulated so be intervals (sets), fuzzy sets, rough sets, soft sets, approximate sets, near sets and alike. They are complementary and each of them offers some interesting views at the complexity of the world and cyberspace.