Granular computing: from granularity optimization to multi-granularity joint problem solving

Human beings solve problems in different granularity worlds and shift from one granularity world to another quickly. It reflects human beings' intelligence in problem solving to some extent. In the era of big data, some new problems are emerging in real life. For example, traditional big data processing models always compute from raw data, failing to consider the granularity feature of human. Thus, they are hard to solve the 3 V characteristics of big data. Granular computing (GrC) combines the multi-granularity thinking pattern of human intelligence with problem solving mode to deal with big data. Based on the related notions and characteristics of GrC, this paper reviews the previous studies of GrC in three progressive levels: granularity optimization, granularity conversion and multi-granularity joint problem solving. Then we proposed the diagram for relationship among three basic modes of GrC. Furthermore, the feasibility of GrC for big data processing is analyzed. Some research prospects of granular computing are given.