[Background] Since 2002, I have been fortunate to participate and then take a leading role in a joint industry-academia research group, where we focus on developing practical technologies, writing patents, and promoting them into standards/industry. Our solutions has been used/adopted in DMB, SmartTV(Korea), and SVC, DASH, HEVC (Int'l), etc. These activities gave me a big picture and insights about theory-research-standards-products, which now I hope to "transfer" to students.

Why Standards?

Today, the fast development of knowledge/information society has resulted in an enormous number of ideas, advanced technologies, patents, papers, prototypes, etc. However, only the solutions that are compliant to and/or embedded in standard(s) would have the chance to be accepted in the mass market. The figure below shows the relationship between Education, Research, Standards, and Practice (or Market).

It can be seen that the answer to the above question would be different for different people in the field.

• For companies: participating in standardization helps to 1) be the leader in the market (e.g. the first compliant product), 2) shape the standards according to one's strategy, 3) have essential IPs (intellectual properties) for the mass market and even for any legal battles (e.g. Samsung plans to sue Apple with its 4G-LTE patents).
• For educators/researchers: knowledge in standards helps direct research to the practical demands of the industry, possibly get more funds, and sometimes have exceptional IPs :)
• For students: by studying standards, students can quickly get to the "focal point" of useful technologies and learn the actual language/protocol of the industry. 

What we are doing?

    Currently, we are trying to relate our work with the key standards of computer communications.

• Education: besides studying the theoretic communication systems, students will see how the interfaces between different system blocks (and the technologies inside) can be specified by standards. As a result, they will understand, for example, why MPEG standards (e.g. MP3, MP4) are so popular in our digital life; why TCP/IP standard, though remaining the same for almost 30 years, still needs a lot of research :)   
• Research: We are tackling new technologies to meet future demand of the industry and also solutions that optimize standard-compliant systems. Also, as the ultimate goal, our research students will realize that a standard is in fact a "framework" which still needs much further optimization/research in different contexts.
• Industrial collaboration: we are supporting industrial partners to evaluate feasible technologies, promote their technologies into standards, and also "stay tuned" with the latest trends/developments. Please feel free to contact us (thang[a]u-aizu.ac.jp).

International Patents

• About 20 published patents ( http://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/result.jsf?query=FP%3A%28truong+cong+thang%29 )
• Most patents are related to ISO/IEC/ITU-T standards

Selected standard contributions:

    MPEG DASH (Extended Version)

1. T. C. Thang, et al., “Improved Relations for Advanced Media Components�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m30274, Vienna, Jul. 2013.

    HEVC & Extensions

1. T. C. Thang, et al., “On NAL unit header�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m24497, Geneva, Apr. 2012.

2. T. C. Thang, et al., “High-level syntax modifications to support extractor operation�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m24498, Geneva, Apr. 2012.

3. T. C. Thang, et al., “High-level syntax for future scalable extension�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m24500, Geneva, Apr. 2012.

4. T. C. Thang, et al., “AHG 9 / AHG 10: On NAL unit header�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m25500, Stockholm, Jul. 2012.

5. T. C. Thang, et al., “AHG9: Signaling of VPS Activation�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m25589, Stockholm, Jul. 2012.

6. T. C. Thang, et al., “Proposal to Video Parameter Set and its Extension�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m26560, Shanghai, Oct. 2012.

7. T. C. Thang, et al., “Proposal to the Extension of Video Parameter Set�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m27584, Geneva, Jan. 2013.

8. T. C. Thang, et al., “Improved Bitstream Characteristics in VPS and SEI message�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m27585, Geneva, Jan. 2013.

   MPEG Media Transport (MMT)

1. J. Y. Lee, T. C. Thang, et al., “MMT: E-layer modifications for supporting random access�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m25957, Stockholm, Jul. 2012.

2. J. Y. Lee, K. Yun, W. S. Cheong, N. Hur, T. C. Thang, A. T. Pham, “MMT: MMT: Proposed modifications to E-layer�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m26839, Shanghai, Oct. 2012.

3. J. Y. Lee, K. Yun, W. S. Cheong, N. Hur, T. C. Thang, A. T. Pham, “MMT: Response to CE-ML�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m28173, Geneva, Jan. 2013.

4. T. C. Thang, “Report on MMT CE-ML�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m28329, Geneva, Jan. 2013.

    MPEG DASH (1st Version)

1. T. C. Thang, et al., “Signaling Metadata for Adaptive HTTP Streaming�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m17771, Geneva, Switzerland, Jul. 2010. (A comprehensive response to DASH’s CfP)

2. K. Seo, J. Y. Lee, T. C. Thang, J. W. Kang, et al., “File Format Adaptation Based on HTTP Hint Track for HTTP Streaming�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m17772, Geneva, Switzerland, Jul. 2010.

3. T. C. Thang et al., “Contribution to DASH EE#2�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m18439, Guangzhou, Oct. 2010.

4. T. C. Thang et al. “Proposal on Signaling for DASH�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m18445, Guangzhou, Oct. 2010.

5. H. B�Eklin, S. Gouache, T. C. Thang, J. Y. Lee, “Extensions to Media Presentation Description to support HTTP Streaming from multiple servers�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m18405, Guangzhou, Oct. 2010.

6. T. C. Thang, et al., “ETRI’s contribution to EE#4: Delivery Format Addressing (DFA)�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m18749, Daegu, Jan. 2011.

7. T. C. Thang et al., “Quality-driven adaptivity for DASH�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m19323, Daegu, Jan. 2011.

8. T. C. Thang et al., “Bandwidth Information for DASH�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m19324, Daegu, Jan. 2011.

9. T. C. Thang et al., “Response to DASH EE#14 - Timing and Live Service�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m20059, Geneva, Mar. 2011.

10. T. C. Thang et al., “Additional Features for DASH's Representation�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m20059, Geneva, Mar. 2011.

    MPEG-M (MXM - Multimedia Platform)

1. T. C. Thang, Y. J. Cho, J. W. Kang, J.-J. Yoo, “Proposed Scenario and Requirements for Advanced IPTV Terminal�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m16424, Maui, U.S., Apr. 2009.

2. T. C. Thang, J. W. Kang, S. J. Bae, J.-J. Yoo, “Supporting Technologies for AIT Service Discovery in Heterogeneous Environments�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m16608, London, U.K., Jun. 2009.

3. T. C. Thang et al. “Proposed Updates to MMT Use Cases and Requirements�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m17234, Kyoto, Jan. 2010.

4. T. C. Thang et al. “Response to AIT CfP: Enhancement of MXM Base Protocol for Advanced IPTV�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m17550, Dresden, Apr. 2010.
5. T. C. Thang et al. “Response to AIT CfP: Generic Protocol for Accessing Service Discovery Metadata in AIT�E ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m17552, Dresden, Apr. 2010.

ITU-T SG16 (IPTV)

1. T. C. Thang, J. W. Kang, J.-J. Yoo, “Proposed baseline text of new draft Recommendation ‘Content adaptation for IPTV services�E�E ITU-T T09-IPTV.GSI C-235, Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 2008.
2. T. C. Thang, “Content and Metadata Adaptation for IPTV Services�E ITU-T Working Document  SG16 Doc. TD-62, 2009.

    MPEG-4 (Scalable Video Coding)

1. T.C. Thang, T.M. Bae, Y.J. Jung, Y.M. Ro, J.-G. Kim, H. Choi, "Spatial Scalability of Multiple ROIs for Surveillance Video", ISO/IEC MPEG & ITU-T VCEG JVT-O037, Apr. 2005

2. T. C. Thang, T.M. Bae, Y.J. Jung, Y.M. Ro, J. W. Kang, H. Choi, J.-G. Kim, "SVC CE8: Spatial scalability of multiple ROIs", ISO/IEC MPEG & ITU-T VCEG JVT-O042, Poznan, Poland, Jul. 2005.

3. T. C. Thang, T.M. Bae, Y.M. Ro, J. W. Kang, J.-G. Kim, "Boundary handing for ROI scalability", ISO/IEC MPEG & ITU-T VCEG JVT-Q076, Nice, France, Oct. 2005.

4. T. C. Thang, T.M. Bae, Y.M. Ro, J. W. Kang, J.-G. Kim, "SVC CE4: On signaling for ROI boundary handing", ISO/IEC MPEG & ITU-T VCEG JVT-R059, Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 2006.

5. T. C. Thang, J.W. Kang, T.M. Bae, Dong Su Lee, Dong Jun Suh, Y.M. Ro, J.-G. Kim, "Inter-layer motion prediction using FGS refined motion", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 M13677 (or JVT-T058), Klagenfurt, Austria, Jul. 2006.

6. T. C. Thang, T.M. Bae, Y.M. Ro, J.W. Kang, J.-G. Kim. "Mechanism of AR-FGS in Conditions of FGS Motion Refinement", ISO/IEC MPEG & ITU-T VCEG JVT-U115, Hangzhou, China, Oct. 2006.

    MPEG-21 DIA

1. J. Nam, T. C. Thang, J. Song, Y. M. Ro, J. W. Hong, "Report on CE for Visual Impairment," ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m8958, Shanghai, China, October 2002.

2. T. C. Thang, J. Nam, Y. M. Ro, C. Kim, J. W. Hong, "Additional Display Presentation Preferences in MPEG-21 DIA", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 M8970, Shanghai, China, October 2002.

3. J. Nam, T. C. Thang, J. Song, Y. M. Ro, J. W. Hong, "Report on CE for Visual Impairment," ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m9190, Awaji, Japan, December, 2002.

4. T. C. Thang, Y. J. Jung, Y. M. Ro, J. Nam, M. Kimiaei, J.-C. Dufourd, "CE report on Modality conversion preference ? Part I", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 M9495, Pattaya, Thailand, Mar. 2003.

5. M. Kimiaei, J.-C. Dufourd, T. C. Thang, Y. M. Ro, J. Nam, "CE report on Transmoding", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 M9745, Trondheim, Norway, Jul. 2003.

6. T. C. Thang, Y. J. Jung, Y. M. Ro, J. Nam, J.-G. Kim, J. W. Hong, "Modality Conversion for QoS Support in UMA", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 M10076, Brisbane, Australia, Oct. 2003.

7. T. C. Thang, Y. J. Jung, Y. M. Ro, J. Nam, J.-G. Kim, J. W. Hong, D. Mukherjee "CE Report on Modality Conversion QoS," ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 M10295, Hawaii , US, Dec. 2003.

8. T. C. Thang, Y. J. Jung, Y. M. Ro, J. Nam, J.-G. Kim, J. W. Hong, "Modeling Modality Conversion for QoS Management", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 M11698, Hong Kong, China , Jan. 2005.

9. C. Concolato, P. Cuetos, M. Kimiaei-Asadi, B. Pellan, T. C. Thang, E. Delfosse, "Report of CE on the use on AdaptationQoS for conversions", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m11884, Busan, Korea, Apr. 2005.

10. T. DeMartini, C. Timmerer, B. Pellan, T. C. Thang, E. Delfosse, "Report of CE on Harmonisation of Conversion Tools", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m12191, Poznan, Poland, Jul. 2005

11. C. Timmerer, B. Pellan, T. C. Thang, "MPEG-21 DIA AMD/1 reference software status", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m12583, Nice, France, Oct. 2005.

12. T. C. Thang, Y. S. Kim, J. W. Kang, Y.M. Ro, J.-G. Kim, "SVC Video Adaptation with MPEG-21 DIA AdaptationQoS", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m12638, Nice, France, Oct. 2005.

13. C. Timmerer, T. C. Thang, B. Pellan, "Conformance bitstreams for DIA conversions and permissions", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m12909, Bangkok, Thailand , Jan. 2006.

14. T. C. Thang, Y. S. Kim, J. W. Kang, Y.M. Ro, J.-G. Kim, S. Pateux, S. Devillers, "CE report on SVC and AdaptationQoS", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m12915, Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 2006.

15. M. Ransburg, T. C. Thang, S. Devillers, "Report of CE on Stream Timing Terms for AQoS Classifciation Scheme", ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 m13185, Montreux , Switzerland Apr. 2006.