Overview - IEC TS 62229:2017 (Multimedia e-publishing & e-book)
IEC TS 62229:2017 defines a conceptual model for multimedia e-publishing and e-books from a standardization perspective. It clarifies the functionality of e-publishing/e-book components, the relationships between them, and defines e-publishing services to be standardized. The specification is intended as a reference for standards development and market harmonization - not as a software implementation guide.
Key topics and technical scope
The specification organizes the e-publishing environment into clear models and standardization priorities:
- Content creation / distribution process (Clause 4.1)
- Three interchange formats are identified: submission format, generic format, and reader’s format.
- Emphasis on supporting proofreading mark-up between author and preparer.
- Multimedia data structure model (Clause 4.2)
- Submission format: logical structure for editing and revision.
- Generic format: logical structure described using ISO/IEC 19757-2 (RELAX NG) and/or XML, plus optional style specs (DSSSL/XSL) for rendering.
- Reader’s format: tailored to device capabilities (PDA, PC, mobile, e-paper devices) with features such as preserving visible layout and multimedia elements.
- E-book distribution and interfaces (Clause 4.3–4.4)
- Distribution models, market relationships, related data and interfaces to e-book systems (operation, presentation, e-paper, APIs).
- Issues recommended for standardization (Clause 5)
- Data formats for multimedia e-books, minimum requirements for viewers, user interfaces, e-publishing services, guidelines for interchangeable storage media, and application-specific e-books.
- Informative annexes
- Examples and use-cases: electronic dictionary, maps, newspapers, digital comics, digital sheet music.
Practical applications & who uses it
IEC TS 62229 is a reference for organizations involved in the e-publishing ecosystem:
- Standards bodies and technical committees - to build interoperable e-publishing standards.
- Publishers and data preparers - to define workflows and generic formats for content exchange.
- Software developers and platform providers - to align reader formats, viewer requirements, APIs and UI expectations.
- Device manufacturers (e-readers, tablets, e-paper) - to map device capabilities to reader formats and presentation interfaces.
- Content creators and digital media services - to plan multimedia e-book production workflows that support standardized interchange and distribution.
Related standards (normative)
- IEC 61998 - Model and framework for multimedia equipment and systems standardization.
- ISO/IEC 19757-2 (RELAX NG) and W3C XML 1.0 - referenced for logical structure and schema.
- Style technologies cited for rendering: DSSSL and XSL (where applicable).
IEC TS 62229:2017 is useful when planning interoperable multimedia e-publishing products, defining format transition points (submission → generic → reader), and preparing contributions to future international standards for e-books and multimedia publishing.