Overview
ISO/IEC 23005-3:2019 - Part 3 of the ISO/IEC 23005 series - defines standardized tools to describe sensorial effects that enrich audio‑visual content. It specifies two complementary XML-based technologies:
- Sensory Effect Description Language (SEDL) - an XML schema-based language for describing the basic structure and metadata of sensory information.
- Sensory Effect Vocabulary (SEV) - an XML representation of concrete sensorial effects (light, wind, fog, vibration, temperature, scent, spraying, color correction, rigid body motion, etc.) that can trigger human senses.
The standard covers syntax and semantics, validation rules, binary representation mnemonics and examples. The adaptation engine (the runtime that maps descriptions to devices) is explicitly out of scope.
Key technical topics and requirements
- XML schema definitions: Schema wrappers and base datatypes used to author sensory descriptions.
- Structure and metadata: Root element, description metadata, declarations, parameters, and grouping mechanisms (group of effects, reference effects).
- Syntax and semantics: Formal rules for how each sensory effect (light, flash, wind, vibration, fog, scent, temperature, spraying, color correction, rigid-body motion, etc.) is represented and interpreted.
- Validation: XML validation rules plus additional semantic validation to ensure descriptions are consistent and portable.
- Binary representations: Mnemonics and common header definitions for compact binary encodings where needed.
- Examples and processing guidance: Sample XML and binary examples to support implementation and testing.
Practical applications and users
ISO/IEC 23005-3 is designed for anyone creating or integrating multisensory media systems, including:
- Content creators and producers - to author sensory metadata that accompanies audio/video.
- Interactive-media and VR/AR developers - to deliver synchronized haptic, environmental and sensory cues.
- Device and actuator manufacturers - to implement parsers and execution engines that map standard sensory descriptions to hardware (lights, fans, scent dispensers, vibration motors, fog machines, heaters/coolers).
- System integrators and theme‑park designers - for synchronized multisensory experiences across heterogeneous equipment.
- Accessibility and assistive-technology teams - to enrich media with non-visual sensory cues.
Related standards
- Part of the ISO/IEC 23005 series (media context and control). Note: runtime adaptation engines and device mapping are addressed outside Part 3.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 23005-3, Sensory Effect Description Language (SEDL), Sensory Effect Vocabulary (SEV), XML schema, sensory effects, multisensory media, haptic, VR, AR, validation, binary representation, media context and control.