Overview
ISO/IEC 30118-4:2021 - Information technology - Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) Specification - Part 4: Resource type specification - defines the OCF Resource Types that can be exposed by an OCF Device. Built on top of ISO/IEC 30118-1 (the OCF Framework), this standard describes the standardized resource models, URIs, interfaces and data schemas used to represent device capabilities across IoT ecosystems. It supports both constrained devices and more capable smart devices, and is used by application profile documents (for example Smart Home or Healthcare) to reference consistent Resource Type definitions.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Resource Type definitions: Canonical resource models (e.g., Air Flow, Battery, Binary Switch, Brightness, Colour RGB, Door, Energy Consumption) with example URIs and intended semantics.
- OpenAPI 2.0 definitions: Machine-readable API specifications for each resource type to enable tooling, validation and interoperability.
- Property definitions and data types: Standardized properties (common and resource-specific), value ranges, and data-type constraints for consistent implementations.
- CRUDN behaviour: Expectations for Create, Read, Update, Delete and Notify operations (CRUDN) and response codes for resource interactions.
- OCF Interfaces and URI conventions: Interface restrictions and baseline model constructs for addressing, accessing and organizing resources.
- Observable and Composite resources: Support for observable resources (notifications, conditional notification) and composition of multiple resource types into higher-level models.
- Document versioning and conventions: Notation, terminology and version control guidance to ensure consistent updates and compatibility.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO/IEC 30118-4:2021 is intended for:
- IoT device manufacturers implementing OCF-compliant firmware to expose device capabilities reliably.
- Platform and application developers building Smart Home, Healthcare or industrial IoT profiles that reference standard Resource Types.
- Systems integrators and solution architects ensuring interoperability across devices, gateways and cloud services.
- Test labs and certification bodies validating conformance to OCF resource and API specifications.
Practical uses include creating interoperable smart lighting, HVAC, door locks, sensors and energy-management solutions with consistent APIs and behaviors.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 30118-1 - OCF Framework (foundation used by Part 4).
- Other parts of the ISO/IEC 30118 series and the Open Connectivity Foundation specifications for full context on device frameworks, security and profiles.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 30118-4:2021, OCF, Resource type specification, OpenAPI 2.0, CRUDN, IoT interoperability, Smart Home, Healthcare, resource models, constrained devices.