Overview
ISO/IEC TS 11581-41:2014 - part of the ISO/IEC 11581 series - defines the data structure to be used by the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 icon database. It provides a standardized metadata model and record rules to support icon registration, management and future standardization. The Technical Specification is intended to be used with ISO/IEC 11581-40 (icon registry management) and builds on the framework in ISO/IEC 11581-10.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Entity-relationship model: A formal ER diagram describes tables, primary/foreign keys and multiplicity for icon records in the SC 35 icon database.
- Record multiplicity: Each icon must include one icon record and one or more related records (general, state, state-language, state-modality, rendering, rendering-component, sample).
- Icon states: Every icon must define one or more states (minimum: AVAILABLE or UNAVAILABLE; standard additional states include SELECTED and ACTIVATED).
- Data types and sizes: The specification prescribes concrete data structures:
- Internal identifier: INTEGER, sequential (start at 1), five-digit capacity; values >90 000 reserved for developer use; identifiers are not reused after deletion.
- Date approved: DATE.
- Icon definition language: 3-character code per ISO 639‑3.
- Icon label: variable CHARACTER, ≥50 characters.
- Icon functional description: variable CHARACTER, ≥1 000 characters.
- Internal state value: VARCHAR, max 1 024 characters (encoded as property-value lists).
- Icon renderings & modalities: At least one graphical rendering is required; additional renderings for alternate modalities (auditory, tactile/haptic) are supported. Each rendering links to component records and sample images for each state.
- Language support: Icon labels and functional descriptions are required in English and may include other ISO 639‑3 languages.
Applications and who should use it
- UI/UX designers and icon authors: Use the data model to prepare icons and metadata for submission to an international icon registry.
- Software developers and system integrators: Implement database schemas and APIs that conform to the prescribed entity-relationship structure and field constraints.
- Accessibility specialists: Leverage modality and state metadata to support alternative renderings (audio, tactile) for inclusive interfaces.
- Standards organizations and registries: Adopt the specification to operate consistent icon registries and enable interoperability across platforms.
Related standards
This specification is essential for consistent icon metadata, icon database design, and international icon standardization efforts.