Overview
ISO/IEC 14543-5-5:2012 defines the device type specification for Intelligent Grouping and Resource Sharing (IGRS) within the Home Electronic System (HES) architecture (HES Class 2 and Class 3). It applies to all devices operating in an IGRS network and complements the IGRS Core Protocol (ISO/IEC 14543-5-1) and Application Profiles (ISO/IEC 14543-5-2 series). The standard codifies how devices identify their physical form and functional capabilities so they can discover, group and share resources (media, files, services) across a home network.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Device type classification: Defines two conceptual device type categories:
- Entity device type - indicates the physical form (e.g., PC, TV).
- Functional device type - indicates functional characteristics (e.g., Media Server, Media Player, Media Recorder, File Server).
- Conformance rules: Devices claiming conformance must meet the device type classification in Clause 5, entity device specifications in Clause 6, and functional device/subservice/mandatory-interface definitions in Clause 7.
- Subservices and mandatory interfaces: Functional device types include defined subservices and mandatory interfaces (tables in the standard list Media Server, Media Player, Media Recorder, File Server subservices and required invocation interfaces).
- Device and service identifiers: Requires unique device identifiers, service identifiers and a syntactic form for device type identifiers (URN-style IGRSDeviceType identifiers).
- Device grouping models: Describes logical device groups (peer‑to‑peer and centralised/master‑slave) and group management expectations for coordinated service invocation and resource sharing.
- Interaction model: Works with the IGRS Core Protocol which uses TCP/IP and HTTP as the messaging framework for device/service discovery, description, invocation and pipe/channel setup for interaction.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses it:
- Device manufacturers implementing IGRS-compliant home AV, storage and control devices.
- Firmware and software developers building Media Servers, Players, Recorders and File Servers for home networks.
- System integrators and home automation designers who need interoperable device grouping and resource sharing.
- Test labs and certification bodies validating conformance to HES/IGRS device-type rules.
- Common use cases:
- Streaming media from a compliant Media Server to multiple Media Players in a home.
- Coordinated playback, recording and file access across devices in a device group.
- Standardized discovery and invocation of services (rendering, transport management, file access) across heterogeneous home devices.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 14543-5-5, IGRS, HES architecture, device type, media server, media player, file server, intelligent grouping, resource sharing, home network.
Open preview (PDF)Information technology — Home electronic system (HES) architecture — Part 5-5: Intelligent grouping and resource sharing for HES Class 2 and Class 3 — Device type
