SIST ISO 28560-3:2011

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 28560-3
First edition
2011-04-01

Information and documentation — RFID
in libraries —
Part 3:
Fixed length encoding
Information et documentation — RFID dans les bibliothèques —
Partie 3: Encodage de longueur fixe




Reference number
ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
©
ISO 2011

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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .2
4 Requirements.3
4.1 Data elements .3
4.2 RFID air interface.3
4.3 Data protocol .3
5 General encoding rules.3
5.1 Distinguishing from other applications and encodings.3
5.2 Writing/reading direction.4
5.3 Memory area layout.4
5.4 Strings and integers.5
5.5 Writing the tag .5
5.6 Reading optimization .5
5.7 Profiling .5
5.8 Locking.6
5.9 Migration .6
6 Data elements .6
7 Data blocks .9
7.1 Types of data blocks.9
7.2 Basic block.10
7.3 Special blocks.11
7.4 Structured extension blocks .12
7.5 Library extension block .13
7.6 Acquisition extension block.14
7.7 Library supplement block.14
7.8 Title block.15
7.9 ILL block.15
7.10 Unstructured extension blocks.16
Annex A (informative) Information about ISO 28560 RFID in libraries .17
Annex B (informative) Encoding examples.18
Annex C (normative) Cyclic redundancy check (CRC) .21
Annex D (informative) Reading optimization .22
Annex E (informative) Guidelines for regional profiling .23
Bibliography.24

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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 28560-3 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 46, Information and documentation,
Subcommittee SC 4, Technical interoperability.
ISO 28560 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information and documentation — RFID in
libraries:
⎯ Part 1: Data elements and general guidelines for implementation
⎯ Part 2: Encoding of RFID data elements based on rules from ISO/IEC 15962
⎯ Part 3: Fixed length encoding
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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
Introduction
Libraries are implementing RFID (radio frequency identification) as item identification to replace bar codes.
RFID streamlines applications like user self-service, security, and materials handling. A standard data model
for encoding information on RFID tags could increase the cost-effectiveness of the technology within libraries
particularly through greater interoperability of RFID tags and equipment, and enhance support for resource
sharing between libraries.
Several countries have undertaken preliminary work on standardization. The Netherlands developed a data
model for public libraries and in Denmark “RFID Data Model for Libraries” has been published (DS/INF 163-1).
Finland has adopted the Danish model, but with a few changes. There is a French data model that differs from
the Danish and Dutch models. Other libraries in different parts of the world have installations based on various
proprietary systems offered by technology and library system suppliers. All of these constitute the installed
base of RFID systems, but only account for a small minority of the total of libraries globally.
There is an opportunity to develop a standard data model, taking into account the lessons learned from the
national schemes and vendor solutions, and provide migration options for those libraries that have already
invested in the technology. Because new items are continually being purchased, a number of migration
options can be adopted based on factors relevant to each library.
This part of ISO 28560 deals with the encoding of a basic set of data elements in a fixed length format and the
rest of the data elements in optional extension blocks. ISO 28560-1 defines the set of mandatory and optional
data elements.
ISO 28560-2 and this part of ISO 28560 are mutually exclusive with respect to an RFID tag being applied to a
loan item. In other words, the RFID tag is encoded according to the rules of this part of ISO 28560, or to the
rules of ISO 28560-2, or to some proprietary rules. Depending on the technologies being used, and other
features of tags that are claiming compliance with ISO 28560-2, the reading system might achieve a degree of
interoperability.
ISO 28560 provides essential standards-based information about RFID in libraries. Ongoing advice needs to
be provided because of the evolving nature of RFID technology, and the opportunities to migrate between
different types of legacy system and encoding rules of ISO 28560.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 28560-3:2011(E)

Information and documentation — RFID in libraries —
Part 3:
Fixed length encoding
1 Scope
This part of ISO 28560 provides a data model and encoding rules for the use of radio frequency identification
(RFID) tags for items appropriate for the needs of all types of libraries (including academic, public, corporate,
special and school libraries).
This part of ISO 28560 specifies the rules for encoding
⎯ a subset of data elements taken from the total set of data elements listed in ISO 28560-1 into a basic
block, and
⎯ other data elements into extension blocks
onto the RFID tag.
A source of additional information about implementation issues is provided in Annex A.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 10646, Information technology — Universal Coded Character Set (UCS)
ISO/IEC 18000-3, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management — Part 3:
Parameters for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz
ISO/IEC 18046-3, Information technology — Radio frequency identification device performance test
methods — Part 3: Test methods for tag performance
ISO/IEC TR 18047-3, Information technology — Radio frequency identification device conformance test
methods — Part 3: Test methods for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz
ISO 28560-1, Information and documentation — RFID in libraries — Data elements and general guidelines for
implementation
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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 28560-1 and the following apply.
3.1
basic block
data block occupying the first 272 bits of the RFID tag
NOTE If the RFID tag is limited to 256 bits (i.e. 32 bytes), the basic block is truncated.
3.2
byte
8-bit byte
group of eight consecutive bits
NOTE A byte can represent one character (3.3) or be part of a representation of a character.
3.3
character
one or more bytes (3.2)
3.4
CRC
cyclic redundancy check
value calculated from the data on the tag
3.5
data block
container for encoding data elements, CRC (3.4), filler and end mark
3.6
end block
data block (3.5) containing the end mark terminating the information on the RFID tag
3.7
extension block
optional data block (3.5) following the basic block (3.1)
3.8
field
entry in a data block (3.5)
3.9
filler data block
optional data block (3.5) that may be inserted to align other data blocks on page (3.11) boundaries
3.10
fixed length field
field (3.8) of prescribed size in a data block (3.5)
3.11
page
minimum data unit that can be read from or written to a tag
NOTE This is measured in bytes (3.2).
3.12
string
sequence of characters (3.3)
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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
3.13
unsigned integer
binary value of a number of consecutive bits
3.14
variable length field
field (3.8) of variable size in a data block (3.5)
4 Requirements
4.1 Data elements
The data elements shall be as defined and compliant with those listed in ISO 28560-1.
NOTE There is a degree of flexibility in using locally defined codes that enable enhancements and variations to be
implemented whilst still complying with the basic set of data elements.
4.2 RFID air interface
4.2.1 Air interface conformance
The air interface for compliant tags shall be in accordance with the specification for Mode 1.
For migration purposes, additional non-compliant air interfaces used in legacy systems may be supported
during a transition period, which is permitted to remain in place for years, as necessary.
The air interface conformance shall be tested in accordance with ISO/IEC TR 18047-3.
4.2.2 Tag performance
Where there are requirements for test tag performance, these shall be performed in accordance with
ISO/IEC 18046-3.
4.3 Data protocol
The fixed length encoding described in this part of ISO 28560 does not require a separate data protocol.
5 General encoding rules
5.1 Distinguishing from other applications and encodings
The value of the application family identifier (AFI) is used to distinguish tags for library applications from other
applications. The values of AFI for library applications are defined in ISO 28560-1.
ISO 28560-1 describes how the data storage format identifier (DSFID), if present in the system memory as a
programmable register, is used to distinguish tags in the library application area, i.e. with the same AFI.
Tags encoded according to this part of ISO 28560 shall be programmed with the value 3E in the DSFID
HEX
register if the tag contains a programmable DSFID register.
This part of ISO 28560 is not able to encode the DSFID if the tag does not contain a programmable DSFID
register. In this case, ISO 28560-2 encodes the DSFID in the first byte of the working area of the tag. To take
this situation into account, the content parameter (see Table 1) shall not take the value 6 on RFID tags
encoded according to this part of ISO 28560.
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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
If and only if the tag does not contain a programmable DSFID register, it is permissible to distinguish tags
encoded according to this part of ISO 28560 from other encodings by verifying the cyclic redundancy check
(CRC) encoded in the basic block (see 7.2).
5.2 Writing/reading direction
Data shall be written to and read from the tag as specified in ISO/IEC 18000-3, Mode 1, such that the first bit
transmitted to or from the tag is the least significant bit of the first field of the basic block. This field contains
the content parameter (see Table 1). From that starting point, bytes are transmitted to or from the tag in order
from left to right, with byte 0 to the left of bytes 1, 2, and 3, as shown in the memory map in Annex B.
5.3 Memory area layout
5.3.1 Specifications
The memory area shall be encoded starting with a basic block with fixed length encoding of a basic set of data
elements for use in the library.
If the size of the RFID tag is limited to 256 bits (32 bytes), the RFID tag can only contain a truncated basic
block.
If the size of the RFID tag is greater than 256 bits, extension blocks (structured or unstructured) may be
inserted after the basic block up to the capacity of the chip. If extension blocks are inserted, the order of these
is optional. The length of an extension block is determined by the first byte of the block. The type of extension
block is defined in the following two bytes.
Filler data blocks may be inserted between blocks to align to page boundaries.
An end block shall terminate the encoding, unless the basic block and possible extension blocks take up the
whole space on the RFID tag, in which case an end block is not needed.
5.3.2 Layout for tags greater than 32 bytes
The layout for tags greater than 32 bytes (256 bits) shall be as follows:
[()*]*()*()
The end block is mandatory if the tag is not full (see 5.3.1). Basic block, filler data block, structured extension
blocks, unstructured extension blocks and end block are specified in Clause 7.
An example is given in Annex B.
5.3.3 Layout for 32-byte tags
The layout for 32-byte tags shall be as follows:

The truncated basic block is specified in Clause 7.
An example is given in Annex B.
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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
5.4 Strings and integers
5.4.1 String encoding
All strings shall be encoded in UTF-8 in accordance with ISO/IEC 10646 with the first character of the string
stored in the lowest memory location. Note that UTF-8 encoding implies that a character can occupy more
than one byte.
The end of a string can be defined in different ways:
⎯ with one byte 00 ;
HEX
⎯ with the length of a fixed length field;
⎯ with the end of a structured extension block.
For fixed length fields all unused bytes shall be 00 .
HEX
For variable length fields, one byte 00 shall be used between each field.
HEX
5.4.2 Integer encoding
Integer-encoded fields shall use 4, 8 or 16 bits unsigned integers.
5.5 Writing the tag
5.5.1 Cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
For RFID tags with only 32 bytes (256 bits) user data space of the basic block is truncated two bytes, but the
CRC shall be calculated for a full-length basic block with the two missing bytes assumed to be 00 .
HEX
See 7.2 and Annex C for a description of CRC.
5.5.2 Unused space
Any unused space in blocks shall be filled with 00 , i.e. a 6-byte primary item identifier encoded in the basic
HEX
block (see 7.2) shall be written as the 6-byte primary item identifier followed by 10 bytes 00 . It is very
HEX
important for reading optimization that this rule be followed.
5.5.3 End of tag
If a data block ends on the last user byte of a tag no “end block” is required. The length specified in the last
data block shall not indicate a size larger than the tag.
5.6 Reading optimization
Guidelines for reading optimization are given in Annex D.
5.7 Profiling
Guidelines for regional profiling are given in Annex E.
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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
5.8 Locking
It is technically possible to lock parts of the tag, but this part of ISO 28560 does not prescribe any strategy for
locking. Such a strategy is left for regional profiling.
5.9 Migration
The decision to migrate from a legacy implementation to a data model based on this part of ISO 28560
depends on economic and operational considerations that are beyond the scope of this part of ISO 28560.
6 Data elements
Table 1 shows for each data element defined in ISO 28560-1, the data block where it is encoded, how it is
encoded and the values it may take. Note that some data elements can be encoded in different data blocks.
The data blocks are described in Clause 7.
Table 1 — Data elements
Name of data Requirements
a c d e
N Data block Encoding Values
b f
element and remarks
1 Primary item Basic block or If the primary item identifier is Any string If a primary identifier
identifier library extension maximum 16 bytes, it shall be is not assigned yet
block encoded in the basic block as the string is empty
.
a string.
Otherwise, it shall be
encoded as a string in the
library extension block.
2 Content Basic block 4-bit unsigned integer 1 The value defines a
parameter version number.
(14 values are
reserved for future A new version
use: number shall be
0,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10, applied if and only if
11,12,13,14,15. To it refers to a new
be able to distinguish version of this part of
from tags encoded ISO 28560, which is
according to not backward
ISO 28560-2, the compatible.
value 6 shall not be
used.)

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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
Table 1 (continued)
Name of data Requirements
a c d e
N Data block Encoding Values
b f
element and remarks
3 Owner institution Basic block or If the ISIL prefix is one or two If the tag is limited to The ISIL code is
(ISIL) library extension characters and the ISIL unit 32 bytes, only ISIL defined in ISO 15511
block identifier is less than 11 bytes codes with a prefix of as
(or 9 bytes for 32 bytes tags), max two characters ,
the string may be encoded in and a unit identifier where shall
the basic block. In this case less than 9 bytes can be either an alpha-2
the string shall be formed as be encoded. country code (two
the concatenation of the upper-case letters),
If the size of the tag
prefix and the unit identifier. If or another registered
is more than
the prefix is only one string (non-country
32 bytes, any ISIL
character, a blank is added code), and where
code can in theory
between the prefix and the can
be encoded.
unit identifier. be up to
11 characters long.
If the prefix is more than two
characters or the unit
identifier is longer than
11 bytes, the string may be
encoded in the library
extension block. In this case
the string shall be the ISIL
code, including the hyphen.
4 Set information Basic block Two 8-bit unsigned integers, the first specifying may take the consists of two parts:
of parts in item> and the values 0 to 255,
second item> and number> unspecified number.
part number>
See examples in
number> may take
ISO 28560-1.
the values 0 to 255,
where 0 indicates
the first item in a set,
where not all items
have an RFID tag.
5 Type of usage Basic block 4-bit unsigned integer 0: Acquisition The values
item correspond to the
main qualifier in
1: Item for
ISO 28560-1:—,
circulation
Annex C.
2: Item not for
circulation
3 to 4: For local
use
5: For future
use
6: No
information
about usage
on the tag
7: Discarded
item
8: Patron card
9: Library
equipment

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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
Table 1 (continued)
Name of data Requirements
a c d e
N Data block Encoding Values
b f
element and remarks
6 Shelf location Library String Any string specifying See ISO 28560-1
supplement block the location of the
item
7 ONIX media Library String ONIX media See ISO 28560-1
format supplement block descriptor of two
alphabetic
characters
8 MARC media Library String MARC 21 category See ISO 28560-1
format supplement block of material descriptor
9 Supplier identifier Acquisition String Any string identifying See ISO 28560-1
extension block the supplier of the
item
10 Order number Acquisition String Any string identifying See ISO 28560-1
extension block the order containing
the item
11 ILL borrowing ILL block String Any ISIL code in the The ISIL code is
institution (ISIL) form defined in
identifier>
12 ILL borrowing ILL block String Any string identifying See ISO 28560-1
transaction the borrowing
number transaction
13 GS1 product Acquisition String Any GTIN-13 code See ISO 28560-1
identifier extension block
15 Local data A Unstructured Locally defined Locally defined See ISO 28560-1
extension blocks
16 Local data B Unstructured Locally defined Locally defined See ISO 28560-1
extension blocks
17 Title Title block String Any string specifying See ISO 28560-1
the titles of the item
18 Product identifier Acquisition String Any string specifying See ISO 28560-1
local extension block the product identifier
of the item
19 Media format Library extension 8-bit unsigned integer 0: Undefined See ISO 28560-1
(other) block
1: Book
2: CD/DVD
3: Magnetic tape
4: Other
5: Other, careful
handling is
required
6: Very small item,
special handling
is required
20 Supply chain Acquisition 8-bit unsigned integer The set of code See ISO 28560-1
stage extension block values are specified
in ISO 28560-1

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ISO 28560-3:2011(E)
Table 1 (continued)
Name of data Requirements
a c d e
N Data block Encoding Values
b f
element and remarks
21 Supplier invoice Acquisition String Any string identifying See ISO 28560-1
number extension block the invoice
containing the item
22 Alternative item Library extension String Any string identifying See ISO 28560-1
identifier block the item
23 Alternative owner Basic block If the non-ISIL code is less Any string identifying See ISO 28560-1
institution or than 10 bytes (or 8 bytes for the institution that
library extension 32 bytes tags), it should be owns the item, that is
block encoded as a string in the either a national
basic block standardized code
not part of ISIL or a
Otherwise, it may be encoded
code that is neither
as a string in the library
part of ISIL nor a
extension block
national standard
24 Subsidiary of an Library String Any string defined by See ISO 28560-1
owner institution supplement block the institution that
owns the item
25 Alternative ILL ILL block String Any string identifying See ISO 28560-1
borrowing the institution that
institution borrows the item
26 Local data C Unstructured Locally defined Locally defined See ISO 28560-1
extension blocks
a
This column specifies the data element number, i.e. the number identifying the data element in ISO 28560-1. Data elements 14,
and 27 to 31 are reserved for future use, and therefore not listed in Table 1. When usage and type for these data elements are defined,
a mapping should be considered and specified, and then published at the informational website in Annex A.
b
This column specifies the data element name, i.e. the name identifying the data element in ISO 28560-1.
c
This column specifies the names of the data blocks in which the data element is encoded.
d
This column specifies how the data element is encoded. For encoding of strings and integers, see 5.4.1 and 5.4.2.
e
This column specifies the values the data element may take.
f
This column gives additional requirements and remarks.

7 Data blocks
7.1 Types of data blocks
The following types of data blocks exist:
⎯ basic block;
⎯ special blocks;
⎯ struct
...