ISO/IEC 14473:1999

Information technology - Office equipment - Minimum information to be specified for image scanners

This International Standard is intended to facilitate user selection of an image scanner. This International Standard specifies the minimum information that shall be included by manufacturers in their specification sheets for scanners. This International Standard is made for the average end user. For this reason it does not describe all specifications of scanners with special features such as double sided scanning or high speed. By insuring consistency of specification of scanner product information, this International Standard enables the end user to make meaningful comparisons of machine functionality and performance characteristics. The most meaningful parameters of function and performance are specified and defined, and measures of performance are provided. This International Standard further applies to types of scanners which are most prevalent in use, including parameters for a scanning engine (an optomechanical physical device) and basic image processing only (those processes include digital data output with encoded gray scale, or unencoded single bit plus halftone data). It does not require specification of advanced application processing such as OCR, translation, vector conversion, etc. Because scanners use both software and/or hardware to achieve some scanner functions and controls, the standard contains some entries related to software even though the standard is primarily for scanner hardware. The manufacturer, at his option, may include description of such additional functionality which may be provided. This standard also does not consider image quality, nor does it provide or use related test targets.

Technologies de l'information — Équipements de bureau — Informations minimales à prescrire pour les scanners d'image

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-Apr-1999
• ICS: 35.180 - IT Terminal and other peripheral equipment
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 28 - Office equipment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 28 - Office equipment
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 08-Dec-2023
• Completion Date: 30-Oct-2025

Overview

ISO/IEC 14473:1999 specifies the minimum information manufacturers must include on image scanner specification sheets to help end users compare products. Aimed at the average end user, the standard standardizes how scanner capabilities and performance are presented - covering core scanner hardware (scanning engines) and basic image processing outputs (gray scale, single-bit/halftone). It does not prescribe advanced application processing (OCR, vector conversion) or assess image quality or test targets.

Key topics and requirements

ISO/IEC 14473 defines the information items, measurement conditions and layout for a scanner datasheet. Important elements include:

• General product identification
  • Name and model, scanner type (flatbed, sheet-feed, handheld), sensing capability (color/monochrome), maximum document size
• Scanning performance
  • Optical resolution (dpi), scanning time (page and line), scanning speed (mm/s), AD converter bits, image sensor type, light source, color separation and sequence
• Output characteristics
  • Output modes (RGB, CMY, gray, dither), gray scale levels, output resolution range, maximum/average achievable output data rates
• Additional functions and controls
  • Scaling, contrast and brightness ranges, compression, gamma correction, cropping, etc. - flagged as hardware or software implemented
• Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and transparency scanning
  • ADF type, document size/weight/thickness, capacity (sheets and reference paper weight), page-per-minute measurement; transparency film types, scanning area and optional transparency units
• Physical, power and environmental data
  • Dimensions, weight, voltage/frequency/power, operating temperature and humidity ranges
• EMC, safety and acoustics
  • Declared applied standards, noise measures (per ISO 7779/9295/9296)

The standard also prescribes test and measurement conditions (temperature 18–25 °C, relative humidity 30–70 %, rated voltage/frequency, A4 paper, paper weight 60–90 g/m²) to ensure consistent reporting.

Practical applications

• Producing consistent, comparable scanner datasheets for marketing and technical documentation
• Enabling buyers and procurement teams to directly compare scanner functionality and performance
• Guiding QA and product teams on which parameters to measure and declare for new scanner models
• Supporting resellers, system integrators and IT departments in selection and specification of scanning hardware

Who should use it

• Scanner manufacturers and technical writers
• Product managers and hardware engineers
• Procurement officers and IT buyers
• Resellers, system integrators and compliance teams

Related standards

ISO/IEC 14473 references standards for test conditions and acoustics, including:

• ISO 216 (paper sizes)
• ISO 554 (standard atmospheres)
• ISO 7779, ISO 9295 and ISO 9296 (acoustical noise and declared noise emission)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 14473, image scanner standard, scanner specification sheet, scanner datasheet, optical resolution, scanning speed, ADF capacity, scanner performance parameters, scanner manufacturers.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 14473
First edition
1999-04-15
Information technology — Office
equipment — Minimum information to be
specified for image scanners
Technologies de l'information — Équipements de bureau — Informations
minimales à prescrire pour les scanners d'image
Reference number
B C
Contents
1 Scope 1
2 Normative references 1
3 Conformance 1
4 Test and measurement conditions 1
5 Information to be included in the specification sheets 2
Annex A - Example of a layout for a specification sheet 5
©  ISO/IEC 1999
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and micro-
film, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISO/IEC Copyright Office • Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Genève 20 • Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
ii
©
ISO/IEC ISO/IEC 14473:1999(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission)
form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC
participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the
respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees
collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
Draft International Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
Information technology
International Standard ISO/IEC 14473 was prepared by ISO/IEC JTC 1, , Subcommittee
SC 28, Office equipment.
Annex A of this International Standard is for information only.
iii
©
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD  ISO/IEC ISO/IEC 14473:1999(E)
Information technology - Office equipment - Minimum information
to be specified for image scanners
1 Scope
This International Standard is intended to facilitate user selection of an image scanner. This International Standard
specifies the minimum information that shall be included by manufacturers in their specification sheets for scanners.

This International Standard is made for the average end user. For this reason it does not describe all specifications
of scanners with special features such as double sided scanning or high speed. By insuring consistency of
specification of scanner product information, this International Standard enables the end user to make meaningful
comparisons of machine functionality and performance characteristics. The most meaningful parameters of function
and performance are specified and defined, and measures of performance are provided.

This International Standard further applies to types of scanners which are most prevalent in use, including
parameters for a scanning engine (an optomechanical physical device) and basic image processing only (those
processes include digital data output with encoded gray scale, or unencoded single bit plus halftone data). It does not
require specification of advanced application processing such as OCR, translation, vector conversion, etc. Because
scanners use both software and/or hardware to achieve some scanner functions and controls, the standard contains
some entries related to software even though the standard is primarily for scanner hardware. The manufacturer, at
his option, may include description of such additional functionality which may be provided. This standard also does
not consider image quality, nor does it provide or use related test targets.

2 Normative references
The following standards contain provision which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to
revision, and parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility
of applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of
currently valid International Standards.

ISO 216:1975, Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter - Trimmed sizes - A and B series.
ISO 554:1976, Standard atmospheres for conditioning and/or testing - Specifications.
ISO 7779:1988, Acoustics - Measurement of airborne noise emitted by computer and business equipment.
ISO 9295:1988, Acoustics - Measurement of high-frequency noise emitted by computer and business equipment.
Acoustics - Declared noise emission values of computer and business equipment
ISO 9296:1988, .
3 Conformance
In order to comply with this International Standard, specification sheets shall contain, in the order shown, all items
listed in clause 5 which are relevant to the machine being described.

4 Test and measurement conditions

Unless otherwise specified, all tests and measurements made by the manufacturer to provide data for scanner
specification sheets satisfying this International Standard shall be conducted at the following conditions:

- temperature: 18 °C to 25 °C
- relative humidity 30% to 70%
- voltage: rated input voltage
- frequency: rated frequency
- paper size: A4
2 2
- paper weight: 60 g/m to 90g/m

Whenever a capacity is given in sheets, the reference paper weight shall be specified.
©
5 Information to be included in the specification sheets
The following table defines, for each parameter, the number, the name of the parameter, a short description of the
entry, and the measurement method. These constitute the information to be included in the specification sheets.
The heading of the specification sheet shall indicate that it has been prepared in accordance with this International
Standard. The numbers and headings of the table in clause 5 shall be used. Parameters which are not applicable
may be ignored, without changing the number of other parameters.
Parameter Description of the entry Remark and examples
1 .General
1.1 Name and Model Number Manufacturer’s name and Model
Identification
1.2 Scanner Type Flatbed, Sheet Feed, Handheld
1.3 Sensing Capability Monochrome, Color
1.4 Maximum Document Size __ mm x __ mm
Give dimensions in millimeters or
standard sizes.
1.5 Optical Resolution __ dots/25.4 mm (__ dpi)
__ dots/mm
Indicate the fundamental optical
sampling rate of the sensor.
1.6 Interface SCSI, SCSI-2, Centronics
IEEE-488, RS-232C
Commonly called interface names
as Centronics and RS-232C could
be used.
2. Scanning
2.1 Scanning Time
__seconds for 1 bit/pixel (line art) Scanning time shall be measured
2.1.1 Page Scanning Time
__seconds for 8 bit/pixel (256 gray) between start scanning and end of
__seconds for 24 bit/pixel (color) scanning. The start scanning is
defined as pushing a start button
either in application software or for a
handheld scanner. The end of the
scanning is defined as a time when a
host PC is released from the
scanning job. The test configuration
used shall be stated: PC model
name, memory size, interface,
scanner driver and application
software.
*FB, SF : A4, Portrait, 150, 200 or
300 dpi
*HH : A4 or A6, Portrait, 150, 200 or
300 dpi
To be specified if available.
2.1.2 Line Scanning Time __ms/line The test configuration used shall be
stated: resolution, color / 256 gray /
line art etc.
__mm/s The test configuration used shall be
2.2 Scanning Speed
stated: resolution, color / 256 gray /
line art etc.
Number of bits for AD conversion. 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit
2.3 AD Converter
2.4 Image Sensor Type CCD, Contact type
Note*:
...