SIST-TS CEN/TS 14014:2007
(Main)Postal services - Hybrid Mail - XML definition of encapsulation of letters for automated postal handling
Postal services - Hybrid Mail - XML definition of encapsulation of letters for automated postal handling
The purpose of this Technical Specification is to define the syntax rules for a data stream for the submission of printing data to a Hybrid Mail operator or between Hybrid Mail operators. The Technical Specification defines a XML Schema Definition (XSD) describing the data stream.
The description is based upon the XML (eXtended Mark-up Language) definition of rules and semantics for defining an XSD. The purpose of this is to offer a generalised syntax description that can provide seamless integration with a number of existing applications generating data that is liable to be forwarded to or from a Hybrid Mail operator.
The use of an XSD will ensure that the documents confirm to the standard defined and that the output has the correct syntax. Software manufacturers can use an XSD to program applications that will produce "correct" outputs.
This Technical Specification defines the syntax for creating a data stream that will eventually be converted into a deliverable. The overall object (a batch) can be divided into one or more objects that again can be divided into objects. The hierarchy includes bundles that contains a common part and letters. Each object has a number of characteristics attached to it.
This diagram shows the structure of a HML (Hybrid Mail Language) document: each letter is self-contained (contains all the necessary information to be delivered on a certain destination).
Postalische Dienstleistungen - Hybrid mail - Document Typ Definition (DTD) für Kunden zum Dienstanbieter: Eine allgemein verwendbare Auflistung von vordefinierten Regeln
Services postaux - Courrier hybride - Définition XML de l'encapsulation des lettres pour le traitement automatisé du courrier
Poštne storitve - Hibridna pošta - Definicija oblike dokumenta XML za stranke/uporabnike pri ponudniku: skupno uporabni seznam označb
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST-TS CEN/TS 14014:2007
01-januar-2007
3RãWQHVWRULWYH+LEULGQDSRãWD'HILQLFLMDREOLNHGRNXPHQWD;0/]D
VWUDQNHXSRUDEQLNHSULSRQXGQLNXVNXSQRXSRUDEQLVH]QDPR]QDþE
Postal services - Hybrid Mail - XML definition of encapsulation of letters for automated
postal handling
Postalische Dienstleistungen - Hybrid mail - Document Typ Definition (DTD) für Kunden
zum Dienstanbieter: Eine allgemein verwendbare Auflistung von vordefinierten Regeln
Services postaux - Courrier hybride - Définition XML de l'encapsulation des lettres pour
le traitement automatisé du courrier
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 14014:2006
ICS:
03.240 Poštne storitve Postal services
35.240.99 8SRUDEQLãNHUHãLWYH,7QD IT applications in other fields
GUXJLKSRGURþMLK
SIST-TS CEN/TS 14014:2007 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 14014
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
May 2006
ICS 03.240; 35.240.99 Supersedes ENV 14014:2001
English Version
Postal services - Hybrid Mail - XML definition of encapsulation of
letters for automated postal handling
Services postaux - Courrier hybride - Définition XML de Postalische Dienstleistungen - Hybrid mail - Document Typ
l'encapsulation des lettres pour le traitement automatisé du Definition (DTD) für Kunden zum Dienstanbieter: Eine
courrier allgemein verwendbare Auflistung von vordefinierten
Regeln
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 4 March 2006 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels
© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 14014:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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CEN/TS 14014:2006 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword.3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .7
3 Terms and definitions .7
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms .7
5 Meta-syntax .8
6 Definition .10
Annex A (normative) List of elements .14
Annex B (informative) HML description .16
Annex C (informative) Differences between this Technical Specification and ENV 14014.38
Annex D (informative) HML definition, copy of the HML XSD.39
Bibliography .49
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Foreword
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS 14014:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 331
“Postal services”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
This Technical Specification supersedes ENV 14014:2001. An explanation of the differences between this
Technical Specification and ENV 14014 is given in Annex C.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this CEN Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.
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CEN/TS 14014:2006 (E)
Introduction
Hybrid Mail is the technology whereby input in one communication medium is converted for delivery on
another communication medium according to the sender’s instructions and/or the recipient’s capabilities. The
typical application of Hybrid Mail is to provide a Hybrid Mail operator with printing data as well as processing
and delivery instructions, and request the operator to secure the print, enveloping and delivery of the physical
letters. Hybrid Mail operators may also exchange data.
The transfer of data to a Hybrid Mail operator or between Hybrid Mail operators requires that the printing data
be linked to a number of data items related to the management, production, finishing etc. of the data to be
printed. Such data items secure that all relevant information is accompanying the printing data. Also it will
enable the Hybrid Mail operator to automate his processes with customers and other Hybrid Mail operators.
There is a need for a standardised yet flexible way to present the data to the Hybrid Mail operator or to
exchange data between Hybrid Mail operators. This will enable customers and Hybrid Mail operators to have
a seamless exchange of information. It will allow makers of applications for document creation (letters,
marketing mailing etc.) and output management from other applications (accounting systems, production
management etc.), to add here to the same data presentment and to offer the seamless data interchange.
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1 Scope
The purpose of this Technical Specification is to define the syntax rules for a data stream for the submission
of printing data to a Hybrid Mail operator or between Hybrid Mail operators. The Technical Specification
defines a XML Schema Definition (XSD) describing the data stream.
The description is based upon the XML (eXtended Mark-up Language) definition of rules and semantics for
defining an XSD. The purpose of this is to offer a generalised syntax description that can provide seamless
integration with a number of existing applications generating data that is liable to be forwarded to or from a
Hybrid Mail operator.
The use of an XSD will ensure that the documents confirm to the standard defined and that the output has the
correct syntax. Software manufacturers can use an XSD to program applications that will produce “correct”
outputs.
This Technical Specification defines the syntax for creating a data stream that will eventually be converted into
a deliverable. The overall object (a batch) can be divided into one or more objects that again can be divided
into objects. The hierarchy includes bundles that contains a common part and letters. Each object has a
number of characteristics attached to it.
This diagram shows the structure of a HML (Hybrid Mail Language) document: each letter is self-contained
(contains all the necessary information to be delivered on a certain destination).
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Figure 1 — Structure of a HML (Hybrid Mail Language)
Each letter can have one contact. Each contact can have multiple alternatives for delivery.
This Technical Specification does not define the specific services offered by local operators (Hybrid Mail
operators).
This Technical Specification does not define the communication method used. It does only define the format
of Hybrid Mail as such.
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2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this Technical Specification. 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 Multiple-Octet Coded Character Set (UCS)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this Technical Specification, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
mailbag
data structure that contains bundles as well as administrative and other data common to all bundles
NOTE One HML document will contain one mailbag. A mailbag may contain one or several bundles.
3.2
bundle
data structure that contains letters that are processed as a group as well as administrative and other data
common to these letters. A bundle is equivalent with a batch. Usually a sender is sending a mailbag with only
one batch
NOTE A bundle may contain one or more letters.
3.3
letter
data structure that contains the data to be rendered as one integral piece of information which is to be
delivered to one recipient in physical or electronic format
3.4
contact
data structure that contains delivery information for letters
NOTE The contact may be relevant to only one letter or may be shared between several letters.
3.5
target language
language to be defined in this Technical Specification and to be later used for writing documents, and the
result of a possible translation of existing data structure(s). In this Technical Specification the target language
is HML.
NOTE Clause 4 gives further description of the syntax of the target language.
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this Technical Specification, the following symbols and abbreviated terms apply.
AFP Advance Function Presentation – PDL defined by IBM
HML Hybrid Mail Language
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission http://www.iec.ch
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ISO International Organization for Standardization
PCL Print Control Language – PDL defined by HP
PDF Portable Document Format – PDL defined by Adobe
PDL Print Description Language
PI Processing Instruction – part of the XML standard
SGML Standard Generalized Mark-up Language
UCS Universal Coded Character set
URL Universal Resource Locator
W3C World Wide Web Consortium – see http://www.w3.org/
XML eXtensible Mark-up Language
XSD XML Schema Definition
XSL eXtensible Stylesheet Language
5 Meta-syntax
This clause introduces a syntactic notation, later used in this Technical Specification. The notation is adopted
to define the syntactic rules of the target language: in this sense, the notation is a meta-syntax for the syntax
of the target language.
HML is based on XML version 1.0 as described in [XML-2004]. This is a subset of Standard Generalized Mark
up Language (SGML) as defined in ISO 8879.
For the sake of generality, in the following the term target language will be used for specifying the language
to be defined and to be later used for writing documents.
In this Technical Specification the target language is HML.
Syntactic rules of the target language are defined by means of syntactic clauses, classified as either element
declarations, attribute list declarations or comments. In the following, the first two of these syntactic clauses
will be described in detail. Here, only their abstract characteristics are introduced.
Element declarations define elements, which are logical parts of the documents.
Elements may contain other elements, to be considered as sub-parts of the first ones. To describe this
relationship among elements, element declarations can define elements in terms of other elements.
The whole document itself is considered as an element, and is described by an element declaration: this
element is the unique root, which all the other elements start from.
On the other side, elements not further subdivided in parts are simply streams of characters allowed in the
documents. They are defined as well by element declarations.
In this way, element declarations express the inner structure of documents: this structure can be easily
reconstructed by going through the chain of element declarations, starting from the one that declares the root
element.
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An element declaration is defined by the following syntactical construction:
where element_name is the name of the element defined and contentspec is the list of elements which
constitute the set of elements which defines the named element.
Attribute list declarations define characteristics of elements.
In describing the notation, some rules will be followed.
In the syntactic clauses:
• syntactic items independent of the particular target language (i.e. keywords, symbols and so on) are
written in regular font (that is, without using bold or italic forms);
• identifiers used as placeholders for other things to be later made actual in the syntax of the target language
(as for example syntactic items dependent of the particular target language) are written in italic font.
In the examples:
• syntactic items independent of the particular target language (i.e. keywords, symbols and so on) are
written in regular font (that is, without using bold or italic forms)
• syntactic items dependent of the particular target language (as for example constant names of the target
language) are written in italic font.
An attribute declaration is defined by the following syntactical construction:
where the element_name identifies which element the attributes belong to, attribute_name is the name of the
attribute, attribute_type is the type of the attribute and default_decl informs whether the attribute has a default
value that is used if the attribute is not present.
For a more detailed description of the syntax of XML please see [XML-2004]
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6 Definition
6.1 General
In this clause, syntactic rules of HML are given in XML. They completely define the concrete syntax of HML.
The structure of the HML XSD is illustrated in Figure 2:
Figure 2 — Illustration of the structure of the HML XSD
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6.2 General rule for HML documents
6.2.1 General
HML is based on eXtensible Markup Language (XML) version 1.0 as described in [XML-2004]. This is a
subset of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) as defined in ISO 8879.
As HML is specified as an XSD, the general rules for XML compliant XSD’s apply to HML. However this
chapter specifies how a compliant HML document shall be processed when using the following components
from the XML standard, which are not unique to HML:
• Comments
• Processing Instructions
• Name Spaces
6.2.2 Comments
Comment ::= ''
A conforming HML system shall make the comments in a conforming HML document available to external
processors on request.
6.2.3 Processing Instructions
PI ::= '' Char*)))? '?>'
PITarget ::= Name - (('X' | 'x') ('M' | 'm') ('L' | 'l'))
A conforming HML system shall ensure that the processing instructions are presented to the relevant
processor if this is available. This can either be pre- or postprocessor. Otherwise the processing instructions
shall be ignored.
6.2.4 Name space
The use of name spaces in HML shall comply with the W3C recommendations – see [XML-names-2004]. The
processing of names from other name spaces than the HML name space shall be accepted and either be
handled by the HML system or alternatively by a pre- or postprocessor.
6.2.5 Hybrid Mail Language (HML) Extensions:
In the future new equipment shall be controllable in Hybrid Mail operations. To include new features to make
use of this equipment and to fulfil the Hybrid Mail Language it is allowed to include new elements.
The way of doing this is make use of the defined way as mentioned in Chapter 2.8 of the [XML-2004]: the
document type declaration can point to an external subset containing mark-up declarations.
6.3 General elements
6.3.1 General
The encoding for any text strings in this Technical Specification is the ISO/IEC 10646-1. This will have to be
specified in the XML header section of the HML document.
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6.3.2 acknowledgement
This is an optional tag to provide a contact point for a recipient of bundle acknowledgement information. The
preference attribute is a list of references defined in the contact to specify the preference of the media on
which the delivery should be made. If there is none specified then the delivery order is the order of the defined
entries in the contact element.
6.3.3 addressee
The addressee section contains the possible contact points of the recipient. The preference attribute is a list of
references defined in the contact to specify the preference of the media on which the delivery should be made.
If there is none specified then the delivery order is the order of the defined entries in the contact element.
6.3.4 batchname
Is an identifier for the bundle.
6.3.5 binary_data
Holds data of any sort, base64 encoded. See [Base64] for details. This can be used for data that is not XML
structured.
6.3.6 bundle
Represents a collection of letters and their common properties. An HML document may contain a number of
bundles. A bundle contains a number of letters.
6.3.7 common
Contains the data and information that is common to all the letters of a bundle. Similar to a global declaration
for the bundle. Contains descriptions of the bundle as well as common data.
6.3.8 common_data
Declaration of data common to a set of letters. The common_data is identified with a unique identifier that may
be referred to with an internal_ref tag somewhere else in the bundle.
6.3.9 contact
Contains the list of possible contact points for either a mailee or addressee. The contact points can be
postal_address, email, fax or any externally defined format that enables delivery.
6.3.10 declaration
Contains meta-information for the encapsulating bundle.
6.3.11 external_ref
External URL reference to a data segment. The attribute type has to specify what kind of data is pointing to.
6.3.12 generation_application
The application that processed this bundle. Generation date and generation application tags are grouped in
tag track_history to enable a list of processing times to be used for tracking.
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6.3.13 generation_date
The date and time of the processing of this bundle. Generation date and generation application tags are
grouped in tag track_history to enable a list of processing times to be used for tracking.
6.3.14 hml
The root level tag defines the document.
6.3.15 internal_ref
Internal reference to a unique key id declared in the common data section.
6.3.16 letter
The smallest message unit. A message is constituted by an instance of a letter. A bundle contains a list of
letters.
6.3.17 letter_data
Contains the data of the letter, either indirectly as internal or external references, or as actual data. Letter data
is an open slot for any external data structure and does not attempt to describe the data itself.
6.3.18 mailee
The mailee section contains the possible contact points of the sender.
6.3.19 processing
Defines a property to follow the data contained in the current encapsulating document fragment and fragments
inside (and after the processing tag), except if the type is redefined in a document sub fragment. This is
similar to an environment variable for the data. Processing holds and transports the properties of the data
contained in the document fragment. These options may or may not be relevant for pre-processing,
processing and post-processing, depending on the HML application.
6.3.20 sender_id
The id used by the HML processor to identify the originator of the file.
6.3.21 track_history
Contains one record of a processing event. A list of track_history records the processing of the bundle.
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Annex A
(normative)
List of elements
A.1 Elements
Element Type Reference
acknowledgement Element See 6.3.2 and B.1.1.
addressee Element See 6.3.3 and B.1.2.
batchname Element See 6.3.4 and B.1.3.
binary_data Element See 6.3.5 and B.1.4.
bundle Element See 0, 6.3.6 and B.1.5.
common Element See 6.3.7 and B.1.6.
common_data Element See 6.3.8 and B.1.7.
contact Element See 6.3.9 and B.1.8.
declaration Element See 6.3.10 and B.1.9.
external_ref Element See 6.3.11 and B.1.10.
generation_application Element See 6.3.12 and B.1.11.
generation_date Element See 6.3.13 and B.1.12.
hml Element See 6.3.14 and B.1.13.
internal_ref Element See 6.3.15 and B.1.14.
letter Element See 0, 6.3.16 and B.1.15.
letter_data Element See 6.3.17 and B.1.16.
mailee Element See 6.3.18 and B.1.17.
processing Element See 6.3.19 and B.1.18.
sender_id Element See 6.3.20 and B.1.19.
track_history Element See 6.3.21 and B.1.20.
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A.2 Complex types
Element Type Reference
acknowledgementType Complex type See B.2.1
addresseeType Complex type See B.2.2
bundleType Complex type See B.2.4
commonType Complex type See B.2.6
contactType Complex type See B.2.7
data_type Complex type See B.2.8
declarationType Complex type See B.2.9
external_refType Complex type See B.2.10
hmlType Complex type See B.2.11
Internal_refType Complex type See B.2.12
letterType Complex type See B.2.13
maileeType Complex type See B.2.14
restricted_dataType Complex type See B.2.16
track_historyType Complex type See B.2.17
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Annex B
(informative)
HML description
B.1 Elements
B.1.1 acknowledgement
diagram
type hml:acknowledgementType
hml:contact hml:internal_ref
children
complexTypes commonType letterType
used by
Name Type Use Annotation
attributes
preference xs:IDREFS optional Preference attribute is specifying what is the order of preferred
delivery channel.
The IDREFS has to be the one defined in the contact.
If none specified then the order in which the channels had
been defined will be used.
documentation Optional tag to provide a contact point for a recipient of bundle acknowledgement information.
annotation
source
Optional tag to provide a contact point for a recipient of bundle acknowledgement
information.
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B.1.2 addressee
diagram
type hml:addresseeType
children hml:contact hml:internal_ref
complexType letterType
used by
Name Type Use Annotation
attributes
Preference attribute is specifying what is the order of preferred
preference xs:IDREFS optional
delivery channel.
The IDREFS has to be the one defined in the contact.
If none specified then the order in which the channels had
been defined will be used.
documentation The addressee section contains the possible contact points of the recipient.
annotation
source
The addressee section contains the possible
contact points of the recipient.
B.1.3 batchname
diagram
type xs:anyURI
complexType declarationType
used by
documentation Unique identifier for the bundle.
annotation
source
Unique identifier for the bundle.
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B.1.4 binary_data
diagram
type hml:binary_dataType
used by complexTypes data_type restricted_dataType
attributes Name Type Use Default Fixed Annotation
type xs:string required
annotation documentation Holds data of any sort, base64 encoded. This can be used for data that is not XML structured.
source
Holds data of any sort, base64 encoded. This can be used for data that is not XML
structured.
B.1.5 bundle
diagram
type hml:bundleType
children hml:common hml:letter
hmlType
complexType
used by
attributes Name Type Use Default Fixed Annotation
bundleid xs:ID optional
annotation documentation Represents a collection of letters and their common properties. An HML document may contain a
number of bundles. A bundle contain at least one letter.
source
Represents a collection of letters and their common properties. An HML document may contain a
number of bundles. A bundle contains a number of letters.
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B.1.6 common
diagram
type hml:commonType
children hml:declaration hml:processing hml:common_data hml:contact hml:mailee hml:acknowledgement
complexType bundleType
used by
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documentation Contains the data and information that is common to all the letters of a bundle. Similar to a global
annotation
declaration for the bundle. Contains descriptions of the bundle as well as common data.
source
Contains the data and information that is common to all the letters of a bundle. Similar to a global
declaration for the bundle. Contains descriptions of the bundle as well as common data.
B.1.7 common_data
diagram
type hml:common_dataType
children hml:binary_data hml:external_ref
complexType commonType
used by
Name Type Use Default Fixed Annotation
attributes
id xs:ID required
documentation Declaration of data common to a set of letters. The common_data is identified with a unique identifier
annotation
that may be referred to with an internal_ref tag somewhere else in the bundle.
source
Declaration of data common to a set of letters. The common_data is identified with a unique identifier
that may be referred to with an internal_ref tag somewhere else in the bundle.
B.1.8 contact
diagram
type hml:contactType
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complexTypes acknowledgementType addresseeType commonType maileeType
used by
Name Type Use Default Fixed Annotation
attributes
id xs:ID
Contains the list of possible contact points for either a mailee or addressee. The contact points can be
documentation
annotation
postal_address, email, fax or any externally defined format that enables delivery.
source
Contains the list of possible contact points for either a mailee or addressee. The contact points c
...
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