scope:

This standard elaborates a family of codes and formats to be generated, processed, and interpreted by the device functions of apparatus in concert with interface functions. This standard is intended to apply to both those devices with limited ability to generate, process or interpret a variety of codes and formats as well as those devices that have extensive ability to generate, process and interpret unique and very specialized codes and formats. This standard applies to the organization and content of messages at the machine-to-machine information interchange level, however, the guidelines set forth herein may have critical impact on both the related man-to-machine and machine-to-man information interchange.