scope:

Purpose

The purpose of this Technical Report is to provide a framework for assuring and assessing image quality to support the exchange of check images between financial institutions. It provides a detailed understanding of the problems and limitations associated with the image capture process, automated methods and systems that might be used to detect check quality problems (i.e., image defects and usability issues).

The following Technical Report provides:

a) a glossary of terms related to image quality and check transaction data integrity;

b) a conceptual framework for image quality and its components;

c) an understanding of how to perform image quality assessments;

d) a discussion of current day challenges for achieving optimum quality and efficient clearing systems; and

e) a discussion around certain issues and considerations related to the operational reality of creating both efficient and quality clearing systems

It is anticipated that this report will establish common terminology around check image quality and data transaction integrity so as to facilitate communication among operations and technical managers at financial institutions.