An Enhanced UPC Mod 10 Check Digit Method

Abstract

The advent of check digit methods has aided the detection of errors while computing data into an information system. Prominent check digit methods such as Universal Product Code (UPC), International Standard Book Number (ISBN-10), Luhn and Verhoeff check digit methods are widely used in detecting errors. This research will focus on the current UPC method as it is used widely around the world. The current UPC method does not effectively detect all types of errors. Thus, failure to detect errors can lead to undesired consequences like purchasing a wrong item or letting perpetrators to get away with their crimes. This paper examines the limitations of the UPC check digit method and proposes the idea of a double check digit method which produces two check digits. The proposed method is an enhancement of the current UPC modulus 10 check digit method. A comparative test was conducted to compare the ability of the proposed method and the current UPC method in detecting errors. However, results have shown that the proposed method has an average of 95.75 accuracy of detecting all tested errors as compared to the current UPC which detects 65%of tested errors respectively. Thus, the proposed method is more efficient than the current UPC check digit method in detecting errors.

Keywords: Double Check Digit, Interdependence, Errors

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