The working principle of wireless barcode scanner can be simply summarized as **"scan barcode → decode data → wireless transmission"** three core steps.
1. Scan barcode: light signal into electrical signal, wireless barcode scanner uses laser or LED light source (similar to flashlight) to illuminate the black and white parts of the barcode (such as the barcode or QR code on the product) with different light intensities (black absorbs light, white reflects light), and the scanner's sensor (such as photoelectric element or camera) will capture these reflected lights. The black and white parts of the barcode reflect different light intensities (black absorbs light, white reflects light), and the scanner's sensor (such as photoelectric element or camera) will capture these reflected lights. The sensor converts the intensity changes of light into electrical signals to form a barcode pattern.
2. Decode data: from pattern to information, there is a "decoding chip" or software inside the wireless barcode scanner, which will do two things: identify the type of barcode and determine which encoding format it is (such as the EAN-13 code commonly used for products, the Code 128 code used for express delivery, or the QR Code of the QR code). According to the coding rules, the black and white stripes or dot patterns are converted into corresponding numbers, letters or links.
3. Wireless transmission: The decoded data needs to be sent to the computer, mobile phone or system through wireless technology. There are three common ways of wireless barcode scanners:
Bluetooth transmission: The wireless barcode scanner is paired with the mobile phone/computer in advance like a Bluetooth headset. After scanning, the data is transmitted to the device through Bluetooth "in the air", and the transmission distance is generally about 10 meters.
Wi-Fi transmission: The wireless barcode scanner is connected to the Wi-Fi network and directly sends the data to the server or cloud (for example, the warehouse scans the code into the warehouse, and the data is synchronized to the background system in real time).
Dedicated wireless radio frequency (RF): Industrial-grade scanners may use dedicated wireless signals, with a receiving base station, with a longer transmission distance (more than 50 meters) and strong anti-interference.
The wireless barcode scanner will have its own battery, so it can get rid of the constraints of the power cord. When there is no network, the wireless barcode scanner will first have its own storage function, and the data will be uploaded to the scanner for storage first, and then transmitted to the computer when there is a network. Wireless barcode scanners are usually used in supermarket checkout, warehouse inventory, and express sorting, with a wider range of activities and more flexible use.