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This comprehensive article will show you how a wireless barcode scanner works. There are many handheld scanners with wireless compatibility and people have asked us about how they work. Our team has searched wide for answers and we’ll give you all the details as you read on.
How does a wireless barcode scanner work? A standard wireless barcode scanner communicate with a signal base (receiver) wirelessly. Instead of connecting the scanner to your computer via a cable, you would plug the receiver into the computer’s USB port. Some newer models of wireless scanners feature Bluetooth compatibility. So they transmit information to the computer or any other Bluetooth-enabled device via Bluetooth technology. This means you can use these scanners far from the computer and still scan barcodes.
If the idea of having no wires between your scanner and computer sounds interesting to you, then let’s explore the world of wireless scanning together. There are two major forms of wireless scanners available – conventional 2.4 GHz wireless scanners and Bluetooth barcode scanners.. Read on to learn how they work.
How Does A 2.4GHz Wireless Barcode Scanner Work?
A 2.4 GHz wireless barcode scanner communicates with a computer via a USB receiver. The USB receiver functions as the signal base that receives information from the scanner and transmits it to the computer. These wireless scanners are called 2.4 GHz scanners because the scanner to receiver connection works over a frequency range on the 2.4GHz spectrum.
2.4 GHz scanners require you to plug the USB receiver into a USB port on your computer. Once you do this, you’re good to go. The scanner will transmit information to your computer just like a keyboard or mouse would. However, the receiver may sometimes be big and might take up considerable physical space.
Some experts have opined that the term “2.4 GHz scanner” may be quite misleading because the Bluetooth technology also transmits over a 2.4 GHz spectrum range. However, there is a meaningful difference between how conventional wireless barcode scanners work and how Bluetooth scanners work. The basic one being that a 2.4 GHz scanner requires a USB base to transmit data to computers.
How Does A Bluetooth Wireless Barcode Scanner Work?
A Bluetooth barcode scanner works with in-built Bluetooth transmitters on a receiving device. These scanners work with many modern gadgets and mobile devices that don’t have a USB port and are thus not compatible with 2.4 GHz scanners. Since Bluetooth-enabled devices host the receiver for Bluetooth scanners in them, you wouldn’t need any external signal base or receiver. But you must pair the Bluetooth scanner with your device before you can use them.
Bluetooth wireless scanners offer you the freedom of wireless scanning without having to cope with the extra space that USB adapters take. But the process of connecting Bluetooth scanners to computers is a little bit more complicated than pairing 2.4 GHz scanners. However, it’s as simple as connecting a Bluetooth thermal printer or mouse.
How To Setup Your Bluetooth Barcode Scanner
The first step to setting up your Bluetooth scanner is to activate your computer’s Bluetooth connectivity. If you are using any other Bluetooth-enabled device, like a smartphone or tablet, you should also activate its Bluetooth connectivity. After you’ve done this, switch on your Bluetooth scanner and set it to pairing mode. Then, pair the scanner with your receiving device. Once the two devices are paired, your setup is complete and and you can start scanning your barcodes.
As you read on, we’ll show you the three basic steps that Bluetooth scanners require to work.
Activate Your Computer’s Bluetooth Connectivity
This means that you must ensure that your computer is Bluetooth-enabled. You need not worry about this if you have a modern device because most modern devices are enabled with Bluetooth connectivity. The first step for a Bluetooth scanner to work is to activate the computer’s Bluetooth connectivity.
There are different ways to access and activate the Bluetooth connectivity on different devices. Even for Operation Systems like Windows, the steps to activate the Bluetooth connectivity for different versions will depend on the Windows version you’re using.
✅ Video – Fix Missing Bluetooth Icon in Windows 10/8.1/7 (Activate Bluetooth)
This video tutorial shows how to find the Bluetooth settings and connectivity on your Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 computers. If you don’t know how to find the Bluetooth icon on your computer, this video will show you how to fix the problem.
Set Your Bluetooth Scanner to Pairing Mode
For your Bluetooth scanner to work, you must set the scanner to pairing mode. 2.4 GHz scanners pair with the USB base automatically but that is not so with Bluetooth scanners. You will have to activate and pair the Bluetooth connectivity with the receiving device manually.
Some scanners feature a pairing button. If you hold down this button for a few seconds, the pairing mode will be activated. Usually, the scanner will show a light or make a sound when the pairing mode is turned on. But some scanners have no pairing button; they automatically activate the pairing mode when you switch on the scanner.
Some scanner models come with a special activation barcode. When you switch on the scanner, you will have to scan the activation barcode first. This will immediately set the scanner to pairing mode.
Pair the Scanner with Your Receiving Device
Scanner pairing is the last and easiest step to operate your Bluetooth scanner. Once your scanner is set to pairing mode, its name should appear on the “available devices” list in your computer or phone’s Bluetooth settings. Some experts say that certain Bluetooth scanners appear with the name, “Keyboard” because Bluetooth scanners use the same connection profile as Bluetooth keyboards.
What Is Transmission Range In Wireless Barcode Scanning?
Transmission range in wireless barcode scanning refers to the longest distance from which signals can reach the computer from the scanner. All wireless scanners have a transmission range. Most 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth scanners have a transmission range of at least 30 feet. However, some scanners have a much less transmission range.
Physical obstacles, such as walls and shelves, can affect the transmission range of a wireless scanner. The obstacles will reduce the maximum distance in which the scanner can work. The more obstacles there are, the lesser the transmission distance will become.
What Happens If A Scanner Is Outside Its Transmission Range?
Two things can happen if a wireless scanner is outside its transmission range. The scanner may not be able to scan barcodes until it’s back within its transmission range. But if the printer has a storage capacity, it will scan barcodes and store them. When it’s back within transmission range, it will transmit the stored data to your computer.
The average transmission range of most wireless scanners is usually not enough for most storage and warehouse operations. That’s why many recent models of wireless scanners have an embedded memory bank that can store scanned codes. However, these scanners also have varying degrees of memory capacity.
With this storage capacity, your scanner will remember all the barcodes you scan while out of the transmission range. And once it comes within its transmission range and reconnects with the computer, it will transmit all the stored barcodes to the computer. Some scanners can store thousands of barcodes while some have only hundreds. Yet some do not have this capacity at all. You should be able to find the storage capacity of your scanner on the manufacturer’s website.
Related Questions
How Does A Barcode Scanner Work?
Barcode scanners read barcodes by detecting and sensing the information in the lines and spaces of the barcode. They do this by reflecting red light from their illumination system, generating analog signals, and transmitting the signals to a decoder. When the signal reaches the decoder, the decoder will interpret the signal, validate the barcode, and convert it into text.
Where barcode scanners differ is how the signals get to the computer. Wired scanners transmit signals directly to computers via their USB cord. But 2.4GHz scanners make use of external decoders that you’ll have to plug into the computer’s USB port. Bluetooth scanners, on the other hand, make use of Bluetooth connectivity instead of a USB decoder.
How Can I Use My Android Phone As A Barcode Scanner For My PC?
To use your Android phone as a barcode scanner, you will have to download a special application for the Google Play Store. Many such applications allow your Android phone to send real-time barcode strokes to your PC. But you may also have to download a software program on your PC to facilitate the connection.
Many of these applications also require you to have your smartphone on the same wireless network as your computer. Upon effecting the connection, your smartphone’s camera will function as the barcode sensor. The application will launch your phone’s camera and you can then use it to scan the barcode.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Barcodes?
The major disadvantage of barcodes is the need for “line of sight” reading. This means that your barcode reader must be right in front of your barcode to read it. However, many scanners can still read barcodes if they are as far as 15 feet away from the barcode.
What’s more, barcodes are usually printed on plastic or paper substrates. This means they can damage quite easily. And when a barcode is damaged, it becomes difficult and sometimes impossible for a scanner to read the barcode.
Conclusion
We hope you have learned a lot about how wireless barcode scanners work. As you have seen, there are two main forms of wireless barcode scanners. And these two varieties work somewhat differently. But despite these differences, they are both effective and save you lots of energy and time, as well as make your inventory and transactions easier as you move about.