Abstract: An apparatus for reading a bar code symbol is provide which includes a bar code scanner and a receiver. The scanner transmits an RF signal representation of the bar code symbol to the receiver that includes substantially less information than that originally present in the bar code, thus reducing the need for electrical power. The receiver reconstructs the original information of the bar code symbol from the RF signal. The scanner comprises an encoding element that converts a first signal representative of light reflected from the bar code symbol to a second signal representative only of bar-to-space and space-to-bar transitions of the bar code symbol. An RF transmitter within the scanner provides an RF signal from the second signal. The receiver comprises an RF receiving element adapted to receive the RF signal and reconstruct the first signal from the RF signal.