Automatic coded object identification system for reading labels of the type having retroreflective stripes arranged in a vertical array over a wide depth of field to two or more ranges (specifically three in the embodiment described herein). For each vertical scan of the stripes of a lebel by a scanner a set of electrical signals are produced. Each vertical scan also causes one of three processing control signals to be produced in succession. The electrical signals are amplified, shaped, and analyzed to determine if they meet prescribed limits as to pulsewidth measurements for proper label-derived signals. The process control signals control the values of amplification, shaping, and pulse-width measurement limits so that during three successive scans three sets of signals from a label are processed in three different manners. Each of the three process control signals causes the apparatus to optimally process the signals for a label located within a corresponding one of the three ranges. Thus, if a label is within one of the three ranges, the signals produced during one of three scanning operations will be properly processed. When signals are properly processed and found to meet the prescribed limits of pulse-width and other timing criteria, they are stored in a shift register until all the signal data on the label is accumulated. The accumulated data is checked in accordance with pattern recognition and parity checking schemes and if determined to be proper label-derived data it is transmitted to read out apparatus.