Range recognition apparatus for automatic transmission

A range recognition apparatus for an automatic transmission, comprising:

• a range selector;
• a first contact configured to generate a first range signal during a state of the range selector being within a first region;
• a second contact configured to generate a second range signal during the state of the range selector being within a second region overlapping with the first region;
• and
• a controller connected for signal communication to the first contact and to the second contact, and configured to perform the following:
• recognizing that a first gear range of the automatic transmission is selected, when the first range signal is present and the second range signal is absent;
• recognizing that a second gear range of the automatic transmission is selected, when the first range signal is absent and the second range signal is present;
• and
• recognizing that the first gear range is selected, when the first range signal and the second range signal are both present.