Patent 7264573 was granted and assigned to Denso on September, 2007 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
An automatic transmission control apparatus controls a gear position by engaging and disengaging multiple frictional elements. A hydraulic pressure detector detects hydraulic pressure applied to the frictional elements. A failure determiner determines a failure, i.e., a dual-engagement of the frictional elements in accordance with detection signals of the hydraulic pressure detector. The hydraulic pressure detector detects first and second hydraulic pressure applied to the plurality of frictional elements. The second hydraulic pressure is greater than the first hydraulic pressure. The failure determiner determines a failure in accordance with a detection signals of the first and second hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detector.