Patent ID: 7932627

Claim:
An electric steering lock for a steering shaft of a steering wheel column of a motor vehicle, comprising: a locking element that is movable between a first position of locking engagement with a latched-in position on the steering shaft and a second position out of locking engagement with said latched-in position; a drive for moving the locking element between the first position and the second position; electronics for controlling the drive; and an associated device in the form of one of an electronic key, an identification (ID) transmitter, and a chip card; wherein when the device is authorized, the electronics generate signals to cause the drive to move the locking element at least into the second position, wherein said signals trigger functions which would otherwise be triggered by an ignition lock associated with the steering wheel column, and wherein the electronics simulate key position signals which would otherwise be output by the ignition lock in the case of manual operation using an ignition key.