Security device

A security device, preferably for motor vehicles, comprising:

• an electronic control unit for controlling the functions of an apparatus to be protected;
• a mechanical input means, which can be set to various positions with the aid of a suitable key, and which provides an electrical signal to said control unit corresponding to its set position, for causing said electronic control unit, when in a condition of operational readiness, to actuate the apparatus to be protected;
• at least two sensors for detecting specific local positions of said mechanical input means and for providing corresponding output signals;
• a circuit which is disposed in the apparatus to be protected, which is provided with a memory in which a vehicle-specific code is stored, which receives the output signals of said sensors, and whose readout of said memory is controlled by said output signals;
• wherein said electronic control unit carries out an exchange of data with said circuit in order to check the vehicle-specific code stored in said memory of said circuit and to control the operational readiness of said electronic control unit to actuate the apparatus to be protected;
• and,
• wherein, on the basis of the exchange of data, said electronic control unit can be placed into operational readiness to actuate the apparatus to be protected only if the output signals of said sensors fed to said circuit correspond to a predetermined local position of said mechanical input means.