US Patent 7326148 Control system for electronic actuated shifter

A shifter mechanism for a motor vehicle includes a shifter lever, a park switch indicating when the shifter lever is out of a park position, and an electric actuator movable between a locking position and an unlocking position to lock and unlock the lever. An interlock switch indicates when the vehicle operator desires to move the lever. A controller moves the actuator when an ignition switch indicates an ignition is on, a brake switch indicates a brake pedal is pressed, and the interlock switch is actuated. The controller also moves the actuator when the lever is not in the park position and the interlock switch is actuated. The controller actuates a vehicle key lock actuator when the ignition switch indicates the vehicle ignition is on or when the park switch indicates that the lever is not in the park position.