Abstract: A steering column switch system includes a device for recording the position of the steering column switch. The device converts the switching position that has been adopted by the steering column switch into a bit pattern. A decoding unit assigns a switching function to the bit pattern of the position that has been identified. Another device recognizes errors during the detection or transmission of the bit patterns. The decoding unit modifies the assignments between the bit patterns and the switching functions to be initiated as a function of the bit pattern errors.

Abstract: A device for detecting switching positions of an element movable along a detent curve. The device includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. A shutter is between the transmitter and the receiver. The shutter moves relative to the transmitter and the receiver in response to the element moving between switching positions. A light-beam aperture is on the detent curve at a point corresponding to a given switching position such that the light-beam aperture and a shutter aperture of the shutter are aligned when the element is in the given switching position. One of the transmitter and the receiver is positioned behind the detent curve and aligned with the light-beam aperture viewed from the direction of the other of the transmitter and the receiver such that light travels from the transmitter through the light-beam and shutter apertures to illuminate the receiver when the element is in the given switching position.