An operator control device controlling safety-relevant functions associated with a vehicle, the operator control device comprising:
- at least one user interface having at least one user input panel for user input;
- and a sensor system for identifying a user input in an area of the user input panel, wherein the sensor system comprises a first, capacitive sensor device having a first, electrically conductive sensor structure and a second, capacitive sensor device having a second, electrically conductive sensor structure, the sensor structures being arranged beneath the at least one user interface in the area of the user input panel wherein the first sensor structure and the second sensor structure are each configured in comb-like and meanderous fashion and arranged in intermeshing fashion at least in a subarea of the user input panel, wherein the sensor system is configured to register, in comparison with a reference state, a first electrical potential change of the first sensor structure and a second electrical potential change of the second sensor structure wherein the change in the electrical potential is caused as a result of the user input in the area of the user input panel, wherein the operator control device triggers one of the safety-relevant functions based on the sensor system registering the first electrical potential change and the second electrical potential change staggered times as a provision for safety-relevant plausibilization of captured sensor signals, wherein registering the first electrical potential change comprises:
- maintaining, throughout a first time period, the first sensor structure at a first constant electrical potential and a reference capacitor at a second constant electrical potential;
- electrically connecting, throughout a second time period subsequent to the first time period, the first sensor structure and the reference capacitor together;
- registering, during a third time period subsequent to the second time period, a first resulting electrical potential of the first sensor structure;
- maintaining, throughout a fourth time period subsequent to the third time period, the first sensor structure at the second constant electrical potential and the reference capacitor at the first constant electrical potential;
- electrically connecting, throughout a fifth time period subsequent to the fourth time period, the first sensor structure and the reference capacitor together;
- registering, during a sixth time period subsequent to the fifth time period, a second resulting electrical potential of the first sensor structure, wherein the first electrical potential change comprises a difference between the first resulting electrical potential and the second resulting electrical potential.