Input device with function triggering or control which takes place on the basis of a capacitively measured actuation force and adaptation by means of capacitive contact detection

A method for inputting touch, comprising:

• providing an input device comprising a capacitive force sensor, a capacitive touch sensor assigned to the capacitive force sensor, and an evaluation unit, wherein the capacitive force sensor includes an operating surface, a first electrode made of a conductive material, which yields elastically under the action of an operating force acting upon the operating surface during an operation, and a second electrode made of a conductive material, which is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the first electrode;
• a touch-detection step, in which an associated characteristic value of a touch on the operating surface during the operation, such as a location or a surface of action of the touch, is detected by means of the capacitive touch sensor and the evaluation unit;
• and
• an operation-detection step shifted in time in relation to the touch-detection step, in which a measured quantity changing with the operating force is detected by means of the capacitive force sensor and the evaluation unit by generating a first measuring capacitance between the first electrodes and second electrodes, and a subsequent evaluation step, in which a switching or controlling function is assigned by the evaluation unit to the operation both in accordance with the characteristic value detected by the capacitive touch sensor in the touch-detection step and in accordance with the measured quantity detected in the operation-detection step.