Abstract: An appliance has an operating unit with an actuating element for triggering a pre-determined action. The actuating element is mechanically actuatable by force of a user. The actuating element is preferably a mechanically actuatable switch and/or key element. A touch-sensitive sensor is built into the actuating element, for detecting skin contact occurring as a result of the exertion of force for the mechanical actuation of the actuating element. The appliance is also embodied in such a way that, as a requirement for triggering the pre-determined actions, it is checked whether the actuating element is actuated and skin contact is detected by the touch-sensitive sensor. The appliance prevents defective actuations by associating touch-sensitive sensor technology with the mechanically actuatable actuating element. This ensures that mechanical actuation without skin contact does trigger the pre-determined action.

Abstract: An appliance has an operating unit with an actuating element for triggering a pre-determined action. The actuating element is mechanically actuatable by force of a user. The actuating element is preferably a mechanically actuatable switch and/or key element. A touch-sensitive sensor is built into the actuating element, for detecting skin contact occurring as a result of the exertion of force for the mechanical actuation of the actuating element. The appliance is also embodied in such a way that, as a requirement for triggering the pre-determined actions, it is checked whether the actuating element is actuated and skin contact is detected by the touch-sensitive sensor. The appliance prevents defective actuations by associating touch-sensitive sensor technology with the mechanically actuatable actuating element. This ensures that mechanical actuation without skin contact does trigger the predetermined action.

Abstract: An appliance has four actuating elements are arranged around an edge of a display. One actuating element is arranged above the display, one below the display, one to the right of the display and one to the left of the display. In this way, the appliance is operated. A corresponding menu structure or list of applications on the display is coupled to the actuation of the actuating elements. A corresponding list in a hierarchy plane of the menu structure is run through or changed between applications running on the appliance by actuating the upper and lower actuating elements. The right and left actuating elements enable change from one hierarchy plane to another hierarchy plane of the menu structure or the display of detail information about applications. The appliance can especially be a portable appliance, e.g. an appliance that can be worn on the wrist or a mobile telephone.