Control unit with touch sensitive surface

The present invention relates to an operating device (10), in particular in a vehicle, with an operating element (1) that has a touch-sensitive surface (2), and a control device (6) that is coupled to the operating element (1), so that data relating to touches on the touch-sensitive surface (2) can be transmitted to the control device (6). The operating device according to the invention is characterized in that at least two separate areas (5-1, 5-2) are formed within the touch-sensitive surface (2), and the control device (6) is designed such that a parameter is changed incrementally when it has been detected that one of the at least two separate areas (5-1, 5-2) has been touched, and the same parameter is changed incrementally when it has been detected that a swiping gesture has been executed on the touch-sensitive surface.