A method of operating a control device

The invention relates to a method for operating a control device (12) with a hardware module (4) comprising a number of surface elements (5, 7, 9, 11), wherein at least one function of the control device (12) is to be executed, for performing a reconfigurable surface (3) is associated, comprising at least one surface element (5, 7, 9, 11) of the hardware module (4). The invention also relates to a circuit arrangement (1) for a control unit (12) and a controller (12).