Methods of operating a control device for controlling at least two different functions of an instrument in communication with the control device are provided, comprising for example the following steps: calibrating the control device in a calibration mode by assigning the at least two different functions to at least two different ways of actuating an actuation element and controlling the instrument in communication with the control device in an actuation mode to perform at least one of the at least two different functions defined in the calibration mode by an actuation of the actuation element. Corresponding devices are also provided.