wheel having a mark 26 as in the curve according to fig2 b however an additional mark 33 which is positioned after mark 26 on the camshaft is provided a sensor wheel that generates a signal sequence according to fig2 b would thus be used for engines of type a a sensor wheel that generates a signal sequence according to fig2 d would be used for combustion engines of type b therefore the same software could be used in vehicle b in order to generate the control signals for activating the internal combustion engine however an additional query routine that verifies after mark 26 if a signal corresponding to mark 33 also occurs would be provided if this signal of mark 33 does not occur the control unit determines that although it is intended for an internal combustion engine of type b it is being used for operating an internal combustion engine of type a and it would accordingly stop generating control signals fig2 e shows another signal sequence of a camshaft sensor wheel 25 mark 26 in this case simply being significantly wider than in the signal curve according to fig2 b again the same software could be used as for evaluating the signal sequence according to fig2 b i e when gap 23 occurs in the crankshaft signal it would be determined if a corresponding camshaft signal is present this would be possible either based on the ascending signal flank of signal 26 or even by a simple level query to determine if the control unit is used for a type b.