A method includes a) operating an inertial sensor device arranged on or in a mobile motor-driven processing device in a motion-monitoring operating mode to monitor whether an inertial variable or a variable based on the inertial variable fulfills a motion criterion, wherein the motion criterion is characteristic of a motion of the processing device, b) if the motion criterion is fulfilled, operating the inertial sensor device in a shock and/or impact-monitoring operating mode to monitor whether the inertial variable or a variable based on the inertial variable fulfills a shock and/or impact criterion, wherein the shock and/or impact criterion is characteristic of an atypical motion of the processing device, and c) if the shock and/or impact criterion is fulfilled, transmitting an information signal via the inertial sensor device and operating the control device as a function of the transmitted information signal.