A method for detecting a user input based on a gesture in which image data of at least two individual images are acquired and recoding times are allocated to the individual images. Each of the acquired individual images is segmented, an individual image object is identified in each of the individual images and a reference point is determined based on the individual image object. A trajectory is determined based on the reference points in the individual images and a gesture is determined based on the trajectory. An output signal is generated and output based on the gesture determined. A device for detecting a user input based on a gesture having an acquisition unit for acquiring image data, a segmentation unit for performing segmentation, a trajectory computing unit for determining the trajectory, an allocation unit for determining a gesture and an output unit.