Control knob for controlling operation of a machine

1. A control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob including:

an attachment member configured for attaching the control knob to a surface of the machine so that the control knob is operably connectable with the machine to control operation thereof;

a display member comprising an electronic display module disposed thereon;

an operational mode display controller for controlling display of operational modes of the machine upon the electronic display module, said operational mode display controller being configured for rotational movement around the electronic display module amongst a plurality of rotational positions, said operational mode display controller being operably connected with the electronic display module such that, responsive to the rotational movement of the operational mode display controller amongst the plurality of rotational positions, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operational modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions;

a detent mechanism configured for providing controlled incremental rotational movement of the operational mode display controller about the display member into the plurality of rotational positions;

an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the plurality of operational modes of the machine when said one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for depressible movement from at least an undepressed position into a depressed position, said depressible movement being configured to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module, and whereby the operational mode selector is biased into the undepressed position by a return spring so that upon movement of the operational mode selector from the undepressed position into the depressed position the operational mode selector is urged back into the undepressed position by the return spring;

a printed circuit board comprising a microcontroller module for controlling operation of the electronic display module and the machine in response to movement of the operational mode display controller and the operation mode selector; and

wherein the display member and the attachment member form a housing therebetween that encloses the printed circuit board, the detent mechanism and the return spring together therein to form an integrated unit in the control knob.

2. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector comprises at least one of the (i) display member, and (ii) the operational mode display controller.

3. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector is configured for depressible movement from at least the undepressed position into the depressed position along a movement axis extending in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the electronic display module.

4. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector is configured for at least one of tilting movement, pivoting movement, and sliding movement between at least the first position and the second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.

5. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display member includes an end surface upon which the electronic display module is disposed thereon and a sidewall extending substantially perpendicularly from an edge-region of the end surface.

6. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display member includes a cylindrical-shaped configuration.

7. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 including a mechanism configured for vibrating the control knob in response to the operational mode selector being moved to actuate selection of an operational mode of the machine.

8. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic display module is configured to output at least one of a predefined colour or brightness in response to the operational mode selector being moved to actuate selection of an operational mode of the machine.

9. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control knob includes a sound emitter configured to output a predefined sound in response to the operational mode selector being moved to actuate selection of an operational mode of the machine.

10. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic display module includes a touchscreen display and whereby the touchscreen display is operable by a user to perform at least one of:

(a) displaying the plurality of operational modes of the machine; and

(b) selecting one of the plurality of operational modes when said one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module.

11. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector includes a gripping surface disposed on the sidewall.

12. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode display controller includes an annular member having a passage extending along an elongate axis thereof, said annular member being configured for surrounding the display member whereby the passage of the annular member is shaped for the display member to extend therethrough.

13. A control knob as claimed in claim 12 wherein annular member includes a cylindrical-shaped sleeve having a sidewall extending in a substantially parallel orientation to the sidewall of the display member.

14. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 including a wireless communication module configured for communication with a wireless communication module of an external device, said external device including at least one of (i) the machine (ii) a smartphone device, and (iii) a personal computer.

15. A control knob as claimed in claim 14 wherein the wireless communication module includes at least one of a WI-FI® and a BLUETOOTH® type wireless communication module.

16. A control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob including:

an attachment member configured for attaching the control knob to a surface of the machine so that the control knob is operably connectable with the machine to control operation thereof;

a display member comprising an electronic display module disposed thereon, the display member being configured for rotational movement about a movement axis extending substantially perpendicularly to a planar face of the display member, the electronic display module being configured such that, responsive to the rotational movement of the display member, the electronic display module displays a plurality of operational modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions;

a detent mechanism configured for providing controlled incremental rotational movement of an operational display controller about the display member into its plurality of rotational positions;

an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the plurality of operational modes of the machine when one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for depressible movement from at least an undepressed position into a depressed position, the depressible movement being configured to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module, and whereby the operational mode selector is biased into the undepressed position by a return spring so that upon movement of the operational mode selector from the undepressed position into the depressed position the operational mode selector is urged back into the undepressed position by the return spring;

a printed circuit board comprising a microcontroller module for controlling operation of the electronic display module and the machine in response to movement of the operational display controller and the operational mode selector; and

wherein the display member and the attachment member form a housing therebetween which encloses the printed circuit board, the detent mechanism and the return spring together therein to form an integrated unit in the control knob.