Control knob for controlling operation of a machine

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.