Control system comprising a transformable knob and a method of operating the same

A method of operating a control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions, a transformable knob in electronic communication with the controller, with the transformable knob comprising a body having a periphery wall arranged to flex, and an output device in electronic communication with the controller;

• the method comprising:
• performing a manipulation of the transformable knob with an operator from a first state to a second state;
• transmitting an input signal from the transformable knob to the controller;
• receiving the input signal with the controller;
• comparing the input signal with the processor to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium;
• transmitting an output signal from the controller to the output device;
• changing the output device from a first setting to a second setting;
• and
• flexing the periphery wall of the transformable knob from a first configuration corresponding to the first state to a second configuration corresponding to the second state.

A method of operating a control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions, a transformable knob in electronic communication with the controller, with the transformable knob comprising a body having a periphery wall arranged to flex, an actuator movable between a first position and a second position, and an electric motor coupled to the actuator and in electronic communication with the controller, and the control system further comprising an output device in electronic communication with the controller;

• the method comprising:
• performing a linear movement of the body of the transformable knob along an axis with an operator from a first state to a second state;
• transmitting an input signal from the transformable knob to the controller;
• receiving the input signal with the controller;
• comparing the input signal with the processor to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium;
• transmitting an output signal from the controller to the output device;
• changing the output device from a first setting to a second setting;
• transmitting a configuration signal to the electric motor;
• moving the actuator from the first position to the second position;
• simultaneously flexing the periphery wall of the transformable knob from a first configuration corresponding to the first state to a second configuration corresponding to the second state;
• rotating the body of the transformable knob about the axis with the operator from a first sub-state of the second state to a second sub-state of the second state;
• transmitting a secondary input signal from the transformable knob to the controller;
• receiving the secondary input signal with the controller;
• comparing the secondary input signal with the processor to the instructions in the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium;
• transmitting a secondary output signal from the controller to the output device;
• and
• changing the output device from a first sub-setting of the second setting to a second sub-setting of the second setting.