Control knob assembly, system and control method

A control method for a combination shifter and engine operation apparatus in a vehicle, the control method comprising:

• providing a rotary control knob rotatable to a plurality of positions for instructing operation of a transmission of the vehicle and actuatable for at least one of starting and stopping of an engine of the vehicle, said control knob including a display disposed thereon;
• displaying first indicia on said display relating to at least one of starting and stopping of the engine;
• and
• displaying second indicia on said display relating to a selected one of said plurality of positions at which said rotary control knob resides.

A control knob assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

• a rotary control knob rotatable to a plurality of positions for commanding a first vehicle function of the vehicle and separately actuatable through touch input on an upper face thereof for actuating a second vehicle function;
• a display disposed on said upper face where said touch input is received for alternately displaying first indicia relating to said first vehicle function and second indicia relating to said second vehicle function;
• wherein said first indicia displayed on said display relating to said first vehicle function without display of said second indicia;
• and
• wherein said second indicia alternately displayed on said display relating to said second vehicle function without display of said first indicia.