yeah, easier way is: (double positions)
1. Right 1
2. Down 2, 0
3. Up 3
4. Left 5 Only

You can just tell how many leds are on the left and on the right.

The guide is 6 years old by the way and I haven't touched the game since then. Things might be outdated or new better things have been found out by now. Back then it was an easier way of doing things. Easier, not easiest.

I just went through the manual, to understand the mechanics. I haven't played the game yet.
I now assume, the LED pattern can only be one of the eight patterns given in the manual. Is that correct?
If that is the case, let's refine the concept of doubles and columns a bit more.

In most cases you can ignore the columns 4 to 6.

A double in column 1 is always "right", ignore columns 2 to 6.
Otherwise, a double on 2 is "down", ignore columns 3 to 6.
Otherwise, a double on 3 is "up", ignore columns 4 to 6.
The only double in the pattern is located in column 5, it is "left".
No doubles at all is "down".

Is that a correct "flowchart" for dealing with the knob (or heck, even for the defuser to memorize)?

i just use only the top rows for every section because they're all different.

this is overcomplicating it, the defuser can just learn this in about 5 minutes and you'll never have to expert for it again:

(left side LEDs)
left = 0/1 lighted up
right = perfect U
up = U missing 1 led
down = U with 2 misplaced LED

i teach this to all my defusers i expert for

I just learn:
If 4 on left, its UP,
If 5-3 or 3 on left, its DOWN,
If left 0 or 1, its LEFT,
If 5-2 or 5-4, its RIGHT.

@Zeke McKillip Might be the case. It's been 4 years since I've written this and it's just a simplier way, not the simpliest :)

unless im missing something major for up, down, left, and right you only need look at the first three positions. up=001 down=011 left=000 right=101 if __=0 and X=1

@Daido NybbleMe has a good point too :P