Control input device

A control input device for a linked system comprising: a plurality of proximity sensors, each proximity sensor operable to determine the relative proximity of any object within a detection zone associated with the proximity sensor and output a proximity signal in response; a core unit operable to receive proximity signals from each proximity sensor and output a directional signal in response thereto; a communication unit operable to communicate the directional signal to the linked system: and one or more illumination units associated with each proximity sensor, wherein the one or more illumination units associated with each proximity sensor are operated in response to the proximity signal output by the associated proximity sensor.