Abstract: A control apparatus includes a visual display and input devices that are movable between a neutral state and non-neutral state. The control apparatus visually outputs on the visual display a visual output that is representative of a non-neutral state of an input device and whose position on the visual display is representative of the location on the control apparatus where the non-neutral input device is situated. The control apparatus can be configured to control any of a variety of pieces of equipment and employs a configuration file that is deployed on the control apparatus in order to configure it to enable it to communicate with a particular piece of equipment. Equipment-specific firmware drivers serve as an interface between the input devices and a graphics engine without the graphics engine needing to know anything about the piece of equipment itself.

Abstract: A small, self-contained device that regularly reminds people to test their smoke alarms is provided. This reminder device has internal electronics with a power supply, and includes an electronic timer that periodically activates a visual reminder indicator (2) (or optional internal audible indicator). A manual reset is provided to restart the timer and to deactivate the indicator. Additionally, an audio detection circuit is provided which automatically resets the timer and deactivates the indicator when the reminder device is held in close proximity to a smoke alarm that is being tested. The reminder device is self-contained in a housing with a decorative front bezel (14) and has attachment means by which the device can be attached to many different items within a household.