A sensor for sensing physical characteristics of a patient, the sensor comprising: a support structure; a sensor component coupled to the support structure for sensing a physical characteristic of the patient, wherein the sensor component is configured to: produce at least one signal indicative of the physical characteristic; transmit the at least one signal to a monitor external to the sensor, wherein the at least one signal is capable of being used by the external monitor to monitor first and second physiological parameters; receive a first drive signal from the external monitor that results from the external monitor monitoring the first physiological parameter; and receive a second drive signal from the external monitor that results from the external monitor monitoring the second physiological parameter; the sensor component comprising: an infrared light emitter, wherein the infrared light is used to sense the physical characteristic; a detector for detecting the infrared light after it passes within the tissue of the patient; a first visible light emitter, that emits visible light of a first color, wherein: the first visible light emitter is not used to sense the physical characteristic; the first color is color-coded to the first physiological parameter; and the first visible light emitter emits visible light in response to the sensor component receiving the first drive signal; and a second visible light emitter that emits visible light of a second color, that is different from the first color, wherein: the second color is color-coded to the second physiological parameter; and the second visible light emitter emits visible light in response to the sensor component receiving the second drive signal. a support structure; a sensor component coupled to the support structure for sensing a physical characteristic of the patient, wherein the sensor component is configured to: produce at least one signal indicative of the physical characteristic; transmit the at least one signal to a monitor external to the sensor, wherein the at least one signal is capable of being used by the external monitor to monitor first and second physiological parameters; receive a first drive signal from the external monitor that results from the external monitor monitoring the first physiological parameter; and receive a second drive signal from the external monitor that results from the external monitor monitoring the second physiological parameter; produce at least one signal indicative of the physical characteristic; transmit the at least one signal to a monitor external to the sensor, wherein the at least one signal is capable of being used by the external monitor to monitor first and second physiological parameters; receive a first drive signal from the external monitor that results from the external monitor monitoring the first physiological parameter; and receive a second drive signal from the external monitor that results from the external monitor monitoring the second physiological parameter; the sensor component comprising: an infrared light emitter, wherein the infrared light is used to sense the physical characteristic; a detector for detecting the infrared light after it passes within the tissue of the patient; an infrared light emitter, wherein the infrared light is used to sense the physical characteristic; a detector for detecting the infrared light after it passes within the tissue of the patient; a first visible light emitter, that emits visible light of a first color, wherein: the first visible light emitter is not used to sense the physical characteristic; the first color is color-coded to the first physiological parameter; and the first visible light emitter emits visible light in response to the sensor component receiving the first drive signal; and the first visible light emitter is not used to sense the physical characteristic; the first color is color-coded to the first physiological parameter; and the first visible light emitter emits visible light in response to the sensor component receiving the first drive signal; and a second visible light emitter that emits visible light of a second color, that is different from the first color, wherein: the second color is color-coded to the second physiological parameter; and the second visible light emitter emits visible light in response to the sensor component receiving the second drive signal. the second color is color-coded to the second physiological parameter; and the second visible light emitter emits visible light in response to the sensor component receiving the second drive signal.