Patent ID: 8203439

Claim:
A method for communicating status information using an illuminating status display device comprising the steps of providing a display device having a light producing element capable of displaying a plurality of colors, at least one actuator, and an internal controller, wherein the internal controller is electrically connected to each said actuator and the light producing element and the actuator houses an actuator LED capable of producing visual light; providing a plurality of distinct visual outputs, wherein each said visual output communicates a different nurse call status message; providing a plurality of distinct electronic status change signals, wherein each said status change signal represents one status message and is associated with one actuator and one distinct corresponding visual output on said light producing element, wherein the transmission of any status change signal to the light producing element causes the display of the that status change signal's corresponding visual output on the light producing element, and the same light producing element displays the corresponding visual output of any status change signal; receiving a manual input on one of said actuators, wherein said manual input causes the corresponding status change signal to be transmitted to said internal controller, resulting in said internal controller causing the light producing element to display the associated visual output; and wherein said manual input additionally causes the actuator LED in the actuator that received said manual input to produce light.