Remote control device that uses color to indicate change in status
View Patent ↗A remote control device is disclosed and may include a memory, at least one processor, and an illumination device. The at least one processor may enable two-way communication between the remote control device and an appliance. The illumination device may cause an appearance of the remote control device to change as a function of received information. The at least one processor may receive temperature related information associated with the appliance. The illumination device may cause the appearance of the remote control device to change as a function of the received temperature related information. The memory may include a library of commands for commanding functional operations of the appliance. The remote control device may include a user interface operable to cause the at least one processor to transmit one or more of the commands to the appliance. Appearance of the remote control may change when the illumination device changes illumination colors.
1. A remote control device, comprising:
a memory;
at least one processor, the at least one processor enables two-way communication between the remote control device and an appliance; and
an illumination device, the illumination device causing an appearance of the remote control device to change as a function of received information,
wherein the at least one processor receives temperature related information associated with the appliance, and the illumination device causing the appearance of the remote control device to change as a function of the received temperature related information.
2. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises a library of commands for commanding functional operations of the appliance.
3. The remote control device of claim 2 , comprising:
a user interface operable to cause the at least one processor to transmit one or more of the commands to the appliance.
4. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the appearance of the remote control device is changed by causing the illumination device to change illumination colors.
5. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the appearance of the remote control device is changed by causing the illumination device to change light intensities.
6. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the two-way communication comprises a wireless communication channel.
7. The remote control device as recited in claim 1 , comprising a speaker for outputting an alarm.
8. A remote control device, comprising:
a memory;
at least one processor, the at least one processor enables two-way communication between the remote control device and an appliance; and
an illumination device, the illumination device causing an appearance of the remote control device to change as a function of received information,
wherein the at least one processor receives timing related information associated with the appliance, and the illumination device causing the appearance of the remote control device to change as a function of the received timing related information.
9. The remote control device of claim 8 , wherein the memory comprises a library of commands for commanding functional operations of the appliance.
10. The remote control device of claim 9 , comprising:
a user interface operable to cause the at least one processor to transmit one or more of the commands to the appliance.
11. The remote control device of claim 8 , wherein the appearance of the remote control device is changed by causing the illumination device to change illumination colors.
12. The remote control device of claim 8 , wherein the appearance of the remote control device is changed by causing the illumination device to change light intensities.
13. The remote control device of claim 8 , wherein the two-way communication comprises a wireless communication channel.
14. The remote control device as recited in claim 8 , comprising a speaker for outputting an alarm.