Function indicator system for electric fireplace

A method for indicating enablement or disablement of a power setting of a heater of an electric fireplace, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an electric fireplace that comprises a heater, a heater power control feature, and a heater disabling feature, wherein the heater disabling feature is separate and distinct from the heater power control feature, and wherein the electric fireplace comprising a simulated fuel source constructed using natural or artificial materials and further comprising a simulated flame light system, a simulated ember bed light system, or both;
• (b) as desired, using the heater power control feature to turn on and turn off power to the heater and using the heater disabling feature to disable the heater so that the heater cannot be turned on using the heater power control feature while allowing the simulated flame light system, simulated ember bed light system, and other non-heater features of the electric fireplace to continue to operate;
• (c) providing a first signal that is perceivable visually or audibly or both audibly and visually by a user, wherein the first signal indicates to the user that the heater has been enabled using the heater disabling feature so that heat will be generated;
• and
• (d) providing a second signal that is perceivable visually or audibly or both audibly and visually by a user, wherein the second signal indicates to the user that the heater has been disabled using the heater disabling feature so that heat will not be generated;
• wherein a light source is operable to create a simulated flame effect on the projection screen;
• wherein if the first signal comprises a visual signal, the visual signal comprises light effects produced by a simulated flame light system, a simulated ember bed light system, or both;
• and
• wherein if the second signal comprises a visual signal, the visual signal comprises light effects produced by a simulated flame light system, a simulated ember bed light system, or both.

A method for disabling a heater of an electric fireplace, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an electric fireplace comprising a heater, a heater power control feature, and a heater disabling feature, the electric fireplace comprising a simulated fuel source constructed using natural or artificial materials;
• (b) using the heater disabling feature, disabling the heater so that power to the heater cannot be turned on using the heater power control feature of the electric fireplace;
• and
• (c) providing a signal that is perceivable visually or audibly or both audibly and visually by a user, wherein the signal indicates to the user that power to the heater has been disabled so that the heater cannot be powered on;
• wherein a light source is operable to create a simulated flame effect on the projection screen;
• wherein the heater disabling feature is discrete from and operated independently from the heater power control.

A system for disabling a heater of an electric fireplace, the system comprising:

• an electric fireplace comprising a simulated fuel source, a heater, and a projection screen;
• a function indicator module for creating a non-video visual status display of the control settings of the electric fireplace on the projection screen, wherein the non-video visual status display comprises projected light;
• a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module;
• a power source;
• a light source to create a simulated flame effect on the projection screen;
• a heater power control feature to turn on and off power to the heater;
• and
• a heater disabling feature operable to selectively create the simulated flame effect without operating the heater, the heater disabling feature being a concealed feature of a control feature of the electric fireplace separate and distinct from the heater power control feature;
• wherein the simulated fuel source is constructed from natural or artificial materials;
• wherein the heater disabling feature is separate from the heater power control feature;
• wherein the heater disabling feature is engaged and operated separately and independently from the heater power control feature.