Patent ID: 7936276
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: G08B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a light source interface configured to energize a light source for illuminating an area; an animate object detector for detecting an animate object in the area; a controller circuit operably coupled to the animate object detector and to the light source interface and being configured and arranged to: upon detecting an animate object via the animate object detector, causing energy as is provided via the light source interface to be only temporarily intermittent in order to cause the light source that is energized via the light source interface upon detecting an animate object to flash for a predetermined period and thereby draw attention to the animate object; and following the predetermined period, causing the light source interface to deliver constant energization to the light source in order to cause the light source to constantly illuminate the area for as long as an animate object is detected, and thereafter de-energizing the light source.