Patent ID: 8908024

Claim:
A specified zone detection system comprising: an image acquisition module situated at a specified zone, wherein the specified zone is defined adjacent a fume hood having an operable sash; a presence determination module connected to the image acquisition module; wherein: the image acquisition module provides a current image of the specified zone; the presence determination module comprises a reference image source; the reference image source provides a reference image of the specified zone without a person present in the specified zone; the presence determination module indicates from a comparison of the current image and the reference image whether there is a person present in the specified zone; and if the sash of the fume hood is open and the presence determination module cannot determine whether or not there is a person present in the specified zone, adjusting the airflow in the specified zone to assure that the specified zone is environmentally safe; an illumination controller connected to the presence determination module; an illumination module connected to the illumination controller; an ambient light sensor in the specified zone; a lighting arrangement situated at the specified zone; and wherein: the ambient light sensor detects a magnitude of light in the specified zone; and if the magnitude of light is less than a predetermined level, then the lighting arrangement provides infrared light in the specified zone to increase the magnitude of light to at least the predetermined level.