Patent ID: 7411174

Claim:
Apparatus for selectively emitting light to illuminate an enclosed space having a door allowing access thereto, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED's) positioned within said enclosed space; an infra red (IR) light source; an IR light sensor for responding to the presence of IR light from the IR light source; and a controller configured to determine when said door is in a first position and control said plurality of LED's based upon the response of said IR light sensor in response thereto; wherein, the first position is the door being in a closed position; wherein, the controller is further configured to deactivate the plurality of LED's when the IR sensor responds to the presence of IR light; and wherein, IR light from said IR light source is reflected off of a surface disposed on the door when the door is in the closed position before being received by said IR sensor whereby said plurality of LED's is deactivated.