Lighting control circuit including LED for detecting exposure to radiation

The present invention relates generally to controlling the output of lights. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus that use an LED as a light sensor for detecting light levels in an area or room. The present invention provides a lighting control circuit having an LED that outputs a first signal in response to being exposed to radiation, a detection circuit coupled to the LED. The detection circuit is configured to generate a second signal from the first signal. A driver circuit is coupled to the detection circuit, and the driver circuit is configured to generate a third signal to control an illumination level of one or more lights. The third signal is varied in response to the second signal.