A motion detection apparatus and method for detecting motion in an apparatus being monitored, and for controlling operations of the apparatus being monitored. First logic of the apparatus processes electrical signals output from an optical detector to produce values that represent movement or an absence of movement of the apparatus being monitored. Second logic of the apparatus receives the values from the first logic and processes them to determine whether the values indicate that the apparatus being monitored has moved. When a determination is made that the apparatus being monitored has not moved, the apparatus being monitored is change from a current mode of operations to a different mode of operations.