Patent ID: 8820990

Claim:
A vehicle lamp comprising: a transparent element comprising: a first contiguous optical area formed a first transparent substance, and an elongated second optical area formed from a second transparent substance, the elongated second optical area extending through the first contiguous optical area, the first and second optical areas adjoining one another along an optical boundary layer extending fully around an outer circumference of the elongated second optical area, such that the optical boundary layer is internal to the transparent element, and such that in a cross-section perpendicular to the elongated second optical area, the second optical area is surrounded by the first contiguous optical area, each optical area defined by a corresponding optical index of refraction; wherein the elongated second optical area defines a straight or curved rod-shaped light guide; and wherein the rod-shaped second optical area has a greater optical index of refraction than the first contiguous optical area surrounding the rod-shaped second optical area; a first light source coupled via a light coupling point into the rod-shaped second optical area along a direction of elongation of the second optical area; light from the first light source decoupled via at least one light decoupling point along the rod-shaped second optical area; at least one second light source emitting light toward the transparent element such that a first portion of the light passes sequentially through a first portion of the first contiguous optical area, through the optical boundary layer and through the rod-shaped second optical area, and through a second portion of the first contiguous optical area, such that a second portion of the light passes through the transparent element without encountering the optical boundary and rod-shaped second optical area; and the rod-shaped second optical area appearing transparent and unlighted by the first light source from outside the vehicle lamp except at the at least one light decoupling point along the rod-shaped second optical area based at least in part on the relative optical indices of refraction of the two optical areas.