Patent ID: 8136955

Claim:
An illumination system comprising a light source and a light-guide; wherein a first part of the light-guide is defined by a surface for light emission and a back surface generally opposed to the surface for light emission, and a second part of the light-guide is defined by a light receiving surface and a light reflecting surface, the light reflecting surface being for reflecting light entering the second part of the light-guide through the light receiving surface into the first part of the light-guide; wherein the first part of the light-guide and the second part of the light-guide define an optically continuous refractive medium; wherein the surface for light emission, the light receiving surface, the light reflecting surface and the back surface are non-coincident with one another; wherein the light source is disposed adjacent or substantially adjacent to the light receiving surface of the light-guide; and wherein the light source and the light receiving surface are on the same side of the waveguide as the surface for light emission.