Patent ID: 7898665

Claim:
An illumination system, comprising: a first light source, wherein the first light source is selected from one of a first Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a laser, wherein the first light source emits a first light of a first color; and a luminescent rod light source, wherein the luminescent rod light source includes: a second LED light source, wherein the second LED light source emits a second light of a second color; and a luminescent rod that is positioned to receive the second light, wherein the second light is absorbed by the luminescent rod which then emits a third light of a third color; an outlet aperture wherein the third light exits at the outlet aperture; an optical element to increase the light emitted at the outlet aperture; and associated optics, wherein the associated optics combine the light of the first light source and the light of the third light source on the same optical axis.