An illumination device, comprising:</claim-text> a waveguide having an illumination coupler embedded in an interior region of said waveguide, said illumination coupler adapted to receive light from a point source within said interior region, and to t light between generally parallel top and bottom surfaces outside said interior region, said illumination coupler comprising a refractive index interface which is inclined relative to at least one of said top and bottom surfaces said interface being configured to reflect light rays emitted by the point source which propagate along a line that forms less than the critical angle of total internal reflection with respect to a line lying in one of said top and bottom surfaces, such that light rays which would otherwise pass out of said waveguide are captured for propagation between said top and bottom surfaces. view more

The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the waveguide and illumination coupler are integrally formed from a single piece of material.

An optical apparatus, comprising:</claim-text> a light emitting diode (LED); an optical element having top and bottom opposing sides and an edge extending between the top and bottom opposing sides, said LED mounted at a predetermined location beneath tral portion of said optical element such that light from the LED enters the optical element, said optical element including a TIR surface spaced from said bottom side and extending from a point above the LED outwardly towards said edges, said TIR surface positioned to receive light emitted by the LED, said TIR surface curving towards the LED so as to form a cusp above the LED, the curving TIR surface totally internally reflecting light rays such that reflected light rays propagate from the TIR surface towards the edge of the optical element. view more

The optical apparatus of claim 30, wherein said TIR surface is circularly symmetric.

The optical apparatus of claim 30, wherein said TIR surface is leaky such that some light emitted by the LED is transmitted therethrough.

The optical apparatus of claim 33, wherein said cusp is contoured to permit leakage of light through said TIR surface.

The optical apparatus of claim 34, wherein said cusp is rounded to permit leakage of light through said TIR surface.

The optical apparatus of claim 30, wherein said optical element comprises polymeric material.

The optical apparatus of claim 36, wherein said optical element comprises material selected from the group comprising acrylic, polycarbonate, and silicone.

An optical apparatus, comprising:</claim-text> a light emitting diode (LED); an optical element positioned to receive light from the light emitting diode, said element comprised of a refractive index interface having a curved shape that is trical about an axis and converges to a location in a central portion of the optical element, said location and said light emitting diode lying substantially on said axis, said interface being shaped and positioned relative to said LED to reflect a substantial portion of light from said LED in a direction transverse to said axis. view more

The optical apparatus of claim 38, wherein said refractive index interface is circularly symmetric.

The optical apparatus of claim 38, wherein said refractive interface surface converges to form a cusp which terminates at said location.

The optical apparatus of claim 41, wherein said cusp is contoured to permit leakage of light through said central portion of said refractive index interface.

The optical apparatus of claim 42, wherein said cusp is rounded to permit leakage of light through said central portion of said refractive index interface.

The optical apparatus of claim 38, wherein said refractive index interface is leaky such that some light emitted by the light emitting diodes transmitted therethrough.

The optical apparatus of claim 38, wherein said optical element comprises polymeric material.

The optical apparatus of claim 46, wherein said optical element comprises material selected from the group comprising acrylic, polycarbonate, and silicone.

The optical apparatus of claim 46, wherein said refractive index interface comprises an air/polymer interface.

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the series of baffles are constructed of high-reflectance plastic.

A method of backlighting a display panel, comprising: producing illumination from a substantially lambertian light source comprising a cavity with internal side walls, an internal bottom wall, and an aperture, said step of producing illumination comprising the step of directing light rays emitted by plural light sources mounted on said internal bottom wall and around the perimeter of the aperture into the cavity such that the light exiting the aperture is substantially uniform in intensity and color; using a diffuser to diffuse light from said substantially lambertian light source; using a brightness enhancing film to concentrate the diffused light into a predetermined angular range without significantly reducing the uniformity of the diffused light; and directing the concentrated, diffused light onto said display panel. view more