JP2007316120A - Display panel inspection device and manufacturing method of display panel using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display panel inspection device by which characteristic inspection of response speed and the like of a display device can be accurately performed and to provide a manufacturing method of the display panel using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The display panel inspection device to be the inspecting device of the line sequentially scanning type display panel is provided with a panel holding part holding the display panel and a light sensing means having a light receiving part in which an oblong aperture extended in the scanning direction of the display panel held by the panel holding part is formed and sensing light emitted from the display panel and passed through the aperture of the light receiving part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display panel inspection apparatus and a method for manufacturing a display panel using the same.

  Conventionally, in order to measure the response speed of a display unit of a display device, such as a liquid crystal display panel of a liquid crystal display device, an inspection in which light emitted from the surface of the display panel is detected and measured by a light detection means such as an optical sensor Devices and inspection methods are used.

Here, as an inspection apparatus or inspection method for such a display device, Patent Document 1 discloses a laser, an optical parametric converter on which output light of the laser is incident, and a plurality of output lights of the optical parametric converter. A beam splitter, a mirror or a prism, a mount for adjusting the optical path length of the demultiplexed light, a lens for collecting the demultiplexed light, and all or a part of the demultiplexed light, Alternatively, a photoreceiver that receives new signal light generated in addition to the demultiplexed light and converts it into an electrical signal, and stores the output of the photoreceiver according to the position of the mount used to adjust the optical path length, or An optical response speed meter having a waveform meter to plot is disclosed. And according to this, it is possible to obtain an optical response speed measuring instrument that can extend the usable wavelength from the visible range to the near infrared range, and at the same time, realize a time resolution of about [ps] to about 10 [fs] or less. Are listed.
JP 06-094571 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the received light exceeds the measurement range of the measuring device depending on the brightness of the panel.

  For this reason, it is necessary to adjust the input value of the light received by the measuring device, and as one of the methods, there is conventionally known a method in which an optical sensor is measured using an oscilloscope or the like via an amplifier. In such a technique, by changing the gain of the amplifier, the input value of the received light can be adjusted and input to the measuring instrument.

  However, if the gain of the amplifier is changed in this way, there is a problem that the frequency characteristic of the amplifier also changes, and accurate measurement may not be possible.

  As a technique for solving such a problem, there is a technique in which an input value of light to be received is suppressed by reducing an area of a light receiving portion of an optical sensor that detects light.

  However, if the area of the light receiving unit is merely reduced, as shown in FIG. 9, when measuring the response speed for a line-sequential scanning type liquid crystal display panel or the like, an optical sensor for detecting light is removed from the panel. A plurality of irradiated linear light may be received. Since different linear lights are irradiated at different times and enter the optical sensor, there is a possibility that an accurate response speed of the display panel cannot be measured in such a situation.

  If the light receiving portion of the photosensor is further reduced so that only one piece of linear light emitted from the panel is detected instead of a plurality of pieces, the amount of light received by the photosensor becomes too small. For this reason, there is a possibility that the accurate response speed of the display panel cannot be measured.

  The present invention has been made in view of such various points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display panel inspection apparatus capable of accurately inspecting characteristics such as response speed of a display apparatus, and the same. It is to provide a method for manufacturing a display panel.

  A display panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention is an inspection apparatus for a line-sequential scanning display panel, and includes a panel holding unit that holds the display panel, and an elongated shape that extends in the scanning line direction of the display panel held by the panel holding unit. And a light detecting unit that detects light emitted from the display panel that has passed through the opening of the light receiving unit.

  According to such a configuration, when an inspection is performed on a line-sequential scanning display panel or the like, the light receiving unit in which an elongated opening extending in the scanning line direction of the display panel of the light detection unit is formed from the display panel. The linear light is detected in an elongated region extending in the scanning line direction. For this reason, light reception of linear light from a plurality of scanning lines can be suppressed. Further, the amount of light received as a whole can be reduced, while only the amount of linear light from the scanning line to be inspected can be received more. Therefore, it is possible to accurately perform the characteristic inspection of the display device while suppressing the range over of the measuring device for the display panel inspection caused by the excessive amount of received light.

  In the display panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the light receiving unit may include a light shielding member in which an opening is formed.

  According to such a structure, the light-shielding member in which the opening was formed in the light-receiving part of the existing light detection means can be attached. For this reason, the structure of an apparatus can be simplified. Furthermore, if a plurality of light-shielding members having openings of various shapes are prepared, the optimal amount of light for the measuring instrument can be obtained by replacing the light-shielding member for the light emitted from the display panel in the display panel inspection process. Can be selected and detected each time.

  Furthermore, in the display panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the light shielding member may be made of metal.

  According to such a configuration, since the light shielding member is made of metal, the shape of the opening formed in the light shielding member is stable, and light emitted from the display panel can be effectively shielded in the light shielding region. .

  In the display panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the light shielding member may be made of resin.

  According to such a configuration, since the light shielding member is made of resin, various shapes of openings can be easily formed in the light shielding member.

  Furthermore, in the display panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the light receiving section may be configured such that at least one of the length and width of the opening is variable.

  According to such a configuration, since the light receiving unit is configured such that at least one of the length and width of the opening is variably configured, in the inspection process of the display panel, with respect to the light emitted from the display panel, By changing the length or / and width of the opening, it becomes easy to select and detect the optimum amount of light for the measuring instrument each time.

  The display panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention may further include response speed calculation means for calculating the response speed of the display panel based on a signal from the light detection means that detects the light emitted from the display panel.

  According to such a configuration, since the response speed calculation means for calculating the response speed of the display panel based on the signal from the light detection means that detects the light emitted from the display panel is further provided, the response speed of the display panel The range over of the measuring instrument for inspection can be suppressed, and the response speed of the display panel can be accurately inspected.

  The method for manufacturing a display panel according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a line-sequential scanning display panel, and detects an emitted light from the display panel in a narrow region extending in the scanning line direction of the display panel. It is provided with.

  According to such a configuration, when inspecting a line-sequential scanning display panel or the like, linear light from the display panel is detected in an elongated region extending in the scanning line direction. For this reason, light reception of linear light from a plurality of scanning lines can be suppressed. Further, the amount of light received as a whole can be reduced, while only the amount of linear light from the scanning line to be inspected can be received more. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately inspect the response speed of the display device while suppressing the range over of the measuring instrument for display panel inspection caused by the excessive amount of received light.

  The display panel manufacturing method according to the present invention may further include a response speed calculation step of calculating the response speed of the display panel from the detection signal after detecting the emitted light from the display panel.

  According to such a configuration, since it further includes a response speed calculating step of calculating the response speed of the display panel from the detection signal after detecting the light emitted from the display panel, the measurement for the response speed inspection of the display panel is performed. It is possible to suppress the range over of the display and to accurately check the response speed of the display panel.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the display panel inspection apparatus which can perform characteristic inspections, such as the response speed of a display apparatus correctly, and the manufacturing method of a display panel using the same can be provided.

  Hereinafter, as a display panel inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal display panel inspection apparatus that receives light emitted from a display unit with an optical sensor and measures a response speed will be described.

(Configuration of display panel inspection apparatus 10)
In FIG. 1, the schematic diagram of the display panel test | inspection apparatus 10 is shown.

  The display panel inspection apparatus 10 includes an optical sensor 30 provided above the liquid crystal display panel 20 to be inspected, a support unit 40 that supports the liquid crystal display panel 20 and moves it relatively in the XY direction, and the like. It is comprised by the connected control part 50. FIG.

  The optical sensor 30 is provided above the liquid crystal display panel 20 to be inspected. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensor 30 includes a housing 31, a light receiving element (not shown) housed in the housing 31, and a light shielding mask 32. The optical sensor 30 is electrically connected to the control unit 50, outputs a voltage level corresponding to the amount of received light as a detection signal, and transmits the detection signal to the control unit 50.

  The housing 31 is composed of a cylindrical body 33 on the side for taking in light and an internal rectangular parallelepiped 34 for housing the light receiving element. The cylindrical body 33 has an elliptical cross section, and a light transmitting member 35 is provided on the front surface.

  The light shielding mask 32 is attached to the front surface of the light transmitting member 35 of the cylindrical body 33 of the housing 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the light shielding mask 32 is formed in a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the cylindrical body 33 of the housing 31. The light shielding mask 32 is formed of a copper foil tape or the like. In addition to copper, the light shielding mask 32 may be made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. Further, it may be formed of a light shielding resin material or the like or paper. Furthermore, you may be comprised by several layers by these combination. The light shielding mask 32 is formed with an elongated opening 36 at the center. When the light shielding mask 32 is attached to the front surface of the light transmitting member 35 of the cylindrical body 33 of the housing 31, the light receiving element in the housing 31 passes through the opening 36. It is configured to capture external light. The size of the opening 36 is appropriately selected depending on the size of the housing 31 of the optical sensor 30. For example, if the diameter of the cylindrical body 33 of the housing 31 of the optical sensor 30 is about 1 cm, the opening 36 is formed with a long side of 7 mm and a short side of about 3 mm.

  The light receiving element accommodated in the housing 31 is configured by a photodiode or the like that receives light emitted from the side surface of the liquid crystal display panel 20 and detects its output. Here, the photodiode is a device that converts light energy such as laser light into electrical energy by an internal photoelectric effect. A photodiode uses a semiconductor as a constituent material, is small in size, has a low operating voltage, and has a wavelength range that can be detected from ultraviolet to infrared.

  The support part 40 is formed in a flat plate shape so as to support the liquid crystal display panel 20 to be inspected. The support unit 40 may have a function of moving the liquid crystal display panel 20 back and forth and right and left in a horizontal plane or a function of rotating the liquid crystal display panel 20.

  The control unit 50 is connected to the optical sensor 30 and the support unit 40, respectively. Furthermore, the control unit 50 is also connected to a controller of the liquid crystal display panel 20 to be inspected. The control unit 50 has a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes. The CPU of the control unit 50 controls the optical sensor 30 and the support unit 40, processes the voltage signal from the optical sensor 30, and calculates the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20, thereby executing the response speed characteristic test. .

(Method for manufacturing display panel using display panel inspection apparatus 10)
Next, a method for manufacturing a display panel including a step of measuring and inspecting the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 using the display panel inspection apparatus 10 will be described.

  First, a liquid crystal display panel 20 is prepared as a display panel to be inspected. FIG. 4 shows a layout diagram of scanning electrodes and data electrodes of the liquid crystal display panel 20. The liquid crystal display panel 20 is arranged so that a plurality of scanning electrodes 21: C1, C2,..., Cm and a plurality of data electrodes 22: S1, S2,. Configured. Each dot is constituted by a liquid crystal display cell located at the intersection of the scanning electrode 21: C1 to Cm and the data electrode 22: S1 to Sn, and each dot is arranged in a matrix. In the dot display, one of C1 to Cm of the scanning electrodes 21 is sequentially selected in a time division manner, and S1 to Sn of each data electrode 22 is driven according to display data, and the selected scanning electrodes 21: C1 to C1 are selected. Cm and data electrode 22: The liquid crystal display cell is set in a light transmission state or a light blocking state by a potential difference between the scanning electrode 21 and the data electrode 22 at each intersection of Sm to Sn. In the liquid crystal display panel 20, the display unit is driven by line-sequential scanning type matrix driving using these scanning electrodes 21 and data electrodes 22. Here, line-sequential scanning divides a screen into a matrix in units of pixels, sequentially scans each line, writes image information on one screen, and repeats this at several tens of Hz to display an image. Refers to the method. A controller (not shown) is connected to the liquid crystal display panel 20, and display drive is controlled by this controller. The controller supplies the input image data corresponding to the pixels and having the gradation values necessary for display driving to the liquid crystal display panel 20.

  Next, the liquid crystal display panel 20 provided with the backlight light source 60 is placed on the support portion 40 of the display panel inspection apparatus 10.

  Subsequently, the support unit 40 is moved by the control unit 50 so that the optical sensor 30 is arranged at a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 20. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the photosensor 30 is arranged so that the elongated opening 36 of the light shielding mask 32 is along the length direction of one linear light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20. Yes.

  Next, the input image data is set to a predetermined gradation value by the controller, and display driving of the liquid crystal display panel 20 is performed.

  Next, the liquid crystal display panel 20 is irradiated with light from the backlight source 60 from the normal direction to display the display unit. At this time, linear light is sequentially emitted from the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 20.

  Next, the optical sensor 30 receives linear light emitted from the lower display unit. At this time, the linear light enters from the elongated opening 36 and reaches the light receiving element. That is, the optical sensor 30 detects the light from the linear light in a long and narrow area range extending in the scanning line direction.

  Next, the optical sensor 30 detects the luminance of the light reaching the light receiving element, and outputs a voltage level corresponding to the amount of received light to the CPU of the control unit 50 as a detection signal.

  Next, the CPU of the control unit 50 calculates the response speed of the display panel based on the voltage signal from the optical sensor 30. Here, the response speed represents the sum of the time until the pixel, which is the minimum unit constituting the image in the liquid crystal display panel 20, is turned off and turned on, and vice versa. ing. That is, the total time until the screen changes from black to white and then from white to black, for example. The unit is expressed in ms (millisecond, 1/1000 second), and the panel brightness changes from 10% to 90% while the brightness changes from the minimum brightness (black) to the maximum brightness and vice versa from 90% to 10%. The change is expressed as the total time measured. Further, the response time may be measured not only as the time between the black and white of the screen as described above but also as the response time between the intermediate gradation and the intermediate gradation.

  When the response speed is measured using the display panel inspection apparatus 10 as described above, even if the luminance of the light from the liquid crystal display panel 20 is large, the light shielding mask 32 having the opening 36 of the light receiving portion of the photosensor 30 forms the light. The response speed can be accurately measured without suppressing the luminance and exceeding the measurement range of the measuring instrument.

  In another embodiment, the light shielding mask 32 of the optical sensor 30 may be configured such that the distance between the two sides of the opening is variable as shown in FIGS. Good. Here, the light shielding mask 72 shown in FIG. 6 is configured such that the interval in the length direction of the elongated openings 76 is variable. Further, the light shielding mask 82 shown in FIG. 7 is configured such that the interval in the width direction of the elongated openings 86 is variable. These openings 76 and 86 are variably configured, for example, by attaching a light-shielding slide to the openings 76 and 86 and sliding them at a desired interval.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the light shielding mask 92 of the optical sensor 30 is formed in a perfect circle shape so as to cover the front surface of the cylindrical body 33 constituting the housing 31 if the cross section is formed in a perfect circle shape. In addition, an elongated opening 96 may be formed at the center thereof.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel used in the liquid crystal display device is taken as an example of the display panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a PDP (plasma display panel) or an organic EL (organic electroluminescence) is used. Alternatively, other display devices and display panels such as a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED) can be used.

(Function and effect)
The display panel inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is an inspection apparatus for a line-sequential scanning type liquid crystal display panel 20. An optical sensor 30 (having a light receiving portion formed with an elongated opening 36 extending in the scanning line direction of the held liquid crystal display panel 20 and detecting light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 that has passed through the opening 36 of the light receiving portion. Light detection means).

  According to such a configuration, when the line sequential scanning type liquid crystal display panel 20 or the like is inspected, the light receiving portion in which the elongated opening 36 extending in the scanning line direction of the liquid crystal display panel 20 of the optical sensor 30 is formed. However, the linear light from the liquid crystal display panel 20 is detected in an elongated region extending in the scanning line direction. For this reason, light reception of linear light from a plurality of scanning lines can be suppressed. Further, the amount of light received as a whole can be reduced, while only the amount of linear light from the scanning line to be inspected can be received more. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately inspect the characteristics of the liquid crystal display panel 20 while suppressing the range over of the measuring instrument for inspecting the liquid crystal display panel 20 due to an excessive amount of received light.

  In the display panel inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving unit may include the light shielding mask 32 (light shielding member) in which the opening 36 is formed.

  According to such a configuration, the light shielding mask 32 in which the opening 36 is formed can be attached to the light receiving portion of the existing optical sensor 30. For this reason, the structure of an apparatus can be simplified. Furthermore, if a plurality of light shielding masks 32 having openings 36 of various shapes are prepared, the light shielding mask 32 is replaced with respect to light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 in the inspection process of the liquid crystal display panel 20. Thus, it is possible to select and detect the optimum light amount for the measuring instrument each time.

  Furthermore, in the display panel inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding mask 32 may be made of metal.

  According to such a configuration, since the light shielding mask 32 is made of metal, the shape of the opening 36 formed in the light shielding mask 32 is stable, and light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 can be effectively emitted in the light shielding region. Can be shielded from light.

  In the display panel inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding mask 32 may be made of resin.

  According to such a configuration, since the light shielding mask 32 is made of a resin, various shapes of openings 36 can be easily formed in the light shielding mask 32.

  Furthermore, in the display panel inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving unit may be configured such that at least one of the length and width of the opening 36 is variable.

  According to such a configuration, since the light receiving unit is configured such that at least one of the length and width of the opening 36 is variable, it is emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 in the inspection process of the liquid crystal display panel 20. By changing the length or / and the width of the opening 36 with respect to the light to be detected, it becomes easy to select and detect the optimum amount of light for the measuring instrument each time.

  In addition, the display panel inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention calculates the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 based on the signal from the optical sensor 30 that detects the light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 (response (Speed calculation means) may be further provided.

  According to such a configuration, since the control unit 50 that calculates the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 based on the signal from the optical sensor 30 that detects the light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 is further provided, the liquid crystal display The range over of the measuring device for the response speed test of the panel 20 can be suppressed, and the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 can be accurately inspected.

  A method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a line-sequential scanning liquid crystal display panel 20, and the light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 extends in the scanning line direction of the liquid crystal display panel 20. It is characterized by having an inspection process for detecting in a narrow area range.

  According to such a configuration, when the line sequential scanning type liquid crystal display panel 20 is inspected, the linear light from the liquid crystal display panel 20 is detected in an elongated region range extending in the scanning line direction. For this reason, light reception of linear light from a plurality of scanning lines can be suppressed. Further, the amount of light received as a whole can be reduced, while only the amount of linear light from the scanning line to be inspected can be received more. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately inspect the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 while suppressing the range over of the measuring instrument for inspecting the liquid crystal display panel 20 due to an excessive amount of received light.

  The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a response speed calculation step of calculating the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 from the detection signal after detecting the light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20. May be.

  According to such a configuration, a response speed calculating step of calculating the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 from the detection signal after detecting the light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 is further provided. The range over of the measuring device for response speed inspection can be suppressed, and the response speed of the liquid crystal display panel 20 can be accurately inspected.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a display panel inspection apparatus and a display panel manufacturing method using the same.

1 is a schematic diagram of a display panel inspection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a mimetic diagram of photosensor 30 concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the light shielding mask 32 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a scanning and data electrode wiring diagram of the liquid crystal display panel 20 to be inspected. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which an optical sensor 30 is arranged on a liquid crystal display panel 20. It is a top view of the light shielding mask 72 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the light shielding mask 82 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the light shielding mask 92 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display panel inspection apparatus 20 Liquid crystal display panel 30 Optical sensor 31 Housing 32,72,82,92 Light shielding mask 36,76,86,96 Opening 40 Support part 50 Control part

Claims (8)

A line-sequential scanning display panel inspection device,
A panel holding unit for holding the display panel;
A light detecting means having a light receiving portion formed with an elongated opening extending in the scanning line direction of the display panel held by the panel holding portion, and detecting light emitted from the display panel that has passed through the opening of the light receiving portion; ,
A display panel inspection apparatus comprising: In the display panel inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The display panel inspection apparatus, wherein the light receiving unit includes a light shielding member in which the opening is formed. In the display panel inspection apparatus according to claim 2,
A display panel inspection apparatus, wherein the light shielding member is made of metal. In the display panel inspection apparatus according to claim 2,
A display panel inspection apparatus, wherein the light shielding member is made of resin. In the display panel inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The display panel inspection apparatus, wherein the light receiving unit is configured such that at least one of the length and width of the opening is variable. In the display panel inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
A display panel inspection apparatus further comprising response speed calculation means for calculating a response speed of the display panel based on a signal from a light detection means that detects light emitted from the display panel. A method of manufacturing a line sequential scanning display panel,
A method of manufacturing a display panel, comprising an inspection step of detecting light emitted from the display panel in a narrow region extending in the scanning line direction of the display panel. In the manufacturing method of the display panel according to claim 7,
A method for manufacturing a display panel, further comprising a response speed calculating step of calculating a response speed of the display panel from the detection signal after detecting light emitted from the display panel.

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