JP2010107850A - Failure section-detecting device of electronic paper, and failure section-detecting method of electronic paper using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a failure section-detecting device of an electronic device, which can efficiently specify a failure section without damaging the electronic device, and to provide a failure section-detecting method of the electronic device. <P>SOLUTION: The failure section-detecting device 10 includes: a stage 11 provided with a light transmissible top plate 17; a voltage applying device 12 on which multiple electrode terminals 19 are provided and which is disposed opposite to the top plate 17; photographing devices 13 photographing a display part of the electronic paper 30 placed on the top plate 17; an image processing device 15 processing image data of an image for the display part of the electronic paper 30 photographed by the photographing devices 13; and a storage device 14 storing the image data by the photographing devices 13 and image processed data formed by the image processing device. In the voltage applying device 12, the multiple electrode terminals 19 form at least one terminal row 20 extending for the length of one side of one surface 17a of the top plate 17 at an equal interval along the one surface 17a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic paper defective portion detecting apparatus for identifying a defective portion of an electrophoretic electronic paper utilizing an electrophoretic phenomenon, and an electronic paper defective portion detecting method using the same.

When specifying a portion where electrophoretic electronic paper display is defective (hereinafter referred to as “defective portion”), it is often possible to determine a defective portion only after switching the display of the electronic paper. Therefore, conventionally, electrodes are attached to both sides of the electronic paper, or electrodes are simply attached to the electronic paper, and voltage is applied to the electronic paper via this electrode to switch the display of the electronic paper. . And after confirming the presence or absence of a defective part, it was necessary to peel an electrode from electronic paper (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP 2006-017571 A

However, as described above, once the electrodes are attached to the electronic paper, there is a risk of performance deterioration such as dust entering the electronic paper or scratching the surface (display unit) of the electronic paper. .
Moreover, in order to identify the defective part of an electronic paper, it was not efficient because it required an artificial action such as judging by visual observation and marking the defective part with a pen or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of efficiently identifying a defective portion of electronic paper without damaging the electronic paper, and an electronic device using the electronic paper An object of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting a defective portion of paper.

  An electronic paper defective part detecting device of the present invention is an electronic paper defective part detecting device for detecting a defective part of an electrophoretic electronic paper, and is used for placing an electrophoretic electronic paper. A plurality of electrode terminals for applying a voltage to the electronic paper mounted on the one surface facing the one surface of the top plate and facing the one surface of the top plate. A voltage applying device disposed opposite to the top plate so that the electrode terminal and the top plate are spaced apart from each other; and housed in the stage and placed on one surface of the top plate A photographing device that photographs the display unit of the electronic paper, an image processing device that processes image data of an image related to the display unit of the electronic paper photographed by the photographing device, and generates image processing data of the image; Shooting And a storage device that stores image data generated by the image processing device and image processing data generated by the image processing device, wherein in the voltage application device, the multiple electrode terminals are arranged along one side of the top plate, etc. At least one terminal row extending over the length of the one side is formed in the interval.

  It is preferable that the voltage application device is disposed so as to be capable of reciprocating along one surface of the top plate in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the terminal row extends.

  A defective part detection method for electronic paper according to the present invention is a method for detecting a defective part of electronic paper using the defective part detection apparatus for electronic paper according to the present invention, wherein the voltage application device causes air discharge from the electrode terminal. Then, a voltage is applied to the electronic paper placed on one surface of the top plate, and the display is switched in the step A by the photographing apparatus and the step A for switching the display on the display unit of the electronic paper. Step B for photographing the display unit of electronic paper, Step C for storing the image data of the image related to the display unit of electronic paper photographed by the photographing device in Step B in the storage device, and the image processing An apparatus for processing the image data stored in the storage device in the step C, and generating image processing data of the image; One step of storing the image processing data generated by the image processing device in the step D in the storage device, and discharging the air from the electrode terminal by the voltage application device, and A voltage is applied to the electronic paper placed on the electronic paper in a direction opposite to that of the step A to invert the display on the display unit of the electronic paper, and the display is performed in the step F by the photographing apparatus. A step G of photographing the display unit of the electronic paper that has been inverted; a step H of storing image data of an image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper photographed by the photographing device in the step G in the storage device; The image processing device processes the image data stored in the storage device in the step H, and the image processing data of the image is processed. Step I, step J for storing the image processing data generated by the image processing device in step I in the storage device, the image processing data in step E, and the image in step J Based on the processing data, the voltage application device causes air discharge from the electrode terminal, and a voltage is applied to the electronic paper placed on one surface of the top plate in a direction opposite to the step F, Step K for switching the display of only the defective portion of the display portion of the electronic paper, and Step L for marking the defective portion of the display portion of the electronic paper whose display has been switched in Step K. .

  The defective part detection device for electronic paper according to the present invention has at least one row extending along the length of one side along one side of one surface of the top plate of the stage for placing the electronic paper. A voltage applying device having a voltage applying device provided with a large number of electrode terminals forming a terminal row is disposed so as to be reciprocally movable along one surface of the top plate in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the terminal row. Therefore, since the voltage can be applied to the electronic paper only by providing the electrode only on the surface (display surface) side of the display portion of the electronic paper, the display can be switched while the electronic paper is in a film state. Therefore, the display of the electronic paper can be switched even in a state where a protective sheet such as a release paper is attached to the surface opposite to the display surface of the electronic paper. Therefore, the defective part of the electronic paper can be efficiently detected without damaging the electronic paper.

  The electronic paper defective part detection method of the present invention uses the electronic paper defective part detection device of the present invention to apply a positive or negative voltage to the electronic paper placed on one surface of the top plate by a voltage application device. Whenever the entire color of the electronic paper display unit is changed, the electronic paper display unit is imaged by the photographing device, and the image processing unit processes the image data of the electronic paper display unit to obtain the image processing data. The electronic paper display is switched by applying a positive voltage to the electronic paper using the voltage application device based on the generated image processing data, and switching only the defective portion of the display portion of the electronic paper. Since the defective part of the part is marked, the display can be switched while the electronic paper is in a film state. Therefore, the display of the electronic paper can be switched even in a state where a protective sheet such as a release paper is attached to the surface opposite to the display surface of the electronic paper. Therefore, the defective part of the electronic paper can be efficiently detected without damaging the electronic paper. Further, the defective portion can be automatically marked using the property (display memory property) that the display remains as it is once the voltage is applied to the electronic paper.

The best mode of a defective part detection apparatus for electronic paper and a method for detecting a defective part of electronic paper using the same according to the present invention will be described.
This embodiment is specifically described for better understanding of the gist of the invention, and does not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified.

(Electronic paper defect detection device)
1A and 1B are schematic views showing an embodiment of a defective portion detection apparatus for electronic paper according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. .
An electronic paper defective part detection device (hereinafter, also referred to as “defective part detection device”) 10 of this embodiment includes a stage 11, a voltage application device 12, a photographing device 13, a storage device 14, and a storage device 14. The image processing apparatus 15 is schematically configured.

The stage 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a stage main body 16 that is a housing having one open surface, and a top plate that covers the opening of the stage main body 16 and forms a mounting surface (upper surface) of electronic paper on the stage 11. 17.
Moreover, the top plate 17 is made of a transparent glass or resin having a rectangular shape in plan view.
Here, the light transmission refers to the display state (discolored state) on the display unit of the electronic paper 30 placed on the one surface 17 a of the top plate 17 through the top plate 11 and the photographing device 13. This means the light transmittance that can be photographed.

  The voltage application device 12 is substantially equal to the length of one side 17b of one surface 17a of the top plate 17 and has a rectangular parallelepiped device main body 18 and a surface facing the top plate 17 of the device main body 18 (hereinafter referred to as “one side”). It is composed of a plurality of electrode terminals 19 that are suspended from 18 a and are provided so as to face one surface 17 a of the top plate 17. The large number of electrode terminals 19 form a single terminal row extending along the length of one side 17 b at equal intervals along one side 17 b of one surface 17 a of the top plate 17. The electrode terminal 19 is for applying a positive or negative voltage to the electronic paper 30 placed on the one surface 17 a of the top plate 17.

  In addition, the voltage application device 12 is configured so that the electrode terminal 19 and the top plate 17 are separated from each other, that is, without contacting the electrode terminal 19 and the electronic paper 30 placed on one surface 17a of the top plate 17, It arrange | positions facing one surface 17a of the top plate 17 so that a predetermined space | interval may be provided among these.

  The distance between the electrode terminals 19 is such that one electrode terminal 19 is applied when the air is discharged from the electrode terminals 19 and a voltage is applied to the electronic paper 30 placed on the one surface 17a of the top plate 17. The voltage is appropriately set according to the magnitude of the voltage to be applied, the area to which the voltage in the electronic paper 30 is applied (area for switching display), and the like.

  Further, the voltage application device 12 has a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the terminal row 20 composed of a large number of electrode terminals 19 (in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. In the direction of the side 17c, the top plate 17 is disposed so as to be able to reciprocate along one surface 17a.

  The photographing device 13 is for photographing the display of the electronic paper 30 placed on one surface 17 a of the top plate 17. The photographing device 13 is accommodated in the stage main body 16 of the stage 11 and is electronic paper on the top plate 17. A plurality of elements 30 are arranged at equal intervals in a matrix (lattice) so as to correspond to the entire region where 30 is placed.

  As the photographing device 13, a device that can convert an image related to the display unit of the electronic paper 30 into a digital signal to obtain image data is used. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal). A camera equipped with an image sensor such as an Oxide Semiconductor (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor is used.

  The storage device 14 is for storing image data of an image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper 30 photographed by the photographing device 13 and image processing data processed by the image processing device 15 described later. Is connected to the imaging device 13 and a control device (not shown) for controlling the operation of the entire device, and is connected to the image processing device 15 via the cable 22.

  The image processing device 15 is for processing image data of an image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper 30 photographed by the photographing device 13 and generating image processing data of the image, and via the cables 21 and 23. It is connected to the imaging device 13 and the control device described above, and is connected to the storage device 14 via the cable 22.

  According to this defective portion detection apparatus 10, the length of one side 17b is extended at equal intervals along one side 17b of one surface 17a of the top plate 17 of the stage 11 on which the electronic paper 30 is placed. The voltage application device 12 is provided with a large number of electrode terminals 19 that form one existing terminal row, and the voltage application device 12 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the terminal row 20 extends. Therefore, it is possible to apply a voltage to the electronic paper 30 only by providing an electrode only on the surface (display surface) side of the display unit of the electronic paper 30. Since it can do, a display can be switched for the electronic paper 30 with a film state. Therefore, the display of the electronic paper 30 can be switched even in a state where a protective sheet such as a release paper is attached to the surface opposite to the display surface of the electronic paper 30. Therefore, a defective portion of the electronic paper 30 can be efficiently detected without damaging the electronic paper 30.

  In this embodiment, a large number of electrode terminals 19 are provided so as to extend along one side 17b of one surface 17a of the top plate 17 at a regular interval over the length of the one side 17b. A defect in which the voltage application device 12 is provided and is reciprocally movable along one surface 17a of the top plate 17 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the many electrode terminals 19; Although the part detection apparatus 10 is illustrated, the defective part detection apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this. In the defective portion detection device of the present invention, the voltage application device is a terminal composed of a number of electrode terminals extending along the length of one side along one side of one surface of the top plate. Two or more rows may be provided, and in particular, a large number of electrode terminals form a matrix shape (lattice shape) so as to correspond to the entire region where the electronic paper is placed on one surface of the top plate. It may be provided at equal intervals. In addition, when a large number of electrode terminals are provided in a matrix shape (lattice shape) at equal intervals in this way, it is not necessary to make the voltage application device movable, and the electrode terminals face the top plate of the stage. What is necessary is just to be arrange | positioned.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of photographing devices 13 are provided at equal intervals in a matrix (lattice shape) so as to correspond to the entire region where the electronic paper 30 is placed on one surface 17a of the top board 17. Although the defective part detection device 10 is illustrated, the defective part detection device of the present invention is not limited to this. In the defective portion detection device of the present invention, the number of photographing devices is not limited as long as the entire display portion of the electronic paper placed on one surface of the top plate can be photographed.

(Detection method of defective part of electronic paper)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-7, one Embodiment of the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this invention is described.
The defective part detection method for electronic paper according to this embodiment is a defective part detection method for electronic paper using the aforementioned defective part detection device for electronic paper.

First, the electrophoretic electronic paper 30 is placed on one surface 17 a of the top plate 17 of the stage 11 of the defective portion detection apparatus 10. At this time, the display on the display surface 30a of the electronic paper 30 is not switched as shown in FIG.
At this time, the display surface 30 a of the electronic paper 30 is set as one surface 17 a of the top plate 17.
In addition, the electronic paper 30 has tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), and antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) only on the display surface 30a side. A transparent electrode made of a thin film of a conductive metal oxide such as aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) or gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO), and a display surface 30a; No electrode is provided on the opposite side.

Next, the voltage application device 12 is brought close to a predetermined position with respect to the electronic paper 30 placed on the one surface 17a of the top plate 17, and the interval between the electronic paper 30 and the electrode terminal 19 is set to a predetermined interval. After that, the voltage application device 12 discharges static electricity from the electrode terminals 19 in the air, and instantaneously applies a voltage to the electronic paper 30 placed on the one surface 17a of the top board 17 to thereby form the electronic paper 30. The display on the entire surface of the display is switched (step A).
At this time, first, the voltage application device 12 is arranged at one end of the electronic paper 30, and the voltage is applied to a region where the voltage can be applied to the electronic paper 30 by the terminal row 20 (hereinafter referred to as “voltage application region”). Is applied, the process of moving the distance corresponding to the voltage application region in the direction of the other side 17c of the one surface 17a of the top plate 17 is repeated, and the display on the entire display unit of the electronic paper 30 is displayed. Switch. As a result, on the display surface 30a of the electronic paper 30, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, there are portions (defect portions) 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F, and 31G where the display is not switched. .

  At this time, the voltage applied to the electronic paper 30 is, for example, a positive voltage. Further, the voltage applied from one electrode terminal 19 to the electronic paper 30 is not particularly limited. For example, the magnitude of the voltage applied from one electrode terminal 19 to the electronic paper 30 or the voltage from one electrode terminal 19 to the electronic paper 30 is not limited. It is set as appropriate according to the area to which the voltage in the paper 30 is applied (area for switching display).

Next, the display unit of the electronic paper 30 whose display is switched in Step A is photographed by the photographing device 13 (Step B).
At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the positions of the defective portions 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F, and 31G of the display surface 30a of the electronic paper 30 are specified.

  Next, the image data of the image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper 30 photographed by the photographing device 13 in step B is stored in the storage device 14 (step C).

  Next, the image processing device 15 processes the image data of the image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper 30 stored in the storage device 14 in step C, and generates image processing data of the image (step D).

  Next, the image processing data generated by the image processing device 15 in step D is stored in the storage device 14 (step E).

Next, static electricity is discharged from the electrode terminal 19 in the air by the voltage application device 12, and the electronic paper 30 placed on one surface 17 a of the top plate 17 is placed in the opposite direction (negative voltage) to Step A. A voltage is instantaneously applied to reverse the display on the entire display portion of the electronic paper 30 (step F).
At this time, first, the voltage application device 12 is arranged at one end of the electronic paper 30 and a voltage is applied to the voltage application region of the electronic paper 30, and then the voltage application device 19 is moved to a distance corresponding to the voltage application region. By repeating the process of moving in the direction of the other side 17c of the one surface 17a of the top plate 17, the display on the entire display unit of the electronic paper 30 is inverted. As a result, on the display surface 30a of the electronic paper 30, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, there are portions (defect portions) 32A, 32B, and 32C where the display is not switched.
At this time, the voltage applied to the electronic paper 30 is a negative voltage opposite to that in Step A.

Next, the display unit of the electronic paper 30 changed in color in Step F is photographed by the photographing device 13 (Step G).
At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the positions of the defective portions 32A, 32B, 32C of the display surface 30a of the electronic paper 30 are specified.

  Next, the image data of the image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper 30 photographed by the photographing device 13 in step G is stored in the storage device 14 (step H).

  Next, the image processing device 15 processes the image data of the image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper 30 stored in the storage device 14 in Step H, and generates image processing data of the image (Step I).

  Next, the image processing data generated by the image processing device 15 in step I is stored in the storage device 14 (step J).

  Next, based on the image processing data stored in the storage device 14 in step E and the image processing data stored in the storage device 14 in step J, the voltage application device 12 discharges static electricity from the electrode terminal 19 in the air. Then, a voltage is instantaneously applied to the electronic paper 30 placed on the one surface 17a of the top plate 17 in the direction opposite to the step F (positive voltage), and as shown in FIG. Only the defective portions 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F, 31G, 32A, 32B, and 32C of the 30 display portions are switched (step K).

  Next, marks are displayed on the defective portions 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F, 31G, 32A, 32B, and 32C of the display portion of the electronic paper 30 whose display is switched in step K (enclose each defective portion shown in FIG. 7). (Step L).

  According to the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this embodiment, the voltage application device 12 applies a positive or negative voltage to the electronic paper 30 placed on the one surface 17a of the top plate 17, and the electronic paper Each time the display on the entire display unit 30 is switched, the photographing unit 13 photographs the display unit of the electronic paper 30, and the image processing unit 15 processes image data on the display unit of the electronic paper 30 to perform image processing. Data is generated, and based on the generated image processing data, a positive voltage is applied to the electronic paper 30 by the voltage applying device 12, and only the defective portion of the display unit of the electronic paper 30 is switched to display the display. Since marks are attached to the defective portions 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F, 31G, 32A, 32B, and 32C of the display portion of the electronic paper 30 The electronic paper 30 can switch the display remains in the film state. Therefore, the display of the electronic paper 30 can be switched even in a state where a protective sheet such as a release paper is attached to the surface opposite to the display surface of the electronic paper 30. Therefore, a defective portion of the electronic paper 30 can be efficiently detected without damaging the electronic paper 30. Further, the defective portion can be automatically marked using the property (display memory property) that the display remains as it is once the voltage is applied to the electronic paper 30.

It is the schematic which shows one Embodiment of the defective part detection apparatus of the electronic paper of this invention, (a) Top view, (b) is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of (a). It is a schematic plan view which shows one Embodiment of the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows one Embodiment of the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows one Embodiment of the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows one Embodiment of the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows one Embodiment of the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows one Embodiment of the defective part detection method of the electronic paper of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Defective part detection apparatus of electronic paper, 11 ... Stage, 12 ... Voltage application apparatus, 13 ... Imaging apparatus, 14 ... Memory | storage device, 15 ... Image processing apparatus, 16. ..Stage body, 17 ... top plate, 18 ... device body, 19 ... electrode terminal, 20 ... terminal row, 21, 22, 23 ... cable, 30 ... electronic paper.

Claims (3)

An electronic paper defective portion detection device for detecting a defective portion of an electrophoretic electronic paper,
A stage that is used to place electrophoretic electronic paper, and is provided with a square-shaped and light-transmissive top plate in plan view;
A number of electrode terminals for applying a voltage to the electronic paper mounted on the one surface facing the one surface are provided, and the electrode plate and the top plate are separated from each other. A voltage application device disposed opposite to
A photographing device for photographing a display unit of the electronic paper housed in the stage and placed on one surface of the top plate;
An image processing device that processes image data of an image related to a display unit of the electronic paper photographed by the photographing device, and generates image processing data of the image;
A storage device for storing image data by the photographing device and image processing data generated by the image processing device;
In the voltage application device, the plurality of electrode terminals form at least one terminal row extending at equal intervals along one side of one surface of the top plate over the length of the one side. An apparatus for detecting a defective portion of electronic paper.   2. The electronic paper defect according to claim 1, wherein the voltage application device is disposed to be reciprocally movable along one surface of the top plate in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the terminal row extends. Part detection device. An electronic paper defective portion detection method using the electronic paper defective portion detection device according to claim 1,
Step A for switching the display of the display unit of the electronic paper by applying a voltage to the electronic paper placed on one surface of the top plate by causing air discharge from the electrode terminal by the voltage application device;
Step B for photographing the display unit of the electronic paper whose display is switched in Step A by the photographing device;
Step C for storing image data of an image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper photographed by the photographing device in Step B in the storage device;
A step D of processing the image data stored in the storage device in the step C by the image processing device to generate image processing data of the image;
Step E for storing the image processing data generated by the image processing device in Step D in the storage device;
A voltage is applied in the direction opposite to the step A to the electronic paper that is discharged in the air from the electrode terminal by the voltage application device and is placed on one surface of the top plate, and the display unit of the electronic paper Step F for inverting the display of
Step G for photographing the display section of the electronic paper whose display is reversed in Step F by the photographing device;
Storing the image data of the image relating to the display unit of the electronic paper photographed by the photographing device in the step G in the storage device; and
Step I of processing the image data stored in the storage device in Step H by the image processing device to generate image processing data of the image;
Step J for storing the image processing data generated by the image processing device in Step I in the storage device;
Based on the image processing data in the step E and the image processing data in the step J, the electronic paper is placed on one surface of the top plate by being air-discharged from the electrode terminal by the voltage applying device. And applying a voltage in the opposite direction to the step F, and switching the display of only the defective part of the display part of the electronic paper;
And a step L for marking the defective portion of the display portion of the electronic paper whose display has been switched in the step K.

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