JP2016014714A - Inspection method for optical display device and pattern recognition method for optical member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection method for an optical display device for achieving quality inspection with high reliability and to provide a pattern recognition method for an optical member, by which a boundary between a first region and a second region in a patterned retardation layer can be recognized with high accuracy.SOLUTION: The inspection method aims to inspect an optical device in which an optical member including a retardation layer is bonded to an optical display component having a plurality of pixel rows. A patterned retardation layer 3 has a plurality of strip-like first regions 3R and a plurality of strip-like second regions 3L, in which the plurality of first regions 3R and the plurality of second regions 3L are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the first region 3R and the second region 3L. The method includes a measurement step of measuring a distance D in a plan view from a boundary line BL detected between the first region 3R and the second region 3L to a reference line FL set along pixel rows in a region between adjoining pixel rows; and a determination step of determining whether the optical display device is defective or not based on the distance D.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical display device inspection method and an optical member pattern recognition method.

  In recent years, passive 3D (3 Dimension) liquid crystal display devices called FPR (Film Patterned Retarder) have been developed.

  In this type of 3D liquid crystal display device (display device), for example, a polarizer layer is disposed on the display surface side of the liquid crystal panel, and a patterned retardation layer is disposed further on the viewing side. A polarizing film is disposed on the backlight side of the liquid crystal panel.

  The polarizer layer is a layer having an optical function of absorbing the polarization component of the vibration plane parallel to the absorption axis of the polarizer layer and transmitting the polarization component of the vibration plane orthogonal to the incident light. The transmitted light immediately after passing through the polarizer layer is linearly polarized light.

  The patterned retardation layer is usually formed on a base film. The patterned retardation layer includes a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region are each formed in a band shape, and are alternately arranged corresponding to the pixel arrangement of the liquid crystal panel formed in a matrix.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining alignment between the liquid crystal panel P and the patterned retardation layer 3 in the 3D liquid crystal display device.

  As shown in the figure, in the liquid crystal panel P, red pixels R, green pixels G, and blue pixels B are periodically arranged along the long side (left and right direction of the liquid crystal panel P). A large number of pixels R, G, B of each color are arranged in the left-right direction to form a pixel column L, and a large number of pixel columns L are arranged over the display area of the liquid crystal panel P.

  On the other hand, the patterned retardation layer 3 has a plurality of first regions 3R and a plurality of second regions 3L extending along the long sides of the patterned retardation layer 3. A large number of first regions 3R and second regions 3L are arranged in the vertical direction corresponding to each pixel column L of the liquid crystal panel P. For example, the first region 3R is arranged on the viewing side of the pixel column L that displays the right-eye image, and the second region 3L is arranged on the viewing side of the pixel column L that displays the left-eye image. The first region 3R and the second region 3L have different phase difference directions, and the right-eye image and the left-eye image are displayed on the viewer side in different polarization states (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  The patterned retardation layer 3 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel P so that the boundary line K between the first region 3R and the second region 3L is located between the pixel columns L, and the liquid crystal panel P is used. An FPR 3D liquid crystal display device is configured.

  The user views the display image through so-called polarized glasses equipped with optical elements having different optical characteristics between the right-eye lens and the left-eye lens. Each image for the left eye is selectively visually recognized. Accordingly, the user can recognize a stereoscopic image obtained by fusing the images of both eyes.

JP 2012-212033 A

  In manufacturing the 3D liquid crystal display device of the FPR method as described above, the first region of the patterned retardation layer and the pixel column of the liquid crystal panel or the second region and the pixel column are accurately associated with each other. An optical member including a phase difference layer and a polarizer layer is bonded to a liquid crystal panel. At this time, if both the first region and the second region of the patterned retardation layer overlap with one pixel column, the right-eye image that should be recognized only by the right eye is also the left eye. There is a risk of so-called crosstalk that is recognized, which may degrade the image quality of the stereoscopic display image.

  With respect to the manufactured 3D liquid crystal display device, the inspection method used so far for ordinary liquid crystal display devices that do not perform stereoscopic display has been diverted to inspect the bonding state between the liquid crystal panel and the optical member. It was. Specifically, with respect to the liquid crystal panel, the alignment mark or the black matrix is used as a reference, and the optical member is used as a reference with the end of the optical member as a reference. Manufacturing inspection was performed by confirming the relative position in a plane.

  However, in the method using the above-described conventional inspection method, it is impossible to inspect whether each pixel column overlaps the first region and the second region on a one-to-one basis. For example, even in a 3D liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal panel and an optical member are bonded together at first glance, each pixel column and the first region and the second region do not overlap one-to-one. Crosstalk occurs and is judged as a defective product. However, the conventional inspection method cannot detect such defective products, and it is difficult to ensure the image quality of the stereoscopic display image.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an inspection method for an optical display device capable of performing a reliable quality inspection. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern recognition method for an optical member capable of accurately recognizing the boundary between the first region and the second region of the patterned retardation layer.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, one embodiment of the present invention is an inspection method for an optical display device in which an optical member including a retardation layer and an optical display component having a plurality of pixel columns are bonded. The retardation layer extends in a band shape in one direction, a plurality of first regions that change incident linearly polarized light into a first polarization state, and extends in a band shape in the same direction as the extending direction of the first region. And a plurality of second regions that change the incident linearly polarized light into a second polarization state, wherein the plurality of first regions and the plurality of second regions are the first region and the second region. The pixel columns are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first pixel region in a region between the boundary between the adjacent first pixel region and the adjacent pixel column. A measuring step for measuring a distance in a plan view of the reference line set along It provides a test method of an optical display device having, a determination step of performing quality determination of the optical display device on the basis of the release.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the measurement step and the determination step may be performed in the center of the display area of the optical display component.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the measurement step and the determination step may be performed in the peripheral portion of the optical member in the extending direction.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the measurement step and the determination step may be performed in a peripheral portion of the optical member in the intersecting direction.

  In one aspect of the present invention, prior to the measurement step, the boundary between the first region and the second region detected at the periphery of the optical member in the intersecting direction, and the design of the retardation layer The boundary position may be estimated based on the value, and the boundary between the first area and the second area closest to the estimated boundary position may be detected.

  In one aspect of the present invention, coordinates of end portions of a plurality of pixels included in the pixel column are detected at side portions facing each other in the adjacent pixel columns, and a plurality of detected plurality of pixels are detected for each pixel column. A straight line corresponding to the side portion may be approximated based on the coordinates, and the reference line may be set between two obtained approximate lines.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the coordinates of the end portions of a plurality of pixels are detected on one side of the two adjacent pixel columns on the side facing the other pixel column, and the detected plurality of pixels are detected. A straight line corresponding to the side portion may be approximated based on the coordinates, and the reference line may be set based on the obtained approximate line and the design value of the optical display component.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a linear detection region is set across the adjacent first region and the second region, and the first region and the second region are arranged along the detection region. A method may be used in which the brightness is detected at a plurality of points, and the boundary is detected based on the detected brightness of the plurality of points.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the boundaries may be detected in the plurality of detection regions, and a straight line corresponding to the boundaries may be approximated based on the detected coordinates of the boundaries.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a pattern recognition method for an optical member including a retardation layer, wherein the retardation layer extends in a band shape in one direction and changes incident linearly polarized light into a first polarization state. A plurality of first regions to be changed, and a plurality of second regions extending in a strip shape in the same direction as the extending direction of the first regions, and changing the incident linearly polarized light to the second polarization state. The plurality of first regions and the plurality of second regions are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first region and the second region, and the optical member in the intersecting direction is arranged. Based on the boundary between the first region and the second region detected in the peripheral portion and the design value of the retardation layer, the first region in the center of the optical member in the intersecting direction and the Approximate the position of the boundary with the second region, It provides a pattern recognition method of an optical member having a step of detecting a boundary between nearest the first region and the second region to the position of the field.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the inspection method of the optical display device which can perform a reliable quality inspection can be provided. In addition, it is possible to provide a pattern recognition method for an optical member that can accurately recognize the boundary between the first region and the second region of the patterned retardation layer.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of a display apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a display apparatus. It is a schematic diagram of a patterned retardation layer. It is a schematic plan view which paid its attention to the positional relationship of the display area of a display apparatus, and an optical member. It is explanatory drawing of the inspection method of the optical device of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the inspection method of the optical device of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the inspection method of the optical device of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the inspection method of the optical device of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the inspection method of the optical device of this embodiment. It is a top view for demonstrating position alignment with the liquid crystal panel and patterned retardation layer in a 3D liquid crystal display device.

  Hereinafter, an inspection method for an optical display device and a pattern recognition method for an optical member according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings below, the dimensions and ratios of the constituent elements are appropriately changed in order to make the drawings easy to see.

<Optical display device>
1 to 4 are explanatory views showing a display device (optical display device) 100 inspected by the optical display device inspection method of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the display device 100. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display device 100 taken along line II-II in FIG. The display device 100 of this embodiment is an FPR 3D liquid crystal display device. As shown in the figure, the display device 100 includes a liquid crystal panel (optical display component) P, a polarizing film F11, and an optical member 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal panel P includes a first substrate P1 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a relatively small rectangular shape arranged to face the first substrate P1. And a liquid crystal layer P3 sealed between the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2. The liquid crystal panel P has a rectangular shape that conforms to the outer shape of the first substrate P1 in a plan view, and a region that fits inside the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer P3 in a plan view is a display region P4.

  Alignment marks Am for positioning are provided at the four corners of the liquid crystal panel P in plan view. Although the figure shows that the alignment marks Am are provided at all four corners, for example, a total of three alignment marks may be provided at three of the four corners, and a total of two alignments may be provided at diagonal positions of the four corners. A mark may be provided.

  A polarizing film F11 is bonded to the backlight side of the liquid crystal panel P. The polarizing film F11 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel P through the adhesive layer. The polarizing film F11 has an optical function of absorbing the polarization component of the vibration plane parallel to the absorption axis and transmitting the polarization component of the vibration plane orthogonal to the incident light. The transmitted light immediately after passing through the polarizing film F11 is linearly polarized light.

  On the other hand, the optical member 1 is bonded to the display surface side of the liquid crystal panel P. The optical member 1 has a polarizer layer 2 and a patterned retardation layer (retardation layer) 3, and is bonded to the liquid crystal panel P so that the polarizer layer 2 side faces the liquid crystal panel P.

  The polarizer layer 2 has an optical function of absorbing the polarization component of the vibration plane parallel to the absorption axis and transmitting the polarization component of the vibration plane orthogonal to the incident light. The transmitted light immediately after passing through the polarizer layer 2 is linearly polarized light.

  The polarizing film F11 and the optical member 1 are bonded to the liquid crystal panel P so that the polarizing film F11 and the polarizer layer 2 of the optical member 1 are in a crossed Nicols arrangement.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view in a plan view of the patterned retardation layer 3 included in the optical member 1. The patterned retardation layer 3 has a plurality of first regions 3R and a plurality of second regions 3L. The patterned retardation layer 3 is a member having a rectangular shape in plan view.

  The first region 3R changes the linearly polarized light emitted through the polarizer layer 2 to, for example, right-handed circularly polarized light (first polarization state). The second region 3L changes the linearly polarized light emitted through the polarizer layer 2 to, for example, left-handed circularly polarized light (second polarization state).

  The first region 3R and the second region 3L extend in a strip shape in the longitudinal direction of the patterned retardation layer 3, and are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first region 3R and the second region 3L. Has been. The widths of the first region 3R and the second region 3L are set according to the size of the pixels of the liquid crystal panel P to be bonded. For example, it is about 400 μm to 500 μm.

  In the following description, the extending directions of the first region 3R and the second region 3L in the patterned retardation layer 3 are defined as the “longitudinal direction” of the patterned retardation layer 3, the first region 3R, and the second region 3L. The arrangement direction may be referred to as the “width direction” of the patterned retardation layer 3. The “longitudinal direction” corresponds to the “extending direction” in the present invention, and the “width direction” corresponds to the “crossing direction” in the present invention.

  When the patterned retardation layer 3 overlaps the display region P4 of the liquid crystal panel P in the display device 100 in a plan view, the patterned retardation layer 3 has an “extra region” that protrudes from the overlapping portion with the display region P4 in the width direction of the display device 100. In addition, it is larger than the display area P4 in plan view. The first region 3R and the second region 3L are provided not only in a portion overlapping the display region P4 but also in a surplus region.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view focusing on the positional relationship between the display region P4 of the display device 100 and the optical member 1. FIG. FIG. 4A is an overall view, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view.

  In the following description, the position and coordinates may be indicated using a screen coordinate system having the origin at the upper left of the display surface area when the display surface area is viewed in plan. In the screen coordinate system, the horizontal direction of the display area P4 is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction of the display area P4 is the Y-axis direction. The X axis is the positive direction from left to right, and the Y axis is the positive direction from top to bottom.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the display device 100, a plurality of red pixels R, green pixels G, and blue pixels B are periodically arranged in the display region P4 to form a pixel row L. Each pixel column is arranged in the Y-axis direction of the display area P4. In the figure, for each pixel column arranged in the Y-axis direction, the first pixel column counted from the origin is denoted by reference symbol L1, the second pixel column is denoted by symbol L2, and the 2n-th pixel column is denoted by reference symbol L2n in order. It is shown that 2n pixel columns L are included in the display area P4. In the display device 100, the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye are each displayed using n pixel columns.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, each pixel column L is designed so that the first region 3R or the second region 3L overlaps in a one-to-one manner in a plane. A boundary line BL between the first region 3R and the second region 3L overlaps an inter-pixel region between two adjacent pixel columns L. In the figure, it is shown that a grid-like light shielding member (black matrix) BM is provided in the inter-pixel region.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a protective film may be bonded to the surface of the optical member 1 on the patterned retardation layer 3 side. The protective film is a transparent resin film that protects the surface of the optical member 1, and is provided so as to be peelable from the optical member 1.

  The liquid crystal panel P to which the polarizing film F11 and the optical member 1 are bonded becomes the display device 100 by further incorporating a drive circuit (not shown), a backlight unit, and the like.

  The driving method of the liquid crystal panel P is known in this field such as TN (Twisted Nematic), STN (Super Twisted Nematic), VA (Vertical Alignment), IPS (In-Plane Switching), OCB (Optically Compensated Bend), and the like. Various modes can be adopted. Among these, an IPS liquid crystal panel P can be preferably used.

  The display device 100 inspected by the optical device inspection method of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration.

<Optical display device inspection method>
5-9 is explanatory drawing of the inspection method of the optical display device of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L of the optical member is detected, and the detected boundary is used as a reference on the optical member side. Further, a reference line serving as a reference on the liquid crystal panel side is set in an inter-pixel region between adjacent pixel rows L of the liquid crystal panel. The distance between the reference on the optical member side and the reference on the liquid crystal panel side is measured (measuring process), and based on the measured distance, the first region 3R of the optical member and the pixel column of the liquid crystal panel, and the second region 3L and the liquid crystal A pass / fail determination is made as to whether or not the pixel columns of the panel are bonded in good correspondence (determination step), and the optical display device is inspected.

(Detection of boundary between first area and second area)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for detecting the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L. The optical display device inspection method of the present embodiment may include a step of detecting a boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L by the following method.

  The detection of the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L is performed based on an image captured with respect to the display device 100. Although both the optical member 1 and the liquid crystal panel P are included in the captured image, only the optical member 1 is shown in FIG. 5 for explanation.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, first, an area including a boundary between the first area 3 </ b> R and the second area 3 </ b> L that is a detection target is imaged by the imaging device. At that time, since the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L overlaps with the light shielding region of the liquid crystal panel in a plan view, if illumination for imaging is necessary, imaging is performed from the same side as the imaging device. Illuminate the area.

  Next, a linear detection area DA is set across the adjacent first area 3R and second area 3L. In the captured image, the first area 3R and the second area 3L appear to have different colors and brightness, so that the first area 3R and the second area 3L can be distinguished.

  Next, the brightness of the first area 3R and the second area 3L is detected at a plurality of points along the detection area DA in the captured image. Lightness detection may be performed continuously at a plurality of points along the detection area DA, or may be performed discretely at a plurality of points. In the drawing, brightness is detected at a plurality of points continuously in the direction of the arrow shown in the detection area DA along the detection area DA.

  As shown in the graph of FIG. 5A, when the brightness of the first area 3R is a and the brightness of the second area 3L is b, the first area 3R and the second area 3L of the captured image It is conceivable that the brightness gradually changes from a to b near the boundary. In such a case, a point whose brightness is an intermediate value between a and b (a point indicating (a + b) / 2) can be detected as a boundary point BP between the first region 3R and the second region 3L.

  Of course, the boundary point BP may be a point detected according to a predetermined determination method within a range where the lightness is a and b, not a point where the lightness is an intermediate value between a and b.

  Alternatively, the captured image may be expressed in grayscale, and the boundary point BP between the first region 3R and the second region 3L may be detected for the grayscale image by the above method.

  In addition, for a captured image, the boundary may be detected by binarizing the captured image with a predetermined brightness as a threshold without detecting the brightness at a plurality of points.

  The boundary point BP detected in this way corresponds to the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L in the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of boundary points BP are detected in a plurality of detection areas DA, and the first area 3R and the second area 3L are detected based on the coordinates of the detected plurality of boundary points BP. A straight line (boundary line BL) corresponding to the boundary may be approximated. As approximation, a generally known statistical method can be used. For example, an approximation method for obtaining a regression line (approximate line) using the least square method for the coordinates of a plurality of boundary points BP can be given.

(Setting a reference line between adjacent pixel rows)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for setting a reference line between pixel columns L. The optical display device inspection method of the present embodiment may include a step of setting a reference line between adjacent pixel rows L by the following method.

  The reference line is set based on an image captured for the display device 100. Although both the optical member 1 and the liquid crystal panel P are included in the captured image, only the liquid crystal panel P is shown in FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the coordinates of the ends of the plurality of pixels R, G, and B included in the pixel column are detected based on the image captured for the pixel column L. In the figure, in the pixels of the pixel column La, the end portion on the side facing the pixel column Lb is indicated by reference numeral E1. In addition, in the pixels of the pixel column Lb, an end portion on the side facing the pixel column La is indicated by a symbol E2. There may be a plurality of end portions E1 to be detected.

  Next, on the basis of the detected coordinates of the plurality of end portions E1, straight lines corresponding to the plurality of end portions E1 (corresponding to the side portions of the pixel column) are approximated. In the figure, the approximate line obtained in this way is indicated by the symbol AL1.

  As approximation, a generally known statistical method can be used. For example, an approximation method for obtaining a regression line (approximate line) using the least square method for the coordinates of the plurality of end portions E1 can be given. In addition, when the operator confirms the captured image and can determine that the plurality of end portions E1 are arranged on the same straight line, any two points (for example, the plurality of end portions E1 from which the coordinates are detected (for example, , Two points at both ends), and a straight line connecting the two points may be used as the approximate line AL1.

  Similar processing is also performed on the plurality of end portions E2 to obtain the approximate line AL2.

  Next, a reference line is set between the obtained two approximate lines AL1 and AL2. The reference line is preferably set at an intermediate position between the approximate lines AL1 and AL2, but may be shifted from the intermediate position to either of the approximate lines AL1 and AL2. In the figure, the distance between the approximate lines AL1 and AL2 obtained from the approximate lines AL1 and AL2 is W, and the reference line FL is set at an intermediate position between the approximate lines AL1 and AL2 (position at a distance W / 2 from the approximate line AL1). Show as set.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, when only the approximate line AL1 is obtained by the above method and the design value between the pixels in the Y direction is α, the position of α / 2 from the approximate line AL1 in the Y direction. The reference line FL may be set to

(Measurement of relative position between optical member and optical display component)
Next, from the captured image, the boundary (boundary point BP or boundary line BL) between the first region 3R and the second region 3L detected by the method shown in FIG. 5, and the reference line FL set by the method shown in FIG. And measure the distance. In the following description, the boundary line BL between the first region 3R and the second region 3L is obtained.

  In the captured image, the boundary line BL of the optical member 1 and the reference line FL of the liquid crystal panel P are obtained as shown in FIG. Therefore, the distance D between the boundary line BL and the reference line FL in plan view can be obtained based on the image.

  Here, when the boundary line BL is obtained as the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L, the “distance D” refers to a reference line FL from a plurality of arbitrary points on the boundary line BL. This is the average value of the distance from the intersection of the vertical line and the reference line FL to the arbitrary point when the vertical line is drawn.

  Further, when the boundary point BP is obtained as the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L, the “distance D” refers to the perpendicular and the reference when the perpendicular from the boundary point BP to the reference line FL is drawn. It refers to the distance from the intersection with the line FL to the boundary point BP.

(Pass / fail judgment)
Next, the quality of the display device 100 is determined based on the obtained distance. Specifically, a numerical range in which the distance can be determined to be non-defective is set in advance, and if the distance measurement value is within the set numerical range, it is determined to be non-defective and if the distance is larger than the numerical range, it is determined to be defective.

(Optical member pattern recognition method)
In the inspection method of the optical display device of this embodiment, the quality determination by the above-described element technology is performed at the center of the display region P4 of the liquid crystal panel P. In that case, the first region 3R and the second region 3L are favorable for the central pixel column (for example, the nth pixel column Ln and the (n + 1) th pixel column L (n + 1)) of the display region. It is necessary to determine whether it is bonded in a one-to-one correspondence.

  Here, in consideration of bonding failure, manufacturing error / deformation of the optical member, a pattern in which the region overlapping the nth pixel column Ln certainly corresponds to the first pixel column (for example, the first region 3R). There is no guarantee that the pattern is the nth pattern (second region 3L).

  Accordingly, when the reference on the liquid crystal panel P side is a reference line set in an area between the nth pixel column Ln and the (n + 1) th pixel column L (n + 1), these pixel columns correspond. It is necessary to detect the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L to be the reference on the optical member 1 side after recognizing the nth second region 3L and the (n + 1) th first region 3R There is.

  Therefore, the optical member pattern recognition method described below recognizes the nth second region 3L and the (n + 1) th first region 3R corresponding to the center of the display region P4, and the second region 3L The boundary with the first region 3R is detected by the above-described method.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the optical member pattern recognition method of the present embodiment. First, the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L is detected at the periphery of the optical member 1 in the width direction. As the boundary detection method, the above-described method can be used.

  Here, the “peripheral portion” may be a portion that overlaps the display region P4 in the optical member 1 in a plane, or a portion that overlaps the surplus region DM that is outside the display region P4 in the optical member 1 in a plane. There may be. That is, the boundary to be detected may be a boundary between the first region 3R that overlaps the first pixel column L1 and the second region 3L that overlaps the second pixel column L2, but is outside the display region P4. It may be a boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L arranged in the surplus region DM. In the figure, the boundary line BLx between the first area 3R and the second area 3L is detected in the surplus area DM.

  Next, based on the boundary line BLx detected in the surplus region DM and the design value of the patterned retardation layer 3, the boundary between the nth second region 3L and the (n + 1) th first region 3R Estimate the location. That is, from the design value of the width of the first region 3R and the design value of the width of the second region 3L, the boundary between the nth second region 3L and the (n + 1) th first region 3R with reference to the boundary line BLx Approximate the position of. In the figure, the approximate position CP is shown as the approximate position.

  Next, the boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L and closest to the approximate point CP is defined as the boundary between the nth second region 3L and the (n + 1) th first region 3R, and Detect boundaries with the method. In the figure, the boundary line BL is shown as being detected.

  According to such a method, it is possible to accurately detect a boundary at an arbitrary position in the width direction of the optical member 1.

(Optical display device inspection method)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an inspection method for an optical display device according to the present embodiment. In the inspection method of the optical display device according to the present embodiment, in the first determination area AR1 that is the center of the display area P4 of the liquid crystal panel P, the pixels in the area between the adjacent pixel rows Ln and L (n + 1) A measurement step of measuring a distance in plan view between a reference line FL1 which is a reference line set along the column and a boundary (boundary line BL1) detected as a boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L; And a determination step of determining whether the display device 100 is good or bad based on the measured distance.

  Since the user of the display device most closely observes the vicinity of the center of the display area, the user is likely to notice when crosstalk occurs in the center of the display area. Therefore, as in the inspection method of the present embodiment, by inspecting the bonding accuracy at the center of the display area (first determination area AR1), an inspection that can determine a display device with a high degree of user satisfaction as a non-defective product can do.

  Further, in the second determination region AR2 that is a peripheral portion in the longitudinal direction of the optical member 1, a second reference line that is set along the pixel column in a region between the adjacent pixel column Ln and the pixel column L (n + 1). Display based on the measurement process for measuring the distance in plan view of the reference line FL2 and the boundary (boundary line BL2) detected as the boundary between the first area 3R and the second area 3L, and the distance measured in the measurement process It is good also as having the determination process which performs the quality determination of the apparatus 100.

  By using the pass / fail determination result in the first determination area AR1 and the pass / fail determination result in the second determination area AR2, contraction in the width direction of the optical member 1 can be confirmed. That is, when the display device 100 determined to be non-defective in the first determination area AR1 is determined to be defective in the second determination area AR2, it is determined as defective in the second determination area AR2 due to contraction in the width direction of the optical member 1. It can be estimated that the quality has been determined, and the quality of the optical member 1 and the method of handling the optical member 1 can be reviewed.

  Further, in the third determination region AR3 that is the peripheral portion in the width direction of the optical member 1, between the two adjacent pixel columns (in the figure, the pixel columns L1 and L2 or the pixel columns L (2n-1) and L2n). Measurement for measuring a distance in plan view between a reference line FL3 which is a reference line set along the pixel column in the region and a boundary (boundary line BL3) detected as a boundary between the first region 3R and the second region 3L It is good also as having the process and the determination process of performing quality determination of the display apparatus 100 based on the distance measured at the 3rd measurement process.

  The optical member for the liquid crystal panel P can be obtained by comparing the pass / fail determination result in the first determination area AR1 and the pass / fail determination result in the third determination area AR3, or by comparing the pass / fail determination results in the third determination areas AR3 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The inclination of 1 can be confirmed. Thereby, the review of the bonding method of optical member 1 and liquid crystal panel P can also be aimed at.

  In the optical display device inspection method of the present embodiment, the measurement step and the determination step may be performed in at least one of the first determination region, the second determination region, and the third determination region. The determination is preferably performed in two of the two determination areas and the third determination area, and more preferably performed in all of the first determination area, the second determination area, and the third determination area.

  According to the inspection method for an optical display device having the above-described configuration, a highly reliable quality inspection can be performed. Moreover, according to the pattern recognition method of the optical member having the above-described configuration, the boundary between the first region and the second region of the patterned retardation layer can be accurately recognized.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described examples are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical member, 3 ... Patterned phase difference layer (retardation layer), 3L ... 2nd area | region, 3R ... 1st area | region, 100 ... Display apparatus (optical display device), AL1, AL2 ... Approximate line, BL, BL1 , BL2, BL3 ... boundary line (boundary), BP ... boundary point (boundary), DA ... detection area, E1, E2 ... end, FL, FL1, FL2, FL3 ... reference line, D ... distance, L ... pixel column , P: Liquid crystal panel (optical display component), P4: Display area, R, G, B: Pixel

Claims (10)

An optical display device comprising a retardation layer and an optical display component having a plurality of pixel columns, and an optical display device inspection method comprising:
The retardation layer extends in a band in one direction, a plurality of first regions that change incident linearly polarized light into a first polarization state, and a band in the same direction as the extending direction of the first region. A plurality of second regions that change the incident linearly polarized light into a second polarization state;
The plurality of first regions and the plurality of second regions are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first region and the second region,
Measures a distance in plan view between a boundary detected between the adjacent first region and the second region, and a reference line set along the pixel column in a region between the adjacent pixel columns Measuring process to
A determination step of determining whether the optical display device is good or bad based on the distance.   The optical display device inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement step and the determination step are performed in the center of a display area of the optical display component.   The optical display device inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement step and the determination step are performed in a peripheral portion of the optical member in the extending direction.   The optical display device inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement step and the determination step are performed in a peripheral portion of the optical member in the intersecting direction. Prior to the measuring step, the boundary based on the boundary between the first region and the second region detected in the peripheral portion of the optical member in the intersecting direction and the design value of the retardation layer Approximate the location of
The optical display device inspection method according to claim 2, wherein a boundary between the first region and the second region closest to the estimated boundary position is detected. Detecting the coordinates of the ends of a plurality of pixels included in the pixel column at the side portions facing each other in the adjacent pixel column;
For each pixel column, approximate a straight line corresponding to the side portion based on the plurality of detected coordinates,
The optical display device inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the reference line is set between two obtained approximate lines. Among two adjacent pixel columns, for one pixel column, the coordinates of the end portions of a plurality of pixels are detected on the side facing the other pixel column,
Approximating a straight line corresponding to the side portion based on the detected plurality of coordinates,
The optical display device inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the reference line is set based on the obtained approximate line and a design value of the optical display component. A linear detection region is set across the adjacent first region and second region,
Detecting brightness of the first region and the second region along the detection region at a plurality of points;
The optical display device inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the boundary is detected based on the detected brightness of the plurality of points. Detecting a plurality of the boundaries in a plurality of the detection regions;
The optical display device inspection method according to claim 8, wherein a straight line corresponding to the boundary is approximated based on the detected coordinates of the boundary. A pattern recognition method for an optical member comprising a retardation layer,
The retardation layer extends in a band in one direction, a plurality of first regions that change incident linearly polarized light into a first polarization state, and a band in the same direction as the extending direction of the first region. A plurality of second regions that change the incident linearly polarized light into a second polarization state;
The plurality of first regions and the plurality of second regions are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first region and the second region,
The optical member in the intersecting direction based on the boundary between the first region and the second region detected in the peripheral portion of the optical member in the intersecting direction and the design value of the retardation layer. Approximate the position of the boundary between the first region and the second region at the center of
A method for recognizing a pattern of an optical member, comprising: detecting a boundary between the first region and the second region that is closest to the estimated position of the boundary.

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