KR20090080407A - Panel test device for flat panel display device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for inspecting the panel of a flat panel display device is provided to perform the panel inspection by performing the line-scanning on the panel in a row or column direction. Testing parts(230-260) performs the line-scanning for an image outputted from a panel by the unit of the predetermined number of rows or columns, obtain images and then outputs an image signal corresponding to the obtained images. A control unit(220) controls the panel so as to output different images by the unit of the predetermined number of rows or columns, analyzes the image signal applied from the testing parts, and then determines whether the panel is defective.

Description

Panel test device for flat panel display device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a panel inspecting apparatus of a flat panel display apparatus, and more particularly, to a panel inspecting apparatus of a flat panel display apparatus that performs panel inspection by scanning a panel by a line unit in a horizontal or column direction.

According to the development of information communication and the demand of the information society, a flat panel display device (FPD) that is easy to use space and consumes low power has been in the spotlight. Currently, flat panel display devices mainly used include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and electroluminescence (EL).

Recently, with the development and popularization of flat panel display devices, flat panel display devices are becoming larger and thinner. However, the development of the inspection apparatus of the flat panel display device is much slower than the change of the flat panel display device.

There are various inspections for the flat panel display apparatus, but the most important inspection is the panel inspection. Panel inspection is an inspection that checks for the presence of bad pixels or scratches on a panel.

Initially, panel inspection of flat panel display devices was visual inspection where the operator visually inspected the panel. Visual inspection is divided into macro inspection and micro inspection. Visual inspection is a simple inspection that depends on the naked eye of the operator. It is a detailed inspection to examine in detail. In the visual inspection, the microscopic examination is a detailed inspection performed on the defect site found in the visual inspection, and since the visual inspection depends on the naked eyes of the operator, the visual inspection is a test performed entirely by the operator. Therefore, the reliability of the test results was low, there was a disadvantage that the test time is very long. An inspection using a camera has been proposed to replace the visual inspection and to automatically inspect the flat panel display device.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a panel inspection apparatus of a flat panel display apparatus using a conventional camera, and shows only an approximate configuration.

In FIG. 1, the panel inspecting apparatus 20 includes at least one camera, at least one lamp, a backlight 21, and a controller 22. Although not shown, a panel conveying means (not shown) and a panel inspecting device supplying a panel 10 to be inspected by the panel inspecting apparatus 20 or transferring the inspected panel 10 to the outside of the panel inspecting apparatus 20. A fixing part (not shown) is further provided for fixing the panel while performing the panel inspection at 20.

The panel 10 is provided with a test driver (not shown) for driving the panel 10 under the control of the controller 22 while the inspection is performed. In general, the panel 10 of the flat panel display apparatus is implemented as a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, and the plurality of pixels of the pixel array are driven by a driver. However, the drive is usually connected to the panel after panel inspection. Therefore, in order to perform panel inspection, the panel 10 includes a test driver, and the test driver is connected to the controller during the panel inspection to drive the pixel array of the panel 10. As described above, since the panel 10 includes a pixel array, the test driver includes an X test driver (not shown) for controlling the X axis direction of the pixel array and a Y test driver (not shown) for controlling the Y axis direction. It consists of.

A lamp is a lighting device for irradiating light to the display surface of the panel 10, and is used to determine whether foreign matter such as dust is present on the panel 10, and preferably on the display surface of the panel 10. It is provided in plurality in correspondence with the size of the panel 10 so that uniform light is irradiated.

A camera is a device for acquiring a panel image to determine whether the panel 10 is defective or not, and like a lamp, a camera is provided in accordance with the panel size to acquire an image of the entire display surface of the panel 10. It may be provided as.

The backlight unit 21 may emit a plurality of backlights bl and a heat generated by the backlight bl to the outside of the panel inspecting device 20, such as a lamp. It has a plurality of fans. The backlight unit 21 generally includes a large number of backlights bl in order to irradiate light more uniformly to the panel from the back of the panel 10. Since a large number of heat is generated by the large number of backlights bl, the backlight unit 21 includes a plurality of fans to emit the heat.

The controller 22 controls a camera, a lamp, a backlight unit 21, a panel conveying means, a fixing unit, and the like so that the panel inspecting apparatus can automatically inspect the panel. And the image transmitted by the camera (cam) is analyzed by a specified method to determine the presence of defective pixels or scratches on the panel (10).

Panel conveying means can be used in various ways such as conveyor belts, air injection or air cushions, guide rails, rollers, moving stages, and robot arms. It can be implemented by the device.

Referring to Fig. 1, the operation of the panel inspecting apparatus using the camera will be described. The panel conveying means supplies the panel 10 to be inspected to the panel inspecting apparatus 20, and the fixing unit performs the inspection of the supplied panel 10. To prevent movement during

When the panel 10 is fixed by the fixing unit, the controller 22 first turns on a lamp to shine a light on the display surface of the panel 10, and photographs the display surface of the panel 10 with a camera. Obtain a first panel image. In this case, the test driver does not drive the panel 10.

Then, the controller 22 turns off the lamp and causes the test driver to drive the panel 10 while the backlight bl of the backlight unit 21 is turned on. The test driver causes the panel 10 to output various images to the display surface, and the camera captures a plurality of second panel images by capturing the entire display surface of the panel 10 for outputting various images. .

The controller 22 analyzes the obtained first panel image and the plurality of second panel images to determine whether foreign substances or scratches are present on the panel 10 and whether there are defective pixels. If an abnormality is detected at the same position in both the first panel image and the plurality of second panel images, it is determined not as a defective pixel but as a defect due to a foreign material such as dust or scratch. Although it is determined that the first panel image is normal, the pixel at the position where the abnormality is detected in the plurality of second panel images is determined as the defective pixel itself.

The reason why the plurality of second panel images are acquired is that the panel 10 of the flat panel display apparatus of the present invention outputs various colors. Most of the flat panel display devices currently used are color display devices, and the panel 10 of the color display device should check whether the panel can output three colors of red, blue, and green at least. It is common to check whether the four colors are output normally. Therefore, when an abnormality is detected only in the second panel image for the designated color in the plurality of second panel images, the pixel at the corresponding position is determined as defective in the color in which the abnormality is detected. However, if the panel to be inspected is a panel that outputs a single color, the inspection is performed with only one second panel image.

The panel 10 whose analysis is completed by the control unit 22 is transferred to the outside of the panel inspection apparatus by the panel transfer means. In this case, the controller 22 may control the panel transport means to transport the panel 10 to different places depending on whether the panel 10 is normal or defective.

The panel inspection apparatus using the camera has an advantage that the inspection speed is high because the panel is automatically inspected instead of the visual inspection. However, since the entire display surface of the panel 10 is inspected at one time, even if a plurality of lamps are provided, light irradiated by the lamp is hardly irradiated with uniform brightness on the display surface of the panel 10. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the camera cam is difficult to uniformly acquire an image on the display surface of the panel 10 due to the refraction of the lens provided in the camera. Even when two cameras are used, an area where the focal length is not correct occurs. In particular, there is a problem that it is difficult to implement a camera having a resolution that can accurately measure the defect of the panel 10. This is because the camera acquires an image of the entire display surface of the panel 10 at once. Even if a camera with a resolution sufficient to detect a panel defect is implemented, it is a very expensive device and thus a cost loss occurs. In addition, since the first and second panel images acquired by the camera are images of the entire panel 10, the plurality of backlights bl of the backlight unit 21 must be turned on. Accordingly, the number of fans provided to cool the backlight unit 21 is also large, which consumes a lot of power, and even if only one backlight of the plurality of backlights bl is abnormal, the panel inspection apparatus 20. The whole must be stopped and the panel replaced. Due to these shortcomings, a camera-based inspection and a visual inspection are used in parallel, which is a huge loss in time and cost. In addition, it is not possible to determine whether the process is normally performed during the manufacturing process of the panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a panel inspection apparatus for a flat panel display device that can inspect the pixels in a panel manufacturing process by performing a panel inspection by line scanning the panel in a row or column direction. have.

In order to achieve the above object, a panel inspecting apparatus of a flat panel display apparatus of the present invention includes at least one image sensor unit disposed in close proximity to a surface of the panel display at the time of inspecting a panel, so that a predetermined number of images outputted from the panel are designated. At least one inspection unit which is obtained by line scanning in units of rows or columns, and outputs an image signal corresponding to the obtained image, and wherein the panel is in units of the predetermined number of rows or columns corresponding to each of the at least one inspection unit And a controller configured to control outputting of different images and to determine whether the panel is defective by analyzing the image signal applied from the inspection unit.

The image sensor unit of the present invention for achieving the above object is arranged in at least one or more lines in response to a first control signal, a plurality of lenses to converge and output the image output in the predetermined number of rows or columns unit in the panel An image sensor including a plurality of photo cells configured to accumulate the images output from the plurality of lenses and sequentially output analog image signals corresponding to the accumulated images, and a sensor to output the first control signal. And a control unit.

The image sensor unit of the present invention for achieving the above object receives a second control signal additionally output from the analog image signal and the sensor control unit, and the analog image signal of the number of bits specified by the second control signal The apparatus may further include at least one A / D converter which converts the digital image signal to output the digital image signal.

The image sensor unit of the present invention for achieving the above object is further characterized in that it further comprises a light source for emitting light for checking whether the image sensor unit itself operates normally.

The image sensor unit of the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized in that the CIS (contact image sensor) or a plurality of cameras arranged in at least one line unit.

When the inspection unit of the present invention for achieving the above object is provided with a plurality of the image sensor unit, the plurality of image sensor unit is arranged to cross each other in a line unit, it is arranged to have a overlap section with the image sensor of the adjacent line. It features.

In order to achieve the above object, the control unit of the present invention determines that all of the image signals outputted from each of the at least one inspection unit are abnormal at the same position of the panel, and determine that the image is defective due to scratching. If only the image signal is analyzed as abnormal, the pixel at the corresponding position is determined to be defective. If the entire column of the image signal is analyzed as abnormal, the wiring or the test driver or backlight disposed in the corresponding column in the panel is defective. It is characterized by determining.

The panel inspection apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object further comprises an airbrush for removing foreign matter that may be present on the panel display surface before the at least one inspection unit acquires an image output from the panel. It is characterized by.

Panel inspection apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized in that it further comprises a backlight unit for irradiating light to the at least one inspection unit through the panel when the panel does not emit light by itself. .

The backlight unit of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises at least one backlight for irradiating light from the rear of the panel to the panel, and at least one fan for dissipating heat generated by the backlight to the outside. It features.

In order to achieve the above object, a plurality of backlights of the present invention are arranged in groups, and only a predetermined number of the groups are activated, and when an abnormality occurs in the activated backlight, the backlight that is not activated by the control of the controller is It is characterized in that it is activated.

The panel inspection apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is further characterized by further comprising a panel conveying means for supplying the panel to be inspected to the inspection position.

The panel inspection apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized in that the line scanning is performed while the panel is moved by the panel transport means.

The panel inspection apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized in that it further comprises an inspection unit driving means for performing line scanning while at least one inspection unit is moving on the display surface of the panel.

The panel inspection apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is line-scanned the panel during the manufacturing process to obtain an image of the panel, and comparing the obtained image with a pre-stored image to determine whether the panel is normal in the manufacturing process. It is characterized by determining.

Therefore, the panel inspection apparatus of the flat panel display apparatus of the present invention performs the panel inspection by line scanning the panel in the row or column direction. As a result, inspection can be performed with high accuracy even by using a low resolution image acquisition device, and thus it is possible to accurately determine whether each pixel of the panel is normal even at low cost and low power consumption, and reduce inspection time. In addition, panels during the manufacturing process can also be inspected.

Hereinafter, a panel inspecting apparatus of a flat panel display apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a view showing an embodiment of a panel inspecting apparatus of a flat panel display of the present invention.

The panel 110 inspected by the panel inspecting apparatus 200 is configured of a pixel array composed of a plurality of pixels, and further includes an X test driver 111 and a Y test driver 112 for driving the panel at the time of inspection. Equipped with. The X test driver 111 and the Y test driver 112 are connected to the controller 220 while the panel 110 is supplied to the panel inspection apparatus 200 and the inspection is performed, and the panel is controlled under the control of the controller 220. Drive 110. In this case, the X test driver 111 may control the plurality of pixels provided in the panel 110 in a column unit, and the Y test driver 112 may control the plurality of pixels provided in the panel 110. row) can be controlled in units.

The panel inspecting apparatus 200 controls the backlight unit 210 and the panel inspecting apparatus 200 for irradiating light to the panel 110 from the back of the panel 110, and removes defective pixels or scratches from the inspected panel 110. Control unit 220 to determine the presence of the W, the W inspection unit 230 to inspect the white image output of the panel 110, the R inspection unit 240 to inspect the red image output of the panel 110, the panel 110 G inspection unit 250 for inspecting the green image output, B inspection unit 260 for inspecting the blue image output of the panel 110, and the panel 110 before the panel 110 is inspected by the respective inspection units 230 to 260. Supplies a plurality of air brushes (abr) and a panel 110 to be inspected to the panel inspection apparatus 200 to remove foreign substances such as dust that may be present on the display surface of the ) Is provided with a feed roller (crol) for transporting the outside of the panel inspection device (200).

Each of the inspection units 230 to 260 includes a plurality of image sensor units (not shown). In addition, the backlight unit 210 includes a plurality of backlights bl and a fan. The plurality of backlights bl are disposed at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of inspection units 230 to 260 to emit light irradiated to the inspection units 230 to 260 through the panel 110 to be inspected. The fan emits heat generated by the plurality of backlights bl to the outside.

The control unit 220 performs a backlight unit 210, a plurality of inspection units 230 to 260, a plurality of air brushes abr and a transfer roller of the panel inspection apparatus 200 to perform the inspection of the panel 110. To control.

The feed roller crol supplies the panel 110 to be inspected by the control of the controller 220 to the panel inspecting apparatus 200. The panel 110 supplied by the feed roller is inspected while passing between the plurality of inspection units 230 to 260 and the backlight bl. During the inspection, the roller of the transfer roller (crol) has a backlight (bl) and a plurality of inspection units so that the light emitted from the backlight (bl) can pass through the panel (110) and irradiate the plurality of inspection units (230-260). It should not be placed between 230-260.

The panel inspection apparatus 200 further includes a driving unit connecting means (not shown) for connecting the control unit 220, the X test driving unit 111, and the Y test driving unit 112, so that the feed rollers may have a panel ( While supplying 10), the X test driver 111 and the Y test driver 112 are connected to the controller 220.

The control unit 220 turns on the backlight bl and the fan of the backlight unit 210 while the panel 110 passes through the panel inspection apparatus 200 by a conveying roller. The airbrush abr To drive. The air brush (abr) removes foreign matter on the display surface of the panel 110 by wind, or prevents foreign matter from falling on the display surface of the panel 110.

The X test driver 111 and the Y test driver 112 cause the panel 110 to output an image to be inspected on the display surface. In FIG. 2, since each of the plurality of inspection units 230 to 260 is arranged to inspect the panel 110 in units of columns, the X test driver 111 and the Y test driver 112 and the panel 110 are arranged in units of columns, respectively. The panel 110 is driven to output an image corresponding to the inspection units 230 to 260 of FIG. That is, the panel 110 outputs an image of a white column at a position corresponding to the W inspection unit 230, and outputs an image of a red column at a position corresponding to the R inspection unit 240, and outputs the image to the G inspection unit 250. The column of the corresponding position outputs a green image, and the column of the position corresponding to the B inspection unit 260 outputs a blue image. Here, the column for outputting the image of each color does not necessarily have to be one column, and the image of the same color may be output in a plurality of columns or rows. In addition, the arrangement order of each inspection unit 230 to 260 may be changed, and the number of inspection units 230 to 260 or the color of the image to be inspected may be changed according to the color that the panel 110 to be inspected may output as described above. can be changed.

The panel 110 outputs an image of the color to be inspected by the respective inspection units 230 to 260 while the feed rollers supply the panel 110 to the panel inspection apparatus 200. 230 to 260 sense an image output from the display surface of the panel 110 and output a corresponding image signal to the controller 220. In this case, each inspection unit 230 may output an image signal as an analog signal or a digital signal.

The controller 220 analyzes an image signal applied from each inspection unit 230 to 260 to determine whether there are defective pixels and scratches on the panel 110. If the image signals applied by the plurality of inspection units 230 to 260 are analyzed and all of the image signals show abnormalities at the same position on the panel 110, this is likely to be a defect due to scratching. If only one image signal indicates an abnormality, the panel 110 does not normally output the color detected by the inspection unit that outputs the image signal indicating the abnormality, and thus the pixel at the corresponding position of the panel 110 is determined to be defective. can do. In addition, even when only one image signal indicates an abnormality, if the entire column indicates an abnormality, this may be an abnormality in the wiring disposed in the corresponding column in the panel 110, or an abnormality of the test drivers 111 and 112, and the backlight ( bl) may be defective. Therefore, when the entire heat is detected as abnormal, the controller 220 may stop the panel inspection and output a signal such as a beep or warning light so that the operator can check whether the backlight bl is normal.

As described above, the panel inspection apparatus 200 according to the present invention performs inspection by line scanning the display surface of the panel in units of columns or rows unlike the conventional technology of photographing an image of the entire panel display surface with a camera. The image of the panel 110 is inspected at a distance very close to the display surface of the panel 110 (eg, within 5 mm). Since the inspecting units 230 to 260 acquire an image of the panel 110 at a short range, the image of the panel 110 may be obtained with high precision compared to the conventional art, and thus a corresponding image signal may be generated. In addition, by placing the air brush (abr) in close proximity to each of the inspection unit 230 to 260, it is possible to reduce the inspection error by reducing the possibility of foreign matter, such as dust flows between the inspection unit 230 to 260 and the panel 110.

In addition, since the backlights bl are provided corresponding to the respective inspection units 230 to 260, the number of backlights bl can be greatly reduced, and as the number of backlights bl is reduced, the number of fans is also reduced. Can be. In addition, since the image of the entire display surface of the panel 110 is not examined at once, the entire panel 110 may not be driven. Therefore, power consumption can be significantly reduced.

In particular, in the conventional technology, since the display surface of the panel 110 is inspected at a time, it is not only difficult to implement a high resolution camera of a required level but also very expensive even if implemented, and all surfaces of the panel 110 are used even if a plurality of cameras are used. Although it was difficult to focus on the same conditions, the inspection units 230 to 260 of the present invention line scan the display surface of the panel 110 in a row or column direction, so that the panel 110 includes an image sensor unit. Closely obtain an image of the panel 110 in columns or rows. Therefore, even if the number of unit pixels in the image sensor unit is lower than that of the camera, more accurate images can be obtained and the cost can be realized at low cost.

In FIG. 2, a conveying roller (crol) is shown as the panel conveying means, but as described above, it is obvious that a device such as a conveyor belt and a guide rail may be used as the panel conveying means. However, when using panel conveying means for fixing and transporting both sides of the panel, such as guide rails, and when the size of the panel 110 is very large, the display surface of the panel to be inspected does not maintain a uniform height and the center area is larger than both sides. Can be lowered. If the panel is inspected while the display surface of the panel does not maintain a uniform height, the brightness of the center area of the display surface may be measured lower than both sides, even if it is a normal panel, and thus it may be judged as defective. In order to prevent such a problem, each of the inspection units 230 to 260 may include height adjusting means for adjusting the height of each image sensor unit so that the plurality of image sensor units maintain a uniform height on the display surface of the panel. .

3 is a view showing another embodiment of the panel inspection apparatus of the flat panel display device of the present invention.

The panel 110 of FIG. 3 is the same as the panel 110 of FIG. 2, and is also connected to the control unit 320 while the panel 110 is supplied to the panel inspection apparatus 300 and the inspection is performed. X test driver 111 and Y test driver 112 for driving the panel 110 according to the control of).

The panel inspecting apparatus 300 controls the backlight unit 310 and the panel inspecting apparatus 200 for irradiating light to the panel 110, similar to the panel inspecting apparatus 200 of FIG. 2, and inspects the inspected panel 110. The control unit 320 determines whether a defective pixel or scratch is present in the display, the inspection unit 330 for inspecting the output image of the panel 110, and the panel 110 of the panel 111 before the panel 110 is inspected by the inspection unit 330. A plurality of air brushes (abr) are provided for removing foreign matter such as dust that may be present on the display surface.

Unlike FIG. 2, the panel inspecting apparatus 300 of FIG. 3 is configured to inspect the panel 110 while the inspecting unit 330 moves without the panel 110 moving while the inspecting is performed. Accordingly, a panel fixing part 360 for fixing the inspection shaft driver 340 and the panel 360 may be further provided to move the inspecting part 330. In FIG. 2, a feed roller is provided as a panel conveying means, but in FIG. 3, a movement stage 350 is provided as a panel conveying means. The moving stage 350 transfers the panel such that the display surface of the panel 110 to be inspected is located at a short distance (for example, 5 mm or less) of the inspecting unit 330.

Since the panel fixing part 360 of FIG. 3 fixes the side surface of the panel 110, when the size of the panel 10 is large, the height of the display surface of the panel may not be constant. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the inspection unit 330 may further include height adjustment means so that the plurality of image sensor units (not shown) maintain a uniform height with the display surface of the panel.

In FIG. 2, a plurality of inspection units 230 to 260 of a fixed position are provided, and each of the inspection units 230 to 260 is outputted from the panel while the panel 110 is transferred by a feed roller. An image of color was acquired and an image signal corresponding to the obtained image was output. However, in FIG. 3, the panel 110 is fixed by the panel fixing part 360, and one inspection part 330 inspects the panel 110 while moving on the display surface of the panel 110. Therefore, the inspection unit 330 moves the display surface of the panel 110 by the number of colors to be inspected and acquires images of different colors to output corresponding image signals. That is, when it is necessary to acquire the image of the four colors as shown in Figure 2, the inspection unit 330 reciprocates the display surface of the panel 110 twice to acquire the image. In this case, since the advancing direction of the inspection unit 330 is not a single direction, the air brush abr is also provided at both sides of the inspection unit 330.

The backlight unit 310 may include only one backlight bl1 corresponding to one inspection unit 330, but three backlights bl1, bl2, and bl3 are provided in FIG. 3. When only one backlight bl1 of the three backlights bl1, bl2, and bl3 is turned on, and the remaining two backlights bl2 and bl3 have abnormalities in the backlight bl1, the controller 320 controls the backlight bl. ) Backlights (bl2, bl3) to detect abnormalities and replace automatically.

Referring to FIG. 3, the operation of the panel inspecting apparatus 300 will be described. First, the moving stage 350 moves the display surface of the panel 110 to be inspected by the control of the controller 320 at a short distance of the inspecting unit 330. The panel 110 is moved to be positioned. When the panel 110 is transferred, the panel fixing part 360 fixes the panel, and the X test driver 111 and the Y test driver 112 are connected by the controller 320 and a driver connecting means (not shown). The controller turns on the backlight bl1 and drives the air blush abr. In addition, the inspection axis driver 340 is driven to acquire the image output from the panel 110 while moving the inspection unit 330, and outputs an image signal corresponding to the obtained image as an analog signal or a digital signal. At the same time, the controller controls the X test driver 111 and the Y test driver 112 so that the panel 110 outputs an image of the color to be inspected. When the panel is inspected in the order of white, red, green, and blue as shown in FIG. 2, the inspection unit 330 first passes the display surface of the panel 110 during the reciprocating operation by the inspection shaft driver 340. The panel 110 acquires a white image output and outputs a corresponding image signal, secondly obtains a red image, thirdly a green image, and fourthly a blue image. Output the corresponding image signal.

The controller 320 analyzes an image signal applied by the inspector 330 to determine whether there are defective pixels and scratches on the panel 110. As a result of analyzing a plurality of image signals, if all image signals show an abnormality at the same position on the panel 110, it is determined as a defect due to scratching. If only one image signal indicates an abnormality and the other image signal does not indicate any abnormality, the panel 110 does not normally output a color detected by the image signal indicating the abnormality, and thus, the pixel at the corresponding position is determined to be defective. . In addition, even if only one image signal indicates an abnormality, the controller 220 considers that the backlight bl is defective first and replaces the currently lit backlight bl1 with other backlights bl2 and bl3. Replace with If an error is shown in the same column even after the replacement and inspection again, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the wiring arranged in the corresponding column in the panel 110 or that the test drive units 111 and 112 are abnormal. Therefore, the panel inspection apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 3 does not need to be suspended due to abnormalities of the backlights bl1, bl2, and bl3.

In the above description, the panel inspecting apparatus 300 includes only one inspecting unit 330, but the panel inspecting apparatus 300 may be configured to have a plurality of inspecting units and move the plurality of inspecting units as in FIG. 2. Is self-explanatory. In addition, when inspecting the panel 110 while moving the plurality of inspection units, the inspection time may be shorter than when only one inspection unit 330 is provided.

In addition, when the panel inspection apparatus 300 moves the panel 110, the panel fixing unit 360 fixes the panel, and the display surface of the panel 110 on which the moving stage 350 is to be inspected is the inspection unit 330. The panel is transported so as to be located at a short distance (for example, 5 mm or less), but on the contrary, the panel fixing part 360 which fixes the transported panel while the inspection part 330 is fixed moves vertically. The display surface of the 110 may be configured to be located near the inspection unit 330.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inspection units 230 to 260 and 330 are positioned at the upper portion of the panel 110, and the backlight units 210 and 310 are positioned at the lower portion of the panel 110. 260 and 330 may be positioned under the panel and the display surface of the panel 110 may face downward, and the backlight units 210 and 310 may be positioned above the panel 110.

Also, the backlight unit 210 of FIG. 2 is also provided with extra backlights bl2 and bl3 like the backlight unit 310 of FIG. 3 so that the backlight can be replaced when an error occurs in the backlight bl. It can be obvious.

In FIG. 3, since the backlight unit 310 uses only one backlight bl1, the heat generation amount is weak and thus does not include a fan. However, the backlight unit 310 may include a fan according to an environment of use. Can be.

2 and 3 have been described taking the panel 110 of the LCD as an example. Since the panel 110 of the LCD does not emit light by itself, a backlight bl is required. However, since a panel of a flat panel display device such as a PDP or an EL emits light, the inspection units 230 to 260 and 330 may acquire an image output from the panel 110 even without the backlight bl.

4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection unit shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image sensor unit shown in FIG.

4 and 5, the inspection unit 430 of the present invention will be described. The inspection unit 430 includes a plurality of image sensor units ISS. Each image sensor unit ISS is applied through a plurality of rod lenses and lenses that apply an image output in the form of light from the display surface of the panel to the image sensor 531. The image sensor 531 outputting the analog image signal ansg in response to the image projected by the received light and the analog image signal ansg output from the image sensor 531 are differential digital image signals disg and / disg. A / D converter 533 and the sensor controller 532 for controlling the image sensor 531 and the A / D converter 533 to convert to the output.

The inspection unit 430 has a plurality of overlapping sections such that the plurality of image sensor units ISS overlap each other by a predetermined area so that an uninspected area does not occur during panel inspection. Since each image sensor unit ISS acquires an image of a corresponding position and outputs an image signal corresponding to the obtained image, the inspection unit 430 is configured to output a plurality of image signals mansg. The plurality of image signals mansg output from the inspection unit may be an analog image signal or a digital image signal. However, although a plurality of image signals mansg are applied to the controllers 220 and 320 as analog image signals, the controller must convert the image signals to digital in order to analyze the image signals. In addition, when a plurality of image signals mansg is output as an analog image signal when the size of the panel 110 to be inspected is large, noise or signal distortion may occur, so that the inspection unit 430 may include a plurality of image signals. ) Is preferably output as a digital image signal.

The image sensor 531 includes a plurality of photo cells (not shown), each photo cell accumulates light applied through a corresponding rod lens, and an analog image signal corresponding to the accumulated amount of light ( output ansg) sequentially. In this case, the sensor controller 532 outputs a first control signal ctrl1 to the image sensor in order to adjust the time for accumulating light of the plurality of photo cells. The first control signal ctrl1 is used as a shutter control signal for controlling the shutter of the photo cell, and the sensor controller 532 responds to the first digital image signal disg output from the A / D converter 533. Generate a control signal (ctrl1). However, the first control signal may not be a shutter control signal but a signal for adjusting the output order and timing of the analog image signal of the plurality of photo cells. Since the image output from the panel 110 during the panel inspection is a substantially uniform image, it may be predetermined without adjusting the shutter time. Therefore, in this case, since the order and timing of the image signals output from the photocells are more important in the panel inspection, the first control signal is used to adjust the output order and timing of the analog image signal. In addition, the sensor controller 532 may control the second control signal ctrl2 to adjust the conversion level when the A / D converter 533 converts the analog image signal ansg into a differential digital image signal disg or / disg. Output to A / D converter 533. In response to the second control signal, the A / D converter 533 converts the analog image signal ansg into a differential digital image signal disg (/ disg) of a predetermined bit (for example, 4 bits) and outputs it. In this case, the A / D converter 533 differentially outputs the digital image signal in order to prevent loss due to noise, but may also output it as a single digital signal. The A / D converter 533 receives an analog image signal ansg sequentially applied from a plurality of photo cells of the image sensor 531 and converts the analog image signal ansg into a differential digital image signal disg. Therefore, each image sensor unit ISS outputs image signals in series.

The inspection unit 430 may be implemented as one image sensor unit ISS instead of a plurality of image sensor units ISS. In the case where the inspection unit 430 is implemented as one image sensor unit ISS, the size of the image sensor unit ISS must be increased, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost. In the case of transmitting the image signals in series as described above, the control unit The disadvantage is that it takes a long time to receive the image signal. Therefore, in order to shorten the panel inspection time, the image sensor unit ISS includes a plurality of A / D converters 533, and each of the A / D converters 533 receives the analog image signal ansg from the corresponding photo cell. When the digital image signal disg is configured to be output, that is, a plurality of digital image signals are output in parallel, the inspection time can be shortened.

In addition, before the panel inspection apparatus 200 or 300 performs the inspection on the panel, it is necessary to check whether the inspection units 230 to 260 and 330 operate normally. The panel inspection apparatus having the backlight bl may determine whether the inspection unit is normal by the light irradiated from the backlight, but the panel inspection apparatus without the backlight bl may be normal to the inspection units 230 to 260 and 330 itself. A light source for outputting light is required to determine whether it is operating. Therefore, the image sensor unit ISS may further include a light source to verify whether the inspection units 230 to 260 and 330 operate normally.

As a device having a structure similar to the above-described image sensor unit (ISS), there is a contact image sensor (CIS) used in a device such as a fax or a scanner, and a CIS can be used as the image sensor unit (ISS). have. In addition, the image sensor unit may be implemented by arranging a plurality of cameras in a row or column direction. However, the panel inspection apparatus of the present invention performs the inspection by line scanning the panel in the row or column direction, so that the panel inspection can be performed more accurately even if the resolution of the camera is lower than that of the conventional camera shown in FIG. have.

The current image sensor supports 2400 dpi or higher resolution, which is much higher than the resolution provided by flat panel displays. Therefore, the defect of the pixel of the panel 110 of the present invention can be measured at a very accurate level. In addition, since the conversion level is easily adjusted when converting the A / D converter 533 of the image sensor unit ISS into the digital image signal disg, the image output from the panel 110 as well as the presence of a defective pixel is not only present. The uniformity of can be measured accurately. In addition, since the image sensor unit ISS may acquire an image of the panel at a very high resolution and may further include a light source, the panel 110 may be inspected during the manufacturing process. That is, it may also be used to determine whether the components, pixels, and wirings stamped on the panel 110 are normally connected during the manufacturing process.

Therefore, if a problem is detected in the panel 110 during the manufacturing process, it provides an opportunity to correct the problem or prevents the process from proceeding to a later process, thereby reducing manufacturing cost or minimizing the occurrence of defects in the final inspection step. Can contribute to lowering.

Although the above has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be able to variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be appreciated.

1 is a view showing a panel inspection apparatus of a flat panel display apparatus using a conventional camera.

2 is a view showing an embodiment of a panel inspecting apparatus of a flat panel display of the present invention.

3 is a view showing another embodiment of the panel inspection apparatus of the flat panel display device of the present invention.

4 is a view showing the configuration of the inspection unit shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image sensor unit shown in FIG. 4.

Claims (24)

At least one image sensor unit disposed in close proximity to the display surface of the panel during the panel inspection, the image output from the panel is obtained by line scanning by a predetermined number of rows or columns, and corresponds to the obtained image At least one inspection unit configured to output an image signal; And controlling the panel to output different images in units of the predetermined number of rows or columns corresponding to each of the at least one inspection unit, and analyzing the image signal applied by the inspection unit to determine whether the panel is defective. Panel inspection apparatus for a flat panel display device characterized in that it comprises a control unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the image sensor unit A plurality of lenses arranged in at least one or more lines to converge and output the images output in the predetermined number of rows or columns in the panel; An image sensor including a plurality of photo cells configured to accumulate the images output from the plurality of lenses in response to a first control signal and to sequentially output analog image signals corresponding to the accumulated images; And And a sensor controller for outputting the first control signal. The method of claim 2, wherein the image sensor unit At least one A receiving the analog image signal and a second control signal additionally output from the sensor controller, and converting the analog image signal into a digital image signal having a bit number designated by the second control signal and outputting the same. The panel inspection device of the flat panel display device further comprises a / D converter. The method of claim 3, wherein the A / D converter And outputting the digital image signal as a differential signal. The method of claim 2, wherein the image sensor unit And a light source for emitting light for checking whether the image sensor unit operates normally. The method of claim 5, wherein the image sensor unit Panel inspection apparatus for a flat panel display device characterized in that the CIS (Contact Image Sensor). The method of claim 5, wherein the image sensor unit And a plurality of cameras arranged in at least one line unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the inspection unit When the plurality of image sensor units are provided, the plurality of image sensor units are arranged to cross each other in line units, and the panel inspection apparatus of the flat panel display apparatus, wherein the plurality of image sensor units are arranged to have overlapping sections with the image sensors of adjacent lines. The method of claim 8, wherein the inspection unit And at least one sensor unit height adjusting means such that each of the at least one image sensor unit maintains a uniform distance from the surface of the panel. The method of claim 1, wherein the panel is Electrically connected with the control unit. And a test driver for driving the panel such that the panel outputs an image corresponding to each of the at least one inspection unit under the control of the controller. The method of claim 10, wherein the control unit If it is analyzed that all of the image signals output from each of the at least one inspection unit is abnormal in the same position of the panel, it is determined that the defect due to scratch, If only one image signal of the image signal is analyzed to be abnormal, it is determined that the pixel at the corresponding position is defective, And if the entire column of the image signal is analyzed to be abnormal, determine that the wiring arranged in the corresponding column in the panel or the test driver or backlight is defective. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is And at least one inspection unit further comprises an airbrush for removing foreign matter that may be present on the panel display surface before acquiring an image output from the panel. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is And a backlight unit for irradiating light to the at least one inspection unit through the panel when the panel does not emit light by itself. The method of claim 13, wherein the backlight unit At least one backlight for irradiating light from the back of the panel to the panel; And And at least one fan for dissipating heat generated by the backlight to the outside. The method of claim 14, wherein the backlight is The panel of the flat panel display device, which is arranged in groups by a plurality, and only a predetermined number of the groups is activated, and when an abnormality occurs in the activated backlight, the unactivated backlight is activated by the control of the controller. Inspection device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is And a panel conveying means for supplying a panel to be inspected to a test position. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the panel inspection device is And panel scanning by moving the panel by the panel conveying means. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the panel inspection device is And the panel conveying means conveys the panel such that the display surface of the panel is arranged at a predetermined distance of the inspection unit. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is And at least one inspection unit further comprising inspection axis driving means to perform line scanning while moving on the display surface of the panel. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is And at least one inspection unit further comprising inspection axis drive means to perform line scanning while moving below the display surface of the panel. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is And the inspection unit moves to a predetermined distance of a display surface of the panel. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is And a panel fixing means for fixing the panel at the time of inspection. The method of claim 22 wherein the panel fixing means And the panel is transported such that the display surface of the panel is disposed at a predetermined distance of the inspection unit. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel inspection device is The panel inspection apparatus of the flat panel display device, characterized in that the line scanning of the panel in the manufacturing process to obtain an image of the panel, and comparing the obtained image with a pre-stored image to determine whether the panel is normal in the manufacturing process. .

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