KR20130136806A - Apparatus for testing display device module and method for testing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a module supporting unit which supports a display module; an image acquisition unit which is composed of a plurality of cameras and arranged corresponding to the display module composed of image acquisition regions corresponding to the cameras respectively; and a control unit which detects defect data and compensates the same by comparing the image data of the image acquisition regions of the display module taken by the image acquisition unit at the same time with reference data. According to the present invention, images for automatically detecting the failure of a display panel can be acquired so that a test process in respect to the display panel can be automatically performed. [Reference numerals] (130) Image generating unit;(140) Control unit

Description

Apparatus for Testing Display device module and Method for Testing the same}

The present invention relates to a display panel inspection apparatus, and more particularly, to a display module inspection apparatus and an inspection method for inspecting whether a display module is defective by photographing a display module at a time with a plurality of cameras for photographing a certain area.

Display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), etc. Is manufactured through various processes.

This manufacturing process includes an inspection process for inspecting whether the display panel used in the display device is normally operated.

Existing display panel inspection process was performed by the human visual inspection. That is, the inspection process for the display panel has been conventionally performed by a method in which a worker visually looks at a display panel driven by an inspection signal and determines a portion that is not normally operated.

Therefore, the existing display panel inspection process has the following problems.

First, the existing display panel inspection process has a problem that the operator's skill, experience, concentration, etc. affect the inspection results for the display panel, the reliability of the inspection results is lowered.

Second, since the conventional display panel inspection process is a manual inspection method by an operator, it takes a long time to perform the inspection on the display panel, there is a problem that lowers the yield for the display panel manufacturing process.

Third, the recent display field requires a display panel having high resolution and high performance. However, since the existing display panel inspection process is a visual inspection method by an operator, an inspection process for manufacturing a display panel having high resolution and high performance is required. There is a limit to the implementation.

Fourth, since the process of compensating for defects must be additionally performed after the existing display panel inspection process, additional costs are incurred, and an operator selects a defect and inputs a repair value to compensate. Because there is a need, there is a significant difference between workers.

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a display module inspection apparatus and an inspection method that can implement the display module inspection process in an automatic inspection method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display module inspection apparatus and an inspection method thereof, which can reduce the time taken to perform the inspection of the display module, thereby improving the yield of the display module manufacturing process.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display module inspection apparatus and an inspection method capable of implementing an inspection process for manufacturing a display module having a high resolution and high performance.

Display module inspection apparatus for achieving the above object, the module support for supporting the display module; An image acquisition unit including a plurality of cameras, the image acquisition unit disposed corresponding to the display module including image acquisition areas corresponding to each of the cameras; And a controller configured to detect and compensate defect data by comparing the image data of the image acquisition regions of the display module simultaneously captured by the image acquisition unit with reference data.

Display module inspection method for achieving the above object, the step of loading the display module into the module support; Disposing a plurality of cameras corresponding to a display module including image acquisition areas corresponding to each of the cameras; Receiving image data of image acquisition regions of the display module simultaneously captured by the image acquisition unit; Comparing image data of the image acquisition regions with reference data; Detecting defect data by comparing the image detector and reference data, and retrieving coordinates of a subpixel corresponding to the detected defect data; And compensating for the data value of the defect data.

According to the display module inspection apparatus and the inspection method according to the present invention has the following effects.

According to the display module inspection apparatus and the inspection method according to the present invention, it is possible to select an appropriate resolution for defect detection, thereby solving physical interference with the application of a camera for photographing by area.

According to the display module inspection apparatus and the inspection method according to the present invention by applying a method of simultaneously photographing the panel areas by using a plurality of cameras for each panel area in the state in which the display module is fixed, it is necessary to perform the inspection on the display panel This saves time and reduces the cost of equipment configuration because multiple stages are not required.

 According to the display module inspection apparatus and the inspection method according to the present invention, since the compensation is possible based on the quantified data together with the spot defect detection, it is possible to guarantee the quality and reduce the cost.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a schematic layout view of a camera unit and a display module configuring the display module inspecting apparatus according to the present invention.
3 is a schematic layout cross-sectional view of the display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention.
4 is a schematic layout cross-sectional view of a display module seated on a module support according to the invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the resolution of an image acquired by the display module inspecting apparatus according to the present invention.
6 is a schematic block diagram of an image acquisition unit and an adjustment unit of the display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention.
7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention, which is a schematic configuration diagram of an image acquisition unit, an image generation unit, and a control unit.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a test method of an apparatus for inspecting a display module according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

2 is a schematic layout view of a camera unit and a display module configuring the display module inspecting apparatus according to the present invention.

3 is a schematic layout cross-sectional view of the display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention performs an inspection process on the display module.

The display module 10 includes a liquid crystal display device (abbreviated as LCD), organic light emitting diodes (abbreviated as OLED), and a plasma display panel (abbreviated as PDP). , Electrophoretic display devices (abbreviated as EPDs), LTPS, and the like.

The display module inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention acquires an image for inspecting the display module 100.

The display module inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention is connected to a control unit 140 that detects and compensates for a defect of the display module 100.

When the display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention provides the acquired image to the controller 140, the controller 140 detects whether the display module 100 is defective by using the acquired image. can do. For example, the controller 140 may detect whether the display module 100 is defective by comparing a reference image of a display module that is normally operated with the obtained image.

The controller 140 may detect whether the display module is defective by detecting a portion having a difference in brightness or the like by comparing the obtained image with each reference region for each region of the display panel. On the other hand, the display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention may be implemented as a separate device from the control unit, it may be implemented including a configuration having a function of the control unit.

1 and 2, the display panel inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention is provided with a module support 110 for supporting the display module 100, the entire display panel of the display module 100 ( An image acquisition unit (120) is provided for acquiring an image of a portion, and an image generation unit (130) is provided for receiving image data from the image acquisition unit (120); The controller 140 detects and compensates for defect data by comparing the image data with reference image data.

2, the image acquisition unit 120 is composed of a plurality of cameras (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e, 120f, 120g, 120h, 120i), these cameras (120a, 120b, 120c, Each of the 120d, 120e, 120f, 120g, 120h, and 120i corresponds to a predetermined image acquisition area 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, 100g, 100h, 100i of the display module 100, respectively. For example, the camera 120a is configured to photograph the image acquisition area 100a, and the camera 120b is configured to photograph the image acquisition area 100b. In addition, each of the remaining cameras 120c, ---, and 120i is configured to photograph the remaining image acquisition areas 100c, ---, and 100i.

In this case, each of the plurality of cameras 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e, 120f, 120g, 120h, and 120i is the same, and the predetermined image acquisition areas 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d of the display module 100 are the same. , 100e, 100f, 100g, 100h, 100i) each have the same size.

In the present invention, it is assumed that the image acquisition areas are image acquisition areas 100a, and the plurality of cameras are assumed to be cameras 120a.

The display panel area of the display module 100 includes the plurality of image acquisition areas 100a. That is, the portion photographed by the camera 120a has an image acquisition area 100a corresponding to a portion of the display panel 100.

Accordingly, the image acquisition unit 120 may acquire images of the plurality of image acquisition areas 100a of the entire area of the display panel 100 corresponding to the plurality of camera units 120a.

Therefore, the display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention may acquire images having a resolution capable of automatically implementing the inspection process for the display panel 100.

2 and 3, when the image acquisition unit 120 has an image acquisition area 120a corresponding to the entire size of the display panel 100, the image acquisition unit 120 may include a display panel ( It is possible to obtain an image that is difficult to automatically detect whether or not to 100.

For example, when the image acquisition unit 120 is implemented to acquire an image having a resolution of 1/3 or more based on one sub pixel (not shown) of the display panel 100, the following figure 1 An image having a resolution as follows is obtained.

[Figure 1]

As can be seen from FIG. 1, if the image acquisition unit 120 acquires an image having a resolution of 1/3 or more based on one sub-pixel of the display panel 100, whether the image acquisition unit 120 is defective for the display panel 100. It can be seen that an image having a resolution that is difficult to detect automatically is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention, the image acquisition unit 120 has an image acquisition area 2a corresponding to a portion of the display panel 100.

Accordingly, the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention may acquire an image capable of automatically detecting whether the display panel 100 is defective. For example, when the image acquisition unit 120 is implemented to acquire an image having a resolution of 1/12 or less based on one sub-pixel of the display panel 100, the image having the resolution as shown in FIG. You get it.

[Figure 2]

As can be seen from FIG. 2, when the image acquisition unit 120 acquires an image having a resolution of 1/12 or less based on one subpixel of the display panel 100, the display panel 100 is defective. It can be seen that an image having a resolution that can be detected automatically is obtained.

Therefore, the display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention may obtain images having a resolution capable of automatically implementing the inspection process for the display module 100.

2 and 3, the display module inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention may acquire partial images of the display panel 100 by the image acquisition unit 120 including the plurality of cameras 120a. have.

Accordingly, the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention can obtain the entire image area of the display module 100 by one shot by a plurality of cameras 120a, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost, Images having a resolution capable of automatically implementing the inspection process for 100 may be obtained.

4 is a schematic layout cross-sectional view of a display module seated on a module support according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the module support 110 supports an illumination unit 103 that provides light to the display panel 101, for example, a display module 100 in which a backlight unit is mounted. .

Here, the lighting unit 103 may emit light toward the display panel 101. The lighting unit 110 may provide light to the display panel 101 so that the image acquisition unit 120 acquires a clearer image from the display panel 101.

When the display panel 101 is used in a display device without self-luminescence such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), the illumination unit 103 provides the image acquisition unit by providing light to the display panel 101. 120 may acquire an image from the display panel 101. The lighting unit 103 may include a light source (not shown) for emitting light. In this case, a fluorescent lamp, an LED, or the like may be used as the light source.

The lighting unit 103 may include a backlight unit for providing back light to the display panel 101. The illumination unit 103 may be positioned below the rear surface (not shown) of the display panel 101 and may emit light toward the rear surface of the display panel 101.

The illumination unit 103 provides light in a direction perpendicular to the display panel 101 with respect to the display panel 101 positioned in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the lighting unit 103 may provide the back light to the display panel 101.

Therefore, the display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention uses the lighting unit 103 to detect whether the display panel 101 is defective when the back light is provided to the display panel 101. An image can be obtained.

Although not shown in the drawing, the illumination unit 103 may use a backlight unit (not shown) for providing side light instead of the backlight unit for providing vertical light to the display panel 101.

Compared with the illumination unit 103 providing light to the display panel 101 in the vertical direction (arrow direction, shown in FIG. 4), the illumination unit (not shown) using the side light is light in the horizontal direction. After proceeding, the light guide plate or other light changing member may be used to change the traveling direction of the light to provide light to the display panel 101.

Accordingly, the lighting unit (not shown) may provide light to the display panel 101 by using metering.

Therefore, the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention obtains an image for detecting whether the display panel 101 is defective when the metering is provided to the display panel 101 by using an illumination unit using metering. can do.

Therefore, the display panel inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention is mounted inside the display module 100, and by using the illumination unit 110 using vertical light or metering, the accuracy of the inspection result on the display panel 101 And improve the reliability. For example, when the back light provided from the lighting unit 103 is used, the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention displays an image in which a portion where foreign matter such as dust is attached to the display panel 101 is darker than other portions. Will be obtained.

Therefore, the display panel inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention can improve the accuracy and reliability of the inspection result of the display panel 101 by using the illumination unit 103.

As such, the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention operates the lighting unit 103 to drive the image acquisition unit 120 to obtain an image of the display panel 101.

Hereinafter, the image acquisition unit 120 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the resolution of an image acquired by the display module inspecting apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is a schematic block diagram of an image acquisition unit and an adjustment unit of the display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the image acquisition unit 120 may use 1 / N based on one sub-pixel (hereinafter referred to as SP) of the display panel 101 constituting the display module 100. N may be an image having a resolution of greater than 12).

Therefore, the display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention may acquire images having a resolution capable of automatically implementing the inspection process for the display module 100.

To this end, the image acquisition unit 120 has a plurality of cameras (120a) having an image sensor 121 for acquiring an image, each of the image sensor 121 has a predetermined shooting area (FOV) Has

Each of the image sensors 121 may have an image capturing area (FOV) in which one subpixel (SP) of the display panel 101 can be divided into N images.

Accordingly, the image acquisition unit 120 may acquire an image having a resolution of 1 / N based on one subpixel SP of the display panel 101. For example, the image acquisition unit 120 may acquire an image having a resolution of 1/12 or more and 1/108 or less based on one sub-pixel SP of the display panel 101. 120 may include a camera 120a including at least N or more image sensors 121.

5 and 6, the display panel 101 may include subpixels SP having various sizes according to specifications. Even if the size of the sub-pixel SP of the display panel 101 is changed, the display module inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention adjusts the image acquisition unit 120 to obtain an image having a set resolution. The unit 160 may be included.

The control unit 160 moves the image acquisition unit 120 so that the image acquisition unit 120 may acquire an image having a set resolution according to the size of the sub-pixel SP of the display panel 101. You can.

As the adjuster 1600 moves the image acquisition unit 120, a distance between the image acquisition unit 120 and the display panel 100 may be adjusted. The image acquisition unit 120 may be moved so that the acquisition unit 120 may acquire an image having a resolution of 1 / N based on one subpixel SP of the display panel 101.

Accordingly, the display module inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention may obtain an image having a resolution capable of automatic inspection even if the size of the subpixel SP included in the display panel 101 is changed.

For example, when the display panel 101 constituting the display module has a subpixel SP having a larger size than the conventional one, the control unit 160 may have the image acquisition unit 120 in the display panel 101. The image acquisition unit 120 may be moved away from the image acquisition unit 120.

When the display panel 101 has a subpixel SP having a smaller size than the conventional panel, the control unit 160 is configured such that the image acquisition unit 120 is closer to the display panel 101. The acquisition unit 120 may be moved.

The control unit 160 lifts the image acquisition unit 120 so that the image acquisition unit 120 moves away from the display panel 101 or the image acquisition unit 120 approaches the display panel 101. You can move it. The adjusting unit 160 may include a first adjusting unit 161 for moving the image acquisition unit 120. The first control unit 161 may be coupled to the image acquisition unit 120.

The first adjusting unit 161 is a cylinder method using a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, a ball screw method using a motor and a ball screw, a gear method using a motor, a rack gear and a pinion gear, and the like, and a motor, a pulley and a belt. The image acquisition unit 120 may be moved using a belt method, a linear motor method, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the adjusting unit 160 may acquire the image having the set resolution by the image acquisition unit 120 according to the size of the subpixel SP of the display panel 101. The lens 123 of the image acquisition unit 120 may be moved.

The adjusting unit 160 may move the lens 123 to adjust the distance between the lens 123 and the image sensor 121. That is, the adjusting unit 160 may move the lens 123 such that the lens 123 is close to the image sensor 121 or the lens 123 is far from the image sensor 121. The adjusting unit 160 may adjust the magnification of the lens 123 by adjusting the distance between the lens 123 and the image sensor 121. The adjusting unit 160 allows the image acquisition unit 120 to acquire an image having a resolution of 1 / N based on one subpixel SP of the display panel 101. Can be moved.

Accordingly, the display module inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention may obtain an image having a resolution capable of automatic inspection even if the size of the subpixel SP included in the display panel 101 constituting the display module is changed. .

The adjusting unit 160 may include a second adjusting unit 163 for moving the lens 123. The second adjustment unit 163 may be coupled to the lens 123. The second control unit 163 is a cylinder method using a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, a ball screw method using a motor and a ball screw, a gear method using a motor, a rack gear and a pinion gear, etc., a motor, a pulley and a belt, etc. The lens 123 may be moved using a used belt method or a linear motor method. The second adjustment unit 163 may lift the lens 123.

The adjusting unit 160 adjusts any one of a distance between the lens 123 and the image sensor 121 or a distance between the lenses 123, so that the image acquisition unit 120 displays the display panel 101. The image may be adjusted to acquire an image having a set resolution according to the size of the subpixel SP.

Referring to FIG. 6, the image acquisition unit 120 may include a light amount adjusting unit 125 for adjusting the amount of light reaching the image sensor 121. The light amount adjusting unit 125 includes a passage (not shown) through which light passes to reach the image sensor 121.

The light amount adjusting unit 125 may adjust the amount of light reaching the image sensor 121 by adjusting the size of the passage. For example, when the display panel 101 is driven in a pattern having a low illuminance, the light amount adjusting unit 125 may increase the size of the passage so that the amount of light reaching the image sensor 121 is increased. have.

Therefore, even when the display panel 101 is driven in a pattern having a low illuminance, the image acquisition unit 120 may acquire a bright image capable of automatic inspection.

The display module inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention may inspect whether the display module 100 operates normally under various driving conditions, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the inspection result for the display module 100. Can be.

When the light amount control unit 125 opens the passage to the maximum size, the ratio of the diameter of the passage and the focal length of the lens 123 may be 5.6 or less. When the light amount control unit 125 opens the passage to the maximum size, the ratio of the diameter of the passage and the focal length of the lens 123 may be one or more. The optical distortion of the lens 123 may be 0.1% or less.

Therefore, the image acquisition unit 120 may acquire an image with less occurrence of image distortion.

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention, which is a schematic configuration diagram of an image acquisition unit, an image generation unit, and a control unit.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display module inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention is arranged to correspond to the entire area of the display panel 101 constituting the display module 100 so as to capture a plurality of cameras simultaneously. An image acquisition unit 120 composed of 120a); An image generator 130 for receiving image data photographed from the image acquisition unit 120; The controller 140 receives image data from the image generator 130 and compares them with reference data for each sub-pixel to detect defect data to extract coordinates or to compensate for the detected defect. It is configured to include.

Here, the image acquisition unit 120 is composed of a plurality of cameras 120a which are disposed to correspond to the entire area of the display panel 101 constituting the display module 100 and simultaneously photograph each panel area. The plurality of cameras 120a are disposed corresponding to the entire area of the display panel 101. That is, each of the cameras 120a is disposed corresponding to each area of the entire area of the display panel 101, and captures images of the areas.

As described above, the plurality of cameras 120a photographs the entire areas of the display panel 101 once, that is, at the same time according to the operation of the lighting unit 103 of the display module 100.

The image acquisition unit 120 generates image data by capturing the entire area of the display panel 101 through the plurality of cameras 120a at once to detect defects in the subpixels of the display module 100.

In this case, image data is generated by photographing at a time through the plurality of cameras 120a. During the capturing, each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) subpixels of the display panel 101 The image is taken with the selective driving. That is, in the first photographing state, only the red (R) subpixels are driven, and the display panel 101 is photographed by using the plurality of cameras 120a to generate first image data.

In addition, in the second photographing operation, only the green (G) subpixels are driven, and the display panel 101 is photographed using the plurality of cameras 120a to generate second image data.

In the third photographing operation, only the blue (B) subpixels are driven to photograph the display panel 101 using the plurality of cameras 120a to generate third image data.

As such, image data for each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels constituting the unit pixel of the display panel 101 is generated, but the present invention is limited thereto. The image data for various patterns may be generated and inspected.

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the cameras 120a of the image acquisition unit 120 may include A1, A2,... With respect to the display panel 101. By taking images of parts corresponding to areas A, n-1, and An, and simultaneously acquiring image data of each part, images of areas of the entire display panel 101 can be obtained. In this case, each of the areas A1 to An has a size corresponding to the photographing area (FOV, shown in FIG. 5) of the camera 120a.

Referring to FIG. 7, the image generation unit 130 may inspect an image acquired from the image acquisition unit 120, for example, first image data, second image data, and third image data. Classify them.

The image generator 130 may obtain an inspection image of the entire display panel from the generated inspection images for each pattern.

In addition, the image generator 130 transmits the generated inspection image for each pattern to the controller 140.

The controller 140 compares the inspection images provided from the image generator 130 to detect defect data of the display panel 101 to extract coordinates of the detected defects or to compensate for the defect data.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit 140 may include a comparing unit 141 for comparing the inspection images provided from the image generating unit 130 with reference data for each sub-pixel; A detection unit 143 which detects defect data appearing from the comparison unit 141 through comparison between the reference data and the inspection images and retrieves coordinates of the subpixel corresponding to the defect data; The compensator 145 performs a repair process on the coordinates of the sub-pixels corresponding to the defect data retrieved from the detector 143 or adjusts the gray level.

In the comparison unit 141, inspection images provided from the image generation unit 130, for example, first image data for a red (G) subpixel, second image data for a green (G) subpixel, and blue (B) It is to compare whether the third image data for the subpixels have the same value as the reference data for each of the red, green, and blue subpixels, for example, a gray level.

 In addition, the detection unit 143 detects the defect data appearing by comparing the same value, for example, gray value, between the reference data and the inspection images from the comparison unit 141, and coordinates of the subpixel corresponding to the defect data. It will search for where.

The detector 143 may detect whether the display panel 101 is defective from the images acquired for the display panel 101. In particular, the detection unit 143 classifies the obtained images into a plurality of parts and compares the divided parts with each other to detect a part having a difference in brightness or the like, thereby detecting whether the display panel 101 is defective. It may be. The detector 143 may detect pixel defects, line defects, point defects, spot defects, appearance defects, polarizer defects, and the like with respect to the display panel 101. The detector 143 may process the partial images of the display panel 101 in parallel to detect whether the display panel 101 is defective. Accordingly, the detector 143 may process a plurality of images at the same time, thereby reducing the time taken to detect whether the display panel 101 is defective.

Then, the compensation unit 145 extracts the coordinates of the subpixel corresponding to the defect data retrieved from the detection unit 143, or repairs the same as the reference data, or has the same gray level. Adjust to compensate for the defect data (see S7). For example, when stain defects are detected, stain compensation is quantified and then stain compensation is performed based on the quantified data.

Referring to FIG. 8, a display module inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is composed of components for performing such a function, is as follows.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a test method of an apparatus for inspecting a display module according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, the display module 10 is loaded to be in a position corresponding to the image acquisition unit 120. (See S1)

Next, the display panel 101 and the lighting unit 103 constituting the display module 100 are driven to photograph the entire area of the display panel. (See S2)

Subsequently, image data is generated by photographing an entire area of the display panel 101 constituting the display module 100 by using the plurality of cameras 120a provided in the image acquisition unit 120. (See S3)

In this case, the image acquisition unit 120 is configured to correspond to the entire area of the display panel 101 constituting the display module 100 is composed of a plurality of cameras (120a) to shoot each panel area at the same time, The plurality of cameras 120a are disposed corresponding to the entire area of the display panel 101. That is, each of the cameras 120a is disposed corresponding to each area of the entire area of the display panel 101, and captures images of the areas. In this way, the plurality of cameras 120a captures the entire areas of the display panel 101 once, that is, at the same time according to the operation of the lighting unit 103 of the display module 100.

For example, image data is generated by capturing at once through the plurality of cameras 120a, and the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) subpixels of the display panel 101 are captured during the capturing. Photographing is performed with each of them selectively driven. That is, in the state of driving only the red (R) subpixels during the first photographing, the display panel 101 is photographed using the plurality of cameras 120a to generate first image data.

In addition, during the second photographing operation, only the green (G) subpixels are driven to photograph the display panel 101 using the plurality of cameras 120a to generate second image data.

In the third photographing operation, only the blue (B) subpixels are driven to photograph the display panel 101 using the plurality of cameras 120a to generate third image data.

In this case, while the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels constituting the unit pixel of the display panel 101 are driven, the image data for each of them is generated. The image data for various patterns may be generated and inspected.

Subsequently, inspection images of the images acquired from the image acquisition unit 120, for example, first image data, second image data, and third image data, are transmitted to the controller 140. (See S4)

Next, the comparator 141 in the controller 140 controls the first image data for the inspection images provided from the image generator 130, for example, the red (G) subpixel and the green (G) subpixel. The second image data and the third image data of the blue (B) subpixel are compared with reference values of the respective red, green, and blue subpixels, for example, gray levels. (See S5)

Subsequently, the detection unit 143 detects defect data from the comparison unit 141 by comparing the same value, for example, gray value, between the reference data and the inspection images, and coordinates of the subpixel corresponding to the defect data. Search for where is (See S6)

In this case, the detector 143 may detect whether the display panel 101 is defective from the images acquired for the display panel 101. In particular, the detection unit 143 classifies the obtained images into a plurality of parts and compares the divided parts with each other to detect a part having a difference in brightness or the like, thereby detecting whether the display panel 101 is defective. It may be. The detector 143 may detect pixel defects, line defects, point defects, spot defects, appearance defects, polarizer defects, and the like with respect to the display panel 101. The detector 143 may process the partial images of the display panel 101 in parallel to detect whether the display panel 101 is defective. Accordingly, the detector 143 may process a plurality of images at the same time, thereby reducing the time taken to detect whether the display panel 101 is defective.

Then, the compensation unit 145 repairs or repairs the sub-pixel coordinates corresponding to the defect data retrieved from the detection unit 143 in the same manner as the reference data or adjusts to have the same gray level. Compensate your data. For example, when stain defects are detected, stain compensation is quantified and then stain compensation is performed based on the quantified data.

Accordingly, the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention can obtain a test image that can accurately detect whether or not the display panel 101 is defective, thereby improving the accuracy of the test result of the display panel 10. Reliability can be improved.

In addition, since the display panel inspection apparatus 10 according to the present invention captures image data of the entire display panel area of the display module 100 at a time through the image acquisition unit, the display panel inspection apparatus 10 acquires an inspection image of the entire display panel 101. The time taken can be reduced.

Therefore, the display panel inspecting apparatus 10 according to the present invention can shorten the time required for the inspection process for the display panel 101, thereby improving the manufacturing yield of the display panel 10.

According to the display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to select an appropriate resolution for detecting defects, thereby solving physical interference with the application of a photographing camera for each region.

According to the display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention, by applying a method of simultaneously photographing the panel regions using a plurality of cameras for each panel region while the display module is fixed, the time taken to perform the inspection on the display panel is shortened. In addition, since a plurality of stages are not necessary, the cost for the equipment configuration can be reduced.

 According to the display module inspection apparatus according to the present invention, since the compensation is possible based on the quantified data together with the spot defect detection, it is possible to guarantee the quality and reduce the cost.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be evident to those who have knowledge of.

10: display module inspection device 100: display module
100a: image acquisition area 101: display panel
103: lighting unit 110: module support
120: image acquisition unit 120a: camera
121: image sensor 123: lens
125: light control unit 130: the image generating unit
140: control unit 141: comparison unit
143: detector 145: compensator

Claims (16)

A module support for supporting the display module;
An image acquisition unit including a plurality of cameras, the image acquisition unit disposed corresponding to the display module including image acquisition areas corresponding to each of the cameras; And
A display module inspection including a control unit which detects defect data by comparing image data of the image acquisition regions of the display module simultaneously captured by the image acquisition unit with reference data, and extracts coordinates or compensates for the detected defect Device. The display module inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cameras of the image acquisition unit captures image acquisition regions of the display module at a time. The image acquisition unit of claim 1, wherein the image acquisition unit photographs the image acquisition regions of the display module at a time by using a plurality of cameras, and photographs the image acquisition regions of the display module according to the type of the sub pixel pattern of the image acquisition regions. Display module inspection apparatus, characterized in that for generating the image data according to the type. The method of claim 1,
And the image acquisition unit obtains an image having a resolution of 1 / N (N is an integer greater than 12) based on one sub pixel of the display panel. The method of claim 1,
The display module inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display module is any one of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting display, an solar cell, and an LTPS. The display module inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting unit which moves the image acquisition unit so that the distance between the image acquisition unit and the display panel is adjusted according to the size of the subpixel of the display panel. The method according to claim 6,
A control unit for adjusting the image acquisition unit to acquire an image having a set resolution according to a size of a sub-pixel of a display panel;
The image acquisition unit includes an image sensor for acquiring an image and a plurality of lenses positioned between the image sensor and the display panel;
And the adjusting unit moves at least one of the lenses according to the size of the subpixel of the display panel. The method of claim 1,
The image acquisition unit includes an image sensor for acquiring an image, a light amount adjusting unit for adjusting the amount of light reaching the image sensor, and a lens positioned between the image sensor and the display panel; The light quantity adjusting part includes a passage through which light passes to reach the image sensor; And a ratio of the focal length of the lens and the maximum opening diameter to the passage is less than or equal to 5.6. Loading the display module into the module support;
Disposing a plurality of cameras corresponding to a display module including image acquisition areas corresponding to each of the cameras;
Receiving image data of image acquisition regions of the display module simultaneously captured by the plurality of cameras;
Comparing image data of the image acquisition regions with reference data;
Detecting defect data by comparing the image data with reference data; And
And extracting coordinates or compensating defect data with respect to the detected defect data. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of cameras photograph the image acquisition areas of the display module at a time. The method of claim 9, wherein the image capturing regions of the display module are photographed at a time by using the plurality of cameras, and the image capturing regions of the display module are photographed according to the type of the subpixel pattern of the image capturing regions. Display module inspection method characterized in that for generating image data. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the plurality of cameras acquire an image having a resolution of 1 / N (N is an integer greater than 12) based on one sub pixel of the display panel. 10. The method of claim 9,
The display module is a display module inspection method, characterized in that any one of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting device (OLED), a solar cell (LT) and LTPS. The display module inspection method according to claim 9, further comprising an adjustment unit for moving the plurality of cameras so that the distance between the image acquisition unit and the display panel is adjusted according to the size of the subpixel of the display panel. 15. The method of claim 14,
A control unit configured to adjust the image acquisition unit to acquire an image having a set resolution, wherein the image acquisition unit consisting of the plurality of cameras according to the size of the sub-pixel of the display panel; The image acquisition unit includes an image sensor for acquiring an image and a plurality of lenses positioned between the image sensor and the display panel; And the adjusting unit moves at least one of the lenses according to the size of the sub-pixels of the display panel. 10. The method of claim 9,
Each of the plurality of cameras includes an image sensor for acquiring an image, a light amount adjusting unit for adjusting the amount of light reaching the image sensor, and a lens positioned between the image sensor and the display panel; The light quantity adjusting part includes a passage through which light passes to reach the image sensor; And a ratio of the focal length of the lens and the maximum opening diameter to the passage is less than or equal to 5.6.

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