JP2003247953A - Liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method and inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To detect an outer shape of a liquid crystal panel, cracks and chips on a surface and an end face thereof. An image processing apparatus turns on upper, middle, and lower ring illuminating lights, and reflects reflected light on the surface of a liquid crystal panel irradiated by illumination light from the upper ring illuminating light. Captures an image taken, binarizes the image, binarizes the image, detects a white image P1 appearing in the binarized image P, detects a scratch, a chip, or a crack 1a on the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and illuminates the illumination light of the intermediate ring illumination lamp 5. The image taken by the CCD camera and the image taken by the CCD camera of the lower side of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light of the lower ring illuminator are respectively captured and binarized, The outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is detected from the frame-shaped white image P2 appearing in the image P obtained by superimposing these binarized images, and the edge of the liquid crystal panel is determined based on the presence or absence of the white images P3 and P4 other than the frame. Chipping of surface and lower edge, crack 1b,
1c is detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel appearance inspecting method and an inspecting apparatus capable of inspecting the appearance of scratches, chips and cracks on the surface and the end face of a liquid crystal panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in the appearance inspection of a liquid crystal panel, the inspection in the display of the liquid crystal panel is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
As seen in Japanese Patent No. 5709 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-18687, image processing technology is considerably automated. In addition, the inspection of surface scratches and cracks in a large plate state during the manufacturing of liquid crystal panels is being automated.

[0003]

However, visual inspection is currently conducted to inspect the small liquid crystal panel for chipping and cracking just before it is manufactured and mounted on a product. Inspection of scratches, cracks, cracks and end face cracks, cracks is not automated. Therefore, the external shape of the liquid crystal panel alone, surface scratches, cracks, chips and edge cracks,
There is a need for inspection methods and devices that detect chipping.

[0004]

In a liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to the present invention, a ring illumination lamp having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is arranged above the liquid crystal panel, and an image pickup means is provided directly above the liquid crystal panel. And irradiating the illumination light of the lit ring illumination lamp toward the surface of the liquid crystal panel from diagonally above, and the reflected light of the surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image pickup device, and the image processing device Is for taking in an image picked up by the image pickup means, binarizing it, and detecting scratches, chips, and cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel based on the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the binarized image.

In this way, the illumination light of the ring illumination lamp is radiated obliquely from above toward the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the reflected light of the surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image pickup means, and the image processing device is provided. Is configured to detect a scratch, chip, or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel based on the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the binarized image of the image captured by the imaging means. The presence or absence of can be easily detected by the presence or absence of a white image. Further, it is possible to discriminate scratches, chips or cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel from the shape of the white image. Further, it is possible to determine the size of the scratch, chip or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel from the size of the white image.

Further, in another liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to the present invention, a ring illumination lamp having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is arranged on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel, and an image pickup means is arranged immediately above the liquid crystal panel. Then, the illumination light of the lit ring illumination lamp is irradiated toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel, the reflected light of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image capturing device, and the image processing device captures the image by the image capturing device. The detected image is binarized, the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is detected from the frame-shaped white image that appears in the image, and the chipping or cracking of the end face of the liquid crystal panel is detected from the presence or absence of other white images. It is the one.

In this way, the illumination light of the ring illumination lamp is radiated toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel, the reflected light of the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image pickup means, and is picked up by the image processing device. The outer shape of the liquid crystal panel can be detected from the frame-shaped white image appearing in the image obtained by binarizing the image captured by the means, and further, the presence or absence of the white image other than the frame can detect the chipping or cracking of the end face of the liquid crystal panel. I decided to do so,
The outer shape of the liquid crystal panel can be detected from the frame-shaped white image, and the presence or absence of a crack or break in the end surface of the liquid crystal panel can be easily detected by the presence or absence of the white image. Further, it is possible to discriminate scratches, chips or cracks on the end surface of the liquid crystal panel from the shape of the white image other than the frame shape. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the size of the scratch, chip or crack on the end surface of the liquid crystal panel from the size of the white image other than the frame shape.

Further, in another another liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to the present invention, a ring illumination lamp having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is arranged below the liquid crystal panel, and an image pickup means is provided directly above the liquid crystal panel. The illuminating light of the lit ring illuminating lamp is radiated from diagonally downward toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel, and the reflected light of the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illuminating light is imaged by the image pickup means, and image processing is performed. The apparatus takes in the image picked up by the image pickup means, binarizes it, and detects the chipping or cracking of the end face of the liquid crystal panel from the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the binarized image.

As described above, the illumination light of the ring illumination lamp is emitted obliquely from the lower side toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel, and the reflected light of the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image pickup means, and image processing is performed. Since the chipping or cracking of the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel is detected based on the presence / absence of a white image appearing in the binarized image of the image picked up by the image pickup means by the device,
The presence or absence of cracks or cracks in the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel can be easily detected by the presence or absence of a white image. Further, it is possible to determine whether the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel is chipped or broken from the shape of the white image. Further, the size of the chip or crack at the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel can be determined from the size of the white image.

Further, the liquid crystal panel visual inspection apparatus according to the present invention has a transparent panel support substrate on which the liquid crystal panel is installed and a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel, and is disposed above the liquid crystal panel at the center of the ring. Also, an upper ring illumination lamp that illuminates the surface of the liquid crystal panel with illumination light, an upper lighting device that lights the upper ring illumination lamp, and a ring that is arranged on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the liquid crystal panel. An intermediate ring illumination lamp that irradiates illumination light toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel at the center, an intermediate lighting device that lights the intermediate ring illumination lamp, and an aperture that is larger than the outer diameter of the liquid crystal panel, and is arranged at the bottom of the liquid crystal panel. Of the liquid crystal panel, a lower ring illumination lamp that emits illumination light toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel at the center of the ring, a lower lighting device that lights the lower ring illumination lamp, and a liquid crystal panel. By controlling the imaging means arranged above and the upper lighting device, the intermediate lighting device, and the lower lighting device to light the upper ring illumination light, the intermediate ring illumination light, and the lower ring illumination light, respectively. The reflected light from the surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illuminating light is taken in by the image captured by the imaging means and binarized, and the scratches, cracks, or cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel are detected from the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the image. Then, the image of the reflected light on the side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illuminating light of the lit middle ring illuminating lamp and an image of the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illuminating light of the lit lower ring illuminating lamp. The reflected light and the image picked up by the image pickup means are respectively captured and binarized,
The outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is detected from the frame-shaped white image that appears in the binarized images and the presence or absence of the white image other than the frame-shaped image causes the chipping or cracking of the end face or the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel. It is provided with an image processing device for detection.

As described above, according to the liquid crystal panel visual inspection device of the present invention, the image processing device is the upper ring illumination lamp,
The intermediate ring illumination lamp and the lower ring illumination lamp are each turned on, and the reflected light on the surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illuminated illumination light of the upper ring illumination lamp is captured by the image capturing means, binarized, and From the presence or absence of the white image appearing on the LCD panel, scratches, chips, and cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel are detected, and the reflected light from the side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light of the lit intermediate ring illumination lamp is taken by the imaging means. , The reflected light of the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illuminating light of the lit lower ring illuminating lamp is respectively binarized with the image taken by the imaging means, and these binarized images are superposed. Since the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is detected from the frame-shaped white image that appears in Fig. 2, the presence or absence of a white image other than the frame shape is used to detect the chipping or cracking of the end face or the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel. The wound surface of the liquid crystal panel, chipping, cracking and chipping of the end surface or the lower edge of the measurement and the liquid crystal panel of external dimension of the liquid crystal panel, becomes the attained automation of the detection of cracks.

The surface of the liquid crystal panel is scratched, chipped or cracked. The shape of the white image reveals scratches, chips or cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the size of the white image scratches the surface of the liquid crystal panel. It is also possible to determine the size of the chip or crack. Further, the edge or bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel is cracked or broken, and the edge of the liquid crystal panel is checked for cracks or cracks based on the shape of the white image. It is also possible to determine the size of the crack.

[0013]

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystal panel appearance inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
3 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of the upper ring illumination lamp and the CCD camera with respect to the liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal panel appearance inspection device, FIG.
2 is an explanatory view of an image in which the CCD camera of FIG. 2 captures surface scratches, chips, and cracks, and FIG. 4 shows the CCD camera of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the principle of detecting a chip or crack, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of an intermediate ring illumination lamp and a CCD camera with respect to the liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal panel appearance inspection device, and FIG.
7 is an explanatory view of an image in which the CCD camera captures the outer shape of the end face and the chipping and cracking of the end face. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the principle that the CCD camera of FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of the lower ring illumination lamp and the CCD camera with respect to the liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal panel appearance inspection device. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of an image in which the CCD camera of FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the principle by which the CCD camera can detect chipping and cracking on the end face, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the liquid crystal panel visual inspection device, and FIG. 12 is image processing for detecting chipping and cracking on the liquid crystal panel visual inspection device. FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a transparent panel support plate 2
The single liquid crystal panel 3 installed in 1 is an upper ring illumination lamp that irradiates toward the center of the ring, and is configured by arranging a number of LEDs 3a in a plurality of stages in a ring shape. Reference numeral 4 is an upper lighting device for lighting the upper ring lighting lamp 3, and 5 is an intermediate ring lighting lamp that illuminates toward the center of the ring.
a is arranged in a plurality of stages in a ring shape. 6 is an upper lighting device that lights the intermediate ring illumination lamp 5, and 7 is a lower ring illumination lamp that emits light toward the center of the ring.
A plurality of EDs 7a are arranged in a ring shape.
A lower lighting device 8 lights the lower ring illumination lamp 3. Reference numeral 10 is a CCD camera which is an image pickup means for picking up an image of the liquid crystal panel 1 illuminated by the upper ring illumination light 3, the intermediate ring illumination light 5 or the lower ring illumination light 7, and 11 is a quality judgment of the liquid crystal panel 1 by performing image processing described later. An image processing device that makes a determination and drives and controls the upper lighting device 4, the intermediate lighting device 6, and the lower lighting device 8, and 12 is a monitor that displays the image processed by the image processing device 11.

Next, the principle by which the CCD camera of the liquid crystal panel appearance inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can detect surface scratches, chips, and cracks will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, an upper ring illumination lamp 3 having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel 1 is arranged above the liquid crystal panel 1, and a CCD camera 10 is arranged directly above the liquid crystal panel 1. Then, when each LED 3a of the upper ring illumination lamp 3 is turned on, the illumination light of each LED 3a is emitted obliquely from above and toward the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the illumination light is emitted from the liquid crystal panel. The light is reflected by the surface of No. 1 and becomes specular reflection light shown by a broken line. Therefore, the CCD directly above the liquid crystal panel 1
In the image captured by the camera 10, the specularly reflected light is the CCD camera 1.
Since it does not go to 0, it becomes a dark image.

However, when the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 has a scratch, a chip or a crack 1a, the illumination light irradiating the scratch, the chip or the crack 1a does not become specularly reflected light but becomes scattered light as shown in FIG. Then, it goes to the CCD camera 10. Therefore, in the image P captured by the CCD camera 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a white image P1 showing scratches, chips or cracks 1a on the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 appears. Therefore, it can be seen that the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 has scratches, chips or cracks 1a due to the presence of the white image P1, and the scratches, chips or cracks 1a can be distinguished by the shape of the white image P1, and the size of the white image P1. The degree of scratches, chips, and cracks 1a can be understood by the above.
The size of the white image P1 is determined by the number of white pixels.

Next, the principle by which the CCD camera of the liquid crystal panel visual inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can detect chipping and cracking of the end face will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, an intermediate ring illumination lamp 5 having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel 1 is arranged on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel 1, and a CCD camera 10 is arranged directly above the liquid crystal panel 1. And
When each LED 5a of the intermediate ring illumination lamp 5 is turned on, the illumination light of each LED 5a is emitted toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, and the illumination light is largely emitted at the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1. It is partially reflected to become specularly reflected light, and most of it is reflected toward the LED 5a that illuminates the illumination light. A part of the illumination light is applied to the edge of the liquid crystal panel 1, and the illumination light applied to the edge is not specularly reflected light but becomes scattered light as shown by the broken line on the right side of FIG.
Head to camera 10. Therefore, C directly above the liquid crystal panel 1
In the image P captured by the CD camera 10, as shown in FIG. 6, a frame-shaped white image P2 showing the outer shape of the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 appears due to the scattered light at the edge of the liquid crystal panel 1, and the other parts are positive. Since neither reflected light nor scattered light is directed, the image becomes dark.

Further, the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 is chipped or cracked 1.
If there is b, the illumination light irradiating the chip or crack 1b does not become specular reflection light, but becomes scattered light as shown on the left side of FIG. Therefore, in the image P captured by the CCD camera 10, as shown in FIG. 6, a white image P3 showing a chip or a crack 1b on the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 is a frame-shaped white image P showing the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel 1.
It will appear near 2. Therefore, another white image P3 is provided near the frame-shaped white image P2 showing the outer shape of the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1.
The presence of cracks or cracks on the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1
It can be seen that there is b, and the shape of the other white image P3 distinguishes the cracks or cracks 1b, and the size of the white image P3 indicates the degree of the cracks or cracks 1b. A frame-shaped white image P2 showing the outer shape of the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1
Determines the size of the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel 1 based on the number of white pixels, and the size of another white image P3 based on the number of white pixels.

Next, the principle by which the CCD camera of the liquid crystal panel appearance inspecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can detect a chip or crack at the lower edge will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, a lower ring illumination lamp 7 having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel 1 is arranged below the liquid crystal panel 1, and a CCD camera 10 is arranged directly above the liquid crystal panel 1. Then, when each LED 7a of the lower ring illumination lamp 7 is turned on, the illumination light of each LED 3a is radiated toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 from diagonally below as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.
The illumination light is reflected by the end surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 and becomes specular reflection light that does not go to the CCD camera 10. Therefore, the image P captured by the CCD camera 10 directly above the liquid crystal panel 1 is a dark image because the specularly reflected light does not go to the CCD camera 10.

However, if the liquid crystal panel 1 has a chip or a crack 1c at the lower edge, the illumination light irradiated to the chip or the crack 1c does not become specularly reflected light, but becomes scattered light as shown by the broken line in FIG. Part of it goes to the CCD camera 10. Therefore, the image P captured by the CCD camera 10
Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a white image P4 showing a chip or a crack 1c at the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel 1 appears. Therefore,
The presence of the white image P4 reveals that the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel 1 has a chip or a crack 1c. The shape of the white image P4 distinguishes the chip or the crack 1c, and the size of the white image P4 allows the chip or the crack 1c. You will know the degree of. The size of the white image P4 is determined by the number of white pixels.

Next, the operation of the liquid crystal panel appearance inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 and 11. First, the liquid crystal panel 1 to be inspected is set on the panel support plate 2 and the inspection is started (step S1). Next, the image processing device 11 drives the upper lighting device 4 to turn on the upper ring illumination lamp 3.
Then, the image processing device 11 captures the image of the liquid crystal panel 1 illuminated by the upper ring illumination lamp 3 captured by the CCD camera 10 (step S2).

Liquid crystal panel 1 imaged by CCD camera 10
The image processing apparatus 11 that has captured the image of 1 performs the binarization process on the image P of 1 on the liquid crystal panel, and determines whether the binarized image includes the white image P1. If there is a white image P1, the number of white pixels is measured. It should be noted that the one image of the liquid crystal panel which has been binarized is displayed on the monitor 12 to see the progress of the inspection.
Is projected on. The total number of pixels of this liquid crystal panel 1 is about 10
The number of pixels is 0,000, and depending on the size of the liquid crystal panel 1, if one pixel has a size of 10 microns, and if the number of white pixels is 10 pixels or more, the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 is scratched, cracked, or chipped. It is determined that 1a is present, and if it is 10 pixels or less, it is determined that it is due to noise or the like, and it is determined that there is no scratch, crack, or chip 1a on the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1. Then, the shape of the white image P1 is used to determine whether the surface is scratched, cracked or chipped 1a, and the number of pixels of the white image P1 determines the scratches on the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1.
Surface scratches, cracks, and chipping detection processing including a quality determination of determining the size of the cracks and chips 1a is performed (step S
3). If it is determined that the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 has scratches, cracks, or chips 1a at this stage, the liquid crystal panel 1 is defective and no further inspection is required, so the panel support plate 2 is not necessary. The liquid crystal panel 1 is removed from the.
Therefore, when it is determined that the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 is not scratched, cracked, or chipped 1a, the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, after confirming that the upper ring illumination lamp 3 is turned off, the image processing apparatus 11 drives the intermediate lighting device 6 to turn on the intermediate ring illumination lamp 5. Then, the image processing device 11 captures the image of the liquid crystal panel 1 illuminated by the intermediate ring illumination lamp 5 captured by the CCD camera 10 (step S4). Further, after confirming that the intermediate ring illumination lamp 5 is turned off, the image processing apparatus 11 drives the lower lighting device 8 to turn on the lower ring illumination lamp 7. Then, the image processing device 11 captures the image of the liquid crystal panel 1 illuminated by the lower ring illumination lamp 7 captured by the CCD camera 10 (step S5).

The image processing apparatus 1 that has captured the image P of the liquid crystal panel 1 illuminated by the intermediate ring illumination lamp 5 and the image P of the liquid crystal panel 1 illuminated by the lower ring illumination lamp 7.
In No. 1, as shown in FIG. 12, each image is binarized, and then an image calculation for superimposing the binarized images is performed. The image obtained by superimposing the images is also displayed on the monitor 12 to see the progress of the inspection. Since the outer shape of the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 is shown as a frame-shaped white image P2 in the image P that has been image-calculated, the vertical and horizontal outer dimensions are determined by measuring the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal outer shapes. Can be measured. Further, in addition to the frame-shaped white image P2 showing the outer shape of the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1, other white images P3 and P4 are provided.
If there are other white images P3 and P4, the number of white pixels of each of them is measured. If the number of white pixels is 10 pixels or more, it is determined that the end face and the lower end edge of the liquid crystal panel 1 have cracks, and there are chips 1b and 1c. If the number of white pixels is 10 pixels or less, it is considered to be due to noise or the like and the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 is detected. Also, it is determined that the lower edge does not have cracks or chips 1b and 1c. Then, based on the shapes of the white images P3 and P4, it is determined whether or not the end face and the lower end edge are cracked or chipped 1b and 1c, and the white images P3 and P3 are determined.
The end face cracking and chipping detection processing including the cracking of the end face and the bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel 1 and the quality of judging the size of the chips 1b and 1c is performed according to the number of pixels of P4 (step S6).

After the end face cracking and chipping detection processing of the liquid crystal panel 1 is completed in this way, the image processing apparatus 11 operates the liquid crystal panel 1
The surface scratches, cracks, and chipping inspection results, and the external dimensions of the liquid crystal panel 1, the end face and lower end edge cracking and chipping inspection results, are output and displayed on the monitor 12 (step S7). When the display of the pass / fail judgment result on the monitor 12 is completed, the image processing apparatus 11 outputs an inspection completion signal (step S8) and causes the monitor 12 to display the inspection completion. When the inspection of one liquid crystal panel 1 is completed in this manner, the liquid crystal panel 1 is removed from the panel support plate 2 and the next liquid crystal panel 1 to be inspected is set on the panel support plate 2 to perform the next inspection. It will be.

In the above embodiment, the upper ring illuminating lamp 3, the intermediate ring illuminating lamp 5 and the lower ring illuminating lamp 7 are turned on in this order, and the images of the liquid crystal panel 1 are captured by the CCD camera 10, respectively. Surface scratches,
Although cracks and cracks are detected, and thereafter, the outer shape of the end face of the liquid crystal panel 1 and the cracks and cracks on the end face and the lower end edge are detected, it is not necessary to be caught in this order. Further, it goes without saying that the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1, scratches, cracks, outer shape of the end face, chipping of the end face, cracks may be individually detected. Furthermore, as an image pickup means, CC
Although the D camera 10 is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a TV camera. In addition, the upper ring illumination light 3, the intermediate ring illumination light 5 and the lower ring illumination light 7
Although an LED is used to configure the above, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0027]

As described above, according to the liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method of the present invention, the illumination light of the ring illumination lamp is applied obliquely from above toward the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light is irradiated. The reflected light on the surface is picked up by the image pickup device, and the image processing device detects a scratch, chip, or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel from the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the binarized image of the image picked up by the image pickup device. Therefore, it is possible to easily detect the presence or absence of scratches, chips, and cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel by the presence or absence of a white image. Further, it is possible to discriminate scratches, chips or cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel from the shape of the white image. Further, it is possible to determine the size of the scratch, chip or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel from the size of the white image.

Further, according to another liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method of the present invention, the illumination light of the ring illumination lamp is emitted toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel, and the reflected light of the side face of the liquid crystal panel emitted by the illumination light is emitted. The outer shape of the liquid crystal panel can be detected from the frame-shaped white image appearing in the binarized image of the image captured by the image processing device by the image processing device, and the presence or absence of the white image other than the frame-shaped image. Since it is designed to detect chipping and cracking of the end face of the liquid crystal panel, the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel can be detected from the frame-shaped white image, and the presence or absence of chipping and cracking of the end face of the liquid crystal panel can be easily detected by the presence or absence of the white image. The effect is that it can be detected. Further, it is also possible to determine whether the end face of the liquid crystal panel is chipped or broken from the shape of the white image other than the frame shape. Further, it is possible to determine the size of the chip or crack on the end face of the liquid crystal panel from the size of the white image other than the frame shape.

According to another method of inspecting the appearance of a liquid crystal panel of the present invention, the illumination light of the ring illumination lamp is applied obliquely from below toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel, and the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light is irradiated. The reflected light from the lower part of the side surface is captured by the image capturing device, and the image captured by the image capturing device by the image processing device is
The presence or absence of a white image that appears in the binarized image is used to detect chipping or cracking at the bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel, making it easy to detect the presence or absence of a chipping or cracking at the bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel. There is an effect that can be done. Also,
It is also possible to determine whether the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel is chipped or broken from the shape of the white image. Further, the size of the chip or crack at the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel can be determined from the size of the white image.

Further, according to the liquid crystal panel visual inspection apparatus of the present invention, the image processing apparatus turns on the upper ring illumination lamp, the intermediate ring illumination lamp and the lower ring illumination lamp, respectively. The reflected light on the surface of the liquid crystal panel which has been irradiated is binarized by taking in an image taken by the image pickup means, detecting a scratch, chip, or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel from the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the image, and lighting up. An image of the reflected light of the side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light of the intermediate ring illumination lamp, and an image of the reflected light of the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light of the illuminated lower ring illumination lamp. And the image captured by each of them are binarized, and the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is detected from the frame-shaped white image appearing in the image in which these binarized images are superimposed. The presence or absence of a white image other than the frame shape is used to detect chipping and cracking on the edge and bottom edges of the liquid crystal panel, so scratches, chips, and cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and measurement of the external dimensions of the liquid crystal panel and the liquid crystal panel This has the effect of automating the detection of cracks and cracks on the end face and bottom edge of the.

Further, the surface of the liquid crystal panel is scratched, chipped, or cracked, and the surface of the liquid crystal panel is discriminated from the shape of the white image, and the surface of the liquid crystal panel is scratched based on the size of the white image. It is also possible to determine the size of the chip or crack. Furthermore, the end surface and the bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel are judged from the shape of the white image that shows the cracks and cracks on the end surface and the bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel, and the end surface and the bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel are judged from the size of the white image. It is also possible to determine the size of chipping or cracking of the.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystal panel appearance inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of an upper ring illumination lamp and a CCD camera with respect to a liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal panel visual inspection device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an image in which the CCD camera of FIG. 2 captures surface scratches, chips, and cracks.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the principle by which the CCD camera of FIG. 2 can detect surface scratches, chips, and cracks.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of an intermediate ring illumination lamp and a CCD camera with respect to a liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal panel visual inspection device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an image in which the CCD camera of FIG. 5 captures the outer shape of the end surface and the chipping and cracking of the end surface.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the principle by which the CCD camera of FIG. 5 can detect the outer shape of the end face and the chipping and cracking of the end face.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of a lower ring illumination lamp and a CCD camera with respect to a liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal panel visual inspection device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an image in which the CCD camera of FIG. 8 captures an end face chipping and a crack.

10 is a schematic diagram showing the principle by which the CCD camera of FIG. 8 can detect chipping and cracking on the end face.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the liquid crystal panel visual inspection device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of image processing for detecting chipping and cracking of an end face of the liquid crystal panel visual inspection apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Liquid crystal panel, 2 ... Panel support plate, 3 ...
Upper ring illumination light, 4 ... upper lighting device, 5 ... intermediate ring illumination light, 6 ... intermediate lighting device, 7 ... lower ring illumination light, 8 ... lower lighting device, 10 ...・ CC
D camera (imaging means), 11 ... Image processing device

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A step of arranging a ring illuminating lamp having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel on the upper part of the liquid crystal panel, and arranging an image pickup means directly on the liquid crystal panel, and illuminating light of the lit ring illuminating lamp. Illuminating the surface of the liquid crystal panel obliquely from above, and capturing the reflected light of the surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light with the image capturing means, and the image processing device capturing the image captured by the image capturing means. A method for inspecting the appearance of a liquid crystal panel, which comprises: binarizing, and detecting a flaw, chip, or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel based on the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the binarized image. 2. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the liquid crystal panel is discriminated from scratches, cracks, or cracks based on the shape of the white image. 3. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the size of the scratch, chip or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel is determined from the size of the white image. 4. A step of arranging a ring illuminating lamp having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel, and arranging an image pickup means directly above the liquid crystal panel, and illumination light of the lit ring illuminating lamp. Of the reflected light on the side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light with the image capturing means, and the image processing device captures the image captured by the image capturing means and binarizes it. , A step of detecting the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel from the frame-shaped white image appearing in the image and detecting the chipping or cracking of the end face of the liquid crystal panel from the presence or absence of other white images. LCD panel appearance inspection method. 5. The method for inspecting the appearance of a liquid crystal panel according to claim 4, wherein the end face of the liquid crystal panel is checked for cracks or cracks based on the shape of the white image other than the frame shape. 6. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to claim 4, wherein the size of the chip or crack on the end face of the liquid crystal panel is determined from the size of the white image other than the frame shape. 7. A step of arranging a ring illuminating lamp having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel at the lower part of the liquid crystal panel and arranging an image pickup means directly above the liquid crystal panel, and illuminating light of the lit ring illuminating lamp. Irradiating the end face of the liquid crystal panel from diagonally below and capturing the reflected light of the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light with the image capturing means, and the image processing device capturing the image captured by the image capturing means. And a step of detecting a crack or a crack at the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel based on the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the binarized image. 8. The method for inspecting the appearance of a liquid crystal panel according to claim 7, wherein the shape or the shape of the white image is used to determine whether the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel is chipped or broken. 9. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to claim 7, wherein the size of the chip or crack at the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel is determined from the size of the white image. 10. The ring illumination lamp is configured by arranging a large number of LEDs in a plurality of stages in a ring shape so as to irradiate toward the center of the ring. Liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method described in. 11. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup means is a CCD camera. 12. A transparent panel support substrate on which a liquid crystal panel is installed, and an illuminating light having a diameter larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel and arranged at the upper part of the liquid crystal panel at the center of the ring and toward the surface of the liquid crystal panel. An upper ring illuminating lamp for illuminating, an upper lighting device for illuminating the upper ring illuminating lamp, and a caliber larger than the outer diameter of the liquid crystal panel, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel and illuminates toward the center of the ring and the end face of the liquid crystal panel. An intermediate ring illumination lamp that emits light, an intermediate lighting device that lights the intermediate ring illumination lamp, and an aperture that is larger than the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel, and that is placed at the bottom of the liquid crystal panel and is directed toward the end face of the liquid crystal panel at the center of the ring. Lower ring illumination lamp that illuminates the illumination light, a lower lighting device that lights the lower ring illumination lamp, an image pickup unit arranged directly above the liquid crystal panel, and an upper lighting The upper ring illumination lamp, the middle ring illumination lamp, and the lower ring illumination lamp by controlling the lighting unit, the intermediate lighting apparatus, and the lower lighting apparatus, and the surface of the liquid crystal panel irradiated by the illumination light of the illuminated upper ring illumination lamp. The reflected light is captured by the image capturing means and binarized, and the scratches, chips, and cracks on the surface of the liquid crystal panel are detected from the presence or absence of a white image appearing in the image, and the illumination light of the lit intermediate ring illumination lamp is used. The image captured by the imaging means is the reflected light from the side surface of the illuminated liquid crystal panel and the image captured by the imaging means is the reflected light from the lower side surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light of the lit lower ring illumination lamp. The outer shape of the liquid crystal panel is detected from the frame-shaped white image appearing in the binarized and superposed images of these binarized images, and liquid is detected from the presence or absence of the non-frame-shaped white image. Chipping of the end face or lower edge of the panel, the liquid crystal panel appearance inspection apparatus characterized by comprising an image processing apparatus for detecting cracks, the. 13. The upper ring illuminating lamp, the intermediate ring illuminating lamp, and the lower ring illuminating lamp each have a large number of LEDs arranged in a plurality of stages in a ring shape and irradiate toward the center of the ring. 13. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection device according to claim 12. 14. The liquid crystal panel visual inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image pickup means is a CCD camera. 15. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection device according to claim 12, further comprising a monitor, wherein the image processing device displays a binarized image of the image captured by the imaging means on the monitor. 16. The pre-image processing apparatus determines a scratch, chip, or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel from the shape of a white image appearing in the image of the liquid crystal panel whose surface is illuminated by the illumination light of the upper ring illumination lamp. 13. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the size of the scratch, chip or crack on the surface of the liquid crystal panel is determined from the size of the white image. 17. The pre-image processing device, wherein the image of reflected light from the surface of the liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illumination light of the intermediate ring illumination lamp and the liquid crystal panel whose end face is illuminated by the illumination light of the lower ring illumination lamp. From the shape of the white image other than the frame-shaped image appearing in the image superposed with the image of No. 1, the liquid crystal panel is determined from the size of the white image other than the frame-shaped, by determining the lack or crack of the end face or the lower edge of the liquid crystal panel. 13. The liquid crystal panel appearance inspecting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the size of the chipping or cracking of the end face or the bottom edge of the liquid crystal panel is determined.