KR100663540B1 - Device and method for automatically calibrating an lcd panel - Google Patents

Abstract

In the LCD panel testing apparatus and method thereof, the LCD panel is composed of a series of a first polarizing plate, a first retardation plate, a liquid crystal unit, a second retardation plate and a second polarizing plate. An LCD panel testing apparatus includes a light generating device capable of providing a light source; The LCD panel can be supported to form an appropriate angle in the direction of the light source, and the relative phase difference between the first retardation plate and the second retardation plate is adjusted by rotating the first retardation plate and the second retardation plate, and if necessary, the first retardation. A rotating base portion capable of replacing the plate and the second retardation plate; A light inspection unit arranged at a position corresponding to the light generating device capable of inspecting light on the LCD panel; And an optical signal inspection device connected to the optical inspection unit and capable of inspecting data from the optical inspection unit.

LCD panel, calibration, light source, optical signal

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CALIBRATING AN LCD PANEL}

1 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel calibration apparatus for describing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel calibration apparatus for describing a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel calibration apparatus for describing a third embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flow chart of the LCD panel calibration method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

1: LCD panel 10: first polarizing plate

11: first retardation plate 12: liquid crystal monomer

13: second retardation plate 14: second polarizing plate

201: LCD panel 202: light generating device

203: light source 204: comparison device

204a: comparison device 205: rotation base

206: optical detection unit 207: optical signal inspection device

208: Recording device 2011: First retardation plate

2013: second retardation plate 2040: beam splitter

2041: sample LCD panel 2042: sample light detection unit

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically calibrating an LCD panel, and more particularly, to be able to be automatically adapted to specific requirements by comparing the phase of the LCD panel to a standard specification. The present invention relates to a high speed LCD automatic calibration device and method for adjusting and inspecting an LCD panel phase.

Liquid crystal displays are thin, lightweight displays that do not have moving parts. It consists of a light polarized liquid crystal embedded in cells between two transparent polarizing sheets and controlled electrically. The polarization axes of the two sheets are vertically aligned with each other. Each cell is equipped with electrical contacts that allow an electric field to be applied to the liquid crystal therein.

Liquid crystals exist in a transitional state between the solid or liquid state. In this intermediate state, the liquid crystal molecules tend to point in the same direction as the molecules in the solid state, but on the one hand may move in different directions as the molecules in the liquid state.

This tendency in which direction the liquid crystal molecules point, results in certain properties of the liquid crystal, which are subdivided according to the direction in which the properties are measured.

This basic property of liquid crystals, called anisotropy, is being studied in the engineering field of LCDs. Liquid crystals can also be further classified into twisted nematic (TN) -LCD, ultra twisted nematic (STN) -LCD and thin film transistor LCD panels by their unique structure and characteristics.

1 shows a schematic view of an LCD panel.

The LCD panel 1 is composed of a first polarizing plate 10, a first retardation plate 11, a liquid crystal monomer 12, a second retardation plate 13 and a second polarizing plate 14, where two polarizing plates ( The polarization axes 10 and 14 are vertically aligned with each other, and the first retardation plate 11 and the second retardation plate for the relative phase correction of the first retardation plate 11 and the second retardation plate 13. By rotating (13) a larger viewing angle is obtained and as a result the optical compensation for the optical properties of the liquid crystal monomer and polarizers is improved.

Conventionally, this calibration is done by manually rotating the first retardation plate 11 and the second retardation plate 13 to adjust its relative phase to a certain value, or replace it with a retardation plate of a different wavelength. This is done by calibrating these retarders to fit a specific value of.

In view of the above, conventional methods for calibrating an LCD panel have at least the following disadvantages.

1. The accuracy of the calibration obtained by manually calibrating the relative phases of the retarders is so low that the quality of the calibration cannot be guaranteed.

2. The manufacturing cost of manually calibrating the phases of the retarders is very high, and manpower is equally required, leading to a decrease in market competitiveness.

3. The reproducibility of manual calibration is low, the objective criteria are not guaranteed equally for each calibration, and the quality of calibration and product reproducibility cannot be guaranteed.

4. Productivity is limited due to conventional manual calibration methods that cannot be automated.

In view of the disadvantages in the prior art, the main object of the present invention is to provide an automatic calibration apparatus and method for an LCD panel which can improve the calibration accuracy of the LCD panels produced and ensure the quality of the LCD panels produced. have.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an automatic calibration apparatus and method for an LCD panel which can increase the market competitiveness by simplifying the calibration step and reducing the manufacturing cost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic calibration apparatus and method for an LCD panel that can maintain the same objective criteria in each calibration, thereby ensuring the quality of calibration and the reproducibility of the product.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic calibration apparatus and method for an LCD panel that can improve productivity and reduce production costs by automating production.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically calibrating an LCD panel. In the LCD panel, the first polarizing plate, the first retardation plate, the liquid crystal monomer, the second retardation plate, and the second polarizing plate are continuously configured.

LCD calibration device,

A light generating device capable of providing a light source; and It is possible to move and orient the LCD panel so as to form a proper angle between the LCD panel and the light projected from the light source, and between the first and second phase difference plates by rotating the first phase difference plate and the second phase difference plate. A rotating base portion capable of adjusting a relative phase of the light source and selectively replacing a first retardation plate and / or a second retardation plate if necessary; and the light generating device for receiving and inspecting light emitted from the LCD panel. An optical inspection unit aligned at a position opposite to the one; And an optical signal inspection device connected to the optical inspection unit for inspecting data from the optical inspection unit.

The LCD calibration device further includes a comparison device aligned between the optical signal inspection device and the rotating base and providing a predetermined standard value compared with the data of the optical signal inspection device. This standard serves as a base for calibrating the base of rotation.

In a method for automatically calibrating an LCD panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the LCD panel is aligned on a rotating base, and the LCD panel is a first polarizing plate, a first retardation plate, a liquid crystal monomer, a second retardation plate. , And the second polarizing plate are continuously configured. This method consists of the following steps.

(a) orienting the light source so that the LCD panel has an appropriate projection angle;

(b) inspecting light from the LCD panel to obtain a predetermined detection value;

(c) comparing the detected value with a predetermined standard value;

(d) calibrate the detection value to approach the standard value by rotating a rotating base to adjust the relative phase between the first retarder and the second retarder, and if necessary, the first retarder and / or the second retarder. Optionally replacing;

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In order to better understand and recognize the present invention, the following detailed description is set forth in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

According to Fig. 2, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel calibration apparatus for describing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The LCD panel 201 is composed of a first polarizing plate 2010, a first retardation plate 2011, a liquid crystal monomer 2012, a second retardation plate 2013, and a second polarizing plate 2014 in succession. It's a panel.

The light generating device 202 is used to provide a light source 203 for the LCD panel calibration device. In the present invention, the light generating device 202 is a die laser (DYE LASER) for generating visible light.

The wavelength of the light source 203 having high resolution, high intensity and monochromaticity can be controlled in the range of 380 nm to 780 nm at a resolution of 0.01 nm, which causes the pattern generated by causing the wavelength of the light source to enter the wavelength range of visible light. Make it clearer to the examiner.

 The light source 203 then passes through a comparison device 204, which includes a beam splitter 2040, a sample LCD panel 2041, and a sample light detection device 2042. Here, the beam splitter 2040 may separate the light source 203 into light sources 203a and 203b having optical paths D1 = D2 of the same densities and the same lengths.

The light source of 203a and the light source of 203b are aligned so as to vertically enter the sample LCD panel 2041 and the LCD panel 201, respectively, to provide an objective reference for the sample LCD panel 2041 and the LCD panel 201. Make sure that it is under the same conditions.

The sample light detection unit 2042 aligned at a position opposite the beam splitter is then used to detect light from the light source 203a.

The light source 203b passes through the LCD panel 201 vertically supported by the rotating base 205 and is detected by the light detecting unit 206. The optical path D4 from the LCD panel 201 to the light detection unit 206 is the same as the optical path D3 from the sample LCD panel 2041 to the sample light detection unit 2042.

Data from the light detection unit 206 and the sample light detection unit 2042 are irradiated by connecting both the light detection unit 206 and the sample light detection unit 2042 to the optical signal inspection device 207.

Since the sample LCD panel 2041 has a spec that meets the required standard, the comparator 204 compares the reference value Ch2 for comparing with Ch1, which is the LCD panel testing data applied from the optical signal inspection device 207. Can provide.

On the other hand, the rotation base 205 rotates the first retardation plate 2011 and the second retardation plate 2013 from 0 degrees to 360 degrees, so that the relative phases of the first retardation plate 2011 and the second retardation plate 2013 are The first phase difference plate 2011 and / or the second phase difference plate 2013 as necessary, and as a result, the data Ch1 may be close to the reference value Ch2 so that the LCD panel can be adjusted. The reference value for which the phase of 201 is required can be obtained.

The optical signal inspection device 207 is connected to a recording device 208 for recording data. It is also connected to the digital phase difference device by external trigger signals, and to the light generation device 202 to synchronize the light generation device 202 and the optical signal inspection device 207 to facilitate the calibration process. Connected.

Preferably, the oscilloscope is used as the inspection device for the optical signal inspection device 207, and a computer or an integrator is used as the recording device 208, while the CCD, CMOS, and PMT are optical detection units. 206 and a sample light detection unit 2042.

Since most of the components are the same as or similar to the preferred embodiment described above, the same names and numbers as above will be used for the same elements, while the same names with incidental letters of the English alphabet are given in the preferred embodiments of the present invention below. Similar elements are used in the examples.

Referring to Fig. 3, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel calibration apparatus for describing a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention, wherein the LCD panel 201a and the sample LCD panel 2041a are both reflection type panels.

The reflection angle of the light source 203a from the sample LCD panel 2041a is θ _1, and the reflection angle of the light source 203b from the LCD panel 201a is θ ₂ , where θ ₁ = θ ₂ , D ₁ = D ₂ , Since D ₃ = D ₄ , the test conditions of the sample LCD panel 2041a and the LCD panel 201a are the same.

The reflected light from the sample LCD panel 2041a and the LCD panel 201a is detected by the sample light detecting unit 2042a and the light detecting unit 206a, respectively, which are inspected by the optical signal inspection device 207. And compared.

Since the principles of the other components are essentially the same as those described in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, further descriptions thereof will be omitted.

According to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel testing apparatus for describing a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the LCD panel 201b and the sample LCD panel 2041b are both reflection-transmissive type semi- reflected type) panels.

The reflection angle of the light source 203a from the sample LCD panel 2041b is θ ₃ , the optical path to the sample light detection unit 2042b is D ₃ , and passes through the sample LCD panel 2041b to the sample light detection unit 2042c. The optical path of the subsequent light source 203a is D ₅ .

The reflection angle of the light source 203b from the LCD panel 201b is θ ₄ , and the optical path to the light detection unit 206b is D ₄ , and the light source that passes through the LCD panel 201b to the light detection unit 206c ( The optical path of 203b) is D ₆ , where θ ₃ = θ ₄ , D ₁ = D ₂ , D ₃ = D ₄ and D ₅ = D ₆ .

As a result, the test conditions of the sample LCD panel 2041b and the LCD panel 201b become the same. The light reflected from the sample LCD panel 2041b is inspected by the sample light inspection device 2042b, and the light transmitted through the sample LCD panel 2041b is inspected by the sample light inspection unit 2042c, while the LCD panel Light reflected from 201b is inspected by the light inspection unit 206b, and light transmitted through the LCD panel 201b is inspected by the light inspection unit 206c. These four signals are observed and inspected by the optical signal inspection device 207.

Since the principles of the other components are essentially the same as those described in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, further descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As is apparent, the comparison devices 204, 204a, 204b in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 can be removed by directly obtaining the reference values stored in the computer for comparison with the test.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of calibrating an LCD panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The LCD panel is aligned on the rotatable base, and the LCD panel is composed of a first polarizing plate, a first retardation plate, a liquid crystal monomer, a second retardation plate and a second polarizing plate in succession. The method includes the following steps.

(a) A light source is irradiated vertically on the LCD panel, where the light source is visible light having a wavelength in the range of 380 nm to 780 nm enabling a resolution of up to 0.01 nm. Preferably, DYE LASER is used as a light generating device for producing visible light.

(b) inspecting the light from the LCD panel to obtain a test value, which is preferably obtained by inspecting the light from the LCD panel with a light inspection unit and then converting it to arithmetic data using an oscilloscope. The types of light coming from the LCD panels depend on the various types of LCD panels used. If the LCD panel is a transmissive panel, this light is transmitted light. If the LCD panel is a reflective panel, this light is reflected light. If the LCD panel is a semi-reflected type, this light is It becomes reflected transmitted light.

(c) Compare the checked value to a standard value, which is a specification defined and obtained from a database or direct sample that exists at the company.

(d) Rotate the base of rotation or optionally select the first retarder 2011 and / or the second retarder 2013 to adjust the phases of both the first and second retarders. The test value is calibrated to a standard value by exchanging.

In summary, the LCD panel calibration apparatus and method of the present invention can improve the accuracy of calibration to ensure the quality of the LCD panel, simplify the calibration procedure, reduce the manufacturing cost, and fix the objective criteria of each calibration. This helps to automate production and improve reproducibility.

On the other hand, while the preferred embodiment of the present invention is published for the purpose of disclosure, other embodiments as well as changes to the disclosed embodiment of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention may be embodied in other distinctive forms without departing from its spirit or essential features. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing descriptions, and all variations coming within the same meaning and scope as the claims. They should be included in it.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the calibration accuracy and quality of the LCD panels to be manufactured, to reduce the manufacturing cost by simplifying the calibration procedure, to automate production and to improve the reproducibility by fixing the objective standard of each calibration There is an effect made.

Claims (23)

An apparatus for calibrating an LCD panel, wherein the LCD panel is composed of a first polarizing plate, a first retardation plate, a liquid crystal monomer, a second retardation plate and a second polarizing plate continuously, the LCD panel calibration device, A light generating device capable of providing a light source; It is possible to move and orient the LCD panel so as to form a proper angle between the LCD panel and the light projected from the light source, and between the first and second phase difference plates by rotating the first phase difference plate and the second phase difference plate. A rotation base capable of adjusting the relative phase of and selectively replacing the first retarder and / or the second retarder if necessary;  A light detection unit arranged at a position opposite to the light generating device to detect light emitted from the LCD panel; And And an optical signal inspection device coupled to the optical detection unit for inspecting data from the optical detection unit. The LCD panel calibration device according to claim 1, A comparison device aligned between the optical signal inspection device and the rotating base, the comparison device being capable of providing a standard value serving as a reference for the rotating base to adjust in accordance with the comparison of the data detected by the optical signal inspection device; LCD panel calibration device further comprising. The comparison device in the LCD panel calibration device according to claim 2, Predetermined sample LCD panels; A beam splitter capable of slicing the light source onto the sample LCD panel and the LCD panel with the same densities and the same optical path lengths;  And a sample light detecting unit arranged at a position opposite to the beam splitter and receiving and inspecting light passing through the sample LCD panel. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the light from the LCD panel is transmitted light. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the light from the LCD panel is reflected light. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the light from the LCD panel is reflected transmitted light. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the light generating device is a die laser. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And a wavelength range of the light source is 380 nm to 780 nm. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, LCD panel calibration apparatus, characterized in that the resolution of the formed light source is 0.01nm. In the LCD channel calibration device according to claim 1, And the optical detection unit is a CCD. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the optical detection unit is a CMOS. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the optical detection unit is a PMT. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the optical signal inspection device is an oscilloscope. In the LCD panel calibration apparatus according to claim 1, And the optical signal inspection device is connected to a predetermined recording device. In the LCD panel calibration device according to claim 14, And said recording device is a computer. In the LCD panel calibration device according to claim 14, And the recording device is an integrator. A method for calibrating an LCD panel, wherein the LCD panel includes a first polarizing plate, a first retardation plate, a liquid crystal monomer, a second retardation plate, and a second polarizing plate, and the method for calibrating the LCD panel includes: (a) illuminating a light source on the LCD panel at a particular angle; (b) detecting light from the LCD panel to obtain a detection value; (c) comparing the detected value with a predetermined reference value; And (d) calibrate the detected value to approach the standard value by rotating the rotating base to adjust the phase of the first retarder and the second retarder, and if necessary the first retarder and / or the second retarder Selectively exchanging; LCD panel calibration method comprising a. In the LCD panel calibration method according to claim 17, And the light from the LCD panel is transmitted light. In the LCD panel calibration method according to claim 17, And the light from the LCD panel is reflected light. In the LCD panel calibration method according to claim 17, And the light from the LCD panel is reflected transmitted light. In the LCD panel calibration method according to claim 17, And the light source is generated by a die laser. In the LCD panel calibration method according to claim 17, And a wavelength range of the light source is 380 nm to 780 nm. In the LCD panel calibration method according to claim 17, And a resolution of the formed light source is 0.01 nm.

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