JP2000321545A - LCD panel inspection equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [PROBLEMS] To reduce the inspection time of a liquid crystal panel by processing a plurality of liquid crystal panels in parallel by installing a plurality of stations for performing different processing around a table. In addition, the present invention provides a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus capable of simplifying the layout of the processing apparatus and easily performing different types of inspections by allocating the processing apparatus to each station. An intermittently rotatable table, a plurality of stages provided on the table, and a stage.
Input station 6, detection station 7, inspection station 8 and discharge station 9 installed around
Is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting a liquid crystal panel, and more particularly, to a predetermined defect when the liquid crystal panel is not lit (scratch on the panel surface, the state of liquid crystal injection, etc.) and a display pattern when lit. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel inspection device that automatically performs the inspection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus of this type, for example, an apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-218131 is known.

In this apparatus, a liquid crystal panel is set on one stage from a cassette accommodating an untested liquid crystal panel (loading step), and an image of the liquid crystal panel is taken by a recognition camera (positioning step).

Then, after the probe and the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel are aligned and the probe is brought into contact with the panel electrodes, a signal is applied to the probe by a signal generator to turn on the liquid crystal panel, and then the liquid crystal is turned on. An image of the panel is captured by a camera, and a defect or lighting failure of the liquid crystal panel is determined by an image processing device based on the image (inspection step). After the completion of the inspection, the liquid crystal panel is discharged to a different cassette according to the result of the inspection (a discharge step).

[0005]

However, in such a conventional method for inspecting a liquid crystal panel, the input, alignment, inspection, and discharge of the liquid crystal panel are performed by one stage. If a lot of waiting time is required when moving the LCD panel in and out of the stage, and multiple processing units are required to perform multiple inspections, lay out multiple processing units on one stage. It was difficult to do.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a plurality of stations for performing different processes around a table, whereby a plurality of liquid crystal panels can be processed in parallel to reduce the inspection time of the liquid crystal panels. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus capable of simplifying the layout of a processing apparatus and easily performing different types of inspections by allocating the apparatuses to respective stations.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In order to solve the above problems, in a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus that automatically determines a predetermined defect when a liquid crystal panel is not lit and a display pattern when lit, a table that is intermittently rotatable and is provided on the table. A plurality of stages, an input station for inputting the liquid crystal panel to the stage, a detection station for detecting the positions of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel input to the stage, and the defects and defects of the liquid crystal panel input to the stage. An inspection station for determining a display pattern, and a discharge station for discharging the liquid crystal panel after the inspection from the stage, wherein the input station, the detection station,
An inspection station and a discharge station are provided around the table.

In this case, by installing a plurality of stations for performing different processes around the table, it is possible to process a plurality of liquid crystal panels in parallel to shorten the inspection time of the liquid crystal panels, and to provide a processing device. By allocating to each station, the layout of the processing apparatus can be made easy and different types of inspections can be easily performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the first aspect of the present invention, the input station is provided with a cassette for storing the untested liquid crystal panels in a stacked state at predetermined intervals. Sending means for sending out untested liquid crystal panels one by one, and electrode direction adjusting means for adjusting the direction of the electrodes of the untested liquid crystal panel sent from the sending means and the panel lighting probe installed in the inspection station. And a positioning means for transporting the untested liquid crystal panel after the adjustment to the stage, temporarily adjusting the position, and temporarily positioning the liquid crystal panel on the stage.

In this case, even if the untested liquid crystal panel is stored in the cassette in any direction, the direction of the electrode of the untested liquid crystal panel sent out from the cassette is adjusted with respect to the probe by the electrode direction adjusting means. Can be matched.

Further, since the liquid crystal panel can be automatically sent out from the cassette to the electrode direction adjusting means by the sending means, the inspection of the liquid crystal panel can be simplified and the inspection time can be shortened.

Further, since the temporary position of the liquid crystal panel on the stage can be adjusted by the temporary position adjusting means, the liquid crystal panel can be positioned at an arbitrary position on the stage.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the detection station comprises an image of an electrode of an untested liquid crystal panel mounted on the stage. Image pickup means for picking up the image, image processing means for detecting the positions of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel from the image picked up by the image pickup means, and storage means for storing the position data obtained by the image processing means. Features.

In this case, by imaging the positions of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel, even if the outer diameter accuracy of the liquid crystal panel is rougher than the accuracy of the electrodes, the positioning accuracy of the liquid crystal panel on each stage is reduced to the accuracy of the electrodes. On the other hand, even if it is rough, it is possible to perform positioning of the electrode of the liquid crystal panel and the probe with high accuracy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first aspect of the present invention,
The inspection station, after performing positioning of the electrode and the probe of the liquid crystal panel based on the data stored in the storage means of the detection station, probe moving means for bringing the probe into contact with the electrode, and a liquid crystal panel through the probe. Signal generating means for applying a drive signal to the electrodes, image capturing means for capturing the appearance of the liquid crystal panel and the lighting pattern of the electrodes, and predetermined defects and lighting failures when the liquid crystal panel is not lit from the captured image data. And determining means for determining

In this case, since the probe and the probe of the liquid crystal panel are positioned by moving the probe moving means, the probe is brought into contact with the electrode of the liquid crystal panel. This eliminates the need to move the stage, and allows inspection of panel defects and lighting failures without increasing the processing accuracy of the position of the stage. It can be compact.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first aspect of the present invention,
The discharge station has discharge means for discharging the liquid crystal panel, which has been inspected on the stage, to one of a cassette for storing defective liquid crystal panels and a cassette for storing non-defective liquid crystal panels. .

In this case, the non-defective liquid crystal panel and the defective liquid crystal panel can be automatically sorted and stored in the cassette, so that the labor for storing the liquid crystal panel in the cassette can be saved and the work time of the sorting operation can be shortened. be able to.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are views showing an embodiment of a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 1, 1
Is an index table (table), and the table 1 can be rotated intermittently by a drive motor (not shown).

On the table 1, there are provided four stages 2 to 5 on each of which a liquid crystal panel (not shown) can be mounted. Each of the stages 2 to 5 is provided with a suction nozzle for sucking the liquid crystal panel. I have. Also, stage 2
The table 5 is replaceable with respect to the table 1, and the stages 2 to 5 have any shape according to the type of the liquid crystal panel.

Also, around the table 1, the stages 2 to
5, a charging station 6 for charging the liquid crystal panel to the stage 5, a detection station 7 for detecting the positions of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel charged to the stages 2 to 5, and a defect when the liquid crystal panel supplied to the stages 2 to 5 is not lit. An inspection station 8 is provided for judging (flaws on the panel surface, liquid crystal injection state, etc.) and a display pattern, and an ejection station 9 for ejecting the liquid crystal panel after the inspection from the stages 2 to 5. 6 to 9 are arranged at intervals of 90 °.

The charging station 6 is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a cassette;
The cassette 10 has a main body having an opening in the front-rear direction (direction of arrow a) and plate members stacked vertically, and by stacking untested liquid crystal panels on the plate members at predetermined intervals. Liquid crystal can be stored.

The cassette 10 can be mounted on a lifting means (not shown), and can be raised and lowered by the lifting means.

A direct-acting actuator (sending means) 11 is provided opposite to the cassette 10 such that the front end of a rod 11a movable in the front-rear direction sends out the liquid crystal panel in the cassette 10. It has become. When the liquid crystal panel is sent out from the inside of the cassette 10, the cassette 10 is raised or lowered by the elevating means, so that the next liquid crystal panel to be sent out is moved to the rod 11.
a.

The liquid crystal panel sent out of the cassette 10 is mounted on a rotary stage 12 (electrode direction adjusting means), and the rotary stage 12 rotates in a predetermined direction, so that the electrode of the liquid crystal panel is rotated. The direction of a panel lighting probe provided in the inspection station 7 and described later is aligned.

In the vicinity of the rotary stage 12, there is provided a contact member (positioning means) 13 driven in a XY direction (XY plane) by a linear motion actuator (not shown). Numeral 13 conveys the adjusted liquid crystal panel on the rotary table 12 to the stage 2 and temporarily adjusts the liquid crystal panel on the stage 2 in the XY directions to temporarily position the liquid crystal panel on the stage 2.

At this time, the liquid crystal panel is sucked and fixed by the stage 2 by operating the suction nozzle.

The detection station 7 is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 14 denotes a CCD camera (imaging means).
(In this embodiment, the positions of the stages 2 to 5 are not fixed positions because the table 1 rotates, but for convenience of explanation, the stages 2 to 5 will be described based on the positions shown in FIG. 1. ) LCD panel electrode width direction (outer diameter side direction)
Marks provided at both ends or both ends in the width direction of the electrode are imaged. The image data picked up by the CCD camera 14 is such that a computer (image processing means) 15 calculates an accumulated error between the electrode position and the electrode width, and the calculated position data is stored in the computer 15. Is stored in the memory (storage means).

The inspection station 8 is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 16 denotes a probe moving mechanism (probe moving means). The moving mechanism 16 is driven by two linear actuators (not shown) to approach and separate from the table 1 (indicated by an arrow d) and its direction. Mount that can be moved in the direction perpendicular to d (indicated by arrow e)
17, an elevating cylinder 18 erected on the gantry 17, and a direction provided to the elevating cylinder 18 so as to approach and separate from each other (FIG. 4).
Panel lighting probe 19 that can be moved in the middle and vertical directions
The probe moving mechanism 16 is configured based on a command signal from the computer 15.

A backlight is provided on the lower surface of the table 1.
22 is provided, and polarizing plates 23 and 24 are provided with the table 1 interposed therebetween.
A camera (imaging means) 25 is provided.

The CCD camera 25 captures an image of the liquid crystal panel when the backlight 22 is turned on, and the computer 15 determines a predetermined defect when the liquid crystal panel is turned off (panel surface) based on the image data. Scratches and the state of liquid crystal injection).

On the other hand, while the table 1 is rotating, the computer 15 moves the probe moving mechanism 16 based on the information of the electrode position of the liquid crystal panel and the accumulated error of the electrode width transferred from the memory of the computer 15. At this time, the probe 19 is moved along a direction in which the probe electrode extends from a direction away from the table 1 so as to detect a cumulative error of the electrode width of the liquid crystal panel. The electrodes are evenly distributed to both sides of the panel 19 so that the electrodes of the panel and the probe 19 are aligned so as to make sure contact.

At this time, since the probe 19 and the plate 20 face each other with the table 4 interposed therebetween, the probe 19 and the plate 20 are brought close to each other by the elevating cylinder 18 so that the probe 19 is brought into contact with the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel and the plate 20 is used. Insert the LCD panel.

Further, the computer 15 is provided with a pulse generator as a signal generating means for applying a drive signal to the electrode panel through the probe 19, and by applying a drive signal to the probe 19 by this pulse generator,
The electrodes are turned on.

The CCD camera 25 captures an image when the electrodes of the panel are turned on, and the computer 15 determines a lighting failure of the liquid crystal panel based on the image data. In the present embodiment,
The computer 15 constitutes the determination means.

In the present embodiment, the probe 19 is disposed above the elevating cylinder 18 and the plate 20 is disposed below. However, it is assumed that the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel of this embodiment are located on the front side. Because. Therefore, when the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel are on the back side, the probe 19 is
What is necessary is just to arrange | position the plate 20 under 18 at the upper side.

The discharge station 9 is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 26 denotes a linear motion actuator, which discharges the liquid crystal panel after the inspection from the stage 5 to the rotary stage 27. The rotary stage 27 is rotatable, and positions the liquid crystal panel discharged from the stage 5 in a non-defective product storage 28 or a defective product storage cassette 29.

Each of the cassettes 28 and 29 has a main body having an opening in the front-rear direction (directions of arrows b and c) and a plate member laminated in the up-down direction. By stacking, a plurality of liquid crystals can be stored. The cassettes 28 and 29 can be mounted on elevating means (not shown), and can be moved up and down by the elevating means.

An actuator 21 is provided above the rotary stage 27. The actuator 21 is driven by the rotation of the rotary stage 27 so that the cassette 28 or the cassette 29 is rotated.
The liquid crystal panel is conveyed to the cassette 28 or the cassette 29 after the liquid crystal panel is rotated by the rotation stage 27 and abuts on the rear end in the conveyance direction of the liquid crystal panel positioned so as to be accommodated in the cassette 28 or the cassette 29 by the rotary stage 27. It can be driven. 1 and 5, the liquid crystal panel is connected to the cassette 28.
The position of the push-out portion of the actuator 21 when discharging to the side is shown. In this embodiment, the linear actuator 26, the rotary stage 27, and the actuator 21 constitute a discharging unit.

Next, a method for inspecting a liquid crystal panel will be described.

First, when the cassette 10 containing the untested liquid crystal panels is carried into the loading station 6 from the previous process, the liquid crystal panels in the cassette 10 are sent out to the rotary stage 12 by the actuator 11. At this time, the rotating stage 12 rotates in a predetermined direction, and the direction of the electrode of the liquid crystal panel and the direction of the probe 19 provided in the inspection station 7 are adjusted.

Next, the contact member 13 is driven by the linear motion actuator, and the contact table 13
The liquid crystal panel adjusted above is conveyed to the stage 2 and the liquid crystal panel on the stage 2 is provisionally adjusted in the X and Y directions and temporarily positioned on the stage 2, and then the liquid crystal panel is sucked into the stage 2 by the suction nozzle. Is done.

Next, the table 1 rotates and the stage 2
Moves to the position shown on the stage 3 and the liquid crystal panel moves to the inspection station 7. When the stage 2 moves to the position indicated by the stage 3, the liquid crystal panel is loaded into the stage 2 of the loading station 6 in the above-described procedure.

The liquid crystal panel conveyed to the detection station 7 is imaged by the CCD camera 14 at both ends in the width direction of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel or at marks provided at both ends in the width direction of the electrodes. The image data captured by the CCD camera 14 is used to calculate the accumulated error between the electrode position and the electrode width by the computer 15, and the calculated position data is stored in a memory built in the computer 15.

Next, the table 1 rotates and the stage 3
Moves to the position shown on the stage 4 and the liquid crystal panel moves to the inspection station 8.

When the table 1 moves to the inspection station 8, the linear motion actuator of the probe moving mechanism 16 is based on the information of the accumulated position error and electrode position of the liquid crystal panel stored in the memory of the computer 15. At this time, the probe 19 moves from the direction away from the table 1 along the extending direction of the probe electrode, and the accumulated error of the electrode width of the liquid crystal panel is detected by the probe 19.
Distribute evenly on both sides of the probe and probe above the panel electrodes
Position 19

Next, the backlight 22 is turned on, and the CCD
The image of the liquid crystal panel is captured by the camera 25. The computer 15 determines a predetermined defect (scratch on the panel surface, liquid crystal injection state, etc.) when the liquid crystal panel is not lit based on the image data.

Next, the probe is moved by the lifting cylinder 18.
Proximity between 19 and plate 20
19 to the LCD panel electrodes and plate 20
The LCD panel.

Next, the probe 19 was
A drive signal is applied to the electrode panel through the switch to turn on the electrodes, and the CCD camera 25 captures an image when the electrodes of the panel are turned on. The computer 15 determines a lighting failure of the liquid crystal panel based on the image data.

When the inspection is completed, the table 4 is moved to the position of the table 5, and the liquid crystal panel is moved to the discharge station 9. Next, the linear motion actuator 26 is driven to discharge the liquid crystal panel from the stage 5 to the rotary stage 27.

Further, since the computer 15 determines whether the liquid crystal panel is non-defective or defective, the rotary stage 27 is provided so that the liquid crystal panel can be smoothly stored in the cassette 28 for storing non-defective products or the cassette 29 for storing defective products. After positioning, the actuator 21 provided above the rotary stage 27 is rotated in the direction of the cassette 28 or the cassette 29 with the rotation of the rotary stage 27, and then the actuator 21 is moved to the rear end of the liquid crystal panel in the transport direction. After the contact, the liquid crystal panel is transported to the cassette 28 or the cassette 29 and stored in the cassette 28 or the cassette 29, and then the cassette 28 or the cassette 29 is carried out to the next step.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by installing a plurality of stations 6 to 9 for performing different processes around the table 1, a plurality of liquid crystal panels are processed in parallel to reduce the liquid crystal panel inspection time. In addition, by allocating the processing apparatuses to the stations 6 to 9, the layout of the processing apparatuses can be simplified, and different types of inspections can be easily performed.

Further, the loading station 6 is a cassette for storing the untested liquid crystal panels by stacking them at predetermined intervals.
A linear actuator 11 for sending untested liquid crystal panels one by one from 10; a rotary stage 12 for aligning the direction of the electrodes of the untested liquid crystal panel sent from the linear actuator 11 with the probe 19 of the inspection station 8; The uninspected liquid crystal panel is accommodated in the cassette 10 in any direction because the uninspected liquid crystal panel is transported to the stage 2, and the abutting member 13 is temporarily adjusted on the stage 2 after being transported to the stage 2. This cassette 10
The direction of the electrodes of the untested liquid crystal panel sent out from the liquid crystal panel can be adjusted to the probe 19 by the rotating stage 12.

The liquid crystal panel is connected to the linear motion actuator 11.
As a result, the liquid crystal panel can be automatically sent out from the cassette 10 toward the rotary stage 12, so that the inspection of the liquid crystal panel can be simplified and the inspection time can be shortened.

Since the provisional position of the liquid crystal panel on the stage 2 can be adjusted by the contact member 13, the liquid crystal panel can be positioned at an arbitrary position on the stage 2.

The detection station 7 is connected to the stage 3
A CCD camera 14 for capturing an image of an electrode of an untested liquid crystal panel placed on the LCD, a computer 15 for detecting the position of the electrode of the liquid crystal panel from the image captured by the CCD camera 14, and a computer 15 Since it is composed of a memory for storing position data, by imaging the positions of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel, even if the outer diameter accuracy of the liquid crystal panel is rough compared to the accuracy of the electrodes, each stage 2 to 2
Even if the positioning accuracy of the liquid crystal panel in 5 is rougher than the accuracy of the electrodes, it becomes possible to align the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel and the probe with high accuracy.

After the inspection station 8 has positioned the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel and the probes 19 based on the data stored in the memory of the computer 15, a probe moving mechanism 16 for bringing the probes into contact with the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel.
A pulse generator that applies a drive signal to the electrode panel through the probe 19; a CCD camera 25 that captures the appearance of the liquid crystal panel and a lighting pattern of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel; and a non-lighting state of the liquid crystal panel based on the captured image data. Of the liquid crystal panel and the probe 19 by moving the probe moving mechanism 16 in the d and e directions.
After the positioning, the probe 19 can be brought into contact with the electrode, so that it is not necessary to move the stages 2 to 5 on the table 1 to align the probe 19 with the electrode. As a result, it is possible to inspect a panel for defects and lighting failures without increasing the processing accuracy of the positions of the stages 2 to 5, and to eliminate the need for a mechanism for moving the stage 1, thereby making the table 1 compact. be able to.

Further, the discharge station 9 is provided with a rotating stage for carrying out the liquid crystal panel which has been inspected on the stage 5 to one of a cassette 29 for storing defective liquid crystal panels and a cassette 28 for storing non-defective liquid crystal panels. 27 and actuators, automatically sort non-defective LCD panels and defective LCD panels into cassettes 28.
Alternatively, the liquid crystal panel can be stored in the cassette 29, so that the labor for storing the liquid crystal panel in the cassette 28 or the cassette 29 can be omitted, and the operation time of the sorting operation can be reduced.

In this embodiment, each station 6
The liquid crystal panel mounted on one stage is processed for each of the steps 9 to 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Two stations 6 to 9 are provided, and eight stages are provided corresponding to the stations. You may do it.

[0062]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by installing a plurality of stations for performing different processes around the table, a plurality of liquid crystal panels can be processed in parallel to reduce the inspection time of the liquid crystal panels. And by distributing the processing equipment to each station,
Different types of inspections can be easily performed by simplifying the layout of the processing apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the invention, even if the untested liquid crystal panel is stored in the cassette in any direction, the direction of the electrode of the untested liquid crystal panel sent out from the cassette is changed to the electrode direction. The adjustment can be made with respect to the probe.

Further, since the liquid crystal panel can be automatically sent out from the cassette to the electrode direction adjusting means by the sending means, the inspection of the liquid crystal panel can be simplified and the inspection time can be shortened.

Since the temporary position of the liquid crystal panel on the stage can be adjusted by the temporary position adjusting means, the liquid crystal panel can be positioned at an arbitrary position on the stage.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by imaging the positions of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel, even if the accuracy of the outer diameter of the liquid crystal panel is rougher than the accuracy of the electrodes, the position of the liquid crystal panel at each stage is reduced. Even if the positioning accuracy is rough with respect to the electrode accuracy, it becomes possible to align the electrode of the liquid crystal panel with the probe with high accuracy.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the probe is brought into contact with the electrode after the probe and the probe of the liquid crystal panel are positioned by moving the probe moving means. To move the stage on the table,
The panel can be inspected for defects and lighting failures without increasing the processing accuracy of the position of the stage, and a mechanism for moving the stage is not required, so that the table can be made compact.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a non-defective LCD panel and a defective LCD panel can be automatically sorted and stored in a cassette. The work time of the work can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of a liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus according to the present invention, and is a schematic configuration diagram thereof.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charging station of one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a detection station according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inspection station according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a discharge station of one embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Edex table (table) 2-5 Stage 6 Loading station 7 Detection station 8 Inspection station 9 Discharge station 10 Cassette 11 Linear actuator (delivery means) 12 Rotary stage 12 (electrode direction adjustment means) 13 Contact member (positioning means) ) 14 CCD camera (imaging means) 15 Computer (image processing means, judgment means) 16 Probe moving mechanism (probe moving means) 19 Probe 21 Actuator (discharging means) 25 CCD camera (imaging means) 26 Linear actuator (discharging means) 27 Rotary stage (actuator) 28, 29 Cassette

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus for automatically determining a predetermined defect when a liquid crystal panel is not lit and a display pattern when the liquid crystal panel is lit, a table intermittently rotatable, and a plurality of tables provided on the table. A stage, an input station for inputting the liquid crystal panel to the stage, a detection station for detecting a position of an electrode of the liquid crystal panel input to the stage, and a detection station for the defect and display pattern of the liquid crystal panel input to the stage. An inspection station for performing a determination, and a discharge station for discharging the liquid crystal panel after the inspection from the stage, wherein the input station, the detection station, the inspection station, and the discharge station are set around the table. LCD panel inspection equipment. 2. The feeding station according to claim 1, further comprising: a feeding unit that feeds untested liquid crystal panels one by one from a cassette that stores and stacks untested liquid crystal panels at predetermined intervals and stores the unchecked liquid crystal panels. An electrode direction adjusting means for adjusting the direction of the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel to be inspected and the probe for lighting the panel installed in the inspection station; and transporting the uninspected liquid crystal panel after the adjustment to the stage to temporarily adjust the position. 2. A liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means for temporarily positioning the liquid crystal panel on the stage. 3. An image pickup means for picking up an image of an electrode of an untested liquid crystal panel mounted on the stage, and detecting a position of the electrode of the liquid crystal panel from the image picked up by the image pickup means. 3. An image processing unit, comprising: an image processing unit that performs the image processing; and a storage unit that stores the position data obtained by the image processing unit.
The liquid crystal panel inspection device according to the above. 4. An inspection station, comprising: a probe moving means for positioning an electrode of a liquid crystal panel and a probe based on data stored in storage means of the detection station, and thereafter bringing the probe into contact with the electrode; Signal generating means for applying a drive signal to the electrodes of the liquid crystal panel through the probe; imaging means for imaging the appearance of the liquid crystal panel and the lighting pattern of the electrodes; 4. A liquid crystal panel inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine a defect and a lighting failure of the liquid crystal panel. 5. The discharge station has discharge means for discharging a liquid crystal panel, which has been inspected on the stage, to one of a cassette for storing defective liquid crystal panels and a cassette for storing non-defective liquid crystal panels. The liquid crystal panel inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein