TW202006658A - Image generation device and image generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is generating an image required for accurate determination of defects in a display panel. A solution therefor includes: a mounting table 11 on which a display panel P is mounted; a camera 12 provided to face the display panel P; a calculation tool 171a which calculates the mean value of the luminance levels of the peripheral pixels of a target pixel based on the image data captured by the camera 12 as the mean value of the peripheral pixels; a defect determination tool 171b which determines that a defect is present in the image pickup pixel of the camera 12 corresponding to the target pixel if the differential between the luminance level of the target pixel and the calculated mean value of the peripheral pixels is greater than a set threshold; and a correction tool 171d which corrects the luminance level of the target pixel as the mean value of the peripheral pixels and stores the corrected image data to a memory 172 if the defect determination tool 171b determines that a defect is present in the image pickup pixel of the camera 12 corresponding to the target pixel.

Description

Image generating device and image generating method

The invention relates to an image generating device and an image generating method for generating an image required for inspecting a display panel.

Liquid crystal display panels, organic EL (organic electroluminescence) display panels and other display panels (hereinafter referred to as panels or display panels), display devices (e.g. displays, personal computers, portable terminals (tablet terminals, smart Mobile phones, mobile phones, etc.), etc., the appearance and lighting status of the display panel will be checked at the time of manufacture and before shipment. The inspection of the appearance and lighting state of the display panel has always been carried out by shooting the display panel as the object to be inspected by a camera or other photographing means, and inspecting based on the captured image.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the brightness of each pixel extracted as a candidate for a pixel with a bright spot defect is divided by the brightness of the pixel based on the brightness data of the image obtained by shooting the liquid crystal display panel with a CCD camera Contrast ratio is obtained by averaging the brightness of the eight neighboring pixels of the same color, and then the sum of the calculated contrast ratios is corrected corresponding to the color information, and then the corrected defect contrast ratio is corrected. Compared with the pre-set decision threshold to determine whether the pixel has bright spot defects.

[Prior Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

(Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-146733

However, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, according to the brightness data of each pixel (called image pixel) of an image obtained by shooting a liquid crystal display panel with a CCD camera, it is determined whether there is a bright spot defect. Some of the photosensitive elements (that is, pixels, also referred to as photographic pixels) of photographic elements have photographic pixels with abnormal brightness values, which may occur even if the LCD panel under inspection has no bright spot defects There are bright spots and defects.

In other words, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 cannot determine whether the bright spot defect is in the imaging element of the CCD camera or the liquid crystal display panel, so the defect of the liquid crystal display panel cannot be accurately determined.

In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation device and an image generation method that generate an image required for accurately determining a defect of a display panel.

In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the image generating device of the present invention is that it includes: a mounting table on which a display panel to be inspected is placed; a photographing means provided opposite to the display panel; and a calculation means based on the foregoing The image data captured by the photography means calculates the average value of the brightness values of the surrounding pixels of the noticeable pixel as the average value of the surrounding pixels; the defect determination means is based on the brightness value of the noticeable pixel and the calculated surrounding picture When the difference between the average pixel values is greater than the set threshold, it is determined that the photographic element of the photographic element of the photographing means corresponding to the attentional pixel is defective; and the correction means is determined by the defect determination means and the attentional pixel When the photographic element of the photographic element corresponding to the photographing means is defective, the brightness value of the noticeable pixel is corrected to the average value of the surrounding pixels, and the corrected image data obtained by the correction is stored in the memory section.

The second feature of the image generating device of the present invention is that the defect determination means includes: threshold setting means for setting dynamic values set based on the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels for each of the attention pixels As the aforementioned threshold.

A third feature of the image generation device of the present invention is that the calculation means, the defect determination means, and the correction means are constituted by an integrated circuit provided between the photography means and the memory section.

In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the image generation method of the present invention is that it is possible to correct an image used to inspect a display panel using a mounting table and a photographing means that mounts the aforementioned display panel as an object to be inspected, the photographing means It is installed opposite to the display panel. The image generation method has a calculation step of calculating the average value of the brightness values of the surrounding pixels of the noticeable pixel as the average of the surrounding pixels based on the image data captured by the photography means The defect determination step is to determine the imaging element of the photographing means corresponding to the attention pixel when the difference between the brightness value of the attention pixel and the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels is greater than the set threshold A defect occurs in the photographic pixel; and a correction step is to correct the brightness value of the attention pixel to the surroundings when the defect determination means determines that the photography pixel of the photographing element of the photography means corresponding to the attention pixel is defective The pixel average value, and the corrected image data obtained by the aforementioned correction is stored in the memory section.

According to the image generating device and the image generating method of the present invention, it is possible to generate an image required for accurately determining the defect of the display panel.

1‧‧‧Image generation device

11‧‧‧Stage

12‧‧‧Camera

15‧‧‧ Panel drive signal generator

16‧‧‧Panel power supply

17‧‧‧Image processing device

19‧‧‧ Input

20‧‧‧ Output

20a‧‧‧Operation monitor

20b‧‧‧Video monitor

101~109, 202~204, 206~209, 212~214, 216~219‧‧‧ pixels

120、121‧‧‧Differential

171‧‧‧ Processing Department

171a, 174a‧‧‧Calculation means

171b, 174b ‧‧‧ Defect judgment method

171c, 174c ‧‧‧ threshold setting method

171d, 174d

172‧‧‧ Memory Department

173‧‧‧External Network Department

174‧‧‧ Capture card

205‧‧‧ pixels (abnormal brightness)

215‧‧‧ pixels (abnormal brightness)

P‧‧‧Display panel

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the video processing device included in the video generation device 1.

Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the image obtained by the camera shooting the display panel; Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing the brightness abnormality point caused by the defect of the photographic element is higher than the surrounding brightness (due to the camera's (Brightness abnormality point) A picture of the brightness values of the adjacent image pixels in the same row; Figure 3(c) shows the brightness abnormality point due to the defect of the display panel with a higher brightness value than the surroundings (due to the brightness abnormality point of the panel ) A graph of the brightness values of adjacent image pixels in the same column.

Figure 4(a) is a diagram illustrating the noticeable pixels and surrounding pixels of the image captured by the camera; Figures 4(b)~(d) show when the noticeable pixels appear due to abnormal brightness of the camera An example of the brightness value of each image pixel; Figures 4(e) to (g) show an example of the brightness value of each image pixel when the noticeable pixel appears due to the brightness abnormality of the panel.

Figure 5(a) shows that the prominent pixels as shown in Figure 3(b) are caused by the abnormal brightness of the camera, and the image pixels in the same row as the pixels are relative to the surrounding pixels. The average value of the brightness value is the ratio of the brightness value of the noticeable pixels (brightness ratio); Figure 5(b) shows that when the focused pixel is caused by the abnormal brightness of the panel, each pixel in the same row as its pixel The ratio (luminance ratio) of the pixel's brightness value relative to the average value of the brightness values of the surrounding pixels.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the image generating device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing device included in the image generating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For the same or equivalent parts and constituent elements in each drawing, the same or equivalent symbols are used. However, it should be noted that the diagram shown is a schematic diagram and may differ from the actual product. Of course, the drawings also include different parts such as dimensional relationships and ratios.

In addition, the embodiments disclosed below exemplify devices and the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The technical idea of the present invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of each component to those described below. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously changed within the scope of the patent application.

The embodiment of the image generating device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First embodiment>

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the horizontal direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is set to the X1-X2 direction, and the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1 is set to the Y1-Y2 direction (the direction of penetration into the paper surface is the Y1 direction, and the exit The direction of the paper surface is the Y2 direction), and the vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is defined as the Z1-Z2 direction.

(Overall configuration of video generation device)

The image generating device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is suitable for a display panel inspection device for inspecting the lighting state of the display panel P. As shown in FIG. 1, the image generation device 1 of the first embodiment has a mounting table 11 on which a display panel P as an object to be inspected is mounted and fixed. The display panel P placed on the mounting table 11 is arranged with display pixels arranged in a matrix along the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a camera 12 as a photographing means facing the display panel P is arranged above the center of the display panel P (Z1 direction). The camera 12 is a digital camera having a photographing element such as a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, etc. The image of the display state of the digital data type can be obtained by shooting the display panel P displaying the image. In this embodiment, each pixel of the image captured by the camera corresponds one-to-one to each pixel (photographic pixel) of the photosensitive element constituting the photographic element of the camera. The camera 12 is fixed by a camera fixing mechanism (not shown).

In addition, the image generating device 1 includes a panel drive signal generator 15, a panel power supply 16, an image processing device 17, an input unit 19, and an output unit 20.

The panel driving signal generator 15 displays the inspection screen and the like on the display panel P according to the instruction of the image processing device 17.

The panel power supply 16 supplies power to the display panel P.

The input unit 19 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, or the like to input information such as operations and data of the image generating device 1 and supplies it to the image processing device 17.

The output unit 20 displays a screen or the like in accordance with an instruction from the video processing device 17, and includes an operation monitor 20a and a video monitor 20b. The operation monitor 20a displays screens for performing operations, various settings, data input, operation status display, and the like of the image generating device 1, its components (camera 12, panel drive signal generator 15, panel power supply 16, etc.). The image monitor 20b displays the image captured by the camera 12, the corrected image after the image is corrected by the image processing device 17, and the like.

The image processing device 17 may be constituted by a general-purpose computer such as a PC (personal computer). The image processing device 17 controls external devices such as the camera 12, the panel drive signal generator 15, the panel power supply 16, and the like, performs processing for generating a screen to be displayed on the display panel P, and corrects the image captured by the camera 12, and The process of identifying the defective pixels of the display panel P based on the corrected corrected image is performed.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the video processing device 17 included in the video generation device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing device 17 includes a processing unit 171, and the processing unit 171 is a functional block realized by a program and a CPU that executes various processes according to the program. Furthermore, the processing unit 171 is connected to a memory unit 172 that stores various data.

The data stored in the storage unit 172 includes, for example, various programs for realizing the processing unit 171, the screen data determined by the processing unit 171 to be displayed on the display panel P during inspection, the captured image data captured by the camera 12, Corrected image data corrected by the processing unit 171, various data determined after calculation to identify defective pixels, data used to control various external devices, various data memorized as a work area, and image processing device 17, measurement Objects, camera specifications, etc. Various data for setting conditions required for various processes, etc. The memory unit 172 is realized by memory media such as a memory and a hard disk. In addition, the processing unit 171 is connected to an external network unit 173 for connecting to various external devices, and is connected to the input unit 19, the output unit 20, the camera 12, the panel drive signal generator 15 via the external network unit 173, The panel is connected to an external device such as a power supply 16 to send and receive data.

The processing unit 171 of the image processing device 17 constructs a dummy calculation means 171a, a defect by the calculation process of the execution program, various data, etc. stored in the storage unit 172 and the CPU and the like executed based on the program, data, etc. The determination means 171b and the correction means 171d. Among them, the defect determination means 171b includes threshold setting means 171c.

As described above, the camera 12 can obtain the captured image in its display state by capturing the display panel P displaying the image. At this time, there may be a defect in the photographic pixel of the photographic element of the camera 12 (photographic pixel defect). There are various reasons for the occurrence of this photographic pixel defect, such as: abnormal sensitivity to light caused by the deterioration of photographic pixels; there are also reproducible occurrences at a fixed location on a photographic element Photographic pixel defects; there are also non-reproducible photographic pixel defects such as abnormal sensitivity to light that randomly occur on the imaging element due to poor characteristics of the imaging element.

When the photographic element of the camera 12 has a defect of a photographic pixel, even if the display panel P to be inspected does not have a bright spot defect (display pixel defect), a spot called a bright spot will appear on the image captured by the camera 12 due to photography The brightness value of the component is higher than the surrounding brightness abnormal point.

Figure 3 illustrates the brightness anomalies due to the higher brightness value of the imaging element than the surrounding (caused by the camera's brightness anomalies), and the brightness abnormalities due to the display panel having a higher brightness value than the surroundings (caused by the brightness of the panel Illustration of abnormal point).

FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of a captured image obtained by the camera 12 capturing the display panel P. FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3(a), the brightness abnormality point 205 caused by the camera and the brightness abnormality point 215 caused by the panel appear on the captured image.

Fig. 3(b) is a graph showing the brightness values of the image pixels in the same row near the brightness abnormal point 205 due to the camera, and Fig. 3(c) is displayed near the brightness abnormal point 215 due to the panel A graph of the brightness values of image pixels in the same column. FIG. 3 shows the brightness values detected by the pixels of the imaging element of the camera 12 on the corresponding video pixels. This brightness value indicates the sensitivity to light. The higher the brightness, the higher the brightness value.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), only the brightness value caused by the brightness abnormal point 205 of the camera is higher than the brightness value of the adjacent image pixels in the same row (X1-X2 direction). In particular, the brightness values of the adjacent video pixels 204 and 206 of the brightness abnormal point 205 are substantially the same as the brightness values of the video pixels 202 to 203 and 207 to 209. In other words, since only the brightness value caused by the abnormal brightness point 205 of the camera exhibits an abnormally high value, it can be presumed that among the imaging elements of the camera 12, there are photographic pixels corresponding to the photography pixels corresponding to the abnormal brightness point 205 caused by the camera Prime defects.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the brightness value due to the brightness abnormal point 215 of the panel is at a peak, and the brightness values of the adjacent image pixels 214 and 216 due to the brightness abnormal point 215 of the panel are also The image pixels 211 and 218 have high brightness values. That is, not only is the brightness value due to the abnormal brightness point 215 of the panel high, but also the higher the brightness value of the pixel adjacent to the abnormal brightness point 215 is, the higher the brightness value is due to the brightness abnormal point 215 of the panel.

As described above, the light emitted from each display pixel of the display panel P enters the imaging element through the lens of the camera 12. The camera 12 can convert the light incident on its camera element into an electrical signal to obtain a digital data-type captured image. Therefore, if the display panel P has a bright spot defect (display pixel defect), the light emitted from the display pixel having the bright spot defect (display pixel defect) is incident on a plurality of photographic pictures through an optical system such as the lens of the camera 12 Prime. Therefore, the plurality of photographic pixels of the camera 12 obtain high brightness values.

In the example shown in FIG. 3(c), the brightness value caused by the brightness abnormal point 215 of the panel is at a peak, and the brightness value of the image pixel adjacent to the brightness abnormal point 215 caused by the panel also shows The closer to the abnormal brightness point 215 due to the panel is, the higher it is. Therefore, it can be presumed that it is not that the photographic pixels of the camera 12 have defects (photographic pixel defects), but that the display pixels of the display panel P have bright spot defects (display pixel defects) .

As described above, the captured image captured by the camera 12 may include the abnormal brightness point 205 caused by the camera pixel defect and the abnormal brightness point 215 caused by the display pixel defect. Therefore, in the lighting inspection of the display panel P, it is necessary to remove the display pixel defect of the display panel P due to the brightness abnormal point 205 of the camera. That is, it is necessary to determine whether the bright spot abnormality is caused by the camera 12 or the display panel P.

In this regard, in the video generation device 1 of the first embodiment, first, the calculation means 171a calculates the average value of the brightness values of the video pixels located around the pixel of interest as the average of the surrounding pixels based on the image captured by the camera 12 value.

FIG. 4 (a) is a diagram illustrating the noticeable pixels and peripheral pixels of the image captured by the camera 12.

If the image pixel 105 is used as the attention pixel, the eight image pixels 101-104 and 106-109 around the attention pixel 105 are the surrounding pixels. In response, the calculating means 171a calculates the average value of the luminance values of the peripheral pixels 101 to 104 and 106 to 109 as the average value of the peripheral pixels.

The defect determination means 171b determines that the difference between the brightness value of the noticeable pixel 105 and the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels is equal to or greater than the set threshold value, and determines that the picture element of the camera element of the camera 12 corresponding to the noticeable pixel 105 defective.

Figures 4(b)~(d) are diagrams showing an example of the brightness value of each image pixel when the noticeable pixel 105 appears due to the camera's brightness white spot, and Figure 4(e)~( g) is a diagram showing an example of the brightness value of each image pixel when the noticeable pixel 105 appears due to the abnormal brightness of the panel.

As shown in FIGS. 4(b) to (d), when the noticeable pixel 105 has an abnormal brightness caused by the camera, only the brightness value of the noticeable pixel 105 becomes abnormally higher than the surrounding pixels.

The calculating means 171a calculates the average value of the luminance values of the peripheral pixels 101 to 104 and 106 to 109 as the average value of the peripheral pixels 110.

Then, the defect determination means 171b determines that the difference between the brightness value of the noticeable pixel 105 and the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels 110 is greater than or equal to the set threshold Th, and determines that the pixel of the camera 12 corresponds to the noticeable pixel 105 defective. Among them, the threshold Th is determined by the threshold setting means 171c included in the defect determination means 171b. Details will be described later.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(c), since the noticeable pixel 105 appears due to the brightness abnormality of the camera, the brightness of the peripheral pixels 101 to 104 and 106 to 109 becomes smaller than the brightness of the noticeable pixel 105 Many values. That is, the difference 120 becomes larger than the set threshold Th, so the defect determination means 171b determines that the photographic pixel of the camera 12 corresponding to the noticeable pixel 105 is defective (photographic pixel defect).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4(e) to (g), when the noticeable pixel 105 has an abnormal brightness caused by the panel, not only the brightness value of the noticeable pixel 105, but also the brightness value of the surrounding pixels Higher value.

The calculating means 171a calculates the average value of the brightness values of the peripheral pixels 101 to 104 and 106 to 109 as the average value of the peripheral pixels 111.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(f), the noticeable pixel 105 appears due to the brightness abnormality of the panel, and the brightness values of the peripheral pixels 101 to 104 and 106 to 109 also become higher values. That is, the difference 121 is too small and does not exceed the set threshold Th, so the defect determination means 171b determines that not the picture pixel is defective but the display pixel of the display panel P is defective (display pixel defect).

In this way, it is possible to distinguish between the abnormal brightness point caused by the camera pixel defect and the abnormal brightness point caused by the display pixel defect.

Then, the correction means 171d corrects the brightness value of the noticeable pixel 105 to the average value of surrounding pixels when the defect determination means 171b determines that the photographic pixel of the camera 12 corresponding to the noticeable pixel 105 is defective. The correction means 171d memorizes the corrected image data after correction using each image pixel of the captured image as the attention pixel 105 to the memory unit 172.

With this, it is possible to store the corrected image data for the lighting inspection of the display panel P that has been removed from the captured image due to the brightness abnormality of the camera to the memory section 172.

In addition, regarding the setting of the threshold value, it is preferable to use a dynamic threshold value (variable threshold value) created according to the brightness value of the surrounding pixels for each pixel of interest. When setting a variable threshold, for example, the threshold can be created from a value obtained by multiplying the average value of the luminance values of surrounding pixels by a fixed coefficient. As a result, the threshold value changes every time the pixel of interest changes, so the threshold value can be dynamically changed. Using this method of judging using the changing threshold value, the increase rate of the brightness value of the noticeable pixel relative to the brightness value of the surrounding pixels can be monitored, so the cause can be more accurately compared with the case of using a fixed threshold value The distinction between the abnormal brightness point of the camera and the abnormal brightness point caused by the panel.

Here, the determination of the threshold Th by the threshold setting means 171c will be described in more detail.

In order to remove the abnormal brightness point caused by the camera but leave the abnormal brightness point caused by the panel from the captured image, the threshold value Th for distinguishing the abnormal brightness point caused by the panel and the abnormal brightness point caused by the camera must be appropriately set.

As shown in Figure 3(b), when the brightness value of the image pixel at only a certain point is higher than the brightness value of the surrounding pixels, it can be presumed that the image pixel is caused by the brightness abnormality of the camera, as shown in Figure 3 As shown in (c), the brightness value of a certain image pixel is high, and the brightness value of the image pixel is the peak value. The closer to the pixel of the image pixel, the higher the brightness value. It can be estimated that the image pixel It is caused by the abnormal brightness of the panel.

Therefore, for example, if the threshold value is fixed and the difference between the brightness values of adjacent image pixels simply exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the brightness abnormality point is caused by the camera, as shown in FIG. 3(c) If the difference between the brightness values of the image pixel 215 and the adjacent image pixel 214 is too large, the image pixel 215 may be mistaken for the brightness abnormality of the camera.

In response to this, the threshold setting means 171c varies the threshold Th for each pixel of interest. Specifically, for each pixel of interest, a value obtained by multiplying the calculated average value of surrounding pixels by a predetermined threshold multiplier TR is set as the threshold Th. Among them, in order to make the threshold Th not "0", it is preferable to add the threshold Th to an offset value as the threshold Th. This threshold magnification TR is determined by the user according to the ratio of the brightness value of the noticeable pixels relative to the average value of the surrounding pixels when the brightness abnormality caused by the camera occurs (brightness ratio), and when the brightness abnormality caused by the panel occurs Brightness ratio, and the value input from the input unit 19 in advance can be distinguished from the brightness abnormal point of the camera and the brightness abnormal point caused by the panel.

Fig. 5(a) shows that when the image pixel 205 shown in Fig. 3(b) is caused by the brightness abnormality of the camera, each of the image pixels in the same column as the image pixel 205, relative to The ratio of the brightness values (brightness ratio) of the noticeable pixels of the average value of the surrounding pixels. Figure 5(b) shows that when the picture pixel 215 is caused by the brightness abnormality of the panel, it is the same as the picture pixel 205 The ratio (luminance ratio) of the brightness value of the noticeable pixel with respect to the average value of the surrounding pixels in each pixel in the column.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), when the pixel 205 is caused by the brightness abnormality of the camera, the brightness ratio of the image pixel 205 is sufficiently larger than the brightness ratio of the pixels 202-204, 206-209 value.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when the pixel 215 is caused by the brightness abnormality of the panel, the brightness ratio of the pixel 215 is greater than the brightness ratios of the pixels 212 to 214 and 216 to 219, but there is a difference small.

Therefore, if the threshold magnification TR is set too low, the defect determination means 171b erroneously determines the possibility of abnormal brightness caused by the panel as the abnormal brightness caused by the camera.

In this regard, the user sets a threshold magnification TR suitable for distinguishing the brightness abnormality point caused by the camera from the brightness abnormality point caused by the panel. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the threshold magnification TR is set to 150% (1.5 times) of the average value of surrounding pixels.

In this way, it is possible to distinguish the abnormal brightness point caused by the camera from the abnormal brightness point caused by the panel, so that the abnormal brightness point caused by the camera can be eliminated, and only the bright spot defect of the display panel P can be detected.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the video generation device 1 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the camera 12 obtains a captured image in its display state by capturing the display panel P on which the image is displayed (step S101). The number of rows and columns of the pixels of the acquired image are registered or set in advance at this time. The number of rows and columns of the pixels of the image is used for the determination in step S117 and step S119 described later.

Next, the calculation means 171a designates one pixel of the acquired captured image as the pixel of interest as the origin (step S103). Here, the pixels of the captured image are arranged in a matrix in the rectangular image field, and the pixel located at the upper left corner is set as the attention pixel of the origin (0,0), and the first pixel will be counted from the top. The arrangement direction of the pixels in the column is defined as the X axis, and the arrangement direction of the pixels in the first row from the left is defined as the Y axis.

Then, the calculating means 171a adds up the brightness values of the eight pixels (peripheral pixels) around the designated attention pixel based on the captured image captured by the camera 12 (step S105), and then sums up to calculate The total value of the luminance values of the surrounding pixels is divided by the number of surrounding pixels "8" to calculate the average value of the surrounding pixels (step S107). In addition, when the pixel of interest is located in a corner, the brightness values of the three surrounding pixels (peripheral pixels) are added together and divided by the number of surrounding pixels "3". When the pixel of interest is located on the side other than the corner, the brightness values of the five surrounding pixels (peripheral pixels) are added together and divided by the number of surrounding pixels "5".

The calculating means 171a calculates the difference between the brightness value of the designated attention pixel and the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels (step S109).

The threshold setting means 171c sets a value obtained by multiplying the calculated average value of surrounding pixels by a predetermined threshold multiplier TR as the threshold Th (step S111).

Next, the defect determination means 171b adds the offset value to the threshold Th set in step S111 and sets it as a new threshold Th (step S113). The average value of surrounding pixels may also be "0". When the average value of surrounding pixels is "0", even if multiplied by the threshold magnification TR is still "0". On the other hand, in order to prevent the threshold Th from being "0", the defect determination means 171b sets the threshold Th as the new threshold Th by adding a value such as "150" to the offset value. The offset value is a preset value.

The defect determination means 171b compares whether the difference between the brightness value of the noticeable pixel calculated in step S109 and the average value of the surrounding pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold Th set in step S113 (step S114).

As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that the difference between the brightness value of the attention pixel and the average value of the surrounding pixels is greater than the threshold Th set in step S113 (YES in step S115), the defect determination means 171b determines the attention pixel Correspondingly, the photographic element of the camera 12 has a photographic pixel defect, and the correction means 171d corrects the brightness value of the pixel of interest to the average value of the surrounding pixels (step S116). If it is determined that the difference between the brightness value of the pixel of interest and the average value of the surrounding pixels is equal to or less than the threshold value Th set in step S113 (NO in step S115), the process proceeds to the next step without correction.

Next, the correction means 171d determines whether the pixel of interest is the last pixel in the column (whether it is the rightmost pixel). That is, it is determined whether the value of the coordinate X of the pixel of interest is equal to the number of lines of the image pixel array (step S117). If it is determined that it is not the last pixel in its list (NO in step S117), then the coordinate value of X is incremented by 1 (step S118), and the next pixel of interest is designated (step S104), and the subsequent steps are performed Treatment. If it is determined that it is the last pixel in the column (the rightmost pixel) (YES in step S117), it is determined whether the pixel of interest is the last column. That is, it is determined whether the value of the coordinate Y of the pixel of interest is equal to the number of columns of the image pixel array (step S119). If the pixel of interest is not the last column (NO in step S119), then the coordinate value of X is 0 and the coordinate value of Y is increased by 1 (step S120), and the next pixel of interest is designated (step S104), Perform the processing of the following steps. If it is determined that the pixel of interest is the last row (YES in step S119), the correcting means 171d stores the captured image data to the memory unit 172 when no correction has been performed, and when the correction has been performed, The corrected corrected image data is stored in the memory section 172 (step S121). Then, the captured image data obtained by the above-mentioned processing is used for the judgment processing of display pixel defects and the like.

As described above, the image generating device 1 according to the first embodiment includes: a mounting table 11 on which a display panel P as an object to be inspected; a camera 12 provided opposite to the display panel P; Image data, the average value of the brightness values of the surrounding pixels of the attention pixel is calculated as the means of calculating the average value of the surrounding pixels 171a; the difference between the brightness value of the attention pixel and the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels is the set When the threshold value is exceeded, the defect determination means 171b that determines that the photography pixel of the photography element of the camera 12 corresponding to the attention pixel has a photography pixel defect; and the defect determination means 171b determines the photography element of the camera 12 corresponding to the attention pixel When a photographic pixel has a photographic pixel defect, the brightness value of the focused pixel is corrected to the average value of the surrounding pixels, and the corrected image data obtained by the correction is stored in the correction means 171d of the memory unit 172.

Therefore, even if the image captured by the camera 12 contains abnormal brightness points (caused by the camera's brightness abnormalities) due to photographic pixel defects and abnormal brightness points (caused by the panel) caused by display pixel defects In the case of abnormal brightness point), the abnormal brightness point caused by the camera and the abnormal brightness point caused by the panel can also be distinguished. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the abnormal point of the photographic brightness by correction, and only the bright spot defect of the display panel P is detected, so the defect of the display panel P can be accurately determined.

<Second Embodiment>

The image generation device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is executed by the processing unit 171, and the calculation means 171a, the defect determination means 171b, the threshold setting means 171c, and the correction means 171d are virtually constructed, but it is not limited thereto, and can also be used The integrated circuit is equipped with calculation means, defect determination means, threshold setting means, and correction means.

The second embodiment of the present invention exemplifies an image generation device 1 in which calculation means, defect determination means, threshold setting means, and correction means are installed using an integrated circuit.

FIG. 7 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing device 17 included in the image generation device 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image processing device 17 of the image generating device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a capture card 174 having an integrated circuit.

The capture card 174 uses an integrated circuit to mount the calculation means 174a, the defect determination means 174b, the threshold setting means 174c, and the correction means 174d. The processing contents of these calculation means 174a, defect determination means 174b, threshold setting means 174c, and correction means 174d are the same as those of the calculation means 171a, defect determination means 171b, threshold setting means 171c, and correction in the first embodiment described above. The means 171d is carried out according to the same concept, and the processing flow of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can also be applied to the second embodiment.

Specifically, the calculation means 174a includes an addition circuit and a division circuit. The addition circuit is to add up the brightness values of the surrounding pixels of the noticeable pixel according to the image data captured by the camera 12, and the division circuit is to divide the summed value by the number of surrounding pixels to calculate the average value of the surrounding pixels . The peripheral pixel number system is, for example, "3" when the attention pixel is located at the corner, "5" when the attention pixel is located at the side, and "8" when the attention pixel is located at another position.

The defect determination means 174b includes a subtraction circuit and a selection circuit. The subtraction circuit calculates the difference by subtracting the average value of the surrounding pixels from the brightness value of the pixel of interest. Then, the threshold Th is subtracted from the difference. When the value obtained by subtracting the threshold Th from the difference is a positive value, the selection circuit sends a signal indicating the brightness abnormality point (caused by the camera brightness abnormality) caused by the camera's pixel defects to the correction means 174d. When the value obtained by subtracting the threshold value Th from the difference is a negative value, a signal indicating a brightness abnormality point that is not caused by a pixel defect of the camera is sent to the correction means 174d.

The threshold setting means 174c is provided with a multiplication circuit. The multiplication circuit multiplies the average value of the surrounding pixels by the threshold magnification TR input from the outside, and supplies the threshold Th to the selection circuit.

The correcting means 174d corrects the brightness value of the image pixel indicating the abnormality point caused by the brightness of the camera supplied by the defect determining means 174b to the average value of the surrounding pixels for the captured image and stores it in the memory section 172, and the defect determining means 174b The supplied representation is not caused by the abnormality of the brightness of the camera, and the image pixels are stored in the memory section 172 without correction.

As described above, in the image generating device 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention, the capture card 174 is provided on the downstream side of the camera 12 and on the upstream side of the memory section 172, and the calculation circuit 174a is formed by an integrated circuit , Defect determination means 174b, threshold setting means 174c, and correction means 174d.

Therefore, when the images captured by the camera 12 are sequentially supplied from the external network section 173 to the capture card 174 in the form of captured image data, the capture card 174 sequentially performs processing in the order in which they are supplied, and the The image data (corrected image data) is stored in the memory section 172. Therefore, since the processing is continuously executed, the time until the end of the processing can be greatly shortened compared to the virtual construction of the calculation means, defect determination means, threshold setting means, and correction means by executing the program. In addition, if the integrated circuit included in the capture card 174 uses a semiconductor chip that can rewrite the circuit (such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)), it can be used with measurement objects, photographic methods, etc. It is better to customize various means easily with specifications.

12‧‧‧Camera

15‧‧‧ Panel drive signal generator

16‧‧‧Panel power supply

17‧‧‧Image processing device

19‧‧‧ Input

20‧‧‧ Output

171‧‧‧ Processing Department

171a‧‧‧Calculation method

171b‧‧‧Defect judgment method

171c‧‧‧threshold setting method

171d‧‧‧Amendment

172‧‧‧ Memory Department

173‧‧‧External Network Department

Claims (4)

An image generation device includes: a mounting table on which a display panel to be inspected is placed; photography means provided opposite to the display panel; calculation means based on image data captured by the photography means The average value of the brightness values of the surrounding pixels of the attention pixel is regarded as the average value of the surrounding pixels; the defect determination means is that the difference between the brightness value of the attention pixel and the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels is the set threshold In the above, it is determined that the photographic element of the photographic element of the photographing means corresponding to the attentional pixel is defective; and the correction means is that the defect determination means determines the photographic element of the photographic means corresponding to the attentional pixel When a defect occurs in the photographic pixel, the brightness value of the noticeable pixel is corrected to the average value of the surrounding pixels, and the corrected image data obtained by the correction is stored in the memory section. The image generation device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the defect determination means includes: threshold setting means, which is set based on the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels for each of the attention pixels The dynamic value is set as the aforementioned threshold. The image generating device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the calculation means, the defect determination means, and the correction means are constituted by an integrated circuit provided between the photography means and the memory section. An image generation method corrects an image used for inspecting a display panel by using a mounting table and a photographing method, the mounting table mounts the display panel as an object to be inspected, the photographing means is provided opposite to the display panel, the image The generating method includes: a calculation step, which is to calculate the average value of the brightness values of the surrounding pixels of the noticeable pixel as the average value of the surrounding pixels based on the image data captured by the aforementioned photographing means; When the difference between the brightness value of the pixel and the calculated average value of the surrounding pixels is equal to or greater than the set threshold, it is determined that the photographic pixel of the photographic element of the photographing means corresponding to the noticeable pixel is defective; and the correction procedure is When the defect determination means determines that the photographic element of the photographing element of the photographing means corresponding to the attentional pixel is defective, the brightness value of the attentional pixel is corrected to the average value of the surrounding pixels, and the correction is performed by the correction The obtained corrected image data is stored in the memory section.

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