Test method, test apparatus and display device

Abstract

The inspection method includes the steps of: capturing a display panel containing pixels to generate first image data; detecting a stain area of ​​the display panel based on the first image data to generate boundary data; deblurring the first image data for a boundary area located at the boundary of the stain area based on the boundary data to generate second image data; and setting a correction area including the boundary area based on the second image data to generate correction data.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device. More specifically, it relates to an inspection method for generating correction data for a display panel included in the display device and an inspection device for performing the same. Additionally, it relates to a display device for storing the correction data. Background Technology

[0002] A display device is a device that displays images to provide visual information to users. Among display devices, organic light-emitting diode displays have recently been attracting attention.

[0003] Display devices can be manufactured using an inkjet process. During the inkjet process, TiOx material contained in the ink may be deposited within the inkjet nozzles of the inkjet device. As a result, the pixels included in the display device may have different brightness or stains.

[0004] In order to remove stains from a display device and improve the brightness uniformity of the display device, stain correction can be performed by capturing an image displayed on the display device, generating stain correction data based on the captured image, and writing the correction data to the display device. The problem to be solved

[0005] One objective of the present invention is to provide an inspection method for generating correction data to correct the image quality of a display device.

[0006] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an inspection device that performs the above inspection method.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a display device that stores the correction data.

[0008] However, the objectives of the present invention are not limited to the objectives described above and may be extended in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. means of solving the problem

[0009] To achieve one objective of the present invention, an inspection method according to embodiments may include the steps of: capturing a display panel including pixels to generate first image data; detecting a stain area of ​​the display panel based on the first image data to generate boundary data; deblurring the first image data for a boundary area located at the boundary of the stain area based on the boundary data to generate second image data; and setting a correction area including the boundary area based on the second image data to generate correction data.

[0010] In one embodiment, the step of generating the first image data may generate the first image data by performing boundary image processing on the captured initial image data.

[0011] In one embodiment, the step of generating the boundary data may obtain a luminance profile of the display panel along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the stain area.

[0012] In one embodiment, the step of generating the boundary data can obtain the amount of change of the luminance profile based on the luminance profile.

[0013] In one embodiment, the step of generating the boundary data can detect the boundary of the stain area based on the amount of change.

[0014] In one embodiment, the display panel may further include a non-boundary area adjacent to the boundary area.

[0015] In one embodiment, the step of generating the second image data may further include the step of blurring the first image data for the non-boundary region based on the boundary data.

[0016] In one embodiment, the pixels are located in the correction region and include boundary pixels that overlap with the boundary region, and the correction region may include sub-correction regions corresponding to each of the boundary pixels.

[0017] In one embodiment, the step of generating the correction data may generate the correction data by calculating a correction value corresponding to the sub-correction area.

[0018] To achieve another objective of the present invention, an inspection device according to embodiments may include: an imaging unit that captures a display panel including pixels and generates first image data; a detection unit that detects a stain area of ​​the display panel based on the first image data and generates boundary data; an image processing unit that deblurs the first image data for a boundary area located at the boundary of the stain area based on the boundary data and generates second image data; an area setting unit that sets a correction area including the boundary area based on the second image data; and a correction data for the correction area based on the second image data.

[0019] In one embodiment, the detection unit may generate the first image data by performing boundary image processing on the captured initial image data.

[0020] In one embodiment, the detector can obtain a luminance profile along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the stain area.

[0021] In one embodiment, the detector can obtain a change amount of the luminance profile based on the luminance profile.

[0022] In one embodiment, the detection unit can detect the boundary of the stain area based on the amount of change.

[0023] In one embodiment, the display panel may further include a non-boundary area adjacent to the boundary area.

[0024] In one embodiment, the image processing unit can blur the first image data for the non-boundary region based on the boundary data.

[0025] In one embodiment, the pixels are located in the correction region and include boundary pixels located in the boundary region, and the correction region may include a sub-correction region corresponding to each of the boundary pixels.

[0026] In one embodiment, the operation unit can generate the correction data by calculating a correction value corresponding to the sub-correction area.

[0027] To achieve another objective of the present invention, a display device according to embodiments comprises a display panel including pixels, a data driver providing data signals to the pixels, a gate driver providing gate signals to the pixels, a controller controlling the data driver and the gate driver, and a correction data memory storing pixel correction data for correcting each of the boundary pixels located at the boundary of a preset area among the pixels included in the display panel, and image quality correction data for correcting the entire display panel. The controller may include a data correction unit that corrects input image data based on the pixel correction data and the image quality correction data to generate output image data. Effects of the invention

[0028] An inspection method according to embodiments of the present invention can generate correction data for correcting stains on a display panel. The correction data can be applied to the display panel to remove stains on the display panel. Accordingly, the image quality of the display panel can be improved.

[0029] In addition, the correction data may include correction values ​​for each pixel located in the boundary area of ​​the stain. Therefore, fine correction of the display panel may be possible, and the image quality of the display panel may be improved.

[0030] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above and may be extended in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an inspection device according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a stain correction unit included in the inspection device of FIG. 1. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of each of the initial image data, the first image data, and the boundary data. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of each of the first image data and the second image data. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of each of the second image data and correction data. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an inspection method using the inspection device of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the boundary data generation step included in the inspection method of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a graph showing the luminance profile of a display panel and the amount of change of the luminance profile. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second image data generation step included in the inspection method of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the correction data generation step included in the inspection method of FIG. 6. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a display device according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a data correction unit included in the display device of FIG. 11. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical components in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of identical components are omitted.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an inspection device according to embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a stain correction unit included in the inspection device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of each of initial image data, first image data, and boundary data, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of each of the first image data and second image data, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of each of the second image data and correction data.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an inspection device (100) according to embodiments of the present invention can generate correction data for a display panel (200). In one embodiment, the inspection device (100) can perform an inspection process including stain correction and image quality correction for the display panel (200). The inspection device (100) may include an imaging unit (110), a stain correction unit (120), and an image quality correction unit (130). The stain correction unit (120) may include a detection unit (122), an image processing unit (124), a region setting unit (126), and a calculation unit (128). The display panel may include a plurality of pixels (PX).

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the imaging unit (110) may include a camera unit (112) and a boundary image processing unit (114). The camera unit (112) included in the imaging unit (110) may capture an image displayed on the display panel (200) to obtain initial image data (IID). In one embodiment, the camera unit (112) included in the imaging unit (110) may include a specific camera such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera. However, it is not limited thereto.

[0036] The boundary image processing unit (114) included in the above-mentioned imaging unit (110) can perform boundary image processing on the above-mentioned initial image data (IID). By the boundary image processing unit (114) performing the boundary image processing on the captured above-mentioned initial image data (IID), a first image data (ID1) can be generated. In the first image data (ID1) on which the boundary image processing has been performed, the stained part of the display panel (200) can be displayed more clearly compared to the above-mentioned initial image data (IID). The stained part of the display panel (200) may be a part of the display panel (200) with relatively low brightness.

[0037] The detection unit (122) can detect a stain area (SA) of the display panel (200) based on the first image data (ID1). The stain area (SA) may be an area where the stain portion of the display panel (200) is located. The stain area (SA) may extend in a first direction (DR1). For example, the first direction (DR1) may be the X-axis direction.

[0038] Specifically, the detection unit (122) can obtain a luminance profile of the display panel (200) according to the second direction (DR2). The second direction (DR2) may be perpendicular to the first direction (DR1). For example, when the first direction (DR1) is the X-axis direction, the second direction (DR2) may be the Y-axis direction. The detection unit (122) can obtain a change amount of the luminance profile based on the luminance profile. An area where the change amount is greater than a reference value may be the boundary of the stain area (SA). Accordingly, the detection unit (122) can detect the boundary of the stain area (SA) based on the luminance profile and the change amount. The detection unit (122) can generate boundary data (BID) based on the detected boundary of the stain area (SA).

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the image processing unit (124) can generate second image data (ID2) based on the boundary data (BID).

[0040] The above display panel (200) may include a boundary area (BA) and a non-boundary area (NBA). The boundary area (BA) may be located at the boundary of the stain area (SA). The non-boundary area (NBA) may be adjacent to the boundary area (BA). The non-boundary area (NBA) may surround the boundary area (BA).

[0041] The image processing unit (124) can deblur the first image data (ID1) with respect to the boundary region (BA). The image processing unit (124) can blur the first image data (ID1) with respect to the non-boundary region (NBA).

[0042] Through the above blurring process and the above deblurring process, the boundary region (BA) can be displayed relatively more clearly in the second image data (ID2) than in the first image data (ID1).

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the area setting unit (126) can set a correction area (CA) based on the second image data (ID2). The correction area (CA) may include the boundary area (BA). For example, the correction area (CA) may include the boundary area (BA) and a part of the non-boundary area (NBA) adjacent to the boundary area (BA). However, it is not limited thereto, and the correction area (CA) may include only the boundary area (BA).

[0044] In one embodiment, the pixels (PX) may include boundary pixels (BPX). The boundary pixels (BPX) may be located in the correction region (CA). The boundary pixels (BPX) may overlap with the boundary region (BA). The correction region (CA) may cover the boundary pixels (BPX) entirely. The boundary region (BA) may not cover the boundary pixels (BPX) entirely. That is, the boundary region (BA) may overlap with a part of the boundary pixels (BPX). Additionally, the boundary pixels (BPX) may overlap with a part of the non-boundary region (NBA). However, embodiments according to the present invention are not limited thereto, and the boundary region (BA) may cover the boundary pixels (BPX) entirely. Additionally, the boundary pixels (BPX) may overlap only with the boundary region (BA) and not overlap with the non-boundary region (NBA).

[0045] The above correction region (CA) may include a plurality of sub-correction regions (SCA). The sub-correction regions (SCA) may be set corresponding to each of the boundary pixels (BPX). One sub-correction region (SCA) may be set for each boundary pixel (BPX).

[0046] The above sub-correction regions (SCA) can be combined to form the above correction region (CA).

[0047] The above-mentioned operation unit (128) can generate correction data (CID) for the correction area (CA). The above-mentioned operation unit (128) can calculate a correction value for each of the sub-correction areas (SCA). That is, the above-mentioned operation unit (128) can calculate the correction value for each of the pixels (PX) located in the correction area (CA). The above-mentioned operation unit (128) can generate the correction data (CID) using the calculated correction values. Correction for each of the pixels (PX) can be performed using the correction data (CID).

[0048] Correction for each of the above pixels (PX) (e.g., stain correction) and correction for the entire display panel (200) (e.g., image quality correction) may be performed separately. The image quality correction unit (130) may perform an inspection process that includes correction for the entire display panel (200) rather than correction for each of the above pixels (PX). The image quality correction unit (130) may include a calculation unit, and the calculation unit may calculate a correction value for the entire display panel (200) based on the initial image data (IID) captured through the imaging unit (110). The image quality correction unit (130) may generate image quality correction data by calculating the correction value and may perform image quality correction for the entire display panel (200).

[0049] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an inspection method using the inspection device of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a boundary data generation step included in the inspection method of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a graph showing a luminance profile of a display panel and a change amount of the luminance profile.

[0050] For example, the inspection method according to FIG. 6 can be performed by the inspection device (100) according to FIG. 1 to 5. Accordingly, the parts of the inspection method described with reference to FIG. 6 that are identical to the inspection device (100) described with reference to FIG. 1 to 5 may be omitted below.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, and FIGS. 6, the inspection method according to embodiments of the present invention can generate correction data for a display panel (200).

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, FIGS. 3, FIGS. 6, and FIGS. 7, the inspection method may generate a first image data (ID1) by capturing the display panel (200) (S100). The step (S100) of generating the first image data (ID1) may utilize an imaging unit (110). The imaging unit (110) may include a camera unit (112) and a boundary image processing unit (114). The boundary image processing unit (114) included in the imaging unit (110) performs boundary image processing, and the imaging unit (110) may generate the first image data (ID1) based on the initial image data (IID) through the boundary image processing.

[0053] In one embodiment, the step (S100) of generating the first image data (ID1) can clearly display the stained portion of the display panel (200) in the first image data (ID1) compared to the initial image data (IID) through the boundary image processing.

[0054] The above inspection method can generate boundary data (BID) based on the first image data (ID1) (S200). The step of generating the boundary data (BID) (S200) can detect a stain area (SA) of the display panel (200). The step of generating the boundary data (BID) (S200) can utilize a detection unit (122). The detection unit (122) can obtain a luminance profile and a change amount of the luminance profile (S210, S220). The detection unit (122) can generate a graph based on the luminance profile and the change amount of the luminance profile.

[0055] Referring further to FIG. 8, the graph may represent the luminance profile and the amount of change in the luminance profile. The Y-axis of the graph representing the luminance profile may be the luminance value of each pixel (PX) measured along the second direction (DR2). Thus, the part where the luminance value is relatively small may be the stain area (SA). The Y-axis of the graph representing the amount of change may be the amount of change in the luminance value of each pixel measured along the second direction (DR2). For example, the Y-axis of the graph may be the ratio of change in the luminance value. Thus, the area where the pixel with a large amount of change is located may be the boundary of the stain area (SA).

[0056] The step of generating the boundary data (BID) (S200) can detect the boundary of the stain area (SA) and the stain area (SA) through the graph and generate the boundary data (BID) (S230).

[0057] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second image data generation step included in the inspection method of FIG. 6.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, FIGS. 4, FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 9, the inspection method can generate the second image data (ID2) based on the boundary data (BID). The step (S300) of generating the second image data (ID2) can generate the second image data (ID2) by blurring and deblurring the first image data (ID1).

[0059] Specifically, the step (S300) of generating the second image data (ID2) may utilize an image processing unit (124). The image processing unit (124) may set a boundary area (BA) and a non-boundary area (NBA) based on the boundary data (BID). The image processing unit (124) may deblur the first image data (ID1) with respect to the boundary area (BA) (S310) and blur the first image data (ID1) with respect to the non-boundary area (NBA) (S320). The image processing unit (124) may blur the non-boundary area (NBA) by applying a blurring filter.

[0060] The blurring process for the non-boundary region (NBA) and the deblurring process for the boundary region (BA) may be performed sequentially. However, embodiments according to the present invention are not limited thereto, and the blurring process and the deblurring process may be performed simultaneously.

[0061] In one embodiment, the step (S300) of generating the second image data (ID2) can clearly display the boundary area (BA) of the display panel (200) in the second image data (ID2) compared to the first image data (ID1) through the blurring process and the deblurring process.

[0062] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the correction data generation step included in the inspection method of FIG. 6.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, FIGS. 5, FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 10, the inspection method can set a correction area (CA) based on the second image data (ID2) (S410). The correction area (CA) may include the boundary area (BA).

[0064] The step (S410) of setting the correction area (CA) may utilize a region setting unit (126). The region setting unit (126) may set a sub-correction area (SCA) corresponding to each boundary pixel (BPX) included in the boundary area (BA). The correction area (CA) may be composed of the sub-correction areas (SCA) corresponding to the boundary pixels (BPX).

[0065] The location of the sub-correction area (SCA) may be set based on the location of each of the boundary pixels (BPX). Additionally, the area of ​​the sub-correction area (SCA) may be set based on the area of ​​each of the boundary pixels (BPX). For example, the boundary pixels (BPX) may include a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel. A red sub-correction area, a green sub-correction area, and a blue sub-correction area may be set corresponding to each of the red pixel, the green pixel, and the blue pixel. Each of the red sub-correction area, the green sub-correction area, and the blue sub-correction area may have a different location depending on the location of each of the boundary pixels (BPX). Additionally, each of the red sub-correction area, the green sub-correction area, and the blue sub-correction area may have a different area depending on the area of ​​each of the boundary pixels (BPX). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sub-correction areas (SCA) may have the same location and / or area.

[0066] The above inspection method can generate correction data (CID) for the correction area (CA) (S420). The step of generating the correction data (CID) (S420) may utilize the calculation unit (128). The step of generating the correction data (CID) (S420) can calculate a correction value for each of the sub-correction areas (SCA). Therefore, the correction values ​​for different sub-correction areas (SCA) may differ from each other. The step of generating the correction data (CID) (S420) can generate the correction data (CID) based on the correction values ​​(S400).

[0067] In one embodiment, the inspection device (100) may generate the correction data (CID) according to the inspection method. The correction data (CID) may be applied to the display panel (200), and the stains on the display panel (200) may be removed by adding the correction data (CID) to the display panel (200). Accordingly, the image quality of the display panel (200) may be improved.

[0068] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a display device according to embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a data correction unit included in the display device of FIG. 11.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 11, a display device (1000) according to embodiments of the present invention may include a display panel (200), a data driver (1020), a gate driver (1030), a correction data memory (1040), and a controller (1050).

[0070] The display panel (200) may include a plurality of pixels (PX). The data driver (1020) may provide data signals (DS) to the pixels (PX). The gate driver (1030) may provide gate signals (GS) to the pixels (PX). The correction data memory (1040) may store pixel correction data (1042) and image quality correction data (1044). The controller (1050) may control the operation of the display device (1000). The controller (1050) may include a data correction unit (1060).

[0071] The display panel (200) may include a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines, and pixels (PX) connected to the plurality of data lines and the plurality of gate lines. In one embodiment, each pixel (PX) may include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), at least one capacitor, and at least two transistors. The display panel (200) may be an OLED display panel. However, the display panel (200) is not limited thereto and may be any display panel.

[0072] The data driver (1020) may generate data signals (DS) based on output image data (ODAT) and a data control signal (DCTRL) received from the controller (1050), and provide the data signals (DS) corresponding to the output image data (ODAT) to the pixels (PX). For example, the data control signal (DCTRL) may include, but is not limited to, an output data enable signal, a horizontal start signal, and a load signal. The data driver (1020) may be implemented with one or more data integrated circuits (ICs). Additionally, the data driver (1020) may be mounted on the display panel (200) in a Chip-On-Glass (COG) manner or connected to the display panel (200) in a Chip-On-Film (COF) manner. In another embodiment, the data driver (1020) may be integrated into the periphery of the display panel (200).

[0073] The gate driver (1030) may generate the gate signals (GS) based on the gate control signal (GCTRL) output from the controller (1050) and provide the gate signals (GS) to the pixels (PX). The gate control signal (GCTRL) may include, but is not limited to, a frame start signal and a gate clock signal. In one embodiment, the gate driver (1030) may be implemented as an amorphous silicon gate (ASG) driver integrated in the periphery of the display panel (200). In another embodiment, the gate driver (1030) may be implemented with one or more gate ICs. Additionally, according to an embodiment, the gate driver (1030) may be mounted on the display panel (200) in the COG manner or connected to the display panel (200) in the COF manner.

[0074] Referring further to FIG. 12, the correction data memory (1040) may store the pixel correction data (1042) and the image quality correction data (1044). The pixel correction data (1042) may be generated by performing stain correction on the pixels (PX) included in the display panel (200). Additionally, the image quality correction data (1044) may be generated by performing image quality correction on the display panel (200) in its entirety.

[0075] For example, the pixel correction data (1042) may be correction data (CID) generated by the stain correction unit (120) of FIG. 1. The image quality correction data (1044) may be image quality correction data generated by the image quality correction unit (130) of FIG. 1.

[0076] In one embodiment, the pixel correction data (1042) may be data for correcting each of the boundary pixels (e.g., boundary pixels (BPX) in FIG. 5) located at the boundary of a preset area (e.g., the stain area (SA) in FIG. 3) among the pixels (PX) included in the display panel (200). The preset area may be an area determined to be a stain area when performing an inspection process including stain correction and image quality correction for the display panel (200).

[0077] The pixel correction data (1042) may be a set of correction data for each pixel (PX) located at the boundary of the preset area. The image quality correction data (1044) may be data for correcting the entire display panel (200). Accordingly, the pixel correction data (1042) may be correction data for removing stains on the display panel (200), and the image quality correction data (1042) may be correction data for uniformly correcting the image quality of the entire display panel (200).

[0078] The above controller (e.g., Timing Controller (T-CON)) (1050) may receive input image data (IDAT) and a control signal (CTRL) from an external host. In one embodiment, the control signal (CTRL) may include, but is not limited to, a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, an input data enable signal, a master clock signal, etc. The controller (1050) may generate the output image data (ODAT), the data control signal (DCTRL), and the gate control signal (GCTRL) based on the input image data (IDAT) and the control signal (CTRL). The controller (1050) may provide the output image data (ODAT) and the data control signal (DCTRL) to the data driver (1020) to control the operation of the data driver (1020). The controller (1050) can control the operation of the gate driver (1030) by providing the gate control signal (GCTRL) to the gate driver (1030).

[0079] The above controller (1050) may include the data correction unit (1060). The data correction unit (1060) may correct the input image data (IDAT) based on the pixel correction data (1042) and the image quality correction data (1044). The data correction unit (1060) may correct the input image data (IDAT) to generate the output image data (ODAT).

[0080] In one embodiment, the data correction unit (1060) may include the first data correction block (1062) and the second data correction block (1064). The first data correction block (1062) may receive the pixel correction data (1042) from the correction data memory (1040). The first data correction block (1062) may generate correction applied data (CDAT) by adding the pixel correction data (1042) to the input image data (IDAT). The second data correction block (1064) may receive the image quality correction data (1044) from the correction data memory (1040). The second data correction block (1064) may generate the output image data (ODAT) by adding the image quality correction data (1044) to the correction applied data (CDAT).

[0081] Meanwhile, FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the pixel correction data (1042) and the image quality correction data (1044) are added to the input image data (IDAT) in that order, but embodiments according to the present invention are not limited thereto. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the image quality correction data (1044) and the pixel correction data (1042) may be added to the input image data (IDAT) in that order. In yet another embodiment, the pixel correction data (1042) and the image quality correction data (1044) may be added to the input image data (IDAT) simultaneously. That is, stain correction (e.g., correction for each pixel (PX)) and image quality correction for the display panel (200) may be performed simultaneously.

[0082] As described above, the display device (1000) according to embodiments of the present invention may store pixel correction data (1042) and image quality correction data (1044). The display device (1000) may correct the input image data (IDAT) based on the pixel correction data (1042) and the image quality correction data (1044). Accordingly, stains on the display panel (200) included in the display device (1000) may be removed, and image quality may be improved.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Industrial applicability

[0084] The inspection method, inspection device, and display device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be applied to display devices included in computers, laptops, mobile phones, smartphones, smartpads, PMPs, PDAs, MP3 players, etc. Explanation of the symbols

[0085] 100: Inspection device 110: Imaging unit 120: Stain correction unit 130: Image quality correction unit 200: Display panel 122: Detector 124: Image processing unit 126: Region setting unit 128: Operation Unit IID: Initial Image Data ID1: 1st image data ID2: 2nd image data BID: Boundary data BA: Boundary area NBA: Non-boundary area CA: Correction area SCA: Sub-correction area BPX: Boundary pixel CID: Correction data 1040: Correction data memory 1042: Pixel correction data 1044: Image quality correction data 1050: Controller 1060: Data correction unit

Claims

Claim 1 An inspection method comprising: a step of generating first image data by capturing a display panel including pixels; a step of generating boundary data by detecting a stain area of ​​the display panel based on the first image data; a step of generating second image data by deblurring the first image data for a boundary area located at the boundary of the stain area based on the boundary data; and a step of generating correction data by setting a correction area including the boundary area based on the second image data, wherein the step of generating the first image data is characterized by generating the first image data by performing boundary image processing on the captured initial image data. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 In claim 1, the step of generating the boundary data is characterized by obtaining a luminance profile of the display panel along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the stain area. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the step of generating the boundary data is characterized by obtaining a change amount of the luminance profile based on the luminance profile. Claim 5 In claim 4, the step of generating the boundary data is characterized by detecting the boundary of the stain area based on the amount of change. Claim 6 An inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the display panel further includes a non-boundary area adjacent to the boundary area. Claim 7 In claim 6, the step of generating the second image data further comprises the step of blurring the first image data for the non-boundary region based on the boundary data. Claim 8 A method for inspection according to claim 1, wherein the pixels are located in the correction area and include boundary pixels that overlap with the boundary area, and the correction area includes sub-correction areas corresponding to each of the boundary pixels. Claim 9 In claim 8, the step of generating the correction data is characterized by generating the correction data by calculating a correction value corresponding to the sub-correction area. Claim 10 An inspection device comprising: an imaging unit that generates first image data by performing boundary image processing on initial image data that captures a display panel including pixels; a detection unit that generates boundary data by detecting a stain area of ​​the display panel based on the first image data; an image processing unit that generates second image data by deblurring the first image data for a boundary area located at the boundary of the stain area based on the boundary data; a region setting unit that sets a correction area including the boundary area based on the second image data; and a calculation unit that generates correction data for the correction area based on the second image data. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 In claim 10, the inspection device is characterized in that the detection unit obtains a luminance profile of the display panel along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the stain area. Claim 13 In claim 12, the inspection device is characterized in that the detection unit obtains the amount of change of the luminance profile based on the luminance profile. Claim 14 In claim 13, the inspection device is characterized in that the detection unit detects the boundary of the stain area based on the amount of change. Claim 15 In claim 10, the inspection device is characterized in that the display panel further includes a non-boundary area adjacent to the boundary area. Claim 16 In claim 15, the inspection device is characterized in that the image processing unit blurs the first image data for the non-boundary region based on the boundary data. Claim 17 An inspection device according to claim 10, wherein the pixels are located in the correction area and include boundary pixels located in the boundary area, and the correction area includes a sub-correction area corresponding to each of the boundary pixels. Claim 18 In claim 17, the inspection device is characterized in that the above-mentioned calculation unit calculates a correction value corresponding to the above-mentioned sub-correction area to generate the above-mentioned correction data. Claim 19 delete

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