A digital image-based measurement system for a LCD backlight module

A LCD light guide plate is an element of the LCD backlight module that is often used for the display of compact electronic devices. In this study, a vision system is proposed to detect the degree of uniformity of light reflection using a light guide plate before the diffuser has been attached. A new bright spot search and statistical software has been designed and the parameters for the LCD light guide plate can be adjusted before manufacture to provide greater economy and make the device user friendly. Since many different types of backlight modules had to be analyzed in this study, we used different methods to determine the nonuniform factors and the backlight module area for each type. A wrapping algorithm is presented in the searching and statistic process of bright spot. This algorithm can combine the procedures of segmentation process and nonlinear grey scale mapping. After revising carved depth of the poor brightness area, the diffuser was attached and the analysis performed again to verify the design procedure correction. When the source light density is adjusted, the lighting error for the on line inspection is retained to within 3%. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.