US Patent 7166856 Apparatus and method to inspect display panels

An apparatus and method to inspect a display panel that can correctly detect a defect of the display panel itself. In the method of inspecting the display panel, a first image is captured from the display panel in a state in which no pattern is applied to the display panel. Light is then irradiated on the display panel in a state in which a pattern is applied to the display panel, and a second image is captured from the display panel. The first image can be compared with the second image, and a determination can be made as to whether or not a defect of the display panel is present.