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Display quality has never been more valued than it is today—and not just because we want the ultimate HDTV experience or the prestige that comes with owning the latest OLED smartphone (although these are definitely factors). The crux of the matter is that displays are more critical to device function and control than ever before. Think about it—how many analog components have been replaced by displays in this year’s vehicles? Beyond GPS panels, displays now function as consoles for all vehicle controls, including navigation, entertainment, heating and air conditioning, and even dashboard indicators and gauges. This trend continues in appliances, aerospace, commercial buildings, manufacturing spaces, and beyond. Displays are everywhere, and they are becoming central to the way we accomplish everyday tasks...

Replacing human inspectors with imaging colorimeters is one way manufacturers can ensure improved, consistent quality in the displays leaving the factory. Imaging colorimeters replicate human visual perception, meaning they “see” light and color the way a human does. In other words, an imaging colorimeter is a digital human eye. It combines the accuracy of human vision with the high repeatability of an automated system. This combination makes an imaging colorimeter superior in inspection applications than its human counterpart. Here’s why...

The market for flat panel displays (FPDs) has undergone tremendous growth, driven mostly by increased demand for televisions, cell phones, computers, digital cameras and MP3 players. Similarly, applications for solid-state sources are expanding and include automotive lighting, surgical lamps, architectural luminaires, LED signs and a variety of consumer lighting products.

The need to support higher production quantities, together with escalating consumer demands for quality and competitive pressure, requires a metrology system that can provide manufacturers with high speed, accurate measurements of display and source luminance, color and defect characteristics. 

In this article we look at the basic operating principles and performance tradeoffs of imaging colorimeters, a class of instruments that enable spatially resolved measurements of color and luminance that are directly applicable to FPDs and solid-state sources...

Precision measurement of luminance and chromaticity in information displays, light sources, or other light emitting or reflecting materials requires careful consideration of application requirements in order to identify the optimal light measurement system for the job. Resolution, imaging speed, and other parameters should be carefully weighed when designing a system. Imaging colorimeters are high sensitivity, high-accuracy CCD-based imaging systems and with multiple sensor, filter, and lens options available, and these systems can be optimized to meet the specific needs of an application. The priority of each of the following parameters should serve as a guide for selecting a colorimeter-based system...