Electrode pattern inspection device and method for detecting voltage variation

Abstract

With DC constant current applied to an end of one of transparent electrodes by a constant current application terminal, a voltage is measured at an end of a transparent electrode adjacent to the foregoing electrode by a voltage detection terminal, while a common electrode is earthed by applying a brush earth terminal thereto in the vicinity of the foregoing transparent electrode. If the transparent electrode is broken, the DC constant current application circuit detects a voltage saturation state, whereas if the transparent electrode is short-circuited, the DC voltage detection circuit detects variation in the foregoing voltage. A short-circuiting/wire breakage memory circuit stores the detected irregularity of the voltage as defect information, and either wire breakage or short-circuiting is detected on the basis of the defect information. This provides an electrode pattern inspection device and method that ensures inspection of electrode patterns formed in a stripe form, whose ends on one side are connected with a common electrode, without being affected by, for example, a degree of precision in positioning of the electrode patterns.