JP2002297091A - Plasma display panel, drive method therefor, and plasma display - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology capable of surely performing the writing of data, even if write time is set short in a PDP(plasma display panel). SOLUTION: In this plasma display panel, when a scanning pulse is applied to a scanning electrode 11, a potential difference of (Vt-Vg) is generated between a first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and a second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, which are connected to the scanning electrode 11. As a result, auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, every time the scanning pulse is applied to the scanning electrode 11. Then, when the auxiliary discharge is generated, space charges are generated in discharge space, while a data pulse is applied to a data electrode 21 corresponding to a lighting cell, every time the scanning pulse is applied to the scanning electrode 11. At this time, since great numbers of charged particles generated by the auxiliary discharge exist in the cell, write discharge is generated surely in a very short time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure and a driving method of a flat type plasma display panel used for a display device of an information terminal device or a personal computer, or an image display device of a television.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Plasma display panels (PDPs)
Can be roughly classified into a direct current type (DC type) and an alternating current type (AC type). At present, the AC type suitable for enlargement is mainly used. A general AC surface discharge type PDP for performing color display in RGB and a driving method thereof are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-6-186927, JP-A-5-307935, and the like. is there.

[0003] The PDP is configured such that a front cover plate and a back plate are arranged in parallel at an interval.
Scan electrodes and sustain electrodes are arranged in stripes on the front cover plate, and are covered with a dielectric layer from above. On the other hand, data electrodes and partitions are arranged on the back plate in a stripe shape in a direction perpendicular to the display electrodes, and red, green, and blue ultraviolet-excited phosphor layers are arranged in gaps between the partitions. I have. A cell is formed between the two plates at a plurality of locations where the electrodes cross three-dimensionally, and a discharge gas is sealed in a discharge space in the cell.

In the driving method, first, in an initializing period, an initializing pulse is applied to the scan electrodes to perform an initializing discharge for discharging in all cells in the panel. This initializing discharge uniformly generates space charges over the entire panel,
An object of the present invention is to store wall charges effectively acting on the next write discharge on the data electrode side. Next, during a writing period, simultaneously with sequentially applying a negative scanning pulse to the scanning electrodes and selectively applying a positive data pulse to the data electrodes, a cell to be lit (hereinafter, referred to as a “lighting cell”). Write is performed within the cell to perform writing. Here, generally, a write sustain discharge is generated between the scan electrode and the sustain electrode due to the write discharge, and the write is completed.

Next, in the sustain period, a high-voltage sustain pulse is alternately applied to the scan electrodes and the sustain electrodes. At this time, discharge is selectively repeated in the previously written cell, and an image is displayed by light emission accompanying the sustain discharge. Then, wall charges accumulated in the dielectric by the sustain discharge up to that time are erased by the erase pulse applied to the sustain electrode during the erase period.

[0006]

In such a PDP, it has been a problem to improve the light emission luminance. By the way, in order to improve the light emission luminance of the PDP, since only the sustain period among the above-described initialization period, write period, sustain period, and erase period actually contributes to the light emission of the cell, the period other than the sustain period is shortened. It is desired that the maintenance period be as long as possible.

In order to shorten the writing period, it is desirable to set the pulse width of the scan pulse applied to the scan electrode and the pulse width of the data pulse applied to the data electrode as short as possible. Today, there is an increasing demand for a display device that can display fine images. However, in order to perform fine writing without increasing the length of the writing period, attempts are currently being made to reduce the pulse width to about 1.0 μsec or less. Has also been made.

However, there is some variation in the time from the start of the application of the scanning pulse and the data pulse to the occurrence of the discharge. Therefore, as the pulse width of the scanning pulse and the data pulse is shortened, writing failure is more likely to occur. Problem. Then, when a writing failure occurs, the lighting cell is not turned on, so that the image quality of the displayed image is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of reliably performing writing even if the writing time is set short.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a scanning pulse is sequentially applied to a plurality of first electrodes and a data pulse is selectively applied to a plurality of third electrodes during a writing period. In the driving method in which a write discharge is selectively generated in a plurality of cells and writing is performed, and in a light emission period after the write period, the written cells are driven by light emission, When a pulse is being applied, a write assist discharge having a smaller discharge magnitude than the write discharge is generated at least in a cell or a periphery of the cell to which writing is selectively performed among a plurality of cells.

According to the present invention, the priming particles are generated by the write assist discharge at least in the cell or the periphery of the cell to be selectively written, so that a state in which the write discharge easily occurs is formed in the space in the cell. . Therefore, the time from the start of the application of the scanning pulse and the data pulse to the occurrence of the discharge becomes extremely short.
Therefore, even if the pulse widths of the scanning pulse and the data pulse are set short, a writing failure hardly occurs and writing can be performed reliably.

Further, since the write assist discharge has a smaller discharge scale than the write discharge, the write assist discharge itself does not result in a write discharge, and the amount of light emission accompanying the write assist discharge is small and the influence on the contrast is small. As a method of generating the write assist discharge in the write period as described above, there are the following methods (1) to (4).

(1) In a writing period, for a cell other than a cell to which writing is selectively performed, that is, a non-lighting cell, a third electrode has the same polarity as a data pulse in synchronization with a scanning pulse applied to the first electrode. Are applied. As a result, a writing discharge is generated in a lighting cell along the first electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied, and a writing auxiliary discharge is generated in a non-lighting cell. Priming particles generated by this writing discharge or writing auxiliary discharge flow into cells along the first electrode to which a scanning pulse is applied next,
The space in the cell along the scan electrode to which the scan pulse is applied is in a state where discharge easily occurs.

(2) In the writing period, the voltage between the first electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied and the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied becomes the voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode. Adjust so as to exceed the discharge starting voltage. Also in this case, a writing discharge is generated in a lighting cell along the first electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied, and a writing auxiliary discharge is generated in a non-lighting cell. Priming particles generated by the writing discharge or the writing auxiliary discharge flow into a cell along the first electrode to which a scanning pulse is applied next, and the space in the cell along the scanning electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied is Then, a state where discharge easily occurs is obtained.

(3) An auxiliary discharge electrode is provided on the PDP adjacent to each first electrode, and during the writing period, the first electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied and the auxiliary electrode adjacent to the first electrode are provided. A write assist discharge is generated between the discharge electrode and the discharge electrode. As a result, in a cell along the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied, a writing auxiliary discharge is generated between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode to generate priming particles. Is in a state where discharge easily occurs.

(4) The PDP includes a first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to each first electrode and a second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrode.
An auxiliary discharge electrode is provided, and a write auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode during a writing period. In this case, a write assist discharge can be generated in a cell along the first electrode to which a scan pulse is applied, and a write assist discharge can be generated in a cell along the first electrode to which a scan pulse is applied next. An auxiliary discharge may be generated. In any case, a writing auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode to generate priming particles, so that the space in the cell is in a state where discharge easily occurs.

In the above (1) and (2), unnecessary wall charges are accumulated in the dielectric layer on the scan electrodes, or conversely, necessary wall charges are reduced due to the occurrence of the write assist discharge. Although it is possible that such an effect may occur,
In the above cases (3) and (4), the auxiliary discharge electrodes for the write auxiliary discharge are provided separately from the scan electrodes and the data electrodes, so that the formation of wall charges by the original write discharge is hardly affected. Particularly in (4), a writing auxiliary discharge occurs between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode,
It hardly affects the wall charge formation due to the original write discharge.

The amount of light emitted by the write assist discharge is preferably in the range of 1/10 to 1/100 of the amount of light emitted by the discharge generated during the writing period in the cell to be written. The driving method and the driving circuit according to the above (1) are described in detail in Embodiments 1-1 to 1-1.
As will be described in 1-5, in order to generate a write assist discharge during a write period, cells other than cells to be selectively written are applied to a third electrode in synchronization with a scan pulse to a first electrode. An auxiliary pulse having the same polarity as the data pulse may be applied.

The auxiliary pulse may be set to have a pulse width shorter than that of the data pulse or a lower absolute value of the average voltage than that of the data pulse.
The wave height may be set lower than the data pulse, or the waveform of the auxiliary pulse may be triangular or pulse train.
When applying the auxiliary pulse, of all the cells other than the cell to be selectively written, a cell existing near the cell to be written is detected, and the auxiliary pulse is selectively applied to the detected cell. It may be applied.

In the case of driving by a time division gray scale display method having a plurality of subfields in one field, in a writing period of a subfield having a specific luminance weight selected from a plurality of subfields in one field. A write assist discharge may be generated, or for each field, it is determined whether or not the number of light emitting cells in the field period satisfies a certain criterion. The write assist discharge may be generated.

The driving method and the driving circuit according to the above (2) will be described in detail in Embodiments 2-1 to 2-3. In the writing period, the first electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied, By adjusting the voltage between the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied and the discharge start voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode, a writing assist discharge can be generated.

Here, during the writing period, a first base pulse having the same polarity as the data pulse is applied to the entirety of the plurality of third electrodes, and the data pulse is applied to the third electrode while being superimposed on the first base pulse. Alternatively, in the writing period, a second base pulse having the same polarity as the scan pulse may be applied to the entire plurality of first electrodes, and the scan pulse may be superimposed on the second base pulse and sequentially applied to the first electrode. Alternatively, during the writing period, the wave height of the scan pulse applied to the first electrode may be changed by changing the voltage between the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied and the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied. , May be set to exceed the firing voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode.

With respect to the voltage of the second electrode during the writing period, the cell in which the writing discharge has occurred has the first voltage.
A write sustain discharge is induced between the electrode and the second electrode to generate a write sustain discharge, and a write sustain discharge is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode in a cell in which the write assist discharge has occurred. It is preferable to keep it within such a range as not to do so.

The panel configuration, driving method and driving circuit according to (3) are described in detail in Embodiments 3-1 to 3-6.
In the writing period, when a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode, the auxiliary electrode is so arranged that the voltage between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent thereto exceeds the discharge start voltage. What is necessary is just to adjust the voltage applied to a discharge electrode.

The driving circuit operates by using a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse applied to the first electrode during the sustain period, and using the output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit as a reference potential, during the initialization period prior to the writing period. An initialization pulse generation circuit for applying an initialization pulse to the first electrode;
A scan pulse generation circuit that operates using an output voltage of the initialization pulse generation circuit as a reference potential and sequentially applies a scan pulse to the first electrode, and operates using an output voltage of the initialization pulse generation circuit or the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential. A discharge induction pulse for generating an auxiliary discharge between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode may be constituted by a discharge induction pulse output circuit applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode.

Alternatively, the driving circuit includes a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse applied to the first electrode during the sustain period;
An initialization pulse generation circuit that operates using the output voltage of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential and applies an initialization pulse to the first electrode during an initialization period prior to a writing period; and an output voltage of the initialization pulse generation circuit as a reference potential. And a scan pulse generation circuit that sequentially applies a scan pulse to the first electrode, and operates using the output of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential, so that the auxiliary discharge electrode has a voltage higher than the initialization pulse applied to the first electrode. A second initialization pulse generation circuit for applying a low second initialization pulse; and an operation using the output of the second initialization pulse generation circuit as a reference potential to generate an auxiliary discharge between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. A discharge trigger pulse output circuit for applying a discharge trigger pulse to the auxiliary discharge electrode may be used.

Alternatively, the driving circuit includes a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse applied to the first electrode during the sustain period;
An initialization pulse generation circuit that operates using the output voltage of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential and applies an initialization pulse to the first electrode during an initialization period prior to a writing period; and an output voltage of the initialization pulse generation circuit as a reference potential. , And operates using the output voltage of the scan pulse generation circuit that sequentially applies the scan pulse to the first electrode and the output voltage of the sustain pulse generation circuit as the reference potential, and generates an auxiliary discharge between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. A discharge-inducing pulse output circuit for applying a discharge-inducing pulse to the auxiliary discharge electrode; and an output having a lower voltage than an initialization pulse applied to the first electrode, the output of the discharge-inducing pulse output circuit being operated as a reference potential. A second initialization pulse generating circuit for applying two initialization pulses may be used.

In the sustain period, a sustain pulse having the same waveform is applied to the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode, or an initialization pulse having the same waveform is applied to the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode in an initialization period prior to the writing period. You can also. In the initialization period prior to the writing period, the potential of the auxiliary discharge electrode may be lower than the potential of the first electrode. In this case, a positive polarity initialization pulse may be applied to the first electrode during the initialization period to maintain the auxiliary discharge electrode at the ground potential, or the positive polarity may be applied to the first electrode during the initialization period. A reset pulse may be applied, and a negative pulse may be applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode.

In the sustain period, it is preferable to maintain the auxiliary discharge electrode in a high impedance state or to maintain the potential of the auxiliary discharge electrode within a range in which the potentials of the first and second electrodes fluctuate. For this purpose, the discharge-inducing pulse output circuit or the second initialization pulse generating circuit is used to maintain the auxiliary discharge electrode in a high impedance state or to change the potential of the auxiliary discharge electrode to a range in which the potentials of the first and second electrodes fluctuate. It should be able to be maintained within.

In the writing period, the timing at which the writing auxiliary discharge is generated is preferably at the same time as or before the timing at which the application of the data pulse to the third electrode is started, and the timing at which the scanning pulse is applied to the first electrode. It is preferable to apply a data pulse to the third electrode with a time delay of 500 ns or less.

With respect to the panel structure, the gap between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is 、 of the amplitude of the scanning pulse between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode.
It is preferable to set the distance at which discharge occurs when a voltage corresponding to the above is applied. Further, when a voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the scanning pulse is applied between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode, the discharge between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode starts. The distance should be set so as to exceed the voltage.

The gap between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is preferably not less than 10 μm and not more than 50 μm. The gap between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is preferably set smaller than the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode. The gap in the electrode lead-out portion between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is formed when the voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the scan pulse is applied between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. It is preferable that the distance is set so that no discharge occurs in the lead-out portion.
It is preferable that it is not less than μm and not more than 300 μm.

In the vicinity of the auxiliary discharge electrode, it is preferable to form a light shielding film for blocking light generated by the auxiliary discharge from reaching the panel surface. It is preferable to form a projection protruding from one of the auxiliary discharge electrode and the scanning electrode to the other for each cell. The panel configuration, the driving method, and the driving circuit according to (4) will be described in detail in Embodiments 4-1 to 4-6. However, in the writing period, when a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode. , A first electrode adjacent to the first electrode
What is necessary is just to adjust so that the voltage between the auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent thereto exceeds the discharge starting voltage between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode.

The driving circuit operates by using a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse to be applied to the first electrode during the sustain period, an output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit as a reference potential, and an initializing period prior to the writing period. An initializing pulse generating circuit for applying an initializing pulse to the first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode; a scan pulse for operating with the output voltage of the initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential and sequentially applying a scan pulse to the first electrode A discharge inducing pulse that operates using the output voltage of the generation circuit and the initialization pulse generation circuit or the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential and generates an auxiliary discharge between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode; What is necessary is just to comprise the discharge induction pulse output circuit which applies an auxiliary discharge electrode.

Alternatively, the driving circuit includes a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse applied to the first electrode during a sustain period;
An initialization pulse generation circuit that operates using the output voltage of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential and applies an initialization pulse to the first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode during an initialization period prior to a writing period; and an initialization pulse generation circuit. And a sustain pulse generating circuit that operates with the output voltage of the reference pulse as a reference potential and sequentially applies a scanning pulse to the first electrode, and operates with the output of the sustain pulse generating circuit as the reference potential. A second initialization pulse generation circuit for applying a second initialization pulse having a low voltage, and an operation performed using an output of the second initialization pulse generation circuit as a reference potential, and a circuit between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. And a discharge induction pulse output circuit for applying a discharge induction pulse for generating an auxiliary discharge to the second auxiliary discharge electrode.

Alternatively, the driving circuit includes a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse applied to the first electrode during the sustain period;
An initialization pulse generation circuit that operates using the output voltage of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential and applies an initialization pulse to the first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode during an initialization period prior to a writing period; and an initialization pulse generation circuit. The first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge are operated by using the output voltage of the first auxiliary discharge electrode as a reference potential and operating with the output voltage of the sustain pulse generation circuit applying the scan pulse to the first electrode sequentially. A discharge-inducing pulse output circuit for applying a discharge-inducing pulse for generating an auxiliary discharge between the electrodes to the second auxiliary discharge electrode, and an output of the discharge-inducing pulse output circuit operating as a reference potential; A second initialization pulse generating circuit that applies a second initialization pulse having a lower voltage than the initialization pulse may be used.

Each first electrode and a first electrode adjacent to the first electrode
The auxiliary discharge electrodes may be connected to each other, and the same voltage waveform may be applied to each first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode. In the sustain period, a sustain pulse having the same waveform may be applied to the first electrode, the first auxiliary discharge electrode, and the second auxiliary discharge electrode.

In the initialization period prior to the writing period, the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode is preferably adjusted to be lower than the potential of the first auxiliary discharge electrode. Therefore, during the initialization period, a positive polarity initialization pulse may be applied to the first auxiliary discharge electrode to maintain the second auxiliary discharge electrode at the ground potential, or the first auxiliary discharge electrode may be maintained during the initialization period. , A positive polarity initialization pulse may be applied, and a negative polarity pulse may be applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode.

In the sustain period, it is preferable to maintain the second auxiliary discharge electrode in a high impedance state or to maintain the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode within a range in which the first electrode and the second electrode fluctuate. . Therefore, the discharge inducing pulse output circuit or the second initialization pulse generation circuit is connected to the second
Maintaining the auxiliary discharge electrode in a high impedance state,
The potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode may be maintained within a range in which the potentials of the first electrode and the second electrode fluctuate.

In the writing period, the timing at which the writing auxiliary discharge is generated is preferably at the same time as or before the timing at which the application of the data pulse to the third electrode is started. It is preferable to apply a data pulse to the third electrode with a time delay of 500 ns or less. In addition,
In the writing period, a writing auxiliary discharge may be generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode to which the next scan pulse is applied.

In this case, each first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied next to the first electrode are connected to each other, and during the writing period,
The same voltage waveform may be applied to the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied and the first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode to which the next scan pulse is applied. With respect to the panel configuration, the gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrode is equal to the scan pulse amplitude between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. Of 1
Is preferably set to a distance at which a discharge occurs when a voltage corresponding to / 2 or more is applied.
It is preferably set to be not more than μm.

The gap in the electrode lead-out portion between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrode is located between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. It is preferable to set a distance at which no discharge occurs at the electrode lead-out portion when a voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the scanning pulse is applied.
The thickness is preferably 300 μm or less.

It is preferable to form a light-shielding film near the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode to block light generated by the auxiliary discharge from reaching the panel surface. It is preferable that a projection projecting from one of the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode to the other is formed for each cell.

[0044]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1-1 (Overall Configuration of PDP Display Device) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment. P
The overall configuration of the DP display device will be described below, but it is the same as a general surface discharge type PDP.

The structure of the PDP 1 is a conventional general PDP.
And a plurality of scanning electrodes 11 extending in the horizontal direction.
And a plurality of sustain electrodes 12 extending in parallel with each of the scanning electrodes 11 and a plurality of data electrodes 21 extending in the vertical direction. Although not shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a configuration in which a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate are arranged with a gap therebetween, and a discharge space is formed by filling a discharge gas in the gap. The scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12 The data electrodes 21 are provided on the opposite surface of the rear glass substrate on the opposite surface of the front glass substrate. Further, a dielectric layer and a protective layer are disposed on the front glass substrate so as to cover the scan electrodes 11 and the sustain electrodes 12, and phosphor layers of RGB colors are disposed on the data electrodes 21 on the rear glass substrate. ing.

A plurality of discharge cells arranged in a matrix are formed at the positions where the scanning electrodes 11 and the data electrodes 21 intersect, and an image is displayed by a combination of lighting and non-lighting of each discharge cell. It has become.
In PDP, one frame (1
A driving method (time-division in-field gray scale display method) in which a TV field) is time-divided into a plurality of subframes (subfields) and expressed by a combination thereof is used.

For example, in an NTSC television image, an image is composed of 60 fields per second, so that the time of one TV field is 16.7 ms.
Is set to FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method of dividing one field when expressing 256 gradations, and the horizontal direction indicates time. As shown in this figure, one TV field is composed of eight subfields, and the ratio of the lighting time of each subfield is 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32,
64 and 128 are set. Then, by combining the lighting / non-lighting of the cells in each subfield, the lighting time of each cell in one TV field can be reduced by two.
Control is performed in 56 steps.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a driving waveform by the driving circuit, and shows one subfield. The whole method is the same as the driving method of a general surface discharge type PDP, but first, in the initialization period, the scan electrodes 1 are driven.
1, an initialization pulse 100 is applied to perform an initialization discharge for discharging in all cells in the panel. By this initialization discharge, space charges are uniformly generated on the entire surface of the panel, and wall charges effectively acting on the write discharge are accumulated on the data electrode 21 side.

Next, in the writing period, a negative scanning pulse 110 is sequentially applied to the scanning electrodes, and at the same time, a positive data pulse 130 corresponding to the display data is applied to the cells existing at the intersections. A write discharge is generated in the inside to perform writing. Next, in the sustain period, high-voltage sustain pulses 401 and 402 are alternately applied to the scan electrodes 11 and the sustain electrodes 12. At this time, the discharge is repeated only in the cell in which the write discharge has occurred first, and display is performed using light emission at the time of the sustain discharge. Then, in the erasing period following the last of the sustaining period, the erasing pulse 403 is applied to the sustaining electrode 12 to erase the wall charges accumulated in the dielectric layer by the sustaining discharge up to that time.

(Driving Waveform and Circuit) A driving circuit for realizing the above driving waveform will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the present PDP display device includes a scan pulse generation circuit 50 that sequentially applies scan pulses to a plurality of scan electrodes 11, and collectively initializes and sustains pulses for a plurality of scan electrodes 11. And sustain pulse generation circuit 6
0, a sustain / erase pulse generation circuit 7 for collectively applying a sustain pulse and an erase pulse to a plurality of sustain electrodes 12
0, a data pulse generating circuit 80 for applying a data pulse corresponding to the display data to the data electrode 21, and a panel control circuit 90 for processing the video data and controlling each of the pulse generating circuits.

The panel control circuit 90 extracts video data for each field from the input video data, creates video data of each subfield (subfield image data) from the extracted field video data, and stores the video data in the frame memory. While storing the current subfield image data stored in the frame memory.
Data is output to the data pulse generation circuit 80 line by line. Also, based on the input video data, based on a horizontal synchronizing signal, a vertical synchronizing signal, etc., a trigger signal for instructing an application timing of an initialization pulse, a scanning pulse, a data pulse, a sustain pulse, an erasing pulse, etc. is generated. The signals are sent to the pulse generation circuits 50, 60, 70, 80.

Then, each of the pulse generating circuits 50, 60, 7
0, 80 applies a pulse to each of the electrodes 11, 12, 21 in accordance with an instruction pulse sent from the panel control circuit 90. The scanning pulse generation circuit 50 and the initialization / sustain pulse generation circuit 60 are connected such that the output of the initialization / sustain pulse generation circuit 60 is set to the temporary ground level Vg so that the scan pulse generation circuit 50 operates, and the scan pulse generation circuit 50 operates. Circuit 5
Around 0, a power supply 51 of the scanning pulse generation circuit 50, a capacitor 52, an FET 53, and an FET 54 are provided.

During the writing period, the FET 53 is turned ON, F
ET54 is turned off, and in other periods, FET
53 is turned OFF and FET 54 is turned ON, whereby power is supplied from the power supply 51 to the scan pulse generation circuit 50 only during the writing period. In the writing period, the reference potential of the scan electrode 11 (the reference potential at point P in FIG. 1) is maintained at the potential Vt by the capacitor 52, and the amplitude (Vt− Vg), a negative scan pulse is applied (see FIG. 3).

The data pulse generation circuit 80 will be described later in detail, but temporarily stores subfield image data (data indicating lighting (ON) or non-lighting (OFF) for each data electrode 21) input line by line. A line memory 81 (see FIG. 6) for temporarily storing data is provided, and outputs data pulses in parallel to the plurality of data electrodes 21 during the writing period.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the scanning electrodes 11 and the data electrodes 21 in the PDP 1. In the figure, the squares where the electrodes intersect are indicated by squares. The cell which is the minimum light emitting unit is shown. The plurality of scanning electrodes 11 extending in the horizontal direction are arranged in the order of X0, X1,..., Xn-1, Xn, Xn + 1. The plurality of data electrodes 21 extending in the vertical direction
.., Zm-1, Zm, Zm + 1,... Are arranged from left to right.

Hereinafter, in this specification, the symbols X0, X
, Xn-1, Xn, Xn + 1 ..., Z0, Z1, ..., Zm-1,
When Zm, Zm + 1,... Are used, a cell (hatched in FIG. 4) existing at the intersection of the scanning electrode Xn and the data electrode Zm among the plurality of cells is a lighting cell, and the others. Are non-lighting cells. FIG. 5 is an example of a driving waveform applied to each of the scanning electrodes 11 and the data electrodes 21 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, while the scan pulse 110c is applied to the scan electrode Xn, the data pulse 130 is applied to the data electrode Xm corresponding to the lighting cell, and the scan electrodes Xn-2 and Xn-1 are applied. , Xn + 1, the data pulse 130 is applied to the data electrode Xm corresponding to the non-lighting cell during each period in which the scanning pulses 110a, 110b, 110d are applied.

As shown in FIG. 3, sustain / erase pulse generating circuit 70 applies a sustain write pulse 120 of positive polarity and amplitude Ve to sustain electrode 12 during the write period.
Is applied. The sustain write pulse 120 is used to generate a write sustain discharge when a write discharge occurs and to accumulate negative charges in the dielectric layer on the sustain electrode 12.

According to the above driving method, during the writing period, in the cells along the scanning electrode to which the scanning pulse 110 is applied, the writing discharge occurs in the lit cells, and the writing is not performed in the non-lit cells. A write auxiliary discharge (hereinafter, simply referred to as “auxiliary discharge”) is generated to such an extent that it is not performed. Then, in the lighting cell, the write discharge is induced, and the write sustain is generated by the write discharge, and the write is completed. On the other hand, although the auxiliary discharge occurs in the non-lighted cell, the write sustain discharge does not occur because the discharge scale is small.

Then, the priming particles generated by the write discharge or the auxiliary discharge also flow into cells along the scan electrode to which a scan pulse is applied next (ie, cells adjacent to the lower side). Therefore, when the next scan pulse is applied, the space in the cell along the scan electrode to which the scan pulse is applied is in a state where discharge is likely to occur (the priming particles that have flowed in assist the write discharge). Therefore, in the lighting cell, the writing discharge occurs in a very short time after the start of the application of the scanning pulse and the data pulse (the writing discharge delay is reduced).

Accordingly, by setting the pulse widths of the scanning pulse and the data pulse to be short (about 1.0 μsec), the writing time can be shortened and the occurrence of writing failure can be suppressed. Next, a description will be given of a configuration in which driving for selectively applying a data pulse and an auxiliary pulse to the data electrode 21 in the writing period as described above is performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data pulse generating circuit 80 includes, for each data electrode 21, an auxiliary pulse generator 83 for generating an auxiliary pulse, in addition to a data pulse generator 82 for generating a data pulse. And a switching device 84 for selectively operating both of the pulse generators 82 and 83 (FIG. 6 shows this configuration only for the leftmost data electrode 21 and omits the rest). .

The switch 84 is connected to the line memory 81
When the corresponding data stored in the line memory indicates lighting (ON), the data pulse generator 82 is driven to apply a data pulse to the data electrode 21, and the corresponding data stored in the line memory 81 is turned on. When it indicates non-lighting (OFF), the auxiliary pulse generator 83 is driven to apply an auxiliary pulse to the data electrode 21.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the panel configuration and the basic driving method are the same as those of the related art, and a high-quality display can be obtained while shortening the writing time. [Embodiment 1-2] The overall configuration of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1-1 above. In addition, in the writing period, the auxiliary pulse is applied to the data electrode 21 corresponding to the non-lighted cell, and the data pulse is applied to the data electrode 21 corresponding to the lighted cell in the same manner as in Embodiment 1-1. is there.

In the above embodiment 1-1, the pulse width of the auxiliary pulse is set shorter than the pulse width of the data pulse. However, in the present embodiment, the average voltage absolute value of the auxiliary pulse is set to the average of the data pulse. Set lower than the absolute voltage value. Here, since both the auxiliary pulse and the data pulse have positive polarity, the average voltage of the auxiliary pulse is set lower than the average voltage of the data pulse.

By defining the waveform of the auxiliary pulse in this manner, an auxiliary discharge having a smaller discharge magnitude than the write discharge is generated in the non-lighting cells along the scan electrode to which the scan pulse is applied. The same effect as in the embodiment 1-1 can be obtained. Next, specific examples of the waveform of the auxiliary pulse are shown in FIGS. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the pulse widths are
.. and the data pulse 130, there is no great difference, but the peaks of the auxiliary pulses 150a, 150b.
It is set smaller than the wave height of 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the waveform of the auxiliary pulse is triangular. When the auxiliary pulse is formed into a triangular waveform in this manner, the auxiliary discharge gradually occurs, so that it is possible to suppress minute light emission accompanying the auxiliary discharge. Therefore,
This also has the effect of preventing deterioration in contrast. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7C, the waveform of the auxiliary pulse is a pulse train including a plurality of pulses having a short width.

In the case where the auxiliary pulse is formed into a pulse train as described above, the auxiliary discharge is gradually generated, so that it is possible to suppress the minute light emission accompanying the auxiliary discharge and to prevent the deterioration of the contrast. Play. [Embodiment 1-3] In the above embodiment 1-1, eight subfields (SF1 to S1) constituting one field
In all of F8), the auxiliary pulse is applied to the data electrode corresponding to the non-lighted cell, whereas in the present embodiment, in the subfield (subfield SF1 to SF5) having a relatively large luminance weight, the An auxiliary pulse is applied to the data electrode corresponding to the lighting cell, while a subfield (subfield SF6) having a relatively small luminance weight is applied.
In the writing period of SF8), an auxiliary pulse is not applied to the data electrode corresponding to the non-lighted cell, and only the writing pulse is applied.

That is, FIG.
In any of SF8, when the scan pulse 110c is applied to the scan electrode Xn, writing is performed by applying the data pulse 130 to the data electrode Zm corresponding to the lighting cell. However, in the subfields SF1 to SF5, the scan electrode is applied. When the scan pulse 110c is applied to Xn, auxiliary pulses 150a,
150b... While subfields SF6-S
In F8, when the scan pulse 110c is applied to the scan electrode Xn, the data electrode Zm corresponding to the non-lighted cell is applied.
2 shows a state in which no auxiliary pulse is applied.

By the above-described driving, in the upper subfield period having a large visual effect, it is possible to perform writing reliably by the auxiliary discharge even in a short writing time, and an effect of obtaining a high quality display without lighting failure is obtained. Can be On the other hand, the auxiliary discharge is not performed in the lower subfield, so that there is no effect of ensuring writing. However, since the luminance weight is small, even if a writing failure occurs, the visual effect is small.

Further, as compared with the above-mentioned Embodiment 1-1,
The number of auxiliary discharges in one field decreases. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the downsides of the decrease in contrast due to the auxiliary discharge and the increase in power consumption due to an increase in the number of times of charging / discharging between the data electrode and the scanning electrode, which is a capacitive load. As a circuit configuration for realizing the above driving method, a switch for turning on / off the function of the auxiliary pulse generator 83 is provided in the data pulse generation circuit 80, and the switch is turned on during the period from the first subfield to the fifth subfield. And 8 from the 6th subfield
The switch may be turned off during the period of the subfield.

[Embodiment 1-4] In the present embodiment,
When the image data of each field is a relatively bright image, the auxiliary pulse is applied to the non-lighted cells as described in the above-described Embodiment 1-1 (FIG. 5).
In the case of a dark image, no auxiliary pulse is applied.

Here, whether or not the image data of each field is bright can be determined by, for example, whether or not the total number of cells to be lit in one field exceeds 10% of the total number of cells of the PDP 1. Here, the “cell to be lighted in one field” refers to all cells other than the non-lighted cells in all subfields in one field. That is, 1 in 1 field
A cell lit even in one subfield corresponds to a “cell lit in one field”.

As described above, by generating the auxiliary discharge only when the image data of the field is relatively bright, the following effects are obtained. The effect of the lighting failure on the image is relatively small in a dark image and relatively large in a bright image. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, if a lighting failure is suppressed by generating an auxiliary pulse only for a bright image, a sufficiently high image quality display can be obtained.

On the other hand, when an auxiliary discharge is generated in a non-lighted cell, a small light emission is caused by the auxiliary discharge and the contrast is reduced. However, the decrease in the contrast due to the small light emission is relatively large in a dark image. Accordingly, in the case of a bright image as in the present embodiment, the contrast can be maintained by not generating the auxiliary discharge. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the image quality by preventing the lighting failure while maintaining the contrast.

Since the number of auxiliary discharges is reduced as compared with the embodiment 1-1, power consumption can be reduced accordingly. A circuit for implementing the above driving method may be as follows. In the data pulse generating circuit 80, a switch for turning on / off the function of the auxiliary pulse generator 83 is provided, and in the panel control circuit 90, a lighting cell number counting mechanism for counting the number of lighting cells in one field is provided.

When the total number of lighting cells counted by the lighting cell number counting mechanism satisfies a certain criterion (PD
When the number of cells counted by the lighting cell number counting mechanism is less than 10% of the total number of cells, the switch is turned on when the number of cells exceeds 10% of the total number of cells in P1). To [Embodiment 1-5] In the above-described Embodiment 1-1, the auxiliary discharge is generated in all the non-lighting cells during the writing period. However, in the present embodiment, even in the non-lighting cells, the auxiliary discharge is generated during the writing period. , An auxiliary discharge is generated only for those located near the lighting cell.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a driving waveform applied to each electrode in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the scanning pulse 110 is sequentially applied to each of the scanning electrodes Xn-2 to Xn + 1.
a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are applied. Then, the data pulse 130 is applied to the data electrode Zm corresponding to the lighting cell simultaneously with the scanning pulse 110c.

On the other hand, among the non-lighting cells, the data electrodes Zm-1, Zm, Zm + corresponding to those located in the vicinity of the lighting cell.
1, an auxiliary pulse 150 is applied at the same time as the scanning pulse, and among the non-lighting cells, data electrodes (not shown in FIG. Other than Zm, Zm + 1)
Do not apply 0.

As described above, even when the auxiliary pulse is applied to only the non-lighting cells that are located near the lighted cells, the write discharge occurs in the cells located immediately before the writing is performed on the lighted cells. And at least one of the auxiliary discharges and priming particles are generated, so that when writing is performed on the lighting cell, the writing discharges are assisted by the plumming particles. Therefore, high image quality display with no lighting failure can be obtained in the embodiment 1-1.
Is the same as

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, no auxiliary pulse is applied to the non-lighting cells away from the lighted cells, and no auxiliary discharge occurs. It can be suppressed only in the vicinity of the cell. Further, compared to the case where the auxiliary discharge is performed in all the cells as in Embodiment 1-1, the number of cells that perform the auxiliary discharge is reduced, so that the power consumption can be suppressed.

Here, how to distinguish "non-lighting cells" and "non-lighting cells" among non-lighting cells will be considered. The most important cell for generating the priming particles for assisting the writing discharge with respect to the lighting cell (the intersection of the scanning electrode Xn and the data electrode Zm) is the cell adjacent to the lighting cell and to which the scan pulse is applied immediately before ( Scan electrode Xn-1 and data electrode Zm
Intersection).

Therefore, among the non-lighted cells, at least the non-lighted cells adjacent above the lighted cells should be included in the “located near the lighted cells”. Specifically, for example, among the non-lighted cells, only those adjacent to the lighted cell are assumed to be “located in the vicinity of the lighted cell”, and the others are “not positioned in the vicinity of the lighted cell”. The non-lighting cells may be distinguished from those other than the non-lighting cells, and the non-lighting cells adjacent to the periphery of the lighted cells may be “located near the lighted cells” as in the example shown in FIG. The objects may be distinguished from those "not located near the lighting cell".

A circuit for realizing the above driving method may be as follows. In the data pulse generation circuit 80 shown in FIG. 6, the line memory 81 has a configuration capable of storing, in addition to the scanning line to which the current scanning pulse is applied, subfield information of several lines adjacent to the scanning line. I do. Further, in the data pulse generation circuit 80, by referring to the line memory 81, it is determined whether or not each cell on the scan line on which writing is currently performed is a cell located in the vicinity of the lighting cell. A judgment unit is provided.

When the corresponding data stored in the line memory 81 indicates lighting (ON), the switch 84 corresponding to each data electrode 21 drives the data pulse generator 82 to turn on the data electrode. 21. When the corresponding data stored in the line memory 81 indicates non-lighting (OFF), the judgment result of the judgment unit is further referred to, and "the vicinity of the lighting cell is detected." The auxiliary pulse generator 83 is driven to apply an auxiliary pulse to the data electrode 21 only when it is determined to be "positioned", and no pulse is applied when it is determined to be "not located near the lighting cell". .

[Embodiment 2-1] The overall configuration of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1-1 described above.
Is the same as that shown in FIG. FIG. 10 (A)
Shows a drive waveform applied to each electrode of the PDP 1 in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, all the data electrodes 21
, A database pulse 131 is applied collectively. Then, the scan pulses 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are sequentially applied to the scan electrodes Xn-2 to Xn + 1, and when the scan pulse 110c is applied to the scan electrode Xn, the data electrode Zm corresponding to the lighting cell is applied. , A data pulse 132 is superimposed on the database pulse 131.

During the writing period, the voltage of the sustain electrode 12 is kept constant. FIG. 10B shows a driving waveform according to the comparative example, in which the database pulse 131 is not applied to the data electrode 21 and only the data pulse 130 is applied during the writing period. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between potential differences generated between electrodes during a writing period in the driving method according to the present embodiment.

The setting of the amplitudes of the database pulse 131 and the data pulse 132 will be described with reference to FIG. Data pulse 13 to database pulse 131
2 (the sum of the amplitudes of the two pulses 131 and 132) corresponds to the scan electrode 1 to which the scan pulse 110 is applied.
1, database pulse 131 and data pulse 13
2 is applied to the data electrode 21 to which the potential difference 20 is applied.
3 is high enough to generate a write discharge (scan electrode 1
1 between the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse 110 is applied and the data electrode 21 to which only the database pulse 131 is applied. Potential difference 204
Is set slightly higher than the discharge start voltage 201 between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21 (to be lower than the voltage at which write discharge occurs).

The potential difference 205 between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12 is set so as not to exceed the discharge starting voltage 202 between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12. By the above setting, as shown in FIG. 10A, the voltage applied to the data electrode is higher than that in FIG. 10B according to the comparative example. Works.

The scanning electrode 11 to which the scanning pulse is applied
Among the cells along the line, in the lighting cells, the data pulse is applied at the same time as the application of the scan pulse, and the scan electrode 11 is applied.
The potential difference 203 between the scan electrode and the data electrode greatly exceeds the discharge start voltage 201 between the scan electrode and the data electrode, so that a write discharge occurs. Then, a write sustain discharge is induced by the write discharge, and writing is performed.

On the other hand, among the cells along the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse is applied, to the non-lighting cells, only the scan pulse is applied without applying the data pulse. Since the potential difference 204 between the electrode 11 and the data electrode 21 slightly exceeds the discharge start voltage 201 between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21, an auxiliary discharge occurs. Since the auxiliary discharge is weaker than the write discharge, no write is performed, and no write sustain discharge is induced.

As described above, in the cells along the scanning electrode 11 to which the scanning pulse is applied, the priming particles generated by the auxiliary discharge or the writing discharge are replaced by the cells along the scanning electrode 11 to which the next scanning pulse is applied. (I.e., the cells adjacent to the lower side), so that the space in the cell along the scan electrode to which the scan pulse is applied is in a state where discharge easily occurs.

Therefore, in the lighting cell, the writing discharge occurs in a very short time after the start of the application of the scanning pulse and the data pulse. Therefore, even if the pulse widths of the scanning pulse and the data pulse are set short (about 1.0 μsec),
The occurrence of write failure can be suppressed. That is, high-quality display can be obtained while shortening the writing time.

As a circuit configuration for applying the data pulse 132 superimposed on the database pulse 131 as described above, the data pulse generator 80 shown in FIG. A generated database pulse generator may be provided so that the data pulse and the database pulse can be superimposed and applied to the data electrode 21. By superimposing the data pulse and the database pulse in this way, it is relatively easy to apply a high-level voltage to the data electrode 21 as described above.

Next, the discharge scale of the auxiliary discharge will be considered. Each time a scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11, light emission due to write discharge and auxiliary discharge also occurs.
The graph 210 in (A) shows the light emission intensity when the light emission of the discharge generated on the data electrode Xm is observed with an oscilloscope using a photodiode or the like while sequentially moving downward following the scanning pulse. .

In the graph 210, it can be seen that a small light emission peak 211 due to the auxiliary discharge appears in the non-lighted cell, and a relatively large light emission peak 212 due to the write discharge and the write sustain discharge appears in the lighted cell. The emission peaks 211 and 212 are indicated by the same reference numerals in FIG. The magnitudes of the light emission peaks 211 and 212 are changed by changing the driving waveform, but the ratio of the light emission amount of the light emission peak 211 to the light emission amount of the light emission peak 212 is sufficient to generate priming particles to prevent the writing failure. In consideration of obtaining, it is preferable to set the range to 1/100 or more. On the other hand, if the ratio becomes too large, an erroneous address or a decrease in contrast occurs. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the ratio to a range of 1/10 or less in consideration of this point.

In the graph 210 of the light emission intensity in the comparative example of FIG. 10B, the light emission peak 212 due to the write discharge and the write sustain discharge is observed in the lit cell, but the light emission peak due to the auxiliary discharge in the non-lighted cell. 211
Is not observed. [Embodiment 2-2] The overall configuration of the PDP display device in the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 in Embodiment 1-1.

FIG. 12 shows the PDP 1 in this embodiment.
2 shows a driving waveform applied to each electrode of FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the scan base pulse 11 is applied to all the scan electrodes 11 during the writing period.
1 is constantly applied, and the scanning electrodes Xn-2, Xn-1, Xn,
Scan pulses 112a to 112d are sequentially applied to Xn + 1.
Is superimposed on the scan base pulse 111 and applied. When the scan pulse 112c is applied to the scan electrode Xn, the data electrode Zm corresponding to the lighting cell is
A data pulse 130 is applied.

During the writing period, a sustain base pulse 121 having the same polarity as the scan base pulse 111 is constantly applied to the sustain electrode 12. In the driving method of the present embodiment, the relationship of the potential difference between the electrodes during the writing period is the same as that shown in FIG. That is, the amplitude of the superimposed scan base pulse 111 and scan pulse 112 is the same as the scan electrode 11 to which the scan base pulse 111 and scan pulse 112 are superimposed and applied.
The potential difference 203 between the data electrode 21 to which the data pulse 130 is applied is high enough to cause write discharge, and the potential difference 203 between the scan electrode 11 to which the scan base pulse 111 and the scan pulse 112 are The potential difference 204 between the data electrode 21 to which the pulse 130 is not applied is set to be slightly higher than the discharge start voltage between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21 (lower than the voltage at which the write discharge occurs).

Further, the amplitude of the suspension base pulse 121 is
The potential difference between the scan electrode 11 to which the scan base pulse 111 and the scan pulse 112 are applied in a superimposed manner and the sustain electrode 12 to which the suspension base pulse 121 is applied is a potential difference between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12. It is set to be lower than the discharge starting voltage. By the above setting, as shown in FIG. 12, compared to FIG. 10B according to the comparative example,
The absolute value of the voltage applied to the scanning electrode becomes high. Then, during the writing period, the same operation as in the above-described embodiment 2-1 is performed.

That is, among the cells along the scan electrode to which the scan pulse 112 is applied, in the lighting cells, the scan pulse is applied and the data pulse is applied at the same time. Is the scanning electrode 1
Greatly exceeding the firing voltage between the first electrode and the data electrode 21;
Write discharge occurs. Then, a write sustain discharge is induced by the write discharge, and writing is performed.

On the other hand, since the data pulse is not applied to the non-lighted cell and only the scan pulse is applied, the potential difference between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21 is equal to the scan electrode 11.
The voltage slightly exceeds the discharge start voltage between the data electrode 21 and the data electrode 21. In this case, an auxiliary discharge occurs. This auxiliary discharge does not induce a write sustain discharge. The priming particles generated by the auxiliary discharge or the write discharge also flow into cells along the scan electrode to which the next scan pulse is applied. Is in a state where discharge easily occurs. Therefore, even if the pulse widths of the scanning pulse and the data pulse are set to be short (about 1.0 μsec),
The occurrence of write failure can be suppressed.

As described above, the scan base pulse 11
In order to apply the scan pulse 112 superimposed on the scan base pulse 111, a scan base pulse generator for applying the scan base pulse 111 is provided in the initialization / sustain pulse generation circuit 60 shown in FIG. The configuration may be such that the scan pulse 112 is superimposed and applied to the scan electrode 11. In order to apply the suspension base pulse 121 to the sustain electrode 12, the suspension / erasure pulse generation circuit 70 may be provided with a suspension base pulse generator.

By thus superimposing the scan base pulse and the scan pulse, it is relatively easy to apply a high-level voltage to the scan electrode 11 as described above. Also in the present embodiment, as in Embodiment 2-1 described above, discharge is generated every time a scan pulse is applied to scan electrode 11, as shown in graph 210 in FIG. In the minute light emission peak 211 and the lit cell, a relatively large light emission peak 212 due to the write discharge and the write sustain discharge appears. The ratio of the light emission amount of the light emission peak 211 to the light emission amount of the light emission peak 212 is 1/100 or more, and 1
It is preferable to adjust to a range of / 10 or less.

[Embodiment 2-3] The overall configuration of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment is also the same as that of Embodiment 1-1.
Is the same as that shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a drive waveform applied to each electrode of PDP 1 in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the driving method is basically the same as the general driving method, and as shown in FIG.
, Scanning pulses 113a to 113d are sequentially applied.
When applying the scan pulse 112c to the scan electrode Xn,
The data pulse 13 is applied to the data electrode Zm corresponding to the lighting cell.
Apply 0. During the writing period, a sustain base pulse 121 having the same polarity as the scan base pulse 111 is applied to the sustain electrode 12.

However, in this embodiment, scan pulse 1
The amplitudes of 13a to 113d are set to be considerably larger than those of the scanning pulse of FIG. The amplitude of the scan pulse 113 is such that the potential difference between the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse 113 is applied and the data electrode 21 to which the data pulse is not applied is smaller than the discharge starting voltage between the data electrode 21 and the scan electrode 11. The voltage is set to a high voltage that does not cause the write sustain discharge.

The amplitude of the data pulse 130 is such that the potential difference between the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse 113 is applied and the data electrode 21 to which the data pulse 130 is applied is such that write sustaining discharge occurs. Set to be voltage. Further, the amplitude of the suspension base pulse 121 is different between the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse 113 is applied and the sustain electrode 12 to which the suspension base pulse 121 is applied.
Is set to be lower than the discharge start voltage between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12.

With the above setting, the relationship between the potential differences generated between the electrodes during the writing period is similar to that shown in FIG. That is, among the cells along the scan electrode to which the scan pulse 113 is applied, in the lighting cells, the scan pulse is applied and the data pulse is applied at the same time, and the potential difference between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21 is reduced. In addition, a write discharge is generated that greatly exceeds a discharge start voltage between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21, and a write sustain discharge is induced by the write discharge to perform write.

On the other hand, the data pulse is not applied to the non-lighting cell, and only the scan pulse is applied.
The potential difference between 1 and the data electrode 21 slightly exceeds the discharge starting voltage between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21, and in this case, an auxiliary discharge occurs. This auxiliary discharge does not induce a write sustain discharge. As described above, the writing discharge occurs in the lit cells, and the auxiliary discharge is generated in the non-lit cells to such an extent that the writing is not performed. . Short pulse width of scan pulse and data pulse (about 1.0μsec)
Even if it is set, the occurrence of write failure can be suppressed.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the above-described Embodiment 2-1, as shown in a graph 210 in FIG. 13, a discharge is generated every time a scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11, and in a non-lighted cell, A small emission peak 211 due to the auxiliary discharge and a relatively large emission peak 212 due to the write discharge and the write sustain discharge appear in the lighting cell. The ratio of the light emission amount of the light emission peak 211 to the light emission amount of the light emission peak 212 is 1/100 or more,
It is preferable to adjust it within the range of 10 or less.

[Embodiment 3-1] (Configuration of PDP Display Device) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment. PD
The electrode configuration of P2 is almost the same as PDP1 shown in FIG.
The auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is provided adjacent to and parallel to the first discharge electrode 1.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the A- of the PDP 2 shown in FIG.
It is a structural sectional view in A '. In PDP 2, front glass substrate 10 and rear glass substrate 20 form discharge space 30.
Are arranged to face each other. Scan electrodes 11, sustain electrodes 12, and auxiliary discharge electrodes 31 are arranged in parallel on the opposite surface of front glass substrate 10, and dielectric layer 1 is arranged to cover them.
4 and a protective layer 15 are provided. And the scanning electrode 1
1 is formed by stacking a bus electrode layer 11a on a transparent electrode layer 11b, the sustain electrode 12 is formed by stacking a bus electrode layer 12a on a transparent electrode layer 12b, and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is formed by a scanning electrode. 11 adjacent to the bus electrode layer 11a,
It is provided on the light shielding film 32.

The gap between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scan electrode 11 is narrower than the gap between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12, and an auxiliary discharge is generated when a potential difference of about the amplitude (Vt-Vg) of the scan pulse occurs. It is set as follows. On the other hand, the data electrode 21 is disposed on the facing surface of the rear glass substrate 20 so as to three-dimensionally intersect with the scanning electrode 11, and the dielectric layer 23 and the phosphor layer 24 are disposed so as to cover the data electrode 21. I have.

(Driving Waveforms and Circuits) FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a driving waveform applied to each electrode of PDP2.
The drive waveforms applied to scan electrode 11, sustain electrode 12, and data electrode 21 are as described in the overall configuration of the embodiment 1-1, and the basic operation is also a general three-electrode AC surface discharge type. The driving waveform is the same as that of the PDP.

As shown in FIG. 14, the PD of the present embodiment
The P display device has the same drive circuit as that shown in FIG. 1 of the embodiment 1-1, and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31
It is connected to the middle P point. In the drive circuit, as described in Embodiment 1-1, during the writing period, the FET 53 is turned on and the FET 54 is turned off, and during the other periods, the FET 53 is turned off and the FET 53 is turned off.
54 turns ON.

Accordingly, the initialization pulse and the sustain pulse are applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 from the initialization / sustain pulse generation circuit 60 during the initialization period and the sustain period.
No scanning pulse is applied during the writing period. That is, the drive waveform applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is the same as that of the scan electrode 11 except that no scan pulse is applied during the writing period.
, And the reset pulse 100 and the sustain pulse 141 are applied to both the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31.

The phenomenon that occurs inside the panel during the writing period will be described with reference to FIG. As described in Embodiment 1-1, the scanning pulse has the amplitude (Vt-V
Since g) is negative, a potential difference of (Vt-Vg) occurs between the scanning electrode 11 and the adjacent auxiliary discharge electrode 31 in the scanning electrode 11 to which the scanning pulse is applied.

Therefore, in the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse is applied, as shown in FIG.
An auxiliary discharge is generated between 1 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 adjacent thereto. Then, when the auxiliary discharge occurs, FIG.
Space charges are generated in the discharge space of the cell as shown in FIG. Here, the data pulse is applied to the data electrode 21 corresponding to the lighting cell in accordance with the timing at which the scanning pulse is applied to the scanning electrode 11. At this time, the lighting cell is generated by the auxiliary discharge. Since a large amount of charged particles are present, as shown in FIG. 17C, the writing discharge is reliably generated in a very short time from the start of the application of the scanning pulse and the data pulse.

On the other hand, to the data electrode corresponding to the non-lighted cell, only the scan pulse is applied without applying the data pulse. In this case, the scanning electrode 11 and the data electrode 21
Does not exceed the discharge start voltage between the scan electrode 11 and the data electrode 21, and therefore no write discharge occurs.
Therefore, according to the driving method of the present embodiment, even if the pulse widths of the scanning pulse and the data pulse are set to be short (about 1.0 μsec), the writing discharge occurs reliably.
The occurrence of write failure is suppressed.

The gap distance between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scanning electrode 11 is desirably such that a discharge is generated when a potential difference of (Vt-Vg) / 2 or more is generated, and is preferably 10 μm to 50 μm. It is desirable to set the range. In general, when a discharge is caused between adjacent electrodes, the film around the electrodes is likely to be deteriorated by ion sputtering. However, in this embodiment, one field (1/60) is used.
Since the auxiliary discharge generated within a second) is as small as about several times, the characteristics of the protective layer 15 hardly deteriorate due to the ion sputtering by the auxiliary discharge.

A minute light emission is generated by the auxiliary discharge. Since the auxiliary discharge is always performed several times in one field even during the black display, generally, when the auxiliary discharge is generated, the luminance during the black display is reduced. Increases and the contrast tends to decrease. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary discharge electrode 3
Since the light-shielding film 32 is formed under 1, the lowering of the contrast due to the light emission accompanying the auxiliary discharge is also suppressed.

As described above, since the same drive waveform is applied to the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 during the initialization period and the sustain period, the initialization / sustain pulse generation circuit 60 is also used. Since the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is maintained at the potential Vt even during the writing period, a new drive circuit is not required, and a relatively inexpensive device can be provided.

(Regarding Shape of Electrode Lead Portion)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the shape of the electrode in the electrode lead portion at the panel end will be described. FIG. 18A shows a front glass substrate 10, a rear glass substrate 20, a sealing portion 16, a scanning electrode 11, and a sustain electrode 1.
2, a part of the PDP 2 provided with the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is shown.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A, in the display area inside the sealing portion 16, the gap D1 between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scanning electrode 11 can be used to perform the auxiliary discharge. The scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 are set near the inner edge of the sealing portion 16 (indicated by a circle in the drawing).
And the auxiliary discharge electrode 3 in the electrode lead-out portion
The gap d1 between the scan electrode 1 and the scanning electrode 11 is set wider than the gap D1.

The gap d1 is a distance at which no discharge occurs even when a potential difference of about (Vt-Vg) is applied between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scan electrode 11, and is 50 μm to 300 μm.
It is desirable to set within the range of m. Thus, it is possible to generate an auxiliary discharge only in the display area and not to discharge between adjacent electrodes in the electrode lead portion.

In the conventional general PDP 300,
As shown in FIG. 18B, on the front glass substrate 310, the scanning electrode is located outside the sealing part 316 (electrode lead-out part) as compared with the gap D between the scanning electrodes 311 inside the sealing part 316. The gap d between 311 is narrowed. This is advantageous in that the width of the FPC to be brought into contact with the electrode lead portion for connection to an external circuit can be reduced.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, FIG.
As illustrated in FIG.
The gap d2 between the scanning electrodes 11 in the display area
Although the gap D2 is set to be equal to or larger than the gap D2, this has the following effects. In PDP 2 of the present embodiment, auxiliary discharge electrodes 31 are formed on front glass substrate 10 by the same number as that of scan electrodes 11, so that the number of electrodes in the lead-out portion is a general PDP.
It is twice the DP. Therefore, if the gap between the scanning electrodes 11 is narrowed in the lead-out portion, the electrode interval in the lead-out portion becomes considerably small, and there is a possibility that discharge occurs in the lead-out portion. By setting the drawer to be equal to or larger than that in the display area, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of discharge in the drawer.

[Embodiment 3-2] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment. PD
The configuration of P2 is the same as that shown in FIG. 14 in Embodiment 3-1. As the driving circuit system, the scanning electrode 11
Scan pulse (potential Vt)
A scanning pulse generating circuit 50 for applying a negative polarity pulse having an amplitude Vt based on the reference voltage, a sustaining pulse generating circuit 61 for applying a sustaining pulse 301, and an initializing pulse generating circuit 62 for applying an initializing pulse. A discharge-inducing pulse generating circuit 55 for generating a discharge-inducing pulse of a constant voltage Vp during the writing period assuming that a pulse is applied to 31
It has.

The initialization pulse generation circuit 62 operates using the output of the sustain pulse generation circuit 61 as a temporary ground level, and the scan pulse generation circuit 50 and the discharge induction pulse generation circuit 55 output the output of the initialization pulse generation circuit 62. Operate as a temporary ground level. Next, the sustain electrode 12
A sustain pulse generating circuit 71 for applying a sustain pulse, a sustain write pulse generating circuit 72 for applying a positive sustain write pulse 120 (amplitude Ve) to the sustain electrode 12, and an erase pulse are applied. Is provided.

The sustain pulse generation circuit 61 and the initialization pulse generation circuit 62 apply the sustain pulse and the initialization pulse not only to the scan electrode 11 but also to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31. Thus, sustain pulse generating circuit 6
Since the scan electrode 11 and the initialization pulse generation circuit 62 are shared by the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, the circuit cost is reduced accordingly.

The sustain write pulse generating circuit 72 operates with the output of the sustain pulse generating circuit 71 as a temporary ground level, and the erase pulse generating circuit 73 operates with the output of the sustain write pulse generating circuit 72 as a temporary ground level. . The sustain write pulse generates a write sustain discharge between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12 when a write discharge occurs, and accumulates negative charges in the dielectric layer on the sustain electrode 12. To be applied.

A data pulse generating circuit 80 is also provided for applying a data pulse to the data electrode 21 in accordance with the display data. Each of these pulse generation circuits is controlled by the panel control circuit 90 as in the case of Embodiment 1-1. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a drive waveform applied to each electrode of PDP 2 according to the present embodiment.

The driving waveform of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 16 of the above-mentioned embodiment 3-1.
1, a voltage Vt equivalent to the reference voltage level of the scanning electrode 11 is applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 during the writing period, whereas in the present embodiment, the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is applied during the writing period. The voltage Vp applied to the electrode 31 is determined by the pulse height of the discharge trigger pulse 160 generated by the discharge trigger pulse generating circuit 55.

Therefore, the value of the voltage Vp can be freely set by the discharge inducing pulse generation circuit 55, and the voltage Vp can be set higher than the voltage Vt. Here, as for the gap distance between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, the potential difference Vd2 (= Vp) between the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse is applied and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is determined by the scan electrode 11
It is necessary to set the voltage slightly higher than the discharge start voltage between the scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 3.
The degree of freedom of the gap distance with the distance 1 is increased.

That is, when the potential difference between the scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is (Vp−Vt), the scanning electrode 11
No discharge occurs between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, and the potential difference between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is Vd2.
The gap distance between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is set so that a discharge occurs between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 when (= Vp). Therefore, as the voltage Vp is set higher, the gap distance between the scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 can be set larger.

When the waveform shown in FIG. 20 is applied to PDP 2, the phenomenon that occurs inside the panel during the writing period is as described in Embodiment 3-1 with reference to FIG. Each time is applied, an auxiliary discharge is generated between the scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31. And, due to the presence of a large amount of charged particles generated by the auxiliary discharge, the time from the application of the data pulse to the occurrence of the write discharge is extremely shortened, and the write discharge can be reliably generated. It becomes possible.

The auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is connected to the sustain electrode 12
The discharge is not generated between the sustain electrode 12 and the scan electrode 11, but is generated only between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 19, the auxiliary discharge electrodes 31 are connected to each other in order to apply the same drive waveform to all the auxiliary discharge electrodes 31; The same effect can be obtained by applying the driving waveform described above.

[Embodiment 3-3] PD of this embodiment
The configuration of P is the same as PDP2 of the above-described Embodiment 3-2. This is the same as Embodiment 3-2. The driving method is the same as that of the above-described embodiment 3-2. However, the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is set to a high impedance state in the sustain period as shown in FIG. The only difference is that the discharge electrode 31 is maintained at the intermediate potential.

As shown in FIG. 21, in order to set the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 to a high impedance state during the sustain period, it is required to
9, the connection between the discharge-inducing pulse generation circuit 55 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is turned on / off.
A switch may be provided, and the switch may be turned off during the sustain period, and turned on during periods other than the sustain period.

In the case of the above described embodiment 3-2, the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the adjacent sustain electrode 12
Since a large potential difference is generated between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the sustain electrode 12, unnecessary discharge is generated between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the sustain electrode 12, so that the sustain discharge between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12 is weak. It may roll or stop,
In the present embodiment, in the sustain period, the auxiliary discharge electrode 31
Is maintained in a high impedance state, this unnecessary discharge can be prevented.

Although the auxiliary discharge electrodes 31 may be in a high impedance state while being connected to each other,
In order to enhance the effect of preventing unnecessary discharge, it is desirable that the auxiliary discharge electrodes 31 be disconnected from each other during the sustain period and be in an independent high impedance state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22, in order to maintain the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 at the intermediate potential during the sustain period, the output of the discharge inducing pulse generation circuit 55 has the same polarity as the sustain pulse and is lower than the sustain pulse during the sustain period. What is necessary is just to keep it constant at the level (about half the amplitude of the sustain pulse).

In this case, during the sustain period, the potentials of all the auxiliary discharge electrodes 31 become the same as those of the scan electrodes 11 and the sustain electrodes 1.
2 is maintained near the center (intermediate potential) of the potential variation width, so that a large voltage is not applied between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the sustain electrode 12 adjacent thereto during the sustain period. Therefore, an effect of preventing unnecessary discharge as in the case of the high impedance state is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 19, PDP2
Since the auxiliary discharge electrodes 31 are connected to each other and driven collectively by the discharge inducing pulse generation circuit 55, the circuit configuration is relatively simple. [Embodiment 3-4] FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a DP display device.

The structure of the PDP 2 is the same as that of the embodiment 3-1.
Is the same as that shown in FIG. The configuration of this drive circuit system is the same as that of FIG. 19, except that a second initialization pulse generating circuit for applying a second initialization pulse 101 having a constant amplitude (Vs) to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 during the initialization period. 63 is provided.

Then, the discharge inducing pulse generating circuit 55
The output of the sustain pulse generating circuit 61 operates as a temporary ground level, and the second initialization pulse generating circuit 63 is connected to operate as the temporary ground level using the output of the discharge inducing pulse generating circuit 55. FIG. 24 illustrates a driving waveform applied to each electrode of PDP 2 in the present embodiment with reference to FIG.

The drive waveform applied to scan electrode 11, sustain electrode 12, and data electrode 21 is the same as that of the embodiment 3-2 shown in FIG.
Are the same as those shown in FIG. On the other hand, the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 has the second initialization pulse generation circuit 6 during the initialization period.
3, the second initialization pulse 101 of positive polarity and amplitude Vs
(Voltage Vs) is applied, and in the writing period, the discharge inducing pulse generation circuit 55 has a positive polarity and an amplitude Vp2.
Is applied (voltage Vp2).
Here, the amplitude Vs of the second initialization pulse is set lower than the amplitude of the initialization pulse applied to the scan electrode 11.

Here, the value of the voltage Vp2 and the distance of the gap between the scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 will be considered. In the case where a scan pulse is not applied to the scan electrode 11 during the writing period and a discharge inducing pulse is applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, Vd is applied between the scan electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode.
3 = (potential difference due to charge accumulated during initialization period) +
A potential difference of (Vp2-Vt) occurs. Also, the scanning electrode 1
In the case where a scan pulse is applied to 1 and a discharge inducing pulse is applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, Vd4 = (potential difference due to charge accumulated during the initialization period) + Vp2 between the scan electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. A potential difference occurs.

Therefore, the value of the voltage Vp2 and the distance of the gap between the scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 are different from those of the scanning electrode 1
When the potential difference between 1 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is Vd3, no discharge occurs between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, and when the potential difference between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is Vd4. It is set so that a discharge occurs between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31.

Next, the phenomenon that occurs inside the panel during the initialization period and the writing period when the driving waveform shown in FIG. 24 is applied will be described. In the present embodiment, the second initialization pulse 101 applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is
Since the amplitude Vs is lower than the amplitude of the initialization pulse 100, a preliminary discharge occurs between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scan electrode 11 during the initialization period (FIG. 25A).

By the preliminary discharge, a positive charge is accumulated in the dielectric layer on the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, and a negative charge is accumulated in the dielectric layer on the scan electrode 11 (FIG. 25).
(B)). Next, in the writing period, the scan electrode 11
When a scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11, an auxiliary discharge is generated between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 (FIG. 25).
(C)). Space charges are generated in the discharge space (FIG. 25)
(D)).

As described above, the basic operation is the same as that of the embodiment 3-2. Even if the pulse widths of the scanning pulse and the data pulse are set to be short (about 1.0 μsec), the occurrence of the writing failure occurs. Can also be obtained, but the amplitude Vp2 of the discharge-inducing pulse can be set smaller than the amplitude Vp of the discharge-inducing pulse in the embodiment 3-2, that is, the potential difference Vp in the present embodiment.
d4 and the potential difference Vd2 in Embodiment 3-2.
Compared with (= Vp), both are voltages slightly exceeding the discharge starting voltage between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, so that the potential difference Vd2 and the potential difference Vd4 can be regarded as equivalent. Therefore, the amplitude V of the discharge induction pulse
p2 can be set smaller than the amplitude Vp of the discharge inducing pulse applied to auxiliary discharge electrode 31 in Embodiment 3-2.

Therefore, the withstand voltage of the circuit elements in the discharge-inducing pulse generation circuit 55 can be reduced, so that the circuit cost can be reduced. Further, since the voltage due to the charges accumulated in the initialization period is added to the voltage due to the discharge induction pulse during the writing period, the amplitude Vp2 of the discharge induction pulse is
An auxiliary discharge can be generated even if the discharge start voltage between the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is set lower.

According to this embodiment, sustain pulse generating circuit 61 is shared by scan electrode 11 and auxiliary discharge electrode 31, so that the circuit cost can be reduced as compared with the case where separate sustain pulse generating circuit 61 is provided separately. (Modification of the present embodiment) As shown in the driving waveform of FIG. 26, the discharge-inducing pulse is generated by setting the ground potential during the initializing period without applying the second initializing pulse to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31. Even if the amplitude Vp3 is set lower than the above Vp2, the same effect can be obtained. Also, in this case,
In the drive circuit shown in FIG. 23, the second initialization pulse generation circuit 63 can be omitted, so that the circuit cost can be reduced.

The second initialization pulse (amplitude Vs) applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 does not have to have a positive polarity, and may have a negative polarity. In this case, since the amount of positive charges accumulated on the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is further increased during the initialization period, the same effect can be obtained even if the amplitude of the discharge inducing pulse applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 is set lower. Will play.

Also, in the present embodiment, the second initialization pulse generating circuit 63 or the discharge inducing pulse generating circuit in the drive circuit block shown in FIG. 55 is set to a high impedance state during the sustain period, or the output of the second initialization pulse generating circuit 63 or the discharge inducing pulse generating circuit 55 in the drive circuit block shown in FIG. If it is 1/2, it is possible to prevent the sustain discharge between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12 required for display from weakening or stopping, and it is possible to prevent the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the sustain electrode 12 from sustaining. It is also possible to prevent a discharge between them.

The discharge inducing pulse generating circuit 55 and the second
The position relationship of the initialization pulse generation circuit 63 is switched, and the second
The initialization pulse generation circuit 63 is operated using the output of the sustain pulse generation circuit 61 as a reference potential, and the discharge induction pulse generation circuit 55 is operated using the output of the second initialization pulse generation circuit 63 as a reference potential. Even if the output 55 is connected to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[Embodiment 3-5] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of a PDP according to the present embodiment. The drive waveform of the present embodiment is almost the same as the drive waveform shown in FIG. 16, except that a slight delay time Td is set from the start of the application of the scan pulse to the start of the application of the data pulse. Is different.

The setting of the delay time Td can be performed by adjusting the timing of sending a trigger signal from the panel control circuit 90 to the data pulse generation circuit 80. The delay time Td is set to be larger than 0 ns and 500 ns or less, preferably 300 ns or less. The reason will be described below. The auxiliary discharge occurs slightly after the application of the scanning pulse, and the space charges generated at this time recombine and disappear with time. In order to generate a write discharge at high speed and reliably, a data pulse must be applied while space charges exist in the discharge space. Therefore, it is desirable that the data pulse be applied between the time when the space charge is generated by the auxiliary discharge and the time when the space charge disappears. This time is between 0 ns and 500 ns.

Therefore, after starting the application of the scanning pulse, 0
By starting the application of the data pulse with a delay of ns to 500 ns, the effect of shortening the time until the start of the writing discharge by the auxiliary discharge can be further ensured. The drive waveform shown in FIG. 16 indicates a case where the delay time Td = 0.

The setting of the delay time Td is not limited to the setting in the embodiment 3-1 as well as in the embodiments 3-2 to 3-3.
The same effect can be obtained by applying to -4. [Embodiment 3-6] The above embodiments 3-1 to 3-4
In the PDP 2, each time a scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11, the scan electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 3
Auxiliary discharge is generated between 1 and
In the present embodiment, as will be described below, the auxiliary discharge is more favorably generated by devising the electrode structure of the PDP 2.

In the example shown in FIG. 28A, one or a plurality of small projections 33a projecting toward the scanning electrode 11 are formed in the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 in a comb shape inside the cell. Thereby, the gap distance between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scan electrode 11 is reduced, and the auxiliary discharge can be easily generated. In the example shown in FIG. 28B, the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, the auxiliary discharge electrode 31, and the scan electrode 11 in the cell.
A wide projection 33b projecting to the side is formed. As a result, the gap distance between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scanning electrode 11 is reduced, so that the auxiliary discharge is easily generated and the resistance value of the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 can be reduced. Also, it is possible to easily generate the auxiliary discharge.

In the example shown in FIG. 28C, one or a plurality of T-shaped small projections 33c protruding toward the scanning electrode 11 are formed on the auxiliary discharge electrode 31. In the example shown in FIG. 28D, one or a plurality of L-shaped small protrusions 33d protruding toward the scanning electrode 11 are formed on the auxiliary discharge electrode 31. In this case, the gap distance between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scanning electrode 11 is reduced, so that the auxiliary discharge is easily generated and the electrode is prevented from being burned due to the flow of an excessive discharge current.
Further, the auxiliary discharge is likely to occur even at the point where the area of the portion where the scanning electrode 11 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 face each other increases.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
When c is formed in a T-shape, there are two end portions (indicated by a circle in the drawing), but as shown in FIG.
Is formed in an L-shape, the end is one place. Here, the electrode formed on the substrate is relatively easily peeled from the substrate at the end thereof, and thus the latter is less likely to cause electrode peeling.

Although FIGS. 28A to 28D show examples in which the projections 33a to 33d are formed on the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 side, as shown in FIGS. Protrusion 3
Projections 13a to 13d similar in shape to 3a to 33d
Is formed on the scanning electrode 11 side, the same effect can be obtained. Embodiment 4-1 (Overall Configuration of PDP Display Device) FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ of PDP 3 shown in FIG.

The electrode configuration of PDP 3 is the same as that shown in FIG.
The configuration is the same as that of the DP2, but the PDP 2 includes an auxiliary discharge electrode 31 adjacent to the scan electrode 11,
Whereas the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 was designed to generate an auxiliary discharge in the gap between the scan electrode 1 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 31.
A pair of first auxiliary discharge electrodes 41 and second auxiliary discharge electrodes 42 are provided on the light shielding film 43 adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 so that an auxiliary discharge is generated between the pair of auxiliary discharge electrodes 41 and 42. They are designed differently.

The gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is set to (Vt) so that the auxiliary discharge is generated in the gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42. It is set so that a small discharge is generated with a potential difference of about -Vg). Note that this gap is (Vt-V
g) It is desirable that the distance is such that a discharge is generated when a potential difference of not less than / 2 is generated.
It is desirable to be within the range of 0 μm to 50 μm.

As shown in FIG. 29, each first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 is connected to the scanning electrode 11 adjacent thereto, and all the second auxiliary discharge electrodes 42 are connected to point P in FIG. I have. The configuration of the drive circuit system in the present embodiment is exactly the same as that described in Embodiment 3-1 with reference to FIG. 14, so that the circuit cost does not increase.

(Driving Waveforms and Circuits) FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a driving waveform applied to each electrode of PDP3. The drive waveforms applied to scan electrode 11, sustain electrode 12, and data electrode 21 are the same as those shown in FIG.
6, the basic operation of the PDP 3 is the same as that of a general three-electrode AC surface discharge type PDP. The drive waveform applied to second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is the same as the drive waveform applied to auxiliary discharge electrode 31 described in Embodiment 3-1 with reference to FIG.

The driving waveform applied to each first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 is the same as the driving waveform of the scanning electrode 11 adjacent thereto. In FIG. 31, the driving waveform applied to the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 is the scanning electrode X
Only those adjacent to n are shown. Next, a phenomenon that occurs inside the panel during the writing period will be described with reference to FIG.

Since the scan pulse has an amplitude (Vt-Vg) and a negative polarity, when the scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 connected to the scan electrode 11 and
A potential difference of (Vt-Vg) is generated between the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42. Accordingly, each time a scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11, an auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, as shown in FIG. Then, when the auxiliary discharge occurs, FIG.
A space charge is generated in the discharge space as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, every time a scanning pulse is applied to the scanning electrode 11, a data pulse is applied to the data electrode 21 corresponding to the lighting cell. At this time, as described above, since a large amount of charged particles generated by the auxiliary discharge are present in the cell, the write discharge is reliably generated in a very short time. Therefore, the time width of the scanning pulse is shortened (1.0 μm).
Even if it is set, writing can be performed reliably.

Further, as described in Embodiment 3-1 above, since the auxiliary discharge does not occur frequently, the characteristics of the protective layer 15 are not deteriorated by the ion sputtering. Since the light-shielding film 43 is formed below the electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, the decrease in contrast due to the auxiliary discharge can be suppressed. In addition to the effects similar to those of the above-described embodiment 3-1, the present embodiment has the following effects.

In the embodiment 3-1, an auxiliary discharge is generated between the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 and the scan electrode 11, so that unnecessary wall charges are accumulated in the dielectric layer on the scan electrode 11 or conversely. Since there is a possibility that the required wall charges are reduced, there is also a possibility that a lighting failure such as a non-lighted cell emitting light or a lighted cell not emitting light may occur during the sustain period.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 different from the first electrode 11, the scan electrode 1
1 has little effect on the formation of wall charges on the dielectric layer. This means that the conventional driving technique of the three-electrode AC surface discharge type PDP can be directly applied to the basic driving of the scan electrode 11, the sustain electrode 12, and the data electrode 21.

In the example shown in FIG. 30, the PDP
In FIG. 3, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 are formed immediately above the light-shielding film 43 and are covered with the dielectric layer 14 and the protective layer 15 from above, as shown in FIG. , The dielectric layer 14 and the protective layer 15 are formed on the light shielding film 43, and the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 4 are formed.
2 may be formed. In this case, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41
And the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 directly faces the discharge space, but the auxiliary discharge can be generated similarly. Also in this case, since the frequency of occurrence of the auxiliary discharge is not high, the characteristics of the auxiliary discharge electrodes 41 and 42 are not deteriorated by the ion sputtering, and the light shielding film 43 is formed below the auxiliary discharge electrodes 41 and 42. Therefore, a decrease in contrast due to the auxiliary discharge can be suppressed.

(Regarding Shape of Electrode Lead Portion)
Next, the shape of the electrode in the electrode lead portion will be described with reference to FIG. P according to the present embodiment
In DP3, the same number of first auxiliary discharge electrodes 41 and second auxiliary discharge electrodes 4 as scan electrodes 11 are provided on the front glass substrate 10 side.
Since two are formed, the number of electrodes is increased by twice the number of scanning electrodes as compared with a conventional general PDP.

Here, assuming that the scanning electrode 11, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41, and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 are respectively drawn out to the outside of the sealing portion 16, the number of electrodes in the drawing portion is the same as that of the third embodiment. Since it is 1.5 times as large as 1 (three times as large as a general PDP), it may be difficult to connect each electrode of the electrode lead portion to the FPC. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41
Are not drawn out individually, but are connected to the adjacent scanning electrodes 11 inside the sealing portion 16, so that the number of electrodes drawn out is suppressed to be equal to that in the embodiment 3-1.

Therefore, as in the case of the embodiment 3-1 by setting the gap between the scanning electrodes 11 in the lead-out portion to be equal to or larger than the gap in the display area,
It is possible to eliminate the occurrence of discharge in the drawer. Also,
Also in the present embodiment, as in Embodiment 3-1, the distance between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is increased near the inner edge of the sealing portion 16 (indicated by a circle in the drawing), The gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 in the lead portion is set wide.

Specifically, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second
The gap between the auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the lead-out portion is (V
By setting the distance (preferably within the range of 50 μm to 300 μm) at which no discharge occurs even when a potential difference of about t-Vg) is applied, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 4 at the lead-out portion is formed.
The occurrence of discharge between the first and second auxiliary discharge electrodes 42 can be eliminated.

[Embodiment 4-2] FIG. 35 is a view showing a PDP display device according to the present embodiment. In the figure, PD
The configuration of P3 is the same as that shown in FIG. 29 in Embodiment 4-1. The drive circuit system is the same as that of the embodiment 3-2, and therefore detailed description is omitted.
And a scan pulse generating circuit 50 for applying a scan pulse (a negative pulse having an amplitude Vt with reference to the potential Vt) to apply a pulse to the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41, and a sustain pulse generating circuit 61 for applying a sustain pulse. And a discharge trigger pulse generating circuit 55 for generating a discharge trigger pulse of a constant voltage Vp during the writing period. Have. On the other hand, sustain electrode 1
2, a sustain pulse generating circuit 71 for applying a sustain pulse, a sustain write pulse generating circuit 72 for applying a positive sustain write pulse 120 (amplitude Ve) to the sustain electrode 12, and an erase operation for the sustain electrode 12. An erase pulse generation circuit 73 for applying a pulse is provided.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing driving waveforms applied to the respective electrodes of PDP 3, and FIG.
It is almost the same as 1. However, in the present embodiment, the voltage Vp applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 during the writing period
Can be set separately from the voltage Vt by the discharge-inducing pulse generation circuit 55, and thus can be set to a high voltage value.

The gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the value of the distance voltage Vp are determined by the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 41 connected to the scan electrode 11 to which the scan pulse is applied. The discharge start voltage is set to slightly exceed the discharge start voltage between the auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the first discharge electrode.
When the potential difference between the auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is (Vp-Vt), no discharge occurs between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, and ,
When the potential difference between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is Vp, the discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42.

In this embodiment, since the voltage Vp can be set high as described above, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41
In the fourth embodiment, the gap between the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and
It is also possible to set larger than the case of -1. When the waveform shown in FIG. 36 is applied to PDP 3, the phenomenon that occurs inside the panel during the writing period is as described in Embodiment 4-1 with reference to FIG. 32. Each time the voltage is applied, an auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42. Therefore, due to the presence of a large amount of charged particles generated in the auxiliary discharge, the time from the application of the data pulse to the occurrence of the write discharge is greatly reduced, and the write discharge can be reliably generated. Become.

Further, since an auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, it has almost no effect on the formation of wall charges on the dielectric layer on the scan electrode 11. , Protective layer 15 by ion sputtering
And the reduction in contrast due to the auxiliary discharge is suppressed by the light-shielding film 43. Further, since the sustain pulse generation circuit is shared by the scan electrode 11 and the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41, The point that the circuit cost is reduced is the same as in the above-described embodiment 4-1.

[Embodiment 4-3] In the present embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 37, this is the same as Embodiment 4-2, except that second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is set to a high impedance state in the sustain period, or as shown in FIG. The difference is that the output of the induction pulse generation circuit 55 is kept constant at の of the sustain pulse amplitude, and the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is set to an intermediate potential between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12.

The method of bringing the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 into the high impedance state is as described in the above-mentioned Embodiment 3-3. Further, the effect is the same as that described in the embodiment 3-3, and the effect of the above-described embodiment 4 is obtained.
-2, the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 during the sustain period.
Since a large potential difference is generated between the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the sustain electrode 12, an unnecessary discharge is generated between the scan electrode 11 and the sustain electrode 12. There is a possibility that the sustain discharge between them may weaken or stop, but this embodiment can prevent this.

When the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is set to the intermediate potential, all the second auxiliary discharge electrodes 42 are connected to each other and driven collectively to simplify the circuit configuration. [Embodiment 4-4] FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a DP display device. In the figure, the configuration of PDP 3 is the same as that described in Embodiment 4-1.

The structure of this drive circuit system is similar to that of the third embodiment.
4 is the same as that shown in FIG. That is, the drive circuit of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG.
A constant voltage V is applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 during the initialization period.
The second initialization pulse generation circuit 63 for applying the s pulse is provided. The drive waveform applied to each electrode is as shown in FIG.
2. The driving waveform applied to the data electrode 21 is the same as the driving waveform of the conventional three-electrode AC surface discharge type PDP.

During the initializing period, a second initializing pulse (voltage Vs) having an amplitude Vs lower than the amplitude of the initializing pulse applied to the scan electrode 11 is applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42. In the writing period, the amplitude Vp
2 of the discharge inducing pulse (voltage Vp2). next,
A phenomenon that occurs inside the panel when the driving waveform shown in FIG. 40 is applied will be described.

The drive waveform applied to scan electrode 11, sustain electrode 12, and data electrode 21 is the same as the drive waveform shown in FIG. 36, and the basic operation is the same. Since the second initialization pulse having an amplitude Vs lower than that of the initialization pulse is applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 during the initialization period, the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the first
A discharge 903 occurs between the auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 41 (FIG. 4).
1 (a)).

By this discharge, positive charges are accumulated in the dielectric layer on the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, and the first auxiliary discharge electrode 4
Negative charges are accumulated in the dielectric material on the substrate 1 (see FIG. 41).
(B)). Next, when the scan pulse is not applied to the scan electrode 11 in the writing period and the discharge trigger pulse is applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the auxiliary second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 In the meantime, Vd3 = (potential difference due to charges accumulated during the initialization period) + (Vp2−Vt)
Is generated.

When a scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11 and a discharge trigger pulse is applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 4
2, a potential difference of Vd4 = (potential difference due to charges accumulated during the initialization period) + Vp2 is generated. Here, every time a scanning pulse is applied, the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second
An auxiliary discharge is generated between the auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the auxiliary discharge electrode 42. With this auxiliary discharge, space charges are generated in the discharge space (FIG. 4).
1 (d)). Therefore, in the lighting cell, a write discharge occurs after the application of the data pulse (FIG. 41).
The time up to (e)) is much shorter than in the past, and the write discharge occurs reliably.

In the present embodiment, the value of voltage Vp2,
The distance of the gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is equal to the distance between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 when the potential difference between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is Vd3. When no discharge occurs between the two auxiliary discharge electrodes 42 and the potential difference between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is Vd4, the discharge between the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 It is set so that discharge occurs between them.

Here, Vd4 in the present embodiment,
Comparing the voltage Vd2 in the embodiment 4-2, the voltage Vp2 is slightly higher than the discharge start voltage of the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 and the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, so that the voltage Vp2 is higher than the voltage Vp. It can be seen that it can be set smaller. Therefore, the withstand voltage of the circuit elements in the discharge-inducing pulse generation circuit 55 can be reduced, and the circuit cost can be reduced.

(Modification of this Embodiment) Even when the second initializing pulse is not applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42, the same applies when the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is set to the ground potential during the initializing period. Has the effect of In this case, in FIG. 39, the second initialization pulse generation circuit 63 can be omitted, so that the circuit cost can be reduced.

The second initialization pulse (amplitude Vs) applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 does not have to have a positive polarity.
If this is set to a negative polarity, the amount of positive charges accumulated on the auxiliary discharge electrode 31 during the initialization period becomes further larger, so that the amplitude Vp2 of the discharge induction pulse applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 is further reduced. It is also possible. Also in the present embodiment, similarly to Embodiment 4-3, the second initialization pulse generating circuit 63 or the discharge inducing pulse generating circuit 5 in the drive circuit block shown in FIG.
5 in a high impedance state during the sustain period, or the second output in the drive circuit block shown in FIG.
In the sustain period, the output of the initialization pulse generating circuit 63 or the discharge inducing pulse generating circuit 55 is set to 1 / (of the sustain pulse amplitude).
2, the scanning electrodes 11 and the sustain electrodes 12 required for display
It is possible to prevent the sustain discharge from weakening or stopping.

The second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 and the sustain electrode 1
2 can be prevented. In the example of FIG. 23, all the second auxiliary discharge electrodes 42 are connected to each other. However, even if they are not necessarily connected, the same effect can be obtained by applying the same drive waveform to all the auxiliary discharge electrodes 42. Can be obtained.

[Embodiment 4-5] FIG. 42 shows a structure of a PDP display device according to the present embodiment. In this PDP display device, PDP 4 is used in Embodiment 4
2 has the same configuration as the PDP 3 of the second embodiment.
In the PDP 3 of -2, each first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 is connected to the scanning electrode 11 adjacent thereto, whereas in the PDP 4 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The difference is that the electrode 41 is connected to the scanning electrode 11 of the next line.

The structure of the drive circuit is as described in the embodiment 4-2, and each electrode 11, 1
The driving waveform applied to 2, 21, 41 is the same as the driving waveform in FIG. In the present embodiment, when the scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode Xn, the same pulse as the scan pulse is applied to the first auxiliary discharge electrode 41 adjacent to the next scan electrode Xn + 1. Discharge electrode 41
And an auxiliary discharge electrode 42 adjacent to the auxiliary discharge electrode 42 generates an auxiliary discharge. That is, in the lighting cell, the scanning electrode Xn
, An auxiliary discharge is generated one writing time before the data pulse is applied to the data electrode Zm.

Therefore, after the occurrence of the auxiliary discharge, the writing by the scanning pulse and the data pulse is performed in a state where the space charge has sufficiently diffused into the discharge space while being delayed by a time corresponding to one line writing. Therefore, the effect of shortening the time until the start of the write discharge by the auxiliary discharge can be more reliably achieved. The description of the high impedance (FIG. 37) and the intermediate potential (FIG. 38) described in the embodiment 4-3, or the second auxiliary discharge electrode 42 during the initialization period described in the embodiment 4-4. (FIG. 40 and the like) of the potential applied to
The present invention can also be applied to a P display device.

[Embodiment 4-6] Embodiment 4
In the PDP display device described in 1 to 4-5,
As shown in FIGS. 43A to 43H, the protrusions 44a to 44d or the second auxiliary discharge electrodes 42 are formed on the first auxiliary discharge electrodes 41.
By providing the projections 45a to 45d on the surface, auxiliary discharge is easily generated.

The projections 4 shown in FIGS.
The shapes of 4a to 44d and projections 45a to 45d are shown in FIG.
Projections 33a to 33d and Projections 13a shown in (A) to (H)
13d to 13d have the same characteristics, and thus have the same effects. [Other Matters] The setting of the delay time Td described in the embodiment 3-5 is performed in accordance with the embodiments 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4
Similarly, the effect of shortening the time until the start of the writing discharge by the auxiliary discharge can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the initialization period for applying the initialization pulse is provided for each subfield has been described. However, the initialization period may not be provided for each subfield. Can be similarly applied to the case where is only at the beginning of one field. The initialization period is not always necessary, and the present invention can be applied to a case where each subfield is composed of only a writing period and a sustaining period.

In the above embodiment, the sustain electrode 12
Although the erase pulse is applied to the scan electrode 11, an erase pulse may be applied to the scan electrode 11.

[0207]

As described above, the present invention provides a PDP
During the writing period, a writing pulse is sequentially applied to a plurality of first electrodes and a data pulse is selectively applied to a plurality of third electrodes during a writing period, so that a writing discharge is selectively applied to a plurality of cells. Generate and write,
In a driving method in which a written cell is driven to emit light in a light emission period after the writing period, at least selectively writing is performed in a plurality of cells when a scan pulse is applied in the writing period. By generating a write assist discharge having a smaller discharge scale than the write discharge in the cell or the periphery of the cell where writing is performed, even if the pulse widths of the scan pulse and the data pulse are set short, a write failure is unlikely to occur, and the write is reliably performed. Can be performed.

Since the write auxiliary discharge has a smaller discharge scale than the write discharge, the write auxiliary discharge itself does not result in a write discharge, and the amount of light emission accompanying the write auxiliary discharge is small and has little effect on contrast.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 1-1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method of dividing one field when expressing 256 gradations in an in-field time division gradation display method.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to Embodiment 1-1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of scanning electrodes and data electrodes in the PDP according to Embodiment 1-1.

FIG. 5 is an example of a driving waveform applied to each scanning electrode and data electrode shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data pulse generation circuit 80 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a waveform of an auxiliary pulse according to the embodiment 1-2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to Embodiment 1-3.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 1-5.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 2-1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between potential differences generated between electrodes during a writing period in the driving method according to the embodiment 2-1.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 2-2.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 2-3.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 3-1.

FIG. 15 is a structural sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the PDP shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 3-1.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a phenomenon occurring inside the panel during a writing period in the embodiment 3-1.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a shape of an electrode in an electrode lead-out portion in the embodiment 3-1.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 3-2.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to Embodiment 3-2.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 3-3.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to Embodiment 3-3.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 3-4.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 3-4.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a phenomenon occurring inside the panel in the embodiment 3-4.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing drive waveforms of a modification according to the embodiment 3-4.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 3-5.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an electrode structure of a PDP according to Embodiment 3-6.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 4-1.

FIG. 30 is a structural sectional view taken along line BB ′ of the PDP shown in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 4-1.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a phenomenon occurring inside the panel during a writing period in the embodiment 4-1.

FIG. 33 is a structural sectional view of a PDP according to a modified example of Embodiment 4-1.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a shape of an electrode in an electrode lead-out portion in the embodiment 4-1.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 4-2.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 4-2.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 4-3.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to the embodiment 4-3.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 4-4.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the PDP according to Embodiment 4-4.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a phenomenon occurring inside the panel in the embodiment 4-4.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PDP display device according to Embodiment 4-5.

FIG. 43 shows an electrode structure of a PDP according to Embodiment 4-6.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-4 PDP 10 front glass substrate 11 scan electrode 12 sustain electrode 13a-13d protrusion 14 dielectric layer 20 rear glass substrate 21 data electrode 23 dielectric layer 30 discharge space 31 auxiliary discharge electrode 32 light shielding film 33a-33d protrusion 41 first Auxiliary discharge electrode 42 Second auxiliary discharge electrode 43 Light shielding film 44a to 44d Projection 45a to 45d Projection 50 Scan pulse generation circuit 55 Discharge trigger pulse generation circuit 60 Initialization / sustain pulse generation circuit 61 Sustain pulse generation circuit 62 Initialization pulse generation circuit 63 second initialization pulse generation circuit 70 sustain / erase pulse generator 71 sustain pulse generator 72 sustain write pulse generator 73 erase pulse generator 80 data pulse generator 90 panel control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H01J 11/02 H01J 11/02 Z H04N 5/66 101B H04N 5/66 101 G09G 3/28 E H F term (Reference) 5C040 FA01 FA04 GB03 GB13 GB16 GC02 GC11 GH06 GK01 GK03 LA18 MA17 MA20 5C058 AA11 BA02 BA26 BB12 5C080 AA05 BB05 DD03 DD08 DD09 HH02 HH04 HH05 JJ02 JJ03 JJ04 JJ06

Claims (97)

[Claims] A plurality of pairs of a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel with each other, and a plurality of third electrodes arranged in a three-dimensional intersection with the first electrode and the second electrode. The plasma display panel in which the cells are formed is applied to the plurality of cells by sequentially applying a scan pulse to the plurality of first electrodes and selectively applying a data pulse to the plurality of third electrodes during a writing period. A driving method in which writing is performed by selectively generating a writing discharge and driving the written cells to emit light during a sustain period after the writing period, wherein the plurality of cells are In the case where a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode to a cell to which writing is performed at least selectively or a cell adjacent to the cell, The driving method of a plasma display panel, characterized in that also generate a small writing auxiliary discharge discharge scale. 2. In the writing period, a cell other than the cell to be selectively written is
2. An auxiliary pulse applying step of applying an auxiliary pulse having the same polarity as the data pulse to the third electrode in synchronization with a scan pulse to the first electrode.
The driving method of the plasma display panel described in the above. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary pulse applied in the auxiliary pulse applying step has a shorter pulse width than the data pulse. 4. The driving method of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary pulse applied in the auxiliary pulse applying step has a lower absolute value of an average voltage than the data pulse. Method. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary pulse applied in the auxiliary pulse applying step has a lower wave height than the data pulse. 6. The driving method of a plasma display panel according to claim 4, wherein a waveform of the auxiliary pulse applied in the auxiliary pulse applying step is a triangular wave or a pulse train. 7. The auxiliary pulse applying step includes, among all cells other than the cells to be selectively written, detecting a cell existing in the vicinity of the cell to be written. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary pulse is selectively applied. 8. The driving method according to claim 1, wherein the driving method is a time division gray scale display method having a plurality of subfields in one field, and a specific driving method selected from a plurality of subfields in one field. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the write assist discharge is generated during a write period of a subfield having a luminance weight. 9. For each field, it is determined whether or not the number of light emitting cells in the field period satisfies a predetermined criterion. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driving is performed. 10. The amount of light emitted by the write assist discharge is within a range of 1/10 to 1/100 of the amount of light emitted by a discharge generated during a writing period in a writing cell. A method for driving a plasma display panel according to claim 1. 11. In the writing period, a voltage between the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied and the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied is a voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the write assist discharge is generated by adjusting the voltage so as to exceed a discharge start voltage between the three electrodes. 12. In the writing period, a first base pulse having the same polarity as the data pulse is applied to the whole of the plurality of third electrodes, and the data pulse is superimposed on the first base pulse to form a third base pulse. The method according to claim 11, wherein the voltage is applied to an electrode. 13. In the writing period, a second base pulse having the same polarity as the scan pulse is applied to the whole of the plurality of first electrodes, and the scan pulse is superimposed on the second base pulse to form a first base pulse. The driving method of a plasma display panel according to claim 11, wherein the voltage is sequentially applied to the electrodes. 14. In the writing period, the wave height of the scan pulse applied to the first electrode may be the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied and the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied. The driving method of the plasma display panel according to claim 11, wherein a voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode is set to exceed a discharge starting voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode. 15. A cell in which a write discharge has occurred during the write period, in a cell where a write discharge has occurred, the write discharge is induced between the first electrode and the second electrode to maintain writing. The cell in which a discharge has occurred and a write assist discharge has occurred is maintained within a range where a write sustain discharge does not occur between the first electrode and the second electrode. 11, 12, 13, 1
5. The driving method of the plasma display panel according to 4. 16. The plasma display panel, wherein an auxiliary discharge electrode is provided adjacent to each of the first electrodes, and the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied and the first electrode during the writing period.
2. The driving method of a plasma display panel according to claim 1, wherein said writing auxiliary discharge is generated between an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to said electrode. 17. In the writing period, when a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode, a voltage between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode exceeds a discharge start voltage. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein a voltage applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode is adjusted. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a sustain pulse having the same waveform is applied to the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode during the sustain period. 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein an initialization pulse having the same waveform is applied to the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode in an initialization period prior to the writing period. 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein a potential of the auxiliary discharge electrode is lower than a potential of the first electrode during an initialization period prior to the writing period. 21. The plasma display panel according to claim 20, wherein during the initialization period, a positive polarity initialization pulse is applied to the first electrode, and the auxiliary discharge electrode is maintained at a ground potential. Drive method. 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein in the initialization period, a positive polarity initialization pulse is applied to the first electrode, and a negative polarity pulse is applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode. A method for driving a plasma display panel. 23. The method according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary discharge electrode is maintained in a high impedance state during the sustain period. 24. The driving of the plasma display panel according to claim 16, wherein during the sustain period, the potential of the auxiliary discharge electrode is maintained within a range in which the potentials of the first electrode and the second electrode fluctuate. Method. 25. The plasma display panel according to claim 16, wherein in the writing period, the writing auxiliary discharge is generated at the same time as or before the timing when the application of the data pulse to the third electrode is started. Drive method. 26. In a writing period, the timing of applying a scanning pulse to the first electrode is set at 5
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein a data pulse is applied to the third electrode with a time delay of not more than 00 ns. 27. The plasma display panel, wherein a first auxiliary discharge electrode is disposed adjacent to each of the first electrodes, and a second auxiliary discharge electrode is disposed adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrodes. The method according to claim 1, wherein the writing auxiliary discharge is generated between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. 28. In the writing period, between the first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent thereto when a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode. 28. The driving method of a plasma display panel according to claim 27, wherein the voltage is adjusted so as to exceed a discharge starting voltage between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. 29. The method of driving a plasma display panel according to claim 28, wherein the same voltage waveform is applied to each of the first electrodes and a first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrodes. . 30. The driving method of claim 27, wherein a sustain pulse having the same waveform is applied to the first electrode, the first auxiliary discharge electrode, and the second auxiliary discharge electrode during the sustain period. Method. 31. The plasma display panel according to claim 27, wherein the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode is adjusted to be lower than the potential of the first auxiliary discharge electrode during an initialization period prior to the writing period. Drive method. 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein during the initialization period, a positive polarity initialization pulse is applied to the first auxiliary discharge electrode, and the second auxiliary discharge electrode is maintained at the ground potential. A method for driving a plasma display panel. 33. In the reset period, a positive reset pulse is applied to the first auxiliary discharge electrode, and a negative pulse is applied to the second auxiliary discharge electrode. The driving method of the plasma display panel described in the above. 34. The method according to claim 27, wherein the second auxiliary discharge electrode is maintained in a high impedance state during the sustain period. 35. The plasma display panel according to claim 27, wherein during the sustain period, the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode is maintained within a potential range in which the first and second electrodes fluctuate. Drive method. 36. The plasma display panel according to claim 27, wherein in the writing period, the writing auxiliary discharge is generated at the same time as or before the timing when the application of the data pulse to the third electrode is started. Drive method. 37. In a writing period, a timing of applying a scanning pulse to the first electrode is set at 5
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein a data pulse is applied to the third electrode with a time delay of 00 ns or less. 38. In the writing period, the writing auxiliary discharge is generated between a first auxiliary discharge electrode and a second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to a first electrode to which a scanning pulse is applied next. 28. The method of driving a plasma display panel according to claim 27. 39. In a writing period, the same voltage waveform is applied to a first electrode to which a scan pulse is applied and a first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode to which a scan pulse is applied next. The method for driving a plasma display panel according to claim 38, wherein: 40. A plurality of pairs of a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel with each other, and a plurality of third electrodes arranged in a three-dimensional cross with each other. A plasma display panel in which cells are formed, and a write pulse, wherein a scan pulse is sequentially applied to the first electrode and a data pulse is selectively applied to the third electrode to selectively apply the plurality of cells to the plurality of cells. A driving circuit for driving the plasma display panel in such a manner as to generate a writing discharge to perform writing, and in a sustaining period after the writing period, to drive the written cell to emit light, the driving circuit comprising: In the writing period, at least a cell to which writing is selectively performed or a cell adjacent to the cell among the plurality of cells is performed. Te, wherein when the scanning pulse is applied to the first electrode, a plasma display apparatus characterized by generating a small write auxiliary discharge discharge scale than the write discharge. 41. The driving circuit, wherein, in the writing period, a cell other than the cell to which writing is selectively performed is performed.
41. The plasma according to claim 40, further comprising auxiliary pulse applying means for applying an auxiliary pulse having the same polarity as the data pulse to the third electrode in synchronization with applying a scan pulse to the first electrode. Display device. 42. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 41, wherein a pulse width of the auxiliary pulse applied by the auxiliary pulse applying unit is set shorter than that of the data pulse. 43. The plasma display device according to claim 41, wherein the auxiliary pulse applied by said auxiliary pulse applying means has an absolute value of an average voltage set lower than that of said data pulse. 44. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the auxiliary pulse applied by the auxiliary pulse applying unit has a lower wave height than the data pulse. 45. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 43, wherein a waveform of the auxiliary pulse applied by the auxiliary pulse applying unit is a triangular wave or a pulse train. 46. The auxiliary pulse applying means detects a cell existing in the vicinity of a cell to be written among all cells other than the cell to be selectively written, and The plasma display apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the auxiliary pulse is selectively applied. 47. The driving circuit drives in a time-division gray scale display method having a plurality of subfields in one field, and a specific circuit selected from a plurality of subfields in one field. 41. The plasma display device according to claim 40, wherein the write assist discharge is generated during a write period of a subfield having luminance weighting. 48. A driving circuit comprising: a determination unit for determining, for each field, whether or not the number of light emitting cells in the field period satisfies a predetermined criterion; 41. The plasma display device according to claim 40, further comprising auxiliary discharge means for selectively generating the write auxiliary discharge. 49. An amount of light emitted by the write assist discharge is set to be in a range of 1/10 to 1/100 with respect to an amount of light emitted by a discharge generated during a writing period in a cell to be written. 41. The plasma display device according to claim 40, wherein: 50. The driving circuit, wherein, in the writing period, a voltage between the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied and the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied is the voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied. 41. The plasma display device according to claim 40, wherein the write assist discharge is generated by adjusting the discharge start voltage between one electrode and the third electrode so as to exceed the discharge start voltage. 51. The drive circuit, comprising: a first base pulse applying unit that applies a first base pulse having the same polarity as the data pulse to the plurality of third electrodes as a whole during the writing period; 51. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising: first pulse superimposing means for superimposing a data pulse applied to the first base pulse on said first base pulse. 52. The drive circuit, wherein in the writing period, a second base pulse applying means for applying a second base pulse having the same polarity as the scanning pulse to the plurality of first electrodes as a whole, and the first electrode 52. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising: second pulse superimposing means for superimposing a scanning pulse sequentially applied to the second base pulse. 53. The wave height of a scan pulse applied to the first electrode by the drive circuit is determined by the first electrode to which the scan pulse is applied, and the third electrode to which the data pulse is not applied. 51. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 50, wherein a voltage between the first and third electrodes is set to exceed a discharge starting voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode. 54. The driving circuit, wherein in the cell in which the write discharge has occurred, the voltage of the second electrode during the write period is induced by the write discharge between the first electrode and the second electrode. Voltage adjusting means for maintaining a write sustain discharge within a range in which a write sustain discharge is not generated between the first electrode and the second electrode in a cell in which a write sustain discharge is generated and a write auxiliary discharge is generated. The plasma display device according to any one of claims 50, 51, 52, and 53, comprising: 55. The plasma display panel, wherein an auxiliary discharge electrode is disposed adjacent to each of the first electrodes, wherein the driving circuit is configured to apply the scan pulse during the writing period. Electrode and the first
41. The plasma display device according to claim 40, further comprising auxiliary discharge generating means for generating the writing auxiliary discharge between an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. 56. The auxiliary discharge generating means, wherein when a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode, a voltage between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent thereto exceeds a discharge start voltage. 56. The plasma display device according to claim 55, wherein the voltage applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode is adjusted. 57. The drive circuit according to claim 55, wherein the drive circuit generates the write assist discharge at the same time as or before the timing to start applying a data pulse to the third electrode in the write period. The plasma display device according to the above. 58. The driving circuit, wherein in the writing period, a timing of applying a scanning pulse to the first electrode is less than five times.
58. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 57, wherein a data pulse is applied to the third electrode with a time delay of 00 ns or less. 59. The driving circuit, comprising: a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse to be applied to the first electrode during the sustain period; and operating using an output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit as a reference potential; An initializing pulse generating circuit for applying an initializing pulse to the first electrode in an initializing period prior to the operation, and operating with an output voltage of the initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential to sequentially apply a scan pulse to the first electrode A scan pulse generation circuit, operating with the output voltage of the initialization pulse generation circuit or the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential, and generating a discharge induction pulse for generating an auxiliary discharge between a first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode, 56. The plasma display device according to claim 55, further comprising: a discharge induction pulse output circuit applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode. 60. The driving circuit, comprising: a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse to be applied to the first electrode during the sustain period; and operating using an output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit as a reference potential; An initializing pulse generating circuit for applying an initializing pulse to the first electrode in an initializing period prior to the operation, and operating with an output voltage of the initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential to sequentially apply a scanning pulse to the first electrode. A scan pulse generation circuit, and a second operation which operates using an output of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential and applies a second initialization pulse having a lower voltage than an initialization pulse applied to the first electrode to the auxiliary discharge electrode. An initializing pulse generating circuit, and operating using an output of the second initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential to generate an auxiliary discharge between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. 55. A discharge trigger pulse output circuit for applying a discharge trigger pulse to the auxiliary discharge electrode.
The plasma display device according to the above. 61. The discharge induction pulse output circuit according to claim 59, wherein the auxiliary discharge electrode is maintained in a high impedance state during the sustain period.
0. The plasma display device according to 0. 62. The discharge inducing pulse output circuit is configured to maintain the potential of the auxiliary discharge electrode within a range in which the potentials of the first electrode and the second electrode fluctuate during the sustain period. The plasma display device according to claim 59, wherein: 63. The driving circuit, comprising: a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse to be applied to the first electrode during the sustain period; and operating using an output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit as a reference potential; An initializing pulse generating circuit for applying an initializing pulse to the first electrode in an initializing period prior to the operation, and operating with an output voltage of the initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential to sequentially apply a scanning pulse to the first electrode. A scan pulse generating circuit, and a discharge trigger that operates using the output voltage of the sustain pulse generator as a reference potential and applies a discharge trigger pulse to the auxiliary discharge electrode to generate a discharge between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. A pulse output circuit, an initialization pulse which operates using an output of the discharge induction pulse output circuit as a reference potential, and is applied to the auxiliary discharge electrode to the first electrode. The plasma display apparatus of claim 55, wherein further comprising a second reset pulse generating circuit for applying a more low voltage second reset pulse. 64. The plasma display device according to claim 63, wherein the second initialization pulse generation circuit is configured to maintain the auxiliary discharge electrode in a high impedance state during the sustain period. 65. The second initialization pulse generation circuit is configured to maintain the potential of the auxiliary discharge electrode within the range in which the potentials of the first and second electrodes fluctuate during the sustain period. 64. The plasma display device according to claim 63, wherein: 66. The plasma display panel, wherein a first auxiliary discharge electrode is disposed adjacent to each of the first electrodes, and a second auxiliary discharge electrode is disposed adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrodes. 41. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising: an auxiliary discharge generating unit that generates the write auxiliary discharge between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode during the writing period. . 67. The auxiliary discharge generating means, wherein when a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode, a first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode and a second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first auxiliary electrode. 67. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the voltage between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode is adjusted so that the voltage between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode exceeds the discharge start voltage. 68. In the plasma display panel, each first electrode and a first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode are connected to each other.
The plasma display device according to the above. 69. The driving circuit according to claim 66, wherein, in the writing period, the writing auxiliary discharge is generated at the same time as or before the timing when the application of the data pulse to the third electrode is started. The plasma display device according to the above. 70. The drive circuit according to claim 26, wherein a timing of applying a scan pulse to the first electrode is less than five times during a writing period.
67. The plasma display apparatus according to claim 66, wherein a data pulse is applied to the third electrode with a time delay of 00 ns or less. 71. The drive circuit generates the write auxiliary discharge between a first auxiliary discharge electrode and a second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to a first electrode to which a next scan pulse is applied during a write period. 67. The plasma display device according to claim 66, wherein the plasma display device is operated. 72. In the plasma display panel, each first electrode and a first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode to which a scan pulse is applied next to the first electrode are connected to each other. 72. The plasma display device according to claim 71, wherein: 73. A driving circuit, comprising: a sustain pulse generating circuit that generates a sustain pulse to be applied to the first electrode during the sustain period; and an output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit that operates using the reference voltage as a reference potential. An initializing pulse generating circuit that applies an initializing pulse to the first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode in an initializing period preceding the first electrode, and operates using an output voltage of the initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential. A scan pulse generation circuit for applying a sequential scan pulse; and an output voltage of the initialization pulse generation circuit or the sustain pulse generation circuit, which operates using a reference potential as an auxiliary voltage between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. 67. The plasma data processing apparatus according to claim 66, further comprising: a discharge induction pulse output circuit for applying a discharge induction pulse for generating a discharge to the second auxiliary discharge electrode. Spray equipment. 74. The driving circuit, comprising: a sustain pulse generating circuit for generating a sustain pulse to be applied to the first electrode during the sustain period; and operating using an output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit as a reference potential; An initializing pulse generating circuit that applies an initializing pulse to the first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode in an initializing period preceding the first electrode, and operates using an output voltage of the initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential. A scan pulse generation circuit that applies a sequential scan pulse; and an operation that uses an output of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential, and applies a second initialization pulse having a lower voltage than the initialization pulse to the second auxiliary discharge electrode. A second initializing pulse generating circuit, which operates using an output of the second initializing pulse generating circuit as a reference potential, and compensates between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. Discharge inducing pulse output circuit and the plasma display apparatus of claim 66, wherein further comprising a applying a discharge inducing pulses for generating a discharge to the second auxiliary discharge electrodes. 75. The discharge inducing pulse output circuit is configured to maintain the second auxiliary discharge electrode in a high impedance state during the sustain period.
74. The plasma display device according to 3, 74. 76. The discharge inducing pulse output circuit, wherein, during the sustain period, the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode is set to the first electrode and the second electrode.
75. The plasma display device according to claim 73, wherein the plasma display device is configured so that the potential of the electrode can be maintained within a range in which it fluctuates. 77. The driving circuit, comprising: a sustain pulse generating circuit that generates a sustain pulse applied to the first electrode during the sustain period; and an output voltage of the sustain pulse generating circuit that operates using the reference voltage as a reference potential. An initializing pulse generating circuit for applying an initializing pulse to the first electrode and the first auxiliary discharge electrode in an initializing period preceding the first electrode; A scan pulse generation circuit for sequentially applying a scan pulse to the discharge pulse, and a discharge induction which operates using an output voltage of the sustain pulse generation circuit as a reference potential to generate an auxiliary discharge between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. A discharge-inducing pulse output circuit for applying a pulse to the second auxiliary discharge electrode; and operating using the output of the discharge-inducing pulse output circuit as a reference potential, The electrode, the plasma display apparatus of claim 66, wherein further comprising a second reset pulse generating circuit for applying voltages lower second initialization pulse from the reset pulse. 78. The second initialization pulse generation circuit is configured to maintain the second auxiliary discharge electrode in a high impedance state during the sustain period.
The plasma display device according to the above. 79. The second initialization pulse generation circuit, wherein, in the sustain period, the potential of the second auxiliary discharge electrode is set to a value between the first electrode and the second electrode.
78. The plasma display device according to claim 77, wherein the plasma display device is configured to be able to maintain the potential of the electrode within a range where the potential fluctuates. 80. A plurality of pairs of a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel with each other and a plurality of third electrodes arranged in a three-dimensional cross with each other. A cell is formed. During a writing period, a scanning pulse is sequentially applied to the first electrode and a data pulse is selectively applied to the third electrode, so that a writing discharge is selectively generated in the plurality of cells. In a plasma display panel driven by a method of emitting light in a written cell in a light emitting period after the writing period, a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode, And an auxiliary discharge electrode for generating a write auxiliary discharge having a small discharge scale between the scan electrode and the scan electrode. Zuma display panel. 81. A gap between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is set to a distance between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode equal to or more than の of an amplitude of the scan pulse. 81. The plasma display panel according to claim 80, wherein the distance is set such that a discharge occurs when a corresponding voltage is applied. 82. A gap between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode, wherein a gap between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode has an amplitude of the scan pulse. 81. The plasma display panel according to claim 80, wherein the distance is set so as to exceed a discharge starting voltage between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode when a voltage corresponding to is applied. . 83. The plasma display panel according to claim 80, wherein a gap between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less. 84. A gap between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is smaller than a gap between the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode. The plasma display panel according to claim 80, wherein: 85. A gap in an electrode lead-out portion between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode corresponds to an amplitude of the scan pulse between the first electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode. 81. The plasma display panel according to claim 80, wherein the distance is set such that no discharge occurs in the electrode lead portion when a voltage is applied. 86. The plasma display panel according to claim 85, wherein a gap in an electrode lead-out portion between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is not less than 10 μm and not more than 300 μm. 87. A light-shielding film is formed near the auxiliary discharge electrode to block light generated by the auxiliary discharge from reaching the panel surface.
The plasma display panel as described in the above. 88. A projection protruding from one of the auxiliary discharge electrode and the scanning electrode to the other for each cell.
0. The plasma display panel according to 0. 89. A plurality of pairs of a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel with each other and a plurality of third electrodes arranged in a three-dimensional intersection with the first electrode and the second electrode. A cell is formed, and in a writing period, a scanning pulse is sequentially applied to the first electrode and a data pulse is selectively applied to the third electrode to selectively generate a writing discharge in the plurality of cells. In a plasma display panel driven by a method of emitting light in a written cell in a light emitting period after the writing period, a scan pulse is applied to the first electrode, A first auxiliary discharge electrode and a second auxiliary electrode for generating a writing auxiliary discharge having a small discharge scale are provided adjacent to the first electrodes. Zuma display panel. 90. Each of the first auxiliary electrodes is connected to a first electrode adjacent thereto.
10. The plasma display panel according to 9. 91. The method according to claim 89, wherein each of the first electrodes is connected to a first auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode to which a scan pulse is applied next to the first electrode.
The plasma display panel as described in the above. 92. A gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and a second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrode is formed between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. 90. The plasma display panel according to claim 89, wherein the distance is set such that a discharge occurs when a voltage corresponding to 1/2 or more of the pulse amplitude is applied. 93. The plasma display panel according to claim 89, wherein a gap between the first electrode and an auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first electrode is not less than 10 μm and not more than 50 μm. 94. A gap in an electrode lead-out portion between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and a second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrode may be between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode. 90. The plasma display panel according to claim 89, wherein a distance is set such that no discharge occurs in the electrode lead-out portion when a voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the scanning pulse is applied. 95. The gap between the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode adjacent to the first auxiliary discharge electrode at an electrode lead-out portion is 10 μm or more and 300 μm or less. The plasma display panel as described in the above. 96. A light-shielding film is formed in the vicinity of the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode to block light generated by the auxiliary discharge from reaching the panel surface. Claim 89
The plasma display panel as described in the above. 97. The plasma display panel according to claim 89, wherein a protrusion protruding from one of the first auxiliary discharge electrode and the second auxiliary discharge electrode to the other is formed for each cell.