JPH01217396A - Data storage apparatus and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an address device manufacturable at a low cost and a high yield by using ionized gas for writing and reading data to a data storing element. CONSTITUTION: Ionizable gas filling respective grooves 20 functions as an electric switch 90 for which a contact point position is changed between two switching states corresponding to a voltage applied by a data strobe circuit 28. That is, the switch 90 at an open position is connected to a reference electrode 30 and driven by strobe pulses impressed to a row electrode 62, and when no strobe pulse is present, the gas is turned to a non-ionized state and it is turned to a non-conducting state. In a state where the switch 90 is closed, it is connected to the reference electrode 30, driven by the strobe pulses of strength sufficient for ionizing the gas inside the groove 20 impressed to the row electrode 62 and turned to a conducting state. Thus, this inexpensive device capable of gray scale display as well is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a data storage device and a display device, and more particularly to a data storage device and display device using ionized gas.

(Prior art) Systems employing data storage devices include, for example, video
There are cameras and image display devices. Such a system is
There is an addressing device U7 for writing data to and reading data from the storage element.

This type of system to which embodiments of the present invention are particularly directed is a general purpose flat panel display comprising:
The storage or display element stores the light pattern data. Flat panel displays include a number of display elements arranged within the viewing area of a display surface. Flat panel displays are desirable because they do not necessarily require cathode ray tubes to form the displayed image. Cathode ray tubes are undesirable because they are bulky, fragile, and require high-voltage drive circuits.

Some flat panel displays employ addressing techniques that arrange and directly multiplex a large number of liquid crystal cells or display elements. Each of the liquid crystal cells is disposed between a pair of conductors, and these conductors selectively apply a selection voltage signal and a release voltage signal to the liquid crystal cells;
By changing the optical state of the liquid crystal cell, it is possible to change the brightness and form an image. This type of display device can be said to be "passive." This is because there are no "active" electrical elements working together to change the electro-optical properties of the liquid crystal cell.

Such display devices have the disadvantage that they have a limited number of address lines (eg, approximately 250) for providing video information, or data, used to form the displayed image.

A strategy to increase the number of data address lines in a liquid crystal display is to use separate electrical elements cooperating with each liquid crystal cell to increase the electro-optical response of the liquid crystal cell to select and release voltage signals. Some of the addressing techniques for "two-terminal" devices are characterized by this method. Increasing the substantial nonlinearity of the display element increases the multiplexing capability in binary display, but there are many difficulties in realizing Daley scale with this technique.

Obtaining a liquid crystal matrix display with sufficient dalay scale performance requires an addressing system that does not rely on obtaining nonlinear functions from liquid crystal chips.

To achieve this, an addressing device using a matrix of electrical active J-elements employs, for each pixel, an electronic switch separate from the liquid crystal material.
RiX uses two or three terminal solid state elements associated with each liquid crystal cell to obtain the necessary nonlinearity and isolation of the display element. Addressing devices configured with two-terminal elements can use various types of guiatos, and three
Addressing devices constituted by terminal elements can use various types of thin film transistors (TPTs) made partly from different semiconductor materials.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) One of the problems with two-terminal or three-terminal active devices is that when the number of active devices becomes very large, it becomes very difficult to manufacture large quantities of matrices with high yields. Another problem, particularly with respect to TPT elements, is that it is difficult to manufacture thin film transistors with sufficiently high "off resistance". cannot hold the charge generated there for a given time.Furthermore, in this case,
The ratio between "off resistance" and "on resistance" decreases.

This ratio is 1 for suitable operation of the TPT matrix.
It is desirable to exceed 0.06. TFT7 Trix sometimes employs a separate storage capacitor with each display element to eliminate the effect of the off-resistance J not being high enough. However, by using a separate storage capacitor, TFT7 Trix working with this Another potential problem with TFT active 71-risks is that the requirements for "on" current tend to increase the size of the TPT device, making the display more complex and reducing yield. The problem is that the dimensions of the TPT are relatively large compared to the dimensions of the element. This affects the light efficiency of the device.

Active devices made by TPT devices are capable of forming black and white and color images. In order to form a color image, the display elements are arranged in spatial alignment with the display elements,
The active matrix uses a color filter containing many groups of spots of different colors. Therefore, a group of display elements arranged to coincide with spots of different colors therefore forms a single image pixel.

Furan 1-panel display devices can also be implemented using display elements using ionized gas or plasma, forming light-emitting regions on the display surface with a color determined by the gas used. These light emitting regions are selectively driven to form a displayed image.

Other furan 1-panel display devices employ plasma that emits electrons, which are accelerated and collided with phosphors to produce bright spots. Flat like this
Although panel display devices have improved luminance efficiency, it is difficult to configure a wide display surface and a complicated drive circuit is required. Such flat panel display devices have different spectral characteristics to form multicolor images.
It can be composed of a phosphor that is excited by electrons.

Gas plasma flat panel displays are purposefully lightened by using plasma sack (p]asma-sac) type gas discharge displays. In such a display, a plasma sac generated on the cathode side of the apertured insulator moves from one aperture to another and affects the rask scan. This plasma sack type gas discharge display device is
The manufacturing process is complicated and the yield is likely to decrease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a data storage element which can be manufactured at low cost and with high yield and which can be used as part of an addressing device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using ionized gas to write or read data from a data storage device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a display system having storage or display elements of electro-optic materials and active addressing devices, which has the characteristics of high addressing speed and high contrast.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a display system in which an electro-optic material cooperates with an ionized gas to form an addressable data storage element.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display system with good color, gray scale and brightness characteristics.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention relates to data storage devices and methods for using the same. The present invention will be explained along with two embodiments.

A first embodiment includes an addressing system for a high resolution flat panel display, either direct view or projection. The display device includes a display panel made up of data storage or display elements arranged over a viewing area. Each display element includes a predetermined amount of ionizable gas such as helium and a predetermined amount of electro-optic material such as nematic liquid crystal, which work together to form the display element. modulates the light that propagates through the electro-optic material where it is located and emits it outward.

A second embodiment comprises an addressing device implemented as part of a memory device, into which analog information is electrically written or read. The memory device includes an array of data storage or memory elements, each of which includes an ionizable gas such as helium, a dielectric material such as glass, plastic, and a photoconductor. There is. The ionizable gas and dielectric material together provide a way to address the memory element to read signals that have been previously written to the memory element in some manner.

In both embodiments, the storage elements are arranged in rows and columns. In a first embodiment, a row represents a line of video information or data, and in a second embodiment, a row represents a set of discrete quantities of analog information or data. (The information addressed in each embodiment is hereinafter referred to as [data j.) The column electrodes receive and receive data.
The strobe circuit addresses the column electrodes row by row by row scanning.

The display panel according to the first embodiment or the memory device according to the second embodiment includes first and second substrates that are spaced apart and face each other face to face. . A number of non-overlapping conductive paths extending in a first direction along the inner surface of the first substrate form column electrodes for data drive signals applied thereto.

A large number of non-overlapping grooves cut into the inside of the second substrate extend inward along a direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The first and second directions are preferably vertical and horizontal, respectively. The reference voltage electrode and the row electrode are electrically insulated from each other, extend along the inner length of each groove, and receive a data strobe signal applied thereto.

Each groove is filled with ionizable gas.

In the display panel of the first embodiment, a layer of material having electro-optical properties and a layer of dielectric material are disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, and a layer of dielectric material covering the groove is provided. The material layer is
Forming a barrier layer between the layer of electro-optic material and the ionizable gas. The display element is shaped by the area where the column electrodes and grooves overlap and appears as a spot on the display screen. The spots are small enough and close enough to each other that they are indistinguishable when viewed under normal viewing conditions.

The display panel is configured as described above, and the ionizable gas for each display element is divided into a plasma state with conduction and a non-ionized state with no conduction, depending on the applied data strobe signal. It functions as a switch that electrically switches between The strength of the column electrode data drive signal corresponds to the brightness of the displayed image.

Whenever the element is conductive, the region of ionized gas allows a data voltage representing the voltage of the data drive signal to be applied to the region of liquid crystal material. This region of liquid crystal material is spatially aligned with the region of ionized gas. Whenever the element is non-conducting, the region of non-ionized gas allows the spatially aligned regions of the liquid crystal material to maintain the voltage applied thereto for a predetermined period of time.

The ionizable gas therefore serves the function of selecting the data stored in the liquid crystal material, thus providing a gray scale brightness display.

By switching the ionizable gas within the display panel between conducting and non-conducting states, the light passing through the display element can be modulated. The transmitted light depends on the strength of the applied data drive signal. A monochrome or black and white display device with gray scale brightness capability can be used for the display panel. A full-color display with controllable color intensity can be realized by placing a color filter in a black-and-white display containing a group of spots of three primary colors spatially aligned with respect to the display element. A group of three display elements aligned to form a group of sub-y l- results in one image pixel of color determined in relation to the intensity of the spots within this group.

The display device of the present invention is capable of providing fully dynamic, gray scale images over a wide range of field rates and provides a high quality display. This display device is particularly advantageous because of its simple and rugged construction, allowing at least 3000 data lines to be addressed on the display screen at a field rate of 60 Hz.

In the memory device in the second embodiment, only one layer of dielectric material is provided between the first and second substrates. The shape of the memory element is determined by the area where the column electrodes and grooves overlap. Since the memory device is configured as described above, for each memory element the ionizable gas is an electrical conductor that switches between a conducting state and a non-conducting state in response to an applied data strobe signal. functions as a switch. The amplifier providing the data drive signal functions as an amplifier to drive the column electrodes during the data write mode and functions as an amplifier to sense the column electrodes during the data read mode.

Whenever the element is in conductive state 19)4, the region of ionizable gas allows a data voltage of a predetermined intensity to be applied. This voltage represents the strength of the data-driven signal impregnated in the dielectric material in a region spatially aligned with the region of ionized gas. this is,
Represents a data write mote of a memory device. Even when the element is non-conducting, the region of non-ionized gas allows the spatially aligned regions of dielectric material to maintain a voltage across it for a predetermined period of time. A column electrode sense amplifier associated with this region, L-1, applies a reference voltage to the surface of the dielectric material layer opposite the surface spatially aligned with the region of ionized gas. Upon returning to conduction, the region of ionized gas changes the voltage across the dielectric material. This change, which corresponds to the previously written data voltage by 1L, appears at the output of the column electrode sense amplifier. This represents the data read mode of the memory device.

Other means for applying data voltages to the memory elements of the memory device can be employed by making some modifications to the dual addressing device. For example, by replacing dielectric materials with photoconductive materials and using optically transparent column electrodes, incident light can modulate the intensity of the data voltage applied to the memory element proportionally to its intensity. become able to.

Such an addressing device could be used as part of an image sensing device or an optical processing device.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flat panel display device (10), and represents a first embodiment of the addressing device of the present invention, and also represents an addressing method. In Figure 1, flat
The panel display device (10) includes a display panel (12) having a display surface (14). This display surface (14) includes a pattern of rectangular planar arrays of individual data storage or display elements (16) spaced from each other at predetermined distances along the vertical and horizontal directions.

Each display element (16) in this array is an overlapping portion of thin, narrow electrodes (18) arranged in vertical columns and elongated grooves (20) arranged in the horizontal direction ( Hereinafter, the electrode (18) will be referred to as a column electrode (18).)

The display elements (16) in the grooves (20) corresponding to a row represent one row of data.

The width of the column electrode (18) and the width of the groove (20) are the same as that of the display element (1).
6) Determine the dimensions, which will be a rectangle.

The column electrodes (18) are arranged on the main surface of the first electrically non-conductive and optically transparent substrate, and the grooves (20) are arranged on the main surface of the first electrically non-conductive and optically transparent substrate. It is engraved on the main surface of the substrate. This will be discussed in detail later. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in systems such as direct view or projection reflective displays, only one substrate need be optically transparent.

The column electrodes (18) are connected to data driving means or circuits (24).
A data drive signal of the analog voltage generated on the parallel output conductor (22') is received by a respective one of the output amplifiers (22) (see FIGS. 2 to 6) of the parallel output conductors (22'). Groove (20
) is the pulse voltage generated on the parallel output conductors (26°) by each one of the output amplifiers (26) (see FIGS. 2 to 6) of the data strobe means or circuit (28). Receives data strobe signal. Valley ditch (2
0), a reference electrode (30) (Fig. 2) passes through it,
A reference voltage (ground voltage) common to the valley and data strobe circuits (28) is applied to the reference electrode (30).

In order to form an image over the entire display surface (14), the display device (10) includes a scanning control circuit (32). This adjusts the functions of the data drive circuit (24) and data strobe circuit (28), and controls the display panel (1).
2) Addressing all columns of the display elements (16) in a scanning manner from row to row. Different types of electro-optic materials may be used for the display panel (12). for example,
If a material that changes the polarization state of the incident light (33) is used as this material, the display panel (12) is placed between the polarizing filters (34) and (36) (number 2 in the figure).

The filters (34) and (36) are the display panel (1
2) to change the brightness of the light that passes through them. If a liquid crystal cell that scatters light is used as the electro-optic material, polarizing filters (34) and (36) are not required.

Color filters, not shown, may be located within the display panel (12) to form a multicolor image with controllable color intensity. For projection display, colors may be created by using three individual monochromatic panels. Each panel will control one primary color.

In Figures 2 to 5, the display panel (12) comprises an addressing device comprising a layer (44) of electro-optic material such as nematic liquid crystal and a dielectric material such as glass, mica or plastic. a pair of generally parallel electrode structures (40) separated by a thin layer (46) of;
(42) is included. The electrode structure (40) comprises a dielectric substrate (48) made of glass, on which column electrodes (18) of indium and tin oxide are provided by vapor deposition on the inner surface (50). There is. It is optically transparent and forms a strip pattern. Adjacent column electrodes (18) are separated by a distance (52), defining the horizontal spacing between adjacent display elements (16) on the launch.

The electrode assembly (42) comprises a dielectric substrate (54) made of glass, the inner surface (56) of which is provided with a plurality of grooves (20) having a trapezoidal cross section. Depth of groove (20) (5
8) is measured from the inner surface (56) to the bottom (60). Each of the grooves (20) has a pair of thin, narrow nickel electrodes (30) and (62) extending along the bottom (60) and widening from the bottom (60) toward the inner surface (56). There are a pair of side walls (64). groove(
The reference electrode (30) of 20) is connected to a common reference voltage. This is fixed at ground potential as shown. The electrodes (62) of the grooves (20) are connected to the output amplifiers (26) of the data strobe circuit (28) (3 and 5 of these are shown in the 2nd and 30th sections, respectively). Each is connected to a different one. (Electrode (62
) are hereinafter referred to as row electrodes (62). ) Reference electrode (30) and row electrode (62) to ensure that the addressing device operates
are connected to the reference potential and the output (26') of the data strobe circuit (28), respectively, on opposite sides of the display panel (12), as shown in FIGS. 4, 11A, and 11B. Ru.

Adjacent side walls (64) of adjacent grooves (20) have top surfaces (56
) supports a layer of dielectric material (46).
6). The adjacent grooves (20) are spaced apart from each other by the width (68) of the top of each support structure (66). This width (68) is equal to the width of adjacent display elements (16) in the column.
) determine the vertical distance between Column electrodes (18) and grooves (20
) overlaps with each other (70), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, becomes a display element (16). FIG. 3 shows more clearly the arrangement of display elements (16) and their horizontal and vertical distances.

A gap (52) for insulating adjacent column electrodes (18) is determined depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the column electrodes (18). The distance liiilf (52) is typically much smaller than the width of the column electrode (18).

The distance (68) is determined depending on the inclination of adjacent side walls (64) of adjacent grooves (20). Distance (6B) ill, groove (2
0).

The width of the column electrodes (18) and the width of the grooves (20) are typically the same and are a function of the desired image resolution. This depends on how it is applied to display.

It is better to make the gaps (52) and (68) as small as possible. In the current model 2;3 of the display panel (12), the groove depth (58) is half the groove width.

Each of the grooves (20) is filled with an ionizable gas, preferably including helium gas, as explained below. The layer (46) of dielectric material is
Between the ionizable gas contained in the groove (20) and the layer of liquid crystal material (44) it acts as an insulating barrier layer. Without the insulating layer (46), the liquid crystal material may flow into the groove (20) or the ionizable gas may contaminate the liquid crystal material. The dielectric layer (46) may not be necessary in displays employing solid-state or encapsulated electro-optic materials.

The principles underlying the operation of the display panel (12) are as follows: 1) Each display element (16) has a column electrode (1) forming a part of the display element.
8) serves as a sampling capacitor for the analog data voltage applied to the capacitor. 2) The ionizable gas acts as a sampling switch. 6th
The figure is an equivalent circuit for explaining the operation of the display device (10).

In FIG. 6, a display element (16) of a display panel (12) is shown.
) can be regarded as a capacitor (1, 8) (hereinafter referred to as a capacitor model (80)). The top plate (82) of this represents one of the column electrodes (18). 7E, the bottom plate (86) of which is the free surface (88) of the layer of dielectric material (46) (Fig. 2).
represents. The capacitor model (80) represents a capacitive liquid crystal cell formed by the overlap of column electrodes (18) and grooves (20). The method of operation of the display device (10) will be explained using a capacitor model (80).

Following the basic addressing procedure, the data driver (24) captures the first line of data. The captured data represents a sample of the voltage of a time-varying analog data signal at predetermined time intervals. Sampling the strength of the data signal at specific events within this time interval determines the strength of the analog voltage applied to the capacitor model (80) at the corresponding column position of the row electrode (62) receiving the strobe pulse. represents. The data driver (24) has its output amplifier (22)
) is generated and applied to the column electrode (18). In FIG. 6, four representative output amplifiers (22) of a data driver (24) apply a positive polarity analog voltage to a reference electrode (30) to a connected column electrode (18). Apply to each. Applying a positive voltage to the column electrode (18) creates a voltage on the free surface (, 88) (FIG. 2) of the layer of dielectric material (46) that is substantially equal to the applied voltage. For this reason, the capacitor model (80
There is no change in the potential difference across ), and in FIG. 6 the top plate (82) and bottom plate (86) are drawn with white surfaces.

In this case, the gas in the groove (20) is in a non-ionized state, and the plate (8) of the capacitor model (80)
The voltages developed at 2) and (86) are positive with respect to the potential of the reference electrode (30) in the trench. When the data strobe circuit (28) generates a negative voltage pulse on the row electrode (62) in the trench (20), the gas in the trench (20) becomes ionic. The grooves (20) whose row electrodes are receiving strobe pulses are shown in thick lines in FIG. Under these conditions, the grounded reference electrode (30) and the strobed row electrode (62)
They serve as an anode and a cathode, respectively, for the plasma within the groove.

Electrons in the plasma neutralize the positive charge induced on the bottom plate (86) of the capacitor model (80). The capacitor model (80) for the row being strobed is:
It is charged by the data voltage applied to it. In this state, the top plate (82) has a white surface as shown in FIG.
The bottom plate (86) is represented by a line. Once the data voltage has been stored across the capacitor model (80), the data strobe circuit (28)
The negative voltage pulse of the row electrode (62) is terminated. This ends the strobe pulse and the plasma also disappears.

Each of the row electrodes (62) is strobed in a similar manner until the entire display surface (14) has been addressed and an image field of data has been accumulated. The voltage remains stored on each of the capacitor models (80) of the row being strobed for at least the duration of the image field. It is then unaffected by subsequent changes in the data voltage applied to the top plate (82) of the capacitor model (80). The voltage stored on each of the capacitor models (80) varies in response to analog data voltages representing display data of subsequent image fields.

In the display device (10), if the image field is non-interlaced, the analog data voltages applied to the column electrodes (18) in subsequent image fields will be of opposite polarity. The oscillation of polarity between positive and negative as we transition from one image field to the next results in a net zero DC voltage component over the long term. This is particularly required for long-term use of liquid crystal materials. This liquid crystal material produces a Daley scale effect depending on the effective value of the applied analog data voltage. Therefore, the image created is
It is unaffected by changes in the polarity of the analog data voltage. In the display device (10), if the image field is interlaced, the analog data voltages applied to the column electrodes (18) of subsequent image frames are such that the DC voltage component is net zero in the long run. , the polarity is reversed. Each image frame consists of two image fields, each image field consisting of half the number of addressable lines.

As will be apparent from the above description, the ionizable gas contained in each of the grooves (20) moves between the two switching states in response to the voltage applied by the data strobe circuit (28). Electric switch that changes (90
).

In FIG. 6, the switch (90) in the open position is
It is connected to the reference electrode (30) and is driven by a strobe pulse applied to the row electrode (62). ) - Without the lobe pulse, the gas in the groove (20) is
It is in a non-ionized state and is therefore in a non-conducting state. When the switch (90) shown in FIG. 6 is closed, it is connected to the reference electrode (30) and the row electrode (62)
and is driven by a slobe pulse strong enough to ionize the gas in :M(20), thereby rendering it conductive. In FIG. 6, the middle one of the three output amplifiers of the data strobe circuit (28) strobes a row of capacitor models (80) to apply and store display data voltages thereon.

To function as a switch, a glass electrode +1
The ionizable gas contained within the groove (20) below the body (40) is in contact with the layer (46) of dielectric material.
, providing a conductive path from the layer of dielectric material (46) to the reference electrode (30). The plasma in the groove (2()) with the row electrode (62) passing through the strobe pulse does not represent the part of the liquid crystal material located next to this plasma and is grounded to the capacitor model (80). Provides a passageway. This allows analog data voltages applied to the column electrodes (]8) to be converted to capacitor models (8).
0) can now be sampled. When the plasma disappears, there is no conductive path. Therefore, the sampled data is retained in the display element. The voltage remains stored in the liquid crystal material until a voltage is developed in the layer (44) that generates a new line of data for a subsequent image field. The addressing device and technique described above provides a substantially 100% duty cycle signal for each one of the display elements (16).

FIG. 7 is a time chart 1 that determines the limit on the number of lines of data that the display device (10) can address during an image field. In FIG. 7, the row electrode (62) of the groove (20) being strobed is
After being pulsed, a typical data line n requires time (92) to generate a plasma. This plasma generation time (92) is the previous line n-1
The initiation of the strobe pulses prior to each period of time does not substantially limit the number of addressable lines within the image field.

In the preferred embodiment, the plasma generation time in helium gas is nominally 1.0 microseconds.

The data sen) amplifier time (96) is the data amp time (96) between the data values on the data lines of two adjacent trees.
The driver (24) represents the time when the state changes and causes the output amplifier (22) to generate an analog voltage signal and the column electrode (1
8). Data setup time (9G
) is a function of the electronic circuitry used to implement the data driver (24). Seven solenoid amplifier times of less than 1.0 microseconds are achievable.

The data acquisition time (98) depends on the conductivity of the ionizable gas within the groove (20). FIG. 8 depicts the data acquisition time (98) as a function of plasma current flowing between the reference electrode (30) and the row electrode (62) in the groove (20). The curve in FIG. 8 represents the time required for the display element to acquire 90% of the voltage corresponding to the data.

FIG. 8 shows that ions produced by a helium gas plasma result in lower data acquisition times compared to neon. In the plasma, the current flows through the cathode (
from the row electrode (62)) to the anode (reference electrode (30)).

The preferred operating point is the one that achieves the shortest data acquisition time for positive ion current. In the particular case shown in Part 8, at such an operating point, using helium gas at a pressure of 40 millibar and applying a current of 7.5 milliamps, approximately 0. A data acquisition time of 5 ms is achieved. The reason helium can achieve shorter data acquisition times than neon is because helium is a lighter ion and more mobile. The optimum values of pressure and current are the groove (20
) depends on the size and shape of the

The plasma extinction time (94) represents the time required for the plasma in the groove (20) to return to a non-ionized state upon removal of the strobe pulse from the row electrode (62). Figure 9 shows the anode/
As a function of cathode current, it represents the plasma extinction time at which the interference does not exceed 3%. Figure 9 shows the plasma disappearance time (
94) shows an increase as a function of the current flowing in the plasma from the row electrode (62) to the reference electrode (30). The intensity of the strobe pulse applied to the row electrode (62) determines the amount of current flowing through the plasma. Figure 9 shows that the decrease in plasma disappearance time (94) is approximately +
It is shown that this can be achieved by applying a continuous bias voltage of 100 μm. Figure 9 further shows that +
It is shown that when a bias voltage of 100 V is applied, the plasma disappearance time (94) is about one-tenth of that when the bias voltage is zero.

The time required to address the data line is
Equal to the sum of data setup time (96), data acquisition time (98), and plasma extinction time (94). The number of lines that can be addressed during an image field is equal to the time of the image field divided by the time required to address the data lines. For a non-interlaced 60 Hz frame rate, the number of data lines in the display (10) can exceed 9000 with the simple addressing technique described above. The number of addressable data lines depends on the display device (1
Note that this is not the same as the resolution of 0). The resolution is a function of the width of the grooves (20) and the width of the column electrodes (18).

The use of priming techniques has the advantage of ensuring the ability to address a relatively large number of lines in an image frame. Priming involves introducing ions to initiate a gas discharge. Priming the display device (10) is accomplished by passing a current through a priming groove (not shown). The priming grooves are arranged at right angles to the grooves (20), and each of the grooves is connected to the display panel (20).
It ends at the edge of 12). By priming,
Plasma can be generated without an initial statistical lag time that would otherwise make the plasma generation time unpredictably long.

10A and 10'B show data driver (24
), corresponding components are shown with suffixes a and b, respectively.

In FIG. 10A, the data driver (24a) is
Sample the data signal and store it in the buffer memory (1
The data signal □ is in analog or digital form. The buffer memory (100) is a charge-coupled device (CCD) or sample-and-hold type. - Storing data signals. The buffer memory (100') may be of digital form for storing digital data signals.

The element (22) is a buffer amplifier or an analog-to-digital converter, depending on whether the buffer memory (100) holds analog voltages or digital data. The elements (22) allow parallel transmission of gummy pressure to the column electrodes.

The data driver (24a) is capable of high-speed operation. This is because the COD and sample-and-hold circuits are capable of high-speed acquisition, and the analog voltages are simultaneously transmitted to the column electrodes (18a) in parallel.

In FIG. 10B, the data driver (24b) is
Each of the sets of switches (104) is sequentially closed and opened to serially sample the analog data signal. A switch (104) is connected to a capacitor (106). Capacitor (1
06) accumulates charge from the data signal when the switch is closed. This provides an analog voltage sample of the data signal from one end of a column electrode (18b) to the other. A sampling clock signal applied to the control electrode of switch (104') sets the sampling rate. The data setup time (96) of the circuit in FIG.
It is a multiplier equal to the number of b) and is larger than the data of the circuit in Figure 10A.

For proper operation within the display device (10), the horizontal blanking time from row to row must be longer than the data acquisition time (98
) and the plasma disappearance time (94).
Required for the data driver (24b).

11th. Figures A and 11B show a typical display panel (12) in which each reference electrode (30) has nine grooves carrying a fixed reference voltage, Slobe signal pulse.
Comparing the number of data strobe outputs required. The display panel of FIG. 11A includes a grounded reference electrode (30) and nine different slescope output amplifiers (2
6) and a data strobe circuit (28) driving the different row electrodes (62). ], 1.
The display panel, not shown in B, has three sets of reference electrodes (
30) and row electrodes (62) organized into three other sets. The reference electrode groove (20) (FIG. 4) forming any one of the set of reference electrodes includes any one electrode (62) of the set of row electrodes.

The display device (10) slobes only one of the set of reference electrodes (30) for a predetermined time interval. During the strobe time interval, the display device (10)
Addressing the display element (16) by driving the column electrodes (18) and strobing the set of row electrodes (62) contained within the groove (20) with the reference electrode (30) receiving a strobe pulse. . The row electrodes (62) of the grooves (20) whose reference electrodes (30) have not received the strobe pulse are therefore not activated.

Output amplifier (26) of data strobe circuit (28)
, the reference electrode (30) and the row electrode (62) in the groove (20)
The address device data and
The number of output amplifiers (26) of the strobe circuit (28) can be reduced. Typical display panel (12) in Figure 11B
Then, the number of data strobe output amplifiers (26) is 9.
The number decreases from one to six.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the minimum number of drivers required versus the number of addressable data lines that can be installed in the type of addressing device implemented in the display panel (12) of FIG. 11B. be. Figure 12 shows that the substantial decrease in drivers is caused by a relatively large number of data
It shows what is achieved in a display device with lines.

The addressing device of the present invention is a Burr.

Selsugyan (Sel) developed by
By using other techniques similar to those implemented in the f-3can (trademark) display, it is easier to reduce the number of tries. Such display devices employ a display cell that is visible to the observer and a scanning cell that is not visible to the observer. The scanning cell controls the state of the display element by pumping activated priming particles into each chamber of ionizable gas. Within the trench of the scan cell, the plasma discharge sequentially moves to neighboring display cells and generates priming particles that activate the neighboring display cells.

In the display panel (12), the electrical division of orthogonal brimming grooves could provide an ion source that moves sequentially from one groove to the next. Regarding the above techniques, wall charge coupling or other known techniques could be employed to further reduce the number of drivers.

The addressing technique of applying data voltages of positive and negative polarity in alternating image fields is useful for display devices (10) employing the driver reduction technique described in connection with FIGS.
), it is easy to use. Alternative addressing techniques that apply only positive polarity data voltages can further increase addressing speed. Such an alternative technique introduces an erasure field above each image field.

In this type of addressing technique, during scanning of the erase field, the data strobe circuit (28) sequentially applies relatively short duration positive and negative pulses to the row electrodes (62) of the grooves (20). , data driver (24
) applies a voltage of approximately ground potential to the column electrode (18). Through the application of positive pulses, the reference electrode (30) and row electrode (62) act as the cathode and anode of the plasma, respectively. Since the data voltage already determined is of positive polarity, the charge on the storage element (16) includes the negatively charged surface (88) of the layer of dielectric material (46). Therefore, it functions as a cathode. The cathode is surrounded by a relatively high concentration of ions, which quickly neutralizes the negative charge on the layer of dielectric material (46). Layer (46)
Since the potential of the anode approaches that of the anode, the residual positive charge can accumulate and reach significant levels. During the application of a negative pulse, the ground potential applied to the column electrode (18) is
In a similar way to how we worked writing image fields,
The remaining positive charge is dissipated to ground.

If positive pulses are not used, the speed at address is limited by the positive ion charging phenomenon described above. However, this alternative addressing technique
This is inconsistent with the driver reduction techniques described in connection with FIGS. 1B and 12.

In another addressing technique of this type, the data strobe circuit (28) applies negative pulses to two or more (eg, ten) row electrodes (62) to simultaneously erase one row of data. It ends up. This technology uses a display panel (1
2), there is a small duty display screen (14).
Uneven cycles occur.

The flat panel display (10) may be modified to form a versatile analog data memory device t (110) that includes an array of memory elements. This embodies an addressing device and is a second embodiment of the invention. Such a modification is a polarizing filter (34
) and (36), and if they exist, figure 2, figure 4
Also included is the removal of the liquid crystal material layer (44) of FIGS.

FIG. 13 shows an equivalent circuit of the memory device (110). Other than as noted above, the devices shown in FIGS. 6 and 13 are similar. Corresponding components in FIGS. 6 and 13 are therefore given the same reference numerals. In the memory device (110), the dielectric (46) serves as the dielectric element of a capacitor model (80), which represents the memory element. The column electrodes (18) need not be constructed of optically transparent material, but may also be constructed of aluminum or other conductive materials.

Data driven output amplifier (22) of memory device (110)
functions as a column electrode drive amplifier in the data write mode and as a column electrode sense amplifier in the data read mode.

The data strobe output amplifiers of the devices of FIGS. 6 and 13 are similar.

In Figure 13, each output amplifier (22) of the data drive circuit (24) comprises a high speed operational amplifier (1'12). Feedback capacitor (11B) and switch element (12
0) is connected to the inverting input terminal (112) of the amplifier (112).
14) and the output end (116). The amplifier (112) is selectively configured as a voltage follower by driving the switch element (120) into a conductive state when in a data write mode, and configured as a voltage follower by driving the switch element (120) into a conductive state when in a data read mode. 12'O) is driven and made non-conducting to configure it as an integrator. The non-inverting input terminal (12) of the operational amplifier (122)
'2') is the movable contact (12) of the switch element (126).
4). This switching element selectively connects the non-inverting input terminal (122) to the reference voltage Vr or to the output signal conductor of the data drive circuit (24).

Whenever in write mode, the output amplifier (22) provides data drive signals to the column electrodes (18) forming the memory elements of the memory device (110). This means that
The operational amplifier (112) is configured as a voltage follower, and the movable contact (1'24) of the switch element (126) that supplies the data drive signal is connected from the data drive circuit (24) to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier (112). The end (122). During this period, the row strobe nozzle applied to the row electrode (62) in the trench (20) constituting the memory element (110) or the ionizable gas in the trench is excited to an ionized state. This allows the -)- and punk models (8
0) to generate a data voltage. Capacitor model (
The magnitude of the voltage across 80) is critical to the data drive signal.

Data (7) When in Mi output mode i-, the data amplifier (22) senses the current in the column electrode (18) constituting the memory element of the memory device (110).

This is accomplished through a two-step process.

] The movable contact (1, 24) of the switch element (+26)
is the non-inverting input terminal (+22) of the operational amplifier (I]2)
) is arranged to input the reference voltage Vr.

During this 1lJ1 period, the row strobe pulse is applied to maintain the non-ionized state of the ionizable gas.
It is in an inactivated state.

Therefore, the voltage Vr is applied to the output terminal (116) of the operational amplifier (112), the column electrode (]8), and the capacitor.
It occurs on the top plate (82) of the model (80). Sui
The t-reduction capacitor (118) is neutralized to OOpol[·. However, the memory device (110)
It can be configured to operate with an off-nano voltage between the input and output of each operational amplifier (11, 2).

Second, the voltage across the feedback capacitor (118) is 00
After voltage, the operational amplifier (11,2) is configured as an integrator whose input (11,4) is arranged to receive the current from the column electrode (18). The potential difference between the bottom plate (86) of the capacitor model (80) and the reference electrode (30) is a function of Vr and the data voltage across the capacitor model (80) previously noted. When the row strobe pulse again brings the ionizable gas into an ionized state, the bottom plate (86) of the capacitor model (80) is electrically connected to the reference electrode (30). Therefore, the voltage across the capacitor model (80) changes. An operational amplifier configured as an integrator (
112) senses this voltage change and supplies to the output (116) a voltage proportional to the above-mentioned data voltage across the capacitor model (80).

Other methods exist to cause the capacitor model (80) to generate a data voltage to facilitate its function as a memory device. For example, using optically transparent column electrodes (1,8) and replacing the dielectric layer (46) with a photoconductive material and exposing the memory device (11,0) to visible light, the memory The voltage across the capacitor model (80) is modulated in proportion to the intensity of the light incident on the device (1, 10).

The voltage change across the capacitor (80), which is proportional to the intensity of the incident light, is restored when in the data read mode, as already mentioned. The layer of photoconductive material (/I[i) and the optically transparent column electrode (18) are:
Therefore, the image sensing device is compatible with the characteristics of analog data memory.

In the image sensing device described above, the provision of the layer of photoconductive material (46) as a plurality of electrically insulating strips serves to avoid conduction between adjacent capacitor models (80). Dew. Providing a metal strip or other conductive strip along the edge of the optically transparent electrode reduces the time taken to read out the data voltage across the -1- Yapacita model (80). The efficiency of data correction in the data read mode is improved.

The dual image sensing device utilizes the photoconductive properties of the layer of photoconductive material (46) during the data readout mode. It is also possible to directly exploit the photoconductivity of layer (46). In this case, the storage element (16) would be better characterized as a sensing element, and the capacitor model (80) would also be better characterized as a current modulation device. This means that the strobe electrode (
62) and the reference electrode (30), by applying a voltage to the column electrodes (18) that creates a voltage gradient across the layer (46) while a row strobe pulse is applied. . The current flowing from the reference electrode (30) through the layer (46) and the column electrode (18) to the output (1, 1, 6) of the operational amplifier (112) results in an output signal. Replacing the feedback capacitor (+18) with a resistor makes the voltage present at the output (1, 16) of the operational amplifier (11, 2) proportional to the current flowing through the layer (46).

Those skilled in the art will readily be able to make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data storage device and a display device that can be manufactured at low cost and with a high yield, have a fast addressing speed, have high contrast, and are capable of gray scale display.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a display panel based on the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the display panel shown in FIG. 4th is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the display device of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a time chart determining the maximum number of data lines that can be addressed by the display device of the present invention, and FIG. Figures 2 to 5 compare the data acquisition time of neon gas and helium gas as a function of the current flowing between the electrodes provided in the grooves of the display panel. In,
10A and 10B are diagrams showing the relationship between the current flowing through the cathode and the anode and the plasma disappearance time, and FIGS. 11A and 1 are diagrams showing alternative circuits for the data driver shown in FIG.
．． Figure IB shows an alternative circuit for the data strobe shown in Figure 1, and Figure 12 shows the number of drivers and addressable data lines in Figure 11. Electrode, (20) is groove, (22)
(26) is the first signal application means, (26) is the second signal application means, (
44) is a layer having electro-optical properties or a dielectric material layer,
(48) is a first substrate, (54) is a second substrate, and (62) is a second electrode.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An addressable electro-optical device made of an electro-optic material and having a plurality of optical pattern data storage elements arranged on its surface, comprising: data for forming an image on the surface of the storage elements; The storage element is responsive to a data drive circuit and a data strobe circuit that generate a drive signal and a data strobe signal, respectively, and a switching element selects an electro-optic material of the storage element to store data and to be ionizable. enclosing a gas, the ionizable gas cooperating with the electro-optic material to charge the electro-optic material in response to the data strobe signal, the ionizable gas being ionizable by the data strobe signal; A data storage device characterized in that the gas is brought into an ionized state and a potential difference corresponding to the magnitude of the data drive signal is applied to the storage element. 2. A first substrate supporting a plurality of first electrodes that do not overlap with each other and extend in a first direction; a plurality of grooves that do not overlap with each other and extend in a second direction; a second substrate having a sealed ionizable gas and a second electrode provided in and along each of the grooves; and a layer of dielectric material provided between the first and second substrates. and a first signal applying means for applying a signal to the first electrode, and a second signal applying means for applying a signal to the second electrode, and a first signal applying means for applying a signal to the second electrode. intersects with the above-mentioned first direction.
Each intersection between the electrode and the groove becomes a data storage element, and the ionization state of the gas is controlled by cooperation of the first signal application means and the second signal application means, and thereby the data storage element is also controlled. A data storage device using an ionizable gas characterized by: 3. A signal corresponding to the optical data is included on the first major surface of the layer of electro-optic material, while corresponding to said layer, by forming an electrically conductive path through the ionizable gas toward the reference electrode. A method of addressing a data storage device for optical data, wherein an ionizable gas is ionized and a signal is stored in a storage element, thereby changing the properties of the electro-optic material in response to the optical data. 4. an ionizable gas medium associated with a data element and a reference electrode; acting on the ionizable gas medium to ionize it; switchably electrically connecting the data element and the reference electrode; , ionization means for selectively addressing said data elements. 5. A first substrate supporting a plurality of first electrodes that do not overlap with each other and extend in a first direction; a plurality of grooves that do not overlap with each other and extend in a second direction; a second substrate having an ionizable gas sealed therein, and a second electrode provided in each of the grooves and along the grooves; a first signal applying means for applying a signal to the first electrode; and a second signal applying means for applying a signal to the second electrode; intersects with the second direction, and the first direction intersects with the second direction.
Each intersection between the electrode and the groove serves as a display element, and the ionization state of the gas is controlled by cooperation of the first signal application means and the second signal application means, and thereby the display element is also controlled. A display device using an ionizable gas characterized by: