JPH0845673A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a display device which can be embodied in a comparatively simple configuration and in a small construction. CONSTITUTION:Lighting maintaining voltage supply transistors Q11r-Q1nb and a starting voltage supply transistor Q2 are turned on synchronously. Grid controlling transistors Q31-Q34 are turned on, and voltages are impressed on the grids 811d-844d of discharge lamps 811-844 to be lighted, and the discharge paths 811r, 811g, 811b-844r, 844g, 844b located at the intersections of the discharge lamps 811-844 in the part where the lighting maintaining voltage supply transistors Q11r-Q1nb and grid controlling transistors Q31-Q34 are on will light up. In the part where no discharge path 811r, 811g, 811b-844r, 844g, 844b of discharge lamp B11-844 does not make discharge, transistors Q41-Q44 for dropping the grid potential are turned on. Because the potential difference between the grids 811d-844d and cathode heaters 811h-844h lessens the discharge paths 811r, 811g, 811b-844r, 844g, 844b are prevented from making discharge.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device in which discharge lamps are arranged in a matrix.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a display device for displaying by arranging discharge lamps in a matrix form, it is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-193353.

The display device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-193353 includes discharge lamps each having three poles of an anode, a cathode heater and a grid, and applies a voltage between the anode and cathode heaters.
The discharge lamp is started and lit by applying a starting voltage between the grid and the cathode heater.

That is, of the discharge lamps arranged in a matrix, a voltage is applied between the grid and the cathode heater of the discharge lamp that needs to be lit, and only the necessary discharge lamp is lit.

[0005]

However, in the discharge lamp of the conventional display device described above, since one discharge path is formed for each discharge lamp, a large number of switching elements must be provided. There is a problem that the circuit configuration becomes complicated and miniaturization is difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device which has a relatively simple structure and can be downsized.

[0007]

A display device according to claim 1 has discharge lamps arranged in a matrix, and the discharge lamps are arranged in parallel in at least one of a row direction and a column direction, A plurality of discharge lamps having a common grid for a plurality of discharge paths communicating with each other and the parallel discharge paths communicating with each other, and a plurality of discharge lamps having a grid connected to one of the same row and the same column, and the same discharge lamps. And a switching element for controlling the power supply, which is provided for every one of the same column and for controlling the voltage of the discharge path on and off, and for which the other of the same row and the same column of the discharge lamp is provided for starting the discharge lamp on the grid. A grid control switching element for controlling voltage on / off, the power supply control switching element and the grid control switch. By controlling the quenching element is obtained and a control means for selectively discharging a predetermined said discharge path.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first aspect, the power supply control switching element is
The control means includes a starting voltage supply switching element for controlling a starting voltage higher than the starting voltage of the discharge lamp, and a lighting maintaining voltage supply switching element for controlling a lighting maintaining voltage higher than the lighting maintaining voltage of the discharge lamp. The starting voltage supply switching element and the lighting sustaining voltage supply switching element are controlled in synchronization with each other, and the operating time of the starting voltage supply switching element is shorter than that of the lighting sustaining voltage supply switching element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first or second aspect, at least one of an anode potential lowering switching element and a grid potential lowering switching element that lowers the potential of the discharge lamp that is not turned on is provided. It was done.

A display device according to a fourth aspect is the display device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control means controls the on-timing of the switching element for grid control to change the on-duty of the discharge lamp. It is a thing.

A display device according to a fifth aspect is the display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the plurality of discharge paths are three or more having at least red, green and blue light emission.

[0012]

According to the display device of the present invention, the discharge lamps are arranged in parallel in at least one of the same row and the same column direction, and a plurality of discharge paths that communicate with each other and a common discharge path that is parallel to these discharge paths. Multiple discharge lamps that have two grids and have grids connected to either the same row or the same column are connected in a matrix, and the switching elements for power supply control and switching elements for grid control control the lighting state of the discharge lamps. Therefore, the discharge lamps arranged in a matrix can be controlled with a simple structure, and the size can be reduced because the structure is simple.

A display device according to a second aspect is the display device according to the first aspect, wherein a starting voltage supply switching element for controlling a starting voltage higher than a starting voltage of the discharge lamp and a lighting maintaining voltage of the discharge lamp are higher. In addition to controlling the lighting maintenance voltage supply switching element that controls the voltage for lighting maintenance in synchronization, the starting voltage supply switching element operates for a shorter time than the lighting maintenance voltage supply switching element, so a high voltage is used for a short time. Since it is only applied, the discharge lamp can be efficiently lit with less power.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first or second aspect, the potential of the discharge lamp that is not turned on is reduced by the anode potential reduction switching element or the grid potential reduction switching element, and therefore the discharge lamp is not turned on. Can be reliably maintained in the off state.

A display device according to a fourth aspect is the display device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control means controls the on-timing of the switching element for grid control to change the on-duty of the discharge lamp. For,
The gradation can be controlled.

A display device according to a fifth aspect is the display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and since the plurality of discharge paths are provided with red, green and blue light emission, color display can be performed.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the display device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 is an image processing unit, and this image processing unit 1 is connected via an interface (I / F) 2.
R (red), is connected to the G (green) and B (blue) a plurality of display control board 3 ₁ to 3 _n per, these display control board 3 ₁ -
Each 3 _n has a unit controller 4 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 5 shown in FIG. 2 is a display screen. This display screen 5 has 14 rows and 16 columns, that is, 22 rows.
It has four lamp units 6 _{11 to} 6 _nm , and each of these lamp units 6 _{11 to} 6 _nm is composed of 16 modules 7 _{11 to} 7 ₄₄ in a matrix as shown in FIG. module 7 _{11-7 44} is constituted by a discharge lamp 8 _{11-8 44} matrix 16 as shown in FIG. 4, each of these discharge lamps 8 _{11-8 44} red, one by 3 for green, and blue The anode of 8 _11ra , 8 _11ga , 8 _11ba
~ 8 _44ra , 8 _44ga , 8 _44ba , 1 grid 8 _11d ~ 8
_44d and one cathode heater 8 _11h to 8 _44h , and anodes 8 _11ra , 8 _11ga , 8 _11ba to 8 _44ra ,
₈ 44ga, 8 44ba and the discharge path 8 between the cathode heater _{8 11h ~8 44h 11r, 8 11g} , 8 11b ~8 44r, 8 44g, 8
_44b is formed, that is, the display screen 5 has a length of 2.6 m ×
21 in a matrix with a 3.5 m aspect ratio of 3: 4
It is formed of 62208 picture elements of 6 picture elements × 288 picture elements. The configuration shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as one discharge lamp.

The unit controller 4 shown in FIG.
The discharge power supply, the discharge power source E1 discharge lamp 8 _{11-8 44}
Is a voltage that is higher than the lighting sustaining voltage and lower than the discharge start voltage,
E2 is a discharge starting power supply, the discharge starting power source E2 is the discharge starting voltage higher than the voltage of the discharge lamp 8 ₁₁ to 8 _44, E3 is the grid power supply, the grid power source E3 discharge lamp 8 ₁₁
8 ₄₄ is a voltage applied to the grid 8 _11d 8 _44d of, E4 at the cathode heater power supply, the cathode heater power supply E4 cathode heater 8 _11h ~ of the discharge lamp 8 through ₁₁ 8 ₄₄
Preheat by applying voltage to _844h .

A switch timing signal generating circuit 9 is provided as a control means, and the display control boards 3 _{1 to} 3 _n are provided.
Controlled by.

The discharge power source E1 includes red, green and blue anodes 8 _11ra to 8 _mnra , 8 of the discharge lamp 8 _mn , respectively.
_{11ga ~8 mnga,} 8 _{11ba ~8 mnba} emitter of sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q _1nb respectively a correspondingly sustaining voltage supply switching element is connected to, these sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q _1nb The collectors of the respective transistors are connected one-to-one through the series circuit of the resistors R _{11r to} R _1nb and the diodes D _{11r to} D _1nb .
In the discharge path 8 _11r , 8 _11g , 8 _11b to 8 _44r , 8 _44g , 8
_44b anodes 8 _11ra , 8 _11ga , 8 _11ba to 8 _44ra , 8
_{Connected to 44ga} and _84ba respectively, each discharge lamp 8 ₁₁ ~
With three potential is the same potential connected to the 8 _{44,
Same- colored} anodes in the same _row 8 _11ra ~ 8 _m1ra , ~, 8 _1nra ~ 8
_mnra is set to the same potential. It should be noted that although it is represented by a single line in the drawing, it is actually a plurality of lines.
Correspondence is one to one.

Further, the discharge starting power source E2 has a starting voltage supply transistor Q _{2 serving as a} starting voltage supply switching element.
Of the starting voltage supply transistor Q ₂ is connected to the discharge paths 8 _11r , 8 _11g , 8 _11b by the multi-drop wiring through the series circuit of the resistors R _{21r to} R _2nb and the diodes D _{21r to} D _2nb. ~ 8 _44r , 8
_44g , 8 _44b anodes 8 _11ra , 8 _11ga , 8 _11ba ~ 8
_44ra, 8 _44ga, connected to ₈ 44ba, each separate line to the base of the sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q _1nb, switch timing signal generating circuit 9 is connected. In addition, each lighting sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r
The _bases of Q _1nb are shown by one line, but actually there are a plurality of lines and each is connected to the switch timing signal generation circuit 9.

[0024] The cathode of the diode D _11r to D _1nb and diode D _21r to D _2nb resistance R _31r to R
_Grounded through _3nb .

Further, the grid power supply E3 is connected to the emitters of grid control transistors Q ₃₁ , Q ₃₂ , Q ₃₃ and Q ₃₄ as switching elements for grid control, and these grid control transistors Q ₃₁ , Q ₃₂ and Q ₃₄ are connected. ₃₃ , Q ₃₄
The collector of each discharge lamp 8 by multi-drop wiring
It is connected to _{11-8 44} grid 8 _11d to 8 _44d, the base is connected to a switch timing signal generating circuit 9. Further, the collectors of grid potential lowering transistors Q ₄₁ , Q ₄₂ , Q ₄₃ and Q ₄₄ as grid potential lowering switching elements are connected to the grids 8 _{11 d} to 8 _44d , the emitters thereof are respectively grounded and the bases thereof are respectively inverter circuits. It is separately connected to the switch timing signal generation circuit 9 via I _{1 to} I ₄ . The lines from the inverter circuits I _{1 to} I ₄ are shown as one line, but in reality, there are a plurality of lines, and the switch timing signal generating circuit 9
It is connected to the.

Further, the cathode heater power supply E4 is connected to the cathode heater 8 _11h to 8 _44h of the discharge lamp 8 _{11-8 44.}

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the lighting sustaining voltage supply transistor Q
As well as on those inner necessary _11r to Q _1nb, turning on the starting voltage supply transistor Q ₂ in a pulsed manner in synchronism with this one. Further, by turning the grid control transistor Q ₃₁ to Q _34, if necessary by applying a voltage to the grid 8 _11d to 8 _44d of the discharge lamp 8 _{11-8 44} to be lit, sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r ~ Q _1nb
And discharge paths 8 _11r , 8 _11g , 8 _11b to 8 _44r , 8 _44g , which are intersections of the discharge lamps 8 ₁₁ to 8 _{44 in} the portions where all of the grid control transistors Q _{31 to} Q ₃₄ are on.
8 _44b lights up. Among the lighting sustaining voltage supply transistors Q _{11r to} Q _1nb , the anodes 8 _11ra , 8 _11ga , 8 _11ba to 8 _44ra , 8 _44ga , 8 of the same discharge lamps 8 ₁₁ to 8 ₄₄ are _used .
_44ba applies only one voltage, and in the same discharge lamps 8 ₁₁ to 8 ₄₄ , a plurality of anodes 8 _11ra , 8 _11ga , 8
_No voltage is applied to _11ba to _844ra , _844ga , _844ba .

[0029] Thus, as compared with the sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q _1nb on time, by shortening the on time of the starting voltage supply transistor Q ₂ in pulses, the discharge lamp 8 ₁₁ ~ at low voltage since maintaining a 8 ₄₄ lighting state of, it is possible to reduce the power consumed, because it can reduce the weak discharge time can be prevented black level will be improved.

Further, the discharge lamp 8 _{11-8 44} of any discharge path _{8 11r, 8 11g, 8 11b} ~8 44 r, 8 44g, 8 44b
For the part that is not discharged, the inverter circuit I ₁ ~
I ₄ causes grid potential lowering transistors Q _{41 to} Q _44.
Is turned on, the grid 8 _11d to 8 _44d and the cathode heater 8 are turned on.
The potential difference _11h to 8 _44h decreases, the discharge lamp 8
₁₁ to 8 ₄₄ discharge paths 8 _11r , 8 _11g , 8 _11b to 8 _44r , 8
_{44 g,} 8 _44b both of preventing the discharge.

Therefore, the discharge lamp 8 _{11 on the} display screen 5 is
The 8 ₄₄ can be dynamically turned on.

In the above embodiment, the resistors R _{11r to} R _{1nb are used.}
Since the resistors R _{21r to} R _2nb are used as ballasts for the discharge lamps 8 ₁₁ to 8 _1n , the cost can be reduced.

A constant current element may be used as the current limiting element instead of the resistors R _{11r to} R _1nb and the resistors R _{21r to} R _2nb .

Furthermore, even if the starting voltage is a non-smooth waveform,
A high frequency rectified waveform may be used.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

With the starting voltage supply transistor Q ₂ and the lighting maintaining voltage supply transistors Q _{11r to} Q _1nb turned on for a predetermined time, the grid control transistors Q _{31 to} Q ₃₄ are turned on at an arbitrary time. When the grid control transistors Q _{31 to} Q ₃₄ are turned on, a voltage is applied to any of the grids 8 _11d to 8 _44d, and the discharge paths 8 _11r and 8 _11g of any of the discharge lamps 8 ₁₁ to 8 ₄₄ are applied. , 8
_11b to _844r , _844g , and _844b are discharged and lit.
The starting voltage supply transistor Q ₂ and sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q _1nb is turned off, turned off by the potential is lowered.

That is, the starting voltage supply transistor Q ₂
And sustaining voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q when _1nb voltage shortly turns on grid 8 _11d to 8 _44d is applied on-duty brighter on large apparent, on the contrary, the starting voltage supply transistor Q ₂ and lighting sustain voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q _1nb is when the voltage on the grid 8 _11d to 8 _44d immediately before turning off is applied on-duty apparent on darker smaller, the discharge lamp 8 _11-8 in any ₄₄ of the discharge path 8 _11r , 8 _11g , 8 _11b to 8 _{44 r} , 8
_{44 g,} 8 _44b performs gradation control can control the brightness of the discharge lamp 8 _{11-8 44.}

The discharge lamp is not limited to the hot cathode type discharge lamp having the above-mentioned heater, but a cold cathode type discharge lamp may be used.

Instead of the grid potential lowering switching element, an anode potential lowering switching element for lowering the potential between the anode and cathode heaters may be provided.

According to the above embodiment, one discharge lamp 8
To _{11-8 44,} three anode _{8 11ra, 8 11ga, 8 11ba} ~
8 _44ra , 8 _44ga , 8 _44ba , 1 grid 8 _11d ~ 8
_44d and one cathode heater 8 _11h to 8 _44h are formed, and three discharge paths 8 _11r , 8 _{11 g} , 8 _11b to 8 _44r , 8 are formed.
_{Since 44g} and _844b are formed, the number of switching elements can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified. Therefore, the number of wirings and the like can be reduced, so that the size can be reduced.

[0041]

According to the display device of the first aspect, the discharge lamps are arranged in parallel in at least one of the same row and the same column direction, and a plurality of discharge paths communicating with each other and a parallel discharge path communicating with each other are provided. Have a common one grid, and a plurality of discharge lamps connected to the grid in either the same row or the same column are connected in a matrix, and the switching elements for power supply control and the switching elements for grid control connect the discharge lamps to each other. Since the lighting state is controlled, the discharge lamps arranged in a matrix can be controlled with a simple structure, and the size can be reduced because the structure is simple.

According to the display device of the second aspect, in addition to the display device of the first aspect, since a high voltage is applied for a short time, the discharge lamp can be efficiently lit with a small amount of electric power.

According to the display device of the third aspect, in addition to the display device of the first aspect or the second aspect, since the potential of the discharge lamp which is not turned on is lowered by the anode potential reduction switching element or the grid potential reduction switching element, lighting is performed. The discharge lamp that does not turn off can be reliably maintained in the off state.

According to the display device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the display device according to any of the first to third aspects, the control means controls the on-timing of the switching element for grid control, and the on-duty of the discharge lamp. Therefore, the gradation can be controlled.

According to the display device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, since the plurality of discharge paths are provided with red, green and blue light emission, color display is performed. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a unit controller of an embodiment of a display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the same.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the same lamp unit.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the same module.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the same operation as above.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing another embodiment of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

8 ₁₁ to 8 ₄₄ Discharge lamp 8 _11d to 8 _44d Grid 8 _11r , 8 _11g , 8 _11b to 8 _44r , 8 _44g , 8 _44b
Sustaining voltage supply transistor Q ₃₁ to Q ₃₄ grid control as the starting voltage supply transistor Q _11r to Q _1nb sustaining voltage supply switching device as a switching timing signal generating circuit Q ₂ starting voltage supply switching device as a discharge path 9 the control means grid potential drop transistor as a grid control transistor Q ₄₁ to Q ₄₄ grid potential drop switching element as use switching elements

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Fumihiko Nagasaki 4-3, Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Within Toshiba Litec Co., Ltd. (72) Keiichi Shimizu 4-3-1, Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A discharge lamp arranged in a matrix, wherein the discharge lamps are arranged in parallel in at least one of a row direction and a column direction, a plurality of discharge paths communicating with each other, and a plurality of discharge paths communicating with each other. A plurality of discharge lamps having one grid common to the discharge paths and having a grid connected to either the same row or the same column, and the discharge path provided for each of the same row and the same column of these discharge lamps. A power supply control switching element for controlling the voltage of the discharge lamp, and a grid control switching element for controlling the voltage for starting the discharge lamp in the grid, which is provided for each of the other of the same row and the same column of the discharge lamp, and The predetermined discharge path is controlled by controlling the switching element for power supply control and the switching element for grid control. A display device comprising: a control unit for selectively discharging. 2. A power supply control switching element, a starting voltage supply switching element for controlling a starting voltage higher than a starting voltage of a discharge lamp, and a lighting for controlling a lighting maintaining voltage higher than a lighting maintaining voltage of a discharge lamp. A sustaining voltage supply switching element, and the control means controls the starting voltage supply switching element and the lighting maintaining voltage supply switching element in synchronization, and the operating time of the starting voltage supplying switching element is the lighting maintaining voltage supply switching element. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device operates for a shorter period of time as compared to. 3. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of an anode potential lowering switching element and a grid potential lowering switching element for lowering the potential of the discharge lamp which is not turned on. 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the on-timing of the grid control switching element to change the on-duty of the discharge lamp. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discharge paths is three or more, each of which has at least red, green and blue light emission.