JPH1055153A - Gas-discharge type display device and its driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate writing discharge, maintaining discharge, and erase discharge, to eliminate the generation of faulty writing and erase failure, and to improve the quality of display by setting an overall discharge operation period before a train of displaying operation periods and by conducting image display while repeating this series of periods. SOLUTION: A group of scanning electrodes, 3-1 to 3-n, a group of maintaining electrodes, 4-1 to 4-n, and a group of data electrodes, 10-1, to 10-n, are respectively connected to a scanning electrode driving circuit 16, a maintaining electrode driving circuit 17, and a data electrode driving circuit 18 to be driven. An overall discharge operation period is set before each train of displaying operation periods composed from at least one displaying operation period to conduct picture image display using this combination as one unit. Thus, irrespective of image display, writing discharges and maintaining discharges are generated in all discharge cells during the overall discharge operation period to regularly supply wall charge and space charge to all discharge cells. As a result, writing discharge, maintaining discharge and erase discharge become liable to occur.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a gas discharge type display device for displaying an image on a television, an advertisement display panel or the like using gas discharge light emission, and a driving method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The gas discharge type display device is a display device capable of realizing a large color display image without increasing the depth dimension, and therefore its use is rapidly expanding. In particular, an AC-driven indirect gas discharge type display panel having a memory function (hereinafter abbreviated as “AC-type PDP”) has high versatility, and therefore, there is a further demand for a large-sized, lightweight, and low-cost display panel. Such an AC type PDP and its driving method are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-39341 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-31775.

A conventional AC PDP described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-39341 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a partially enlarged view showing a main part of a conventional AC type PDP, and FIG. 8B is a view showing VI of FIG. 8A.
AC type PD in section taken along line IIb-VIIIb
It is sectional drawing of P. 8A and 8B, on the first glass substrate 101, n scan electrodes 102-1, 102-2,..., 102-n and N pairs of sustain electrodes 103 arranged side by side
, 103-2, ..., 103-n are arranged in parallel with each other. These n pairs of electrode groups are covered with the dielectric layer 104 and face the discharge space 106 via the protective film layer 105 further formed on the dielectric layer 104. Incidentally, the dielectric layer 104 is formed of borosilicate glass or the like, and the protective film layer 105 is formed of MgO or the like.
The discharge space 106 is filled with a discharge gas, for example, helium gas mixed with xenon gas. m data electrodes 107-1, 107-2,..., 107-
m is orthogonal to the n pairs of electrode groups, so that the discharge space 1
It is arranged on the 06 second glass substrate 108.
Thus, the n pairs of electrode groups and the m data electrodes 10
7-1, 107-2,..., 107-m are arranged in a three-dimensional cross via the discharge space 106, etc.
A first and a second glass substrate 101 forming an outer package of P;
Within 108, m × n discharge cells are formed in a matrix. The scanning electrodes 102-1, 102-2,.
.., 102-n, sustain electrodes 103-1, 103-2,
, 103-n and data electrodes 107-1, 10
, 107-m are connected to and driven by a scan electrode drive circuit, a sustain electrode drive circuit, and a data electrode drive circuit (not shown), respectively.

Next, a method of driving a conventional AC PDP will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to data electrodes, scan electrodes, and sustain electrodes of a conventional AC PDP. As shown in FIG. 9, the display operation period of the AC PDP is divided into a write period tw, a sustain period tm, and an erase period te. First, in the writing period tw, the data electrodes 107-1, 107-2,... Selected according to a desired display image.
.., 107-m are applied with a write pulse of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. 9A, and at the same time, -Vs shown in FIG. 9B is applied to the first scan electrode 102-1.
A scanning pulse having a voltage of (V) is applied. Thereby, for example, the write pulse is applied to the data electrode 107-
8, the data electrode 107-1 and the first scanning electrode 102-1 have a three-dimensional crossing intersection W (FIG. 8).
(A)), a write discharge occurs, and positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 105 at the intersection W. next,
A data electrode 107 selected according to a desired display image
, 107-m are applied with the write pulse, and at the same time, the second scan electrode 102-2
A scanning pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. .., 107-m and the second scanning electrode 102-2 at a three-dimensional crossing intersection. Positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the portion of the protective film layer 105. Similar operations are continuously performed, and finally, data electrodes 107-1, 107-2,..., 107-m selected according to a desired display image.
The above-mentioned write pulse is applied, and at the same time, a scan pulse which is a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 9D is applied to the n-th scan electrode 102-n. This allows
The selected data electrodes 107-1, 107-2,...
A write discharge occurs at the intersection between the 107-m and the n-th scanning electrode 102-n at a three-dimensional intersection, and positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 105 at the intersection. As described above, in the writing period tw, the positive wall charges due to the writing discharge are accumulated in the discharge cells corresponding to the desired display image among the m × n discharge cells, so that the display light emission portion in the sustain period tm is obtained. Is selected and stored.

Next, in the sustain period tm, all sustain electrodes 103-1, 103-2,..., 103-n have sustain pulses of the voltage -Vs (V) shown in FIG. Is applied, and then all the scan electrodes 102-1 and 102-
, 102-n are applied with the above-mentioned sustain pulses shown in FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D, respectively.
As a result, the positive wall charges accumulated during the writing period tw are changed to the protective film layer 10 by the first sustain pulse.
5, the sustain electrodes 103-1, 103-2,..., 10
The discharge is made to the 3-n side and the sustain discharge is started. And
This sustain discharge is applied to all the sustain electrodes 103-1 and 103-.
, 103-n and all the scanning electrodes 102-
, 102-n are alternately and repeatedly applied to the n pairs of electrode groups,
For example, it is maintained between the sustain electrode 103-1 and the scan electrode 102-1 (illustrated by a circle "S" in FIG. 8A). As a result, a desired display image is displayed on the matrix by light emission due to the sustain discharge. Subsequently, in the erasing period te,
All the sustain electrodes 103-1, 103-2,..., 10
A narrow erase pulse which is a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 9E is applied to 3-n. As a result, an erasure discharge is generated in the discharge cell that emits display light, and the wall charges accumulated in the discharge cell are neutralized by the erasure discharge, and the sustain discharge stops. Thus, the conventional AC type PD
P displays a desired image by repeating this process with a display operation period including a writing period tw, a sustaining period tm, and an erasing period te as one cycle.

[0006]

In the above-described conventional gas discharge type display device and its driving method, a discharge cell that emits a display light according to a desired image during one display operation period has a write discharge. , Sustain discharge, and erase discharge are sequentially performed. On the other hand, the above-described discharge was not performed at all in the discharge cells that did not emit light for display. For this reason,
In the discharge cells that did not emit the display light, the wall charges of the protective film layer and the space charges existing in the discharge space were reduced as compared with the discharge cells that did the display light emission. As a result, when a discharge cell that did not perform display light emission performs display light emission during the next display operation period, there was a problem in that even if a write pulse was applied, a write discharge did not occur and a write failure occurred. Furthermore, if the write discharge is insufficient, the subsequent sustain discharge and erase discharge become unstable, and if the sustain discharge ends with a weak discharge, no erase discharge occurs even if an erase pulse is applied. There is a problem that erasure failure occurs. Further, in the conventional gas discharge type display device and its driving method, one display image is divided into a plurality of display operations, that is, one field is temporally divided into a plurality of subfields, and sustain discharge in each subfield is performed. Even if an attempt was made to realize a display image having a desired gradation of brightness by combining the number of times of light emission, the display image could not be displayed at a desired gradation due to the occurrence of the above-described writing failure or erasing failure. . As described above, the conventional gas discharge type display device and the driving method thereof have a problem that a discharge cell having a writing failure or a discharge cell having an erasing failure is generated, and the display quality is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a gas capable of displaying high-quality images without generating defective writing cells or defective erasing discharge cells. It is an object to provide a discharge type display device and a driving method thereof.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for driving a gas discharge type display device, comprising: a first insulating substrate; and a second insulating substrate which is disposed to face the first insulating substrate and forms a discharge space. An insulating substrate, a plurality of scanning electrodes arranged in parallel on the surface of the first insulating substrate on the discharge space side, and a plurality of scanning electrodes on the first insulating substrate so as to form a pair with each of the plurality of scanning electrodes. And a plurality of sustain electrodes arranged in parallel with each other, and arranged in parallel with each other on the surface of the second insulating substrate on the discharge space side so as to face the scan electrodes and the sustain electrodes via the discharge spaces. A plurality of data electrodes and a plurality of scan electrodes, a plurality of sustain electrodes, and a plurality of discharge cells each surrounded by the plurality of data electrodes and configured in the discharge space. A method for driving a display device, the method comprising: Applying a full-surface write pulse to the data electrode and applying a scan pulse to the scan electrode, and a full-discharge operation period composed of a sustain period for applying a sustain pulse to the sustain electrode and the scan electrode, It is provided before a display operation period column including at least one display operation period. With the configuration described above, regardless of the display image, write discharge and sustain discharge occur in all discharge cells during the entire discharge operation period, and wall charges and space charges are periodically generated in all discharge cells. Replenished. As a result, a writing discharge, a sustaining discharge, and an erasing discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing a writing defect or an erasing defect. Further, even when a multi-gradation display is performed by combining a plurality of display operation periods, an image can be displayed with a desired gradation because a writing defect or an erasing defect is prevented.

Further, in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device according to another aspect of the present invention, in the entire writing period, the scanning pulse is applied to each of the plurality of scans while one of the entire writing pulses is applied to the data electrode. Applied sequentially to the electrodes. With the above configuration, the time required for the full-page write operation period can be reduced.

Further, in the driving method of a gas discharge type display device according to another aspect of the present invention, in the entire writing period, the scanning pulse is applied to each of the plurality of scans while one of the entire writing pulses is applied to the data electrode. It is sequentially applied to the electrodes with a predetermined phase difference time. With the above configuration, the time required for the full-page write operation period can be reduced.

Further, in the driving method of a gas discharge type display device according to another aspect of the present invention, in the entire writing period, one scanning pulse is applied to the scanning electrode while one full writing pulse is applied to the data electrode. Is applied.
With the above configuration, the time required for the full-page write operation period can be reduced.

A gas discharge type display device according to the present invention includes a first insulating substrate, a second insulating substrate disposed to face the first insulating substrate and forming a discharge space, and the first insulating substrate. A plurality of scan electrodes arranged in parallel with each other on the surface of the substrate on the discharge space side, and a plurality of sustain electrodes arranged in parallel on the first insulating substrate so as to form a pair with each of the plurality of scan electrodes A plurality of data electrodes arranged in parallel with each other on a surface of the second insulating substrate on the side of the discharge space so as to face the scan electrode and the sustain electrode via the discharge space; Each of the scan electrodes, the plurality of sustain electrodes, and the plurality of discharge cells each surrounded by the plurality of data electrodes and configured in the discharge space, and write discharge,
A scan electrode driving circuit that applies a scan pulse to the scan electrodes so as to occur in all the discharge cells, and applies a sustain pulse to the scan electrodes so that a sustain discharge occurs in all of the discharge cells; A sustain electrode driving circuit for applying a sustain pulse to the sustain electrodes so as to be generated in all of the discharge cells, and applying a full write pulse to the data electrodes so that the write discharge is generated in all of the discharge cells A data electrode drive circuit. With the configuration described above, regardless of the display image, write discharge and sustain discharge occur in all discharge cells during the entire discharge operation period, and wall charges and space charges are periodically generated in all discharge cells. Replenished. As a result, write discharge,
Sustain discharge and erasure discharge are likely to occur, and display quality can be improved without causing writing failure or erasing failure. Further, even when a multi-gradation display is performed by combining a plurality of display operation periods, an image can be displayed with a desired gradation because a writing defect or an erasing defect is prevented.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments showing a gas discharge type display device of the present invention and a driving method thereof will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas discharge type display device as a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral device of the gas discharge type display device 1 includes a first insulating substrate 2 and a second insulating substrate 11 formed of, for example, a soda-lime glass plate having a thickness of about 1 mm. I have. First insulating substrate 2 and second insulating substrate 11
Means that their outer peripheral end faces are sealed to each other by a frit 12 of a low melting point glass material. The outer dimensions of the outer package (H × L dimensions in the figure) are, for example, 290 mm × 117.
mm and constitutes a display screen equivalent to 12 inches.
The first insulating substrate 2 and the second insulating substrate 11 may be formed of a ceramic substrate in order to improve the strength of the outer case. In addition, one of the first insulating substrate 2 and the second insulating substrate 11 needs to transmit discharge light, and therefore needs to be transparent.

FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged view showing a main part of the gas discharge type display device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the same gas discharge display device in a cross section taken along line IIb-IIb of FIG. FIG. 2A and FIG.
3 (b), on the lower surface of the first insulating substrate 2, n scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n and n scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2,. Sustain electrodes 4-1 and 4
,..., 4-n are arranged in parallel with each other. These n pairs of scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2,.
−n and the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n
The scanning lines of the gas discharge type display device 1 are configured. Also,
Scan electrodes 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n and sustain electrode 4
-1, 4-2,..., 4-n are formed of a light-transmitting conductive film such as an ITO film or a tin oxide film, and formed of a gas discharge type using a conductive member such as Ag or Cu. The display devices 1 extend in the lateral direction (the direction of “h” in FIG. 1) to opposite end surfaces. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a side surface lead 13a is provided on a side surface of the first insulating substrate 2, and the first insulating substrate 2
, 3-n, for example, are pulled out to the outside by providing the lead terminals 13 on the front side of the. The lead terminal portion 13 is formed in a very small area having a width of about 1 mm which does not impair the effective display area 19 of the gas discharge display device 1. Further, the scanning electrode 3-
, 3-n are formed by a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) made of, for example, polyimide.
It is pulled out from the front surface of the first insulating substrate 2 toward the second insulating substrate 11 and connected to the scan electrode drive circuit 16 (FIG. 3). Similarly, sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n
Also, they are drawn out to the outside by the lead terminals 14 via the side leads 14a and connected to the sustain electrode drive circuit 17 (FIG. 3).

Scan electrodes 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n
, 4-n are covered with a dielectric layer 5 formed of lead borosilicate glass or the like,
Furthermore, it faces the discharge space 7 via the protective film layer 6. The protective film layer 6 is formed by laminating an alkaline earth oxide such as MgO on the entire surface of the dielectric layer 5. The discharge space 7 is filled with a mixed gas of at least one of helium, neon, and argon and a xenon gas as a discharge gas. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of partition walls 8 are provided in a stripe shape between the protective film layer 6 and the second insulating substrate 11,
The discharge space 7 is partitioned into a plurality of discharge cells. The partition 8 is made of a low-melting glass such as a zinc-based glass. Further, predetermined phosphors 9 are provided in stripes between adjacent partition walls 8, and data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,. I have. When performing color display, for example, three phosphors 9 emitting green (G), red (R), and blue (B) are used.
Are configured as one pixel, and m groups (m is a positive integer) are arranged in the horizontal direction of the gas discharge display device 1.

A plurality of data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,.
.., 10-p are n pairs of scan electrodes 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n and a sustain electrode 4-
1, 4--2,..., 4-n in the vertical direction of the gas discharge type display device 1 ("l" in FIG. 1).
(In the direction of (a)), are provided in parallel with each other between both end surfaces of the second insulating substrate 2. Thus, the plurality of data electrodes 10-
, 10-p, and n pairs of scanning electrodes 3
-1, 3-2,..., 3-n, and the sustain electrode 4-1.
4-2,..., 4-n are arranged in a matrix in the outer package of the gas discharge display device 1, and m sets × n discharge cells are formed at each intersection of the matrix. Also,
A plurality of data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-
p indicates that a side surface lead 15a is provided on the side surface of the second insulating substrate 11 as shown in FIG.
Of the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p
Is drawn out. The lead terminal portion is formed in a very small area having a width of about 1 mm similarly to the lead terminal portions 13 and 14. Further, the data electrode 10-
1, 10-2,..., 10-p are data electrode driving circuits 1 on a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) or the like.
8 (FIG. 3).

As described above, in the gas discharge type display device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the scanning electrodes 3-1 and 3-
, 3-n, and the lead terminals 14 of the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n are arranged in the vertical direction of the gas discharge display device 1. It is formed in a very small area of about 1 mm width along both sides of one glass substrate 2. Also, the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,
.., 10-p are not provided on the first glass substrate 2 side, but are formed on the surface of the second glass substrate 11. As a result, the gas discharge display device 1 in which only a very small area having a width of about 1 mm provided on the outer periphery of the device becomes the invalid display region and the other portion becomes the effective display region 19 (FIG. 1). Is done. Thus, the effective display area 19 can be enlarged.

Next, a method of driving the gas discharge type display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a driving device of the gas discharge display device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to the data electrodes, the scan electrodes, and the sustain electrodes in the method of driving the gas discharge display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, scan electrode groups 3-1 to 3-n, sustain electrode groups 4-1 to 4-n,
The data electrode groups 10-1 to 10-p are connected to and driven by the scan electrode drive circuit 16, the sustain electrode drive circuit 17, and the data electrode drive circuit 18, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation period of the gas discharge type display device 1 is divided into a full discharge operation period and a display operation period column including at least one display operation period. The full discharge operation period includes a full write period ta1, a sustain period tm1, and an erase period t.
This is a period during which all discharge cells emit light. The display operation period includes a writing period tw and a sustain period tm.
2, and an erasing period te2, in which a discharge cell corresponding to a desired display image emits light to display an image. The display operation period column is a period in which a plurality of the display operation periods are combined and a multi-gradation display of a display image is performed. The cycle consisting of these full-discharge operation period and display operation period column is 1
The combination of one or more is equal to the time required to display one display image, that is, the time required for one field. That is, one cycle of FIG. 4 may be one field, and a combination of a plurality of one cycles of FIG. 4 may be one field. In the first embodiment, one field is one so that a screen of 60 fields is displayed per second.
It is set to 6.67 ms. In addition, when an image is displayed on the gas discharge display device 1, a flickering phenomenon of the image can be prevented. When one cycle is one field and the display operation period sequence is eight, the specific times of the full discharge operation period and the display operation period sequence are, for example, 500 μs and 16.67 ms, respectively. The light emission of the entire screen is set to be equal to or less than a time during which the viewer cannot visually recognize the light.

First, the full discharge operation period will be described. In the entire writing period ta1, all data electrodes 1
, 10-p are applied with a write pulse of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. 4A, and at the same time, the first scan electrode 3-1 is turned on. A scan pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 4B is applied. As a result, all the data electrodes 10-1, 10
,..., 10-p and the first scan electrode 3-1 at each intersection at a three-dimensional intersection, the discharge current is supplied from the data electrode groups 10-1 to 10-p to the scan. A write discharge occurs in the direction of the electrode 3-1 and positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 of each discharge cell. Next, the write pulse is applied to all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p, and at the same time, the second scan electrode 3-2 shown in FIG. A scan pulse having a voltage of Vs (V) is applied. As a result, all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p and the second
In each discharge cell at a three-dimensional intersection with the scan electrode 3-2, a discharge current flows from the data electrode groups 10-1 to 10-p in the direction of the scan electrode 3-2 to generate a write discharge,
Positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 of each discharge cell. The same operation is continuously performed. Finally, the write pulse is applied to all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p, and at the same time, the n-th scan electrode 3-n Is applied with a scanning pulse of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. As a result, the discharge current in each discharge cell at the intersection of the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p and the n-th scan electrode 3-n in a three-dimensional crossing manner. The write discharge flows from the data electrode groups 10-1 to 10-p in the direction of the scan electrodes 3-n, and positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 of each discharge cell.

Subsequently, in the sustain period tm1, all sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n are supplied with a sustain pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. Is applied,
Subsequently, all the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n
, The above-described sustain pulses shown in FIGS. As a result, the positive wall charges accumulated during the entire writing period ta1 are released toward the sustain electrode groups 4-1 to 4-n on the protective film layer 6 by the first sustain pulse, and the sustain discharge starts. Is done. This sustain discharge is
.., 4-n and all the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n are alternately applied with the sustain pulse. Will continue
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4B to 4E, all the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2,... A sustain pulse is applied once to each of the sustain electrodes 3-n and all the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n. Subsequently, the erasing period t
In e1, all the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4
A narrow erase pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 4E is applied to -n. As a result, erase discharge occurs in all the discharge cells, and the wall charges accumulated in the discharge cells are neutralized by the erase discharge to stop the sustain discharge. Incidentally, all the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,...
When the last sustain pulse is applied to 4-n to stop the sustain discharge, the erase pulse is applied to all scan electrodes 3-1, 3-
2,..., 3-n.

Next, the display operation period will be described. First, in the writing period tw, the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10 selected according to a desired display image.
A write pulse having a voltage of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. 4A is applied to −p, and at the same time, the first scan electrode 3 is turned on.
A scanning pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. Thus, for example, when a write pulse is applied to the data electrode 10-1, the discharge current is reduced between the data electrode 10-1 and the first scan electrode 3
A discharge cell at an intersection z (FIG. 3) at a three-dimensional intersection with -1;
The write discharge flows from the data electrode 10-1 in the direction of the scan electrode 3-1, and positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 of the discharge cell. Next, data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,... Selected according to a desired display image are displayed.
., 10-p is applied with the above-mentioned writing pulse, and at the same time, the second scanning electrode 3-2 is applied with -Vs shown in FIG.
A scanning pulse having a voltage of (V) is applied. As a result, the discharge current is reduced to the selected data electrode 10-1,
10-2,..., 10-p and the second scanning electrode 3-
, 10-p from the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p in the direction of the scan electrode 3-2 to generate a write discharge. Positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 of the discharge cell. Similar operations are continuously performed, and finally, the data electrodes 10-1 and 10- selected according to a desired display image.
The writing pulse is applied to 2,..., 10-p, and at the same time, a scanning pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 4D is applied to the n-th scanning electrode 3-n. You. As a result, the discharge current is generated at the discharge cell at the intersection of the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p and the n-th scan electrode 3-n at a three-dimensional intersection. ,
The selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 1
Write discharge flows from 0-p in the direction of the scan electrode 3-n, and positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 of the discharge cell. As described above, in the writing period tw, the positive sustaining wall charge due to the writing discharge is accumulated in the discharge cells corresponding to the desired display image among the m sets × n discharge cells, thereby causing the subsequent sustain period tm2. The location of the display light emission in is selected and stored.

Next, in the sustain period tm2, all sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n are supplied with a sustain pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. , And the above-described sustain pulses shown in FIGS. 4B to 4D are applied to all the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n. As a result, the writing period tw
Are discharged to the sustain electrode groups 4-1 to 4-n on the protective film layer 6 by the first sustain pulse to start the sustain discharge. And this sustain discharge is
.., 3-n and all the scan electrodes 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n. Thus, the electrode is maintained between the n pairs of electrode groups, for example, between the sustain electrode 4-1 and the scan electrode 3-1 (illustrated by a circle "T" in FIG. 3). As a result, a desired display image is displayed on the matrix by light emission due to the sustain discharge. Subsequently, in the erasing period te2,
4 to all the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n.
(E), a narrow erase pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) is applied. As a result, an erasure discharge is generated in the discharge cell that emits display light, and the wall charges accumulated in the discharge cell are neutralized by the erasure discharge, and the sustain discharge stops. In addition, all the sustain electrodes 4-1, 4-2,.
.., 4-n, when the last sustain pulse is applied to stop the sustain discharge, the erase pulse is applied to all scan electrodes 3-1 and 3
−2,..., 3-n. In this embodiment, the gas discharge type display device 1 is configured to have 80 sets × 32 discharge cells, and one field operation period is configured by one full discharge operation period and eight display operation periods. In this case, specific examples of the voltages of the write pulse, the scan pulse, the sustain pulse, and the erase pulse and the application time are as follows. Write pulse is + 120V, 5μ
s, the scan pulse is −200 V, 5 μs, the sustain pulse is −200 V, 15 μs, and the erase pulse is −20.
0 V, 0.5 μs.

As described above, the gas discharge type display device 1 of the first embodiment and the method of driving the same are provided with a full discharge operation period before a display operation period column including at least one display operation period. Is displayed as one cycle. Thus, regardless of the displayed image, write discharge and sustain discharge occur in all discharge cells during the entire discharge operation period, and wall charges and space charges are periodically supplied to all discharge cells. As a result, a writing discharge, a sustaining discharge, and an erasing discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing a writing defect or an erasing defect. Further, even when a multi-gradation display is performed by combining a plurality of display operation periods, an image can be displayed with a desired gradation because a writing defect or an erasing defect is prevented.

Second Embodiment FIG. 5 shows waveforms of pulses applied to a data electrode, a scanning electrode and a sustain electrode in a method of driving a gas discharge type display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart. This second embodiment and the first
The main difference from this embodiment is that during the entire writing period,
While applying one full write pulse to all the data electrodes 10-1 to 10-p, a scan pulse is sequentially applied to the first to n-th scan electrodes 3-1 to 3-n. That is what we did. The other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted. That is, in the entire writing period ta2, all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p
A write pulse having a voltage of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. Then, while this write pulse is being applied, -Vs (V) shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D is applied to the first scan electrode 3-1 to the n-th scan electrode 3-n. Are sequentially applied. With such a configuration, in the method of driving the gas discharge display device of the second embodiment, the number of times of application of the entire surface write pulse can be reduced from n times of the first embodiment to only one, and It is not necessary to consider the time interval for applying the full-area write pulse, and the time required for the full-area discharge operation period can be reduced. As a result, the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of the second embodiment can increase the number of display operation periods per cycle as compared with the method of the first embodiment, and Can easily perform multi-tone display. Incidentally, in the entire writing period ta2, the scan electrodes 3-1, 3-2,.
, 3-n are divided into, for example, three scanning electrode groups A to C, and the above-described scanning pulses shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D are sequentially applied to the scanning electrodes A to C, respectively. Good. With this configuration, the time required for the entire writing period ta2 can be further reduced.

<< Third Embodiment >> FIG. 6 shows waveforms of pulses applied to data electrodes, scan electrodes and sustain electrodes in a method of driving a gas discharge type display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart. This third embodiment and the second
The main difference from this embodiment is that during the entire writing period,
A scan pulse shifted by a phase difference time (for example, 1 μS) smaller than the scan pulse application time during the first scan is applied to all the data electrodes 10-1 to 10-p while applying one full write pulse. That is, the voltage is sequentially applied from the electrode 3-1 to the n-th scanning electrode 3-n. The other points are the same as those of the second embodiment 2, and the duplicated description thereof will be omitted. That is, in the entire writing period ta3, all the data electrodes 10-1,.
10-2, + V shown in (a) of FIG.
A write pulse having a voltage of w (V) is applied. Then, as shown in (b) to (d) of FIG. 6, while the write pulse is being applied, the scan pulse, which is the voltage of -Vs (V), is moved to a predetermined position smaller than the scan pulse application time. By shifting the phase difference time (the interval between t and d in the figure), the first
The voltage is sequentially applied to the n-th scanning electrode 3-n from the n-th scanning electrode 3-1. With this configuration, in the method of driving the gas discharge display device of the third embodiment, the time required for the full-page discharge operation period can be made shorter than that of the second embodiment. As a result, the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of the third embodiment is one time smaller than that of the second embodiment.
The number of display operation periods per cycle can be increased, and multi-gradation display can be easily performed by combining display operation periods.

<< Fourth Embodiment >> FIG. 7 shows waveforms of pulses applied to data electrodes, scanning electrodes and sustain electrodes in a method of driving a gas discharge type display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart. The fourth embodiment and the third
The main difference from this embodiment is that during the entire writing period,
While one entire write pulse is applied to all the data electrodes 10-1 to 10-p, all the scan electrodes 3-
That is, one scanning pulse is applied to 1, 3-2,..., 3-n. The other points are the same as those of the third embodiment, and the duplicated description thereof will be omitted. That is, in the entire writing period ta4, all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-p
7A, a write pulse having a voltage of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. 7A is applied. While the write pulse is being applied, all the scan electrodes 3-1, 3-2,.
., 3-n is applied with a scanning pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIGS. 7 (b) to 7 (d). With this configuration, in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device according to the fourth embodiment, the time required for the full writing operation period can be reduced as compared with the driving method of the third embodiment. As a result, the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of the fourth embodiment can increase the number of display operation periods per one cycle as compared with that of the third embodiment, and Can easily perform multi-tone display.

In the above four embodiments, the case where the write pulse has a positive polarity and the scan pulse has a negative polarity has been described. However, these pulses have opposite polarities, that is, the write pulse has a negative polarity and the scan pulse has a positive polarity. In this case, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Also, the case where the sustain pulse and the erase pulse have the negative polarity has been described.
If one or both of the erase pulses have a positive polarity,
The same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Further, although the scanning pulse, the sustain pulse, and the erasing pulse all have the same voltage amplitude of Vs (V), the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained by using pulse voltages having different voltage amplitudes. Can be Furthermore, although each of the above-mentioned pulses is applied with reference to 0 (V), the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained by applying a pulse with reference to other potentials.

The driving method of the gas discharge type display device of the present invention uses the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2,... 10-p shown in the first to fourth embodiments. Phosphor 9
, 10-p as well as a gas discharge type display device having a structure directly covered by a dielectric layer. Furthermore, without providing the phosphor 9, the data electrodes 10-1, 10
,... 10-p are exposed in the discharge space 7 and display is performed by directly using discharge light emission. In the writing period tw, although no wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the data electrode, scanning is performed. Since a wall charge equivalent to the wall charge is accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer covering the electrode and the sustain electrode, the driving method of the present invention can be applied.

[0030]

As is clear from the above description of the embodiments, the gas discharge type display device and the driving method thereof according to the present invention provide a display operation period sequence including at least one display operation period. , A full-discharge operation period is provided, and this period is used as one cycle to display an image. Thus, regardless of the displayed image, write discharge and sustain discharge occur in all discharge cells during the entire discharge operation period, and wall charges and space charges are periodically supplied to all discharge cells. As a result, a writing discharge, a sustaining discharge, and an erasing discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing a writing defect or an erasing defect. Further, even when a multi-gradation display is performed by combining a plurality of display operation periods, an image can be displayed with a desired gradation because a writing defect or an erasing defect is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas discharge type display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the gas discharge display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a driving device of the gas discharge display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to data electrodes, scan electrodes, and sustain electrodes in the method of driving the gas discharge type display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to a data electrode, a scanning electrode, and a sustain electrode in a method of driving a gas discharge display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to a data electrode, a scanning electrode, and a sustain electrode in a method of driving a gas discharge display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to a data electrode, a scanning electrode, and a sustain electrode in a method of driving a gas discharge display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a conventional AC type PDP.

FIG. 9 shows a data electrode, a scanning electrode, and a conventional AC type PDP.
4 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to sustain electrodes.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 First insulating substrate 3 Scan electrode 4 Sustain electrode 7 Discharge space 10 Data electrode 12 Second insulating substrate 16 Scan electrode drive circuit 17 Sustain electrode drive circuit 18 Data electrode drive circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first insulating substrate, a second insulating substrate disposed to face the first insulating substrate and forming a discharge space, and a surface of the first insulating substrate on a side of the discharge space. A plurality of scan electrodes arranged in parallel on each other, a plurality of sustain electrodes arranged in parallel on the first insulating substrate so as to form a pair with each of the plurality of scan electrodes, and via the discharge space A plurality of data electrodes arranged in parallel with each other on the surface of the second insulating substrate on the discharge space side so as to face the scan electrodes and the sustain electrodes; the plurality of scan electrodes; A method for driving a gas discharge type display device, comprising: a plurality of sustain electrodes; and a plurality of discharge cells each surrounded by the plurality of data electrodes and configured in the discharge space. And the scanning An entire discharge operation period including a full write period in which a scan pulse is applied to the sustain electrode and a sustain period in which a sustain pulse is applied to the scan electrode is a display operation period column including at least one display operation period. A method for driving a gas discharge type display device provided before. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the entire writing period, the scanning pulse is sequentially applied to each of the plurality of scanning electrodes while one of the entire writing pulses is applied to the data electrode. A driving method of the gas discharge type display device according to the above. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the entire writing period, the scanning pulse is sequentially applied to the plurality of scanning electrodes while being shifted by a predetermined phase difference time, while one full writing pulse is applied to the data electrode. The method for driving a gas discharge type display device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein one scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode during the entire write period, while one full write pulse is applied to the data electrode. A method for driving a gas discharge display device. 5. A first insulating substrate, a second insulating substrate arranged to face the first insulating substrate and forming a discharge space, and a surface of the first insulating substrate on a side of the discharge space. A plurality of scan electrodes arranged in parallel with each other, a plurality of sustain electrodes arranged in parallel on the first insulating substrate so as to form a pair with each of the plurality of scan electrodes, and A plurality of data electrodes arranged in parallel with each other on the surface of the second insulating substrate on the discharge space side so as to face the scan electrodes and the sustain electrodes; the plurality of scan electrodes; A plurality of discharge cells surrounded by each of the sustain electrodes and the plurality of data electrodes and respectively formed in the discharge space; and applying a scan pulse to the scan electrodes so that a write discharge occurs in all of the discharge cells. And the sustain discharge is A scan electrode driving circuit that applies a sustain pulse to the scan electrodes so as to occur in cells, a sustain electrode drive circuit that applies a sustain pulse to the sustain electrodes so that the sustain discharge occurs in all of the discharge cells, A data electrode drive circuit for applying a write pulse to the data electrodes so that a write discharge occurs in all of the discharge cells.